Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
Stay connected with all the good work the Mission is doing!
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…
BILL’S BOOTS ON THE GROUND
Welcoming all prodigals Jesus told a story to the disciples, and the Pharisees who were there, about two sons. One asked his father for his inheritance and then squandered it, returning empty handed, hoping only to gain a servant’s position in his father’s house. The father was waiting every day for his son to return,…
DEAN FINDS JOY IN MOTORCYCLES, GRANDKIDS, AND CHRIST
Dean laughs when he talks about his somewhat disjointed upbringing. “I joke about it,” he said. “My mom used to take me to church, but then I was partially raised by a motorcycle club too. I don’t want to talk badly about it though, I still love motorcycles, and I ride with my grandkids now.…
MORE THAN A DECADE AFTER GRADUATION, JOSEPH STILL CELEBRATING ‘NEW LIFE’
Joseph grew up in Victorville in a turbulent and violent household. “It was the 60s,” he said. “Child abuse was not heard of. It wasn’t recognized. Neighbors, schools, principals, they didn’t care. “From kindergarten on up, I’d come in with black eyes, fat lips, bruises, and they turned their backs on me. When I was…
AFTER DRAINING CUSTODY BATTLE, JOHN WANTS TO LEAVE DRINKING BEHIND
John was a talented athlete at his Apple Valley High School, but sports took a backseat after he had a child his senior year. He got two jobs right away, holding an internship at Edison and a part-time gig at Taco Bell. After graduation, he got a job working full time as a cable lineman.…
2020 Lives changed for good: Tony
Drugs took hold of Tony early. In middle school, he was already using and felt out of control. He asked for help from a teacher and entered a rehabilitation facility in Orange County. “I couldn’t control myself anymore,” Tony said. “I couldn’t handle it. I was 12 or 13 years old.” Tony finished high school…
2020 Lives changed for good: Joe
When Joe felt like he had nowhere to turn, he reached out to his younger brother, Bert. Bert was getting help with his addiction, and had a place to stay. He encouraged Joe to join him, and that’s how he ended up at the Rescue Mission Alliance Victor Valley. “I told my brother I needed…
