Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
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George is praying for restoration with his children after hitting rock bottom
A few years after high school when he was working for his dad at his machine shop, George developed an addiction to cocaine. He battled it from 1998 to 2002. “During that period, nobody knew except my dad,” he said. “I quit cold turkey with his help and I kept myself clean-no alcohol, no tobacco,…
Mission opens new women’s shelter
This month marks a major milestone for the Rescue Mission Alliance Victor Valley, as we officially open our new women’s shelter. We feel blessed to be able to expand in this way, and look forward to even more growth in the future. In our desert, the need for shelter is so apparent-all you have to…
After struggling with ‘bitterness,’ Ray welcomes restoration
Ray* was raised in Irvine and said he grew up “with Jesus on the wall, but not ever going to church.” His childhood was riddled with abuse at the hands of his father. “It was the real definition of abuse,” Ray said. “There were bruises up and down my back, black eyes, busted lips.” Ray…
Ernie focuses on serving others, restoring his relationships, at Mission
When Ernie talks about his early childhood, he describes it as average-even “fair.” But at around 10 years old, things changed. “It was OK, despite my parents not getting along and divorcing when I was young,” he said. “I always had what I needed. It was good. But it did take a turn when my…
Bill Boots on the Ground
How do you answer this question? My friends from the streets of the Victor Valley answer this question the same way many of us do. They say, “I don’t like change.” They live a life making decisions just like us, but most of theirs are ones of survival. When they wake up, they are faced…
Bill Boots on the Ground
What is your legacy? How do you want others to think of you when they remember your life? I was able to attend a family reunion recently where we spoke of many of our family members and the memories we had with them. When I reflect on legacy and what it means-a gift that is…
Tom and Carrie: A life restored
Tom’s story, which he reflected on recently more than seven years after graduating the Mission’s Life Recovery Program, is one of redemption and restoration. After addiction destroyed his family-he had a good life with wife, Carrie, and their children-Tom spent years in and out of jail. After the couple divorced in 1998, Carrie was in…
When there is no place left to turn
Just like many of the guests at the Rescue Mission Alliance Victor Valley, I too have a very broken past. But I just got to celebrate 14 years clean and sober on August 1st, thank you, Jesus! When people hear of my position as director of the Rescue Mission Alliance Victor Valley, I like to…
GRADUATE SERVES OTHERS, SHOWS LOVE THROUGH FOOD
It’s been two-and-a-half years since Nathan graduated from the Mission’s Life Recovery Program, and while he hasn’t traveled far, he continues to make great strides. Nathan stayed in the program house after his December 2018 graduation, helping out with some operations. He also prepared food for the clients in the life recovery and transitional living…
‘WHY CAN’T SOMEONE JUST FIX THIS?’
These days we see the tents and camps of those experiencing homelessness all around us. The population of those living on the streets seems to be ballooning in many cities. Why can’t someone just fix this? It’s a question we grapple with, and the answer is simply not “one size fits all.” Every person experiencing…
GRADUATE RETURNS TO THE MISSION AS CHAPLAIN, PROGRAM ASSISTANT
When Timothy entered the Mission’s Life Recovery Program six years ago, he didn’t imagine he’d still be here all this time later, leading men who are struggling just like he was. In April, Timothy was hired as program assistant at the Mission and is relishing his new role. “I’m so grateful to be back here…
BILL’S BOOTS ON THE GROUND
The Redeemer A “redeemer” is defined as “a person who redeems someone or something.” To redeem can have many meanings, but the ones we focus on here are “to set free” or “to restore the honor, worth or reputation of” or, perhaps most importantly, “to save, a person or soul, from a state of sinfulness…
