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JOEY’S DRIVE TOWARD HEALING COMES FROM COMMITMENT TO HIS FAMILY
When Joey was 3 years old, he was adopted. “I was adopted by good people,” he said. “I was very lucky, and I had an amazing childhood.” Joey has good memories of vacations, celebrating birthdays, and seeing his older siblings get married or join the military. His family lived in Lompoc and was “very tight-knit.”…
KELSIE BUILDS RELATIONSHIPS, SPREADS THE WORD ABOUT THE MISSION
After spending her life on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, Kelsie Teves-Chang was looking for a change as she approached high school graduation. “When you live on an island, you can get island fever,” said Kelsie, who decided to go to college in California. “I had a roommate, and all my classes were set up.”…
DAVID RESTORES FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AFTER HIS TIME ON THE STREETS
A native Texan, David, along with his mother, moved to Van Nuys at 17 years old to live with his sister. David’s mom suffered from depression, so he took on the role of caring for and looking after her. But David’s sister soon felt the weight of providing financially for him and his mom.…
JOHNNY FOCUSES ON REBUILDING TRUST, GROWING RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
Childhood was not easy for Johnny. Born in Lancaster and raised in Sacramento, at 8 years old Johnny’s parents divorced and he lived with his mom. “Growing up was rough,” he said. “I fought a lot with my mom, got in trouble at school, and moved from my mom’s to my dad’s.” The early school…
GEORGE FINDS GOD IN JAIL AND STARTS HIS NEW LIFE AT THE MISSION
When George looks back at his life, he acknowledges that he didn’t have much of a childhood. “When I was small, my mom abandoned me,” he said. “My dad wasn’t really around-he was but he wasn’t-usually in prison or jail. I kind of raised myself. A little bit of everybody helped out.” That included his…
GARY HOPES TO LIVE A QUIET, SOBER LIFE, AND RECONCILE WITH HIS DAUGHTER
Gary grew up in Buena Park in Orange County, near Knott’s Berry Farm. “I lived there when it was just a berry farm. Before it was anything that it is now,” he said. He grew up with both parents and his six siblings-three brothers and three sisters, all in the same house. He recalls his…
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
It’s December, and most of our supporters know what that means: Banquet season! Our Thanksgiving banquet was a huge success! We provided over 800 meals and thousands of blankets, coats and kids clothing to men, women, and kiddos in our community. Many of our guests are barely holding on emotionally and financially; this event is…
GREG RETURNS TO GOD AFTER PAINFUL LOSS LEADS HIM TO ALCOHOL
Greg is still consumed with love when he speaks of his wife, Cindy. She was the love of his life, and their marriage was blissful. Greg said they enjoyed each other’s company and looked forward to spending their evenings together. “Each day after work we would wait on the other to sit and relax and…
Hundreds fed at 23rd annual Rescue Mission Alliance Central Coast Thanksgiving banquet
By April Chavez / Santa Maria Times – November 19, 2022 (To read entire article CLICK HERE) Community members are coming together to make sure no one is left behind this holiday season. Aiming to instill more kindness in the community and share the festivities involved with the end of the year, 130 volunteers joined together…
EVAN SEES FAMILY RESTORATION AND HEALING FROM ADDICTION IN PROGRAM
The goodness of God can be seen all throughout Evan’s life. Evan was raised alongside his older sister in Fallbrook, Calif. by two loving and committed parents. “I had a great childhood, and my parents are still married to this day, and school was great,” Evan said, adding that he has good memories of growing…
AFTER FLEEING FROM THE LAW, BRIAN SETTLES INTO MISSION’S PROGRAM
Several stints in jail left him yearning for a heart change Brian was born to two teen parents in Santa Maria. After six years his young parents separated, leaving Brian and his sister to be raised by their father. “My dad took custody of my sister and me because he found out that bad things…
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Growing up in the Western United States my whole life, I’ve learned a deep respect for those who pioneered the West. Every time I drive south on the 101, south of Los Alamos, I become overwhelmed by the landscape. I think about how blessed we are to have well-maintained roads that cut through the beautiful…
