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RODNEY REALIZES THE VOID HE WAS FILLING WITH DRUGS WAS MEANT TO BE FILLED WITH GOD
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Rodney’s family was “close knit,” he said. “They had a lot of love, but there were also a lot of secrets.” When Rodney was 14 years old, he started using drugs to deal with the death of his mother. Being the youngest of 11 children, Rodney was…
JOSEPH REFLECTS UPON POST-DIVORCE DEPRESSION AND ADDICTION
He’s now focused on God’s love and forgiveness “I was raised right!” If someone were to ask Joseph about his childhood and his family values, this is the answer they would get. Joseph was born in Torrance and has “great memories” of his childhood. After his dad tragically died in a motorcycle accident when he…
CURTIS FINDS THE BELONGING HE WAS ALWAYS SEARCHING FOR IN GOD
The early years of Curtis’ life were filled with uncertainty and many changes within his home. Curtis and his mom were very close, especially after his dad left when he was only 6 months old. Curtis’ mom got remarried to an abusive man and he carried the weight of protecting her. “My mom was the…
SHALET FINDS STABILITY, RESTORATION OF FAITH, WHILE STAYING AT SHELTER
She’s hoping to be reunited with her children Childhood was not easy for Shalet. She was the oldest of four and in the early years, her family moved several times between Chico and Pomona. “I helped my mom a lot with my brothers and sister,” Shalet said, “but then she died and it was really…
MICHELLE VOLUNTEERS TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL SEEN, SAFE, AND LOVED
Michelle Downs has dedicated the last 20-plus years of her life to her family as a stay-at-home mother to her three daughters. “After they all graduated, I felt like I was fired,” she said. Michelle found herself with more time on her hands than she liked. She knew she still had so much to offer…
LOIS LEAVES STREET LIFE BEHIND AND FINDS THE MISSION’S WOMEN’S SHELTER
Being raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Lois had great memories from her childhood. Her parents were married and out of all her siblings she was “the spoiled one,” Lois said. “Although my father struggled with drinking, I remember my childhood being a great one.” After Lois graduated high school, she went on to college and received…
From Skid Row resident to Mission volunteer
John takes his role as a mentor to program men seriously John has made his past purposeful through volunteering at the Rescue Mission Alliance Victor Valley for the last eight years. He knows what it is like to be without a home and to feel hopeless. “We all come from broken homes,” he said. “We…
Bill’s Boots on the Ground
What can you testify to? If you could see the future, what would you want to see? I am sure we could all name many things of all different sorts, and they would mostly have to do with our life. In my prayer time I was thanking God for my testimony that He made possible.…
Ray celebrates his graduation at long-overdue ceremony
“The Mission saved my life.” These are the first words out of Ray Vaughn’s mouth when sharing his story from addiction to recovery. Life had not been easy for Ray. He grew up in Santa Monica one of five children to a former Marine father who was abusive. He recalls his childhood as being “rocky…
Bill’s boots on the ground
Freedom. It’s what was celebrated all across the United States on the 4th of July. However, in my experience, freedom is not recognized by all here in our country. I am talking about the guests of the Mission. Some struggle everyday to understand freedom, as they are slaves to sin. So many of the success…
Peace is restored to a family after two brothers’ healing
George and Sonny grew up in a large and loving home in Northridge, California. They were two of five children to parents that cared for them and made family a priority. They shared weekly family dinners together and enjoyed playing soccer with their older brother Juan Carlos. As children, they saw the effects of alcohol…
Brothers reflect on the change the mission had on their lives
Brothers Rick and Bob Robart have seen God strengthen their relationships as brothers and restore their relationship with their family. Rick and Bob grew up in Hacienda Heights, and at the ages of 13 and 8, respectfully, their mother moved out, leaving them to be raised by their father. Bob recalls a year after their…
