Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
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For Abel, one piece of advice made all the difference
When Abel first entered the program, he never imagined he’d graduate. It’s taken five attempts to get to this moment. But this time is different. Abel is not just clean and sober-he’s thriving, deeply rooted in faith, humility, and a determination to leave a legacy his grandchildren can be proud of. Born and raised in…
April vows to hold onto God’s promise ‘every step of the way’
For most of her life, April carried burdens that weren’t hers to bear. Growing up in a dysfunctional home, she became the caretaker of her family long before adulthood. “My dad was abusive to my mom, and I was the one who had to stop the fights and make sure my brothers were okay,” she…
Yesenia isn’t just surviving—she’s thriving
She no longer feels alone Yesenia’s life is a testament to resilience. Born into a large family in Cambria, she was the second youngest of 13 children. Her early years were marked by chaos, neglect, and abuse. By age 6, she had already experienced trauma no child should ever have to endure-molested by her father…
Finding purpose in sacrifice: a journey to the Mission
David is the men’s program case manager For David Chang, faith was something he grew up with. Raised in the Bay Area after immigrating from Taiwan at the age of 6, he spent his youth immersed in church life-attending services, playing piano for worship, and checking all the “right boxes.” Yet, he now reflects on…
For Luis, Mission’s support continues even after graduation
Luis couldn’t bear to bring his mother anymore pain. “I was really hooked on drugs. My family saw me in the backyard, strung out, and my mom was crying. When I saw my mom crying, I wanted to use drugs more (because) I felt terrible. I wanted to overdose a couple of times, but I…
Rudy’s faithful journey from trauma to transformation
He knows God is with him When Rudy entered the doors of the Mission, he carried decades of pain-wounds from childhood trauma, years of addiction, broken trust, and the weight of shame. But he also carried something else: hope. Hope that God hadn’t given up on him. Hope that healing was possible.Rudy grew up in…
Mission helps Juan find his purpose, relearn his worth
Growing up in Guadalupe, CA, Juan was surrounded by a loving family and a tight-knit community. His childhood was filled with sports, school, and days spent at the beach. With parents from Mexico, he was raised with strong values and a deep sense of community. However, despite his supportive upbringing, life took an unexpected turn.…
Noeli discovers it’s “never too late” while at Mission
Due to an abusive upbringing, Noeli began using heroin at 16. At 17, after a heartbreaking stillbirth, drugs became her primary coping mechanism. In 2014, Noeli went to prison for five years for armed robbery. Six months after release, she went back to prison for two years for grand theft auto. By late 2021, Noeli…
Krystal vows to “get the most” out of program
She’s beginning to address her trauma Most of Krystal’s adolescence went unsupervised. Her mother spent her days drinking at the casino, leaving Krystal alone for long stretches of time. “My mom didn’t supervise me very much,” Krystal said. “I was lonely. She wasn’t there, at home, so I did whatever I wanted.” Krystal began hanging…
After 10 years of addiction, Victor leaves drugs behind
He’s forging a new path At 2 years old, Victor’s parents divorced. His mother raised Victor and his two older brothers by herself, but due to work, often left them with a babysitter. “I didn’t really have a relationship with my mom growing up. It seemed I saw the babysitter more than I did my…
Jessica overcomes shame, finds love, acceptance in program
She’s reconnecting with her family “It’s different now – knowing I’m loved, accepted, and appreciated no matter what. I think a lot of us hide behind ourselves, or our addictions, or our shame. It felt shameful, having to admit I was drinking too much. Especially for me, who grew up in the church.” Jessica was…
After a lifetime of addiction, Adrian seeks help
He hopes to reconnect with family Adrian knows all about devastating loss. In 2011, his son was murdered in front of his aunt’s home. “It was a drive-by shooting, but my son wasn’t a part of it, wasn’t the intended target. Some of his friends were shot, but they all survived. I was so angry…
