Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
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Vicente is learning about God’s grace, finds ‘family’ while in program
Vicente started drinking alcohol at age 11 during family celebrations. “There was always a lot of kids around, and they (adults) wouldn’t always be paying attention, so we’d try whatever was around. Then when I was about 12, I started sneaking shots.” Vicente, a star athlete in high school, said that sports originally kept him…
Crystal overcomes isolation, embraces community of women
After witnessing multiple family members struggle with drug and alcohol addiction, Crystal was “very cautious about using drugs. I was never going to,” she said. At 19, Crystal moved out of the house she shared with her sister as partying, drinking, and drug use became the norm. At 20, Crystal started taking college prerequisite classes…
Director’s Note: Celebrating 1 year of women’s lives changed
We will continue to grow these services with your help Next month will mark a year since Rescue Mission Alliance Central Coast opened our women’s program. The program was designed for women experiencing homelessness and addiction, and those escaping domestic violence and sex trafficking. For me, this journey has been a constant reminder of how…
Rogelio finds hope and a “new beginning” while in program
He is happy to change his ways and embark on a new life “Ten years is a long time,” Rogelio recalled, releasing a long breath. “For the last crime I did, they wanted to send me away to prison for a long time. Ten years. The longest I had been in prison before is 35…
Desiree can’t quench her ‘hunger and thirst for Christ’
Desiree struggles to describe her difficult childhood. “It was very … dark. It was sporadic as far as stability. It was a lot of bouncing around to friends and family.” Her mom, who had her at 16, was a heroin addict and in and out of prison. “She wasn’t really present for most of my…
Joshua is baptized, finds acceptance while at Mission
Joshua recalled having an “unstable” childhood. After the deaths of both his grandparents in quick succession, Joshua, his mother, and two younger siblings found themselves living in their van and sleeping in motels. At 6 years old, Joshua tried methamphetamines. By middle school, Joshua was regularly smoking meth, getting into fights, and skipping school. In…
Angel finds peace, rediscovers his drive at Mission
“I couldn’t kill myself, so I wanted the cops to come in and shoot me,” Angel said. After years of turmoil, disappointment, heartbreak, and his mother’s death, an intoxicated Angel wanted to end his life. A fight with his father right before the incident was Angel’s breaking point. “I was holding everything in for a…
Gabby fights longtime addiction, approaches year of sobriety
She hopes to inspire others to come to the Mission Since Gabby’s grandparents and parents were both in their addiction during the majority of her childhood, Gabby was raised mostly by her great grandmother. “She would pick me up in the morning and I’d be with her all day long,” Gabby said. “She took me…
Jose feels ‘at peace’ after graduating program
He’s now working full time with a Mission partner Jose grew up in Mexico and came to the United States when he was 15. “I grew up with my grandparents,” he said. “I didn’t have my dad with me and my mom was always at work. My grandparents recognized me as a son-they even gave…
Brandy works on overcoming trauma
She’s committed to healing through God Brandy is focusing on the positive. Despite having a lot of hard work ahead of her, she is happy to have found a safe place to live, a supportive sisterhood, and a blossoming relationship with God. “I’m just starting the Genesis Process, but I already know that I have…
Maria plans to help others after graduation
She was living on the streets before her arrival “It wasn’t a really good childhood,” Maria recalled. After relocating from Mexico to Santa Maria at the age of 7, Maria and her family – 10 people in total – lived in a single hotel room for 10 years. Maria’s mom and dad worked in the…
Program gives Dean time to regroup, focus on scripture
He encourages others to find God Dean knows it’s a “blessing” for him to still be alive. While intoxicated, Dean crashed into a car and broke his neck. However, because the other driver was on his cellphone at the time, Dean “got out of it.” A couple years later, under the influence, Dean went over…
