Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
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Bout With Homelessness Pushes Roy To Make A Change
Roy, who hails from Arizona, always held down a job. He played guitar in a heavy metal band, often performing in bars, and enjoyed social drinking. “It was just always around,” Roy said. “It was only on the weekends at first and it was no big deal. But it just kind of escalated.” After a…
Bill’s Boots On The Ground – July
Have you ever been lost? Maybe while camping or hiking? I’m talking about really lost, with no sense of where you are or how to get back to safety. It can be very frightening. Experiencing homelessness is similar in that it can be confusing and dangerous, and the way back to self-sufficiency is not clear.…
Restoring 20-year Marriage is Keeping Daniel Focused
Daniel had a difficult childhood, struggling with his father leaving their family when he was 6, and a physically and sexually abusive stepfather. He was raised in church and leaned on his faith and baseball until blowing out his shoulder when he was 15. “I got depressed, Daniel said. “I started just going to school…
Volunteer Spotlight: Shawna Draws on Her Past to Connect with Clients
Shawna’s time volunteering at the mission is meaningful to her, not only because she feels blessed by the clients she serves, but because she feels a connection to their plight. “I was homeless for two years,” she said. “I was a drug addict. Where those people are when they walk through our doors—I’ve been there.”…
Bill’s Boots on the Ground – June
If you have not already seen the new Showers of Blessings trailer around the Victor Valley, you will see it soon. We were blessed by some very generous donors to be able to purchase a mobile shower trailer. This will allow us to partner with other sites in the Valley to serve those experiencing homelessness…
Bill’s Boots on the Ground – May
The words spoken to us have power, and some people’s words definitely carry more weight. For me that person was my mom. I can still hear her words today: “Get out of the fridge, dinner will be ready in an hour!” As we celebrate Mother’s Day this month, I’m reflecting on all of the fond…
Graduate Rebounds From Years on the Streets
Justin recalls the day he walked into the mission last July: “I had no shirt, no shoes and ripped pants. I was filthy and really sunburned from just walking around looking for the place. I smelled, and I was embarrassed. They were really kind and they listened to me. I came in looking for help…
Brandon Sees Link Between Medical Studies and Mission Work
Brandon’s first day volunteering at the mission was a busy Monday morning. “They were short staffed and there was a long line out the door. I didn’t know what to expect.” Within the first couple hours, Brandon had handed out coffee, loaded up a food pantry truckload, and even found himself manning the front desk.…
Stephan Wants To “Grow Up” For His Kids
While prison was certainly a scary place, Stephan knows there was a reason he was sent there. “My parents raised me in church, so I’ve always been a believer, but I don’t think I ever had a personal relationship with Christ until 2011,” he said. “That’s when I went to state prison, so I was…
Justin Commits To Climbing Out Of His Grief
Justin and his girlfriend were having one of those perfect days that you have when you are 20 and in love. They went to a barbecue thrown by her family, and then stopped by her cousin’s house who hadn’t been able to make the party. The two of them went bowling and then spent time…
Bill’s Boots on the Ground – April
It can be said that a community is only as strong as the sum of all its parts. This includes the members that are hurting, struggling, and just not doing so well. It is something that we at Rescue Mission Alliance Victor Valley think about often as we minister to those folks who need our…
Gavin Escapes A Decade Of Heroin, Homelessness
Growing up in Orange County, Gavin was always active, playing football and riding BMX and dirt bikes. He developed an interest in welding and went to college to perfect the trade, and enjoyed spending time with his long-term girlfriend. But after his relationship ended, Gavin was devastated. “I took the break up really hard,” Gavin…
