Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
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Post-program, Joe enjoys watching the other men grow
He is serving as a vocational resident and is looking into truck driving school Joe recalls a nice upbringing. “My mom and dad were married forever,” he said. “I had an Air Force dad and my mom stayed at home and raised us. I played baseball and other sports and, to me, I had a…
Director’s Note: Moving through seasons of sowing
How many of you have planted a garden or grown something in a pot? I am sure most of you are saying, ‘Yes, I have sowed seeds and grown amazing things.’ Here at the Mission, we are constantly sowing, sharing the Gospel with so many of our unhoused guests, and sometimes we get to harvest…
Sara ‘never knew’ help was available until program stay
Now she’s graduated and is looking to the future “I just looked up one day and I was homeless,” Sara said when asked how she came to the Mission. Sara, originally from Mississippi, moved to California, but when her mother became ill, she moved back to help her parents. “My family is incredibly close, we’re…
Men’s program manager relishes in residents’ transformation
John Schmidt has worked for RMA Victor Valley for over 15 years. After being saved at 21, and completing a recovery program himself, John was a pastor for 17 ½ years before he came to the Mission. Now, he uses his experience and his heart for people and relationships as the men’s program manager. When…
Beloved volunteer retires after 15 years of service
Joyce shares her story to help others For the past 15 years, Joyce Rothschild faithfully came to the Mission to serve our guests. Joyce’s heart for serving our unsheltered neighbors and friends was joyfully obvious. Joyce distributed meals, hygiene kits, blankets, emergency clothing, bus passes, and more. She memorized our informational guide to better help…
Phillip stops addiction cycle, graduates program
‘Alcohol kept intervening’ throughout his life Phillip was raised “European in America,” he said, as his French parents had immigrated and had him and his brother in the U.S. He was a “straight-A student, and a hard worker. That was the number-one emphasis in our family, was that you work hard. I took on too…
Kenneth is sober, employed, and engaged, 7 years after graduation
Looking back on his childhood in Compton, Kenneth feels like he “raised himself.” His father was in the military and was often away, and his mother died when he was just 4 years old-a fact that was kept from him for years. “I didn’t know my mother passed away until I was 6. No one…
Saying goodbye to a faithful Mission servant
Outreach Coordinator Mike Meyer passed away on March 10 The Mission has said goodbye to one of its most loyal supporters. Outreach Coordinator-and Life Recovery Program graduate-Walter “Mike” Meyer passed away on March 10. Mike came to the Mission through the Survival Outreach Services (SOS) Shower Program in 2012. He was long-unsheltered and in need…
Elena gets baptized, finds hope and excitement for future
Elena was born in Guatemala City and moved to Los Angeles with her mother before she was 10. They eventually moved to Apple Valley, where they lived for 20 years. When Elena’s mother began to have “personal problems” with family members, she planned to move out of the city, and told Elena that she could…
Jimmy begins to rebuild his life after relapse
Jimmy grew up in foster care until he was 17. At that point he “bounced around the East Coast,” he said. “I was a little bit like a rolling stone.” With not much to tether him, Jimmy decided to join the military. “I didthat for four years and then I came back, but I realized…
Director’s Note
Love is always worth the cost Who has God called you to love? Or, in other words, who in your life are you finding it difficult to love? Here at the Mission, we have the beautiful opportunity to walk with many who are deemed “hard to love.” Some of our guests have a tough time…
The one question that changed Chris’ life forever
He’s now nearing 16 years of sobriety When Chris is asked to recall his childhood, there’s a lot that he admits he would rather not think about. “I’m still processing it all if I’m honest,” he said. “I’m still not fully healed.” On the outside, Chris seemed to have an “All-American” background, competing in track…
