Stories that Inspire.
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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…
Program helps Nadine find her ‘new beginning’
Nadine, now 39, started smoking meth with friends at 17. When she had her first son, Brennan, at 19, she was clean during her pregnancy but relapsed a couple years later. This cycle continued when she had two more sons, Abel and Joshua. By the time her youngest was 4, Nadine was back to using…
After relapse, Ryan asks for help, enters sister mission
Ryan grew up playing sports, but also with a rare disease, which causes deterioration of the bones in the knees. “It’s like osteoporosis in kids,” he said. “They don’t know how to treat it or really how to manage it.” Ryan had more than a dozen knee surgeries throughout his late teens and 20s. With…
Erika is ‘walking into the light’ after years of darkness
She is excitedly welcoming Jesus into her life While her life didn’t go the traditional route, Erika was more or less “the responsible one” for most of her young life. She grew up in San Luis Obispo in a “dysfunctional family, so everything that comes with that,” Erika said, “verbal abuse, physical, visitation fights, substance…
Erik is in it for ‘the long run’ and committed to change
After 5 months in the Mission’s Life Recovery Program, he has a relationship with God for the first time Last year, while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, Erik decided he wanted to drive from his home in San Jose to Tijuana. “I hadn’t slept for days,” he said. “I was hearing voices. I…
Saul deepens relationship with God, finds love, purpose at Mission
ENGLISH SPANISH SAUL DEEPENS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, FINDS LOVE, PURPOSE AT MISSION February 16, 2024 | Sascha-Eden Preston He’s restoring his bonds with his children Saul had a relatively quiet childhood growing up in San Diego with his siblings and both parents. He graduated high school and then ITT Tech. At 19, he had his…
Sean focuses on transparency, building a lasting foundation at Mission
When Sean was 10, he was diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Ritalin to help him stay focused in school. It quickly became a part of his everyday routine: wake up, take meds, go to school. It was this developed habit that Sean believes conditioned him to try other substances. “I was so used to taking…
Celia finds her perfect fit at the Mission
Celia never thought she would be leading other women in their recovery, but God had other plans. As Program Manager for the recently opened Women’s Life Recovery Program at Rescue Mission Alliance Central Coast, Celia is excited to use her life, educational, and professional experiences in her role. Celia knows what it’s like to wrestle…
Director’s Note
A year for new Mission holiday traditions It’s Christmastime, and at the Mission that means large events, and our best efforts at sharing the hope of Jesus during this season. In past years, we’ve held a banquet and opened it to the community. The incredible folks at Rescue Mission Alliance Ventura County would cook the…
After 30 years of drinking, Matt is ready to call it quits for good
He said he’s in recovery ‘for the long haul’ Matt was born and raised by his father on the Central Coast. His mom was in prison and then in and out of his life for years. After a custody hearing, it was determined that Matt would live with his father, and Matt’s sister would live…
Director’s Note
Graduation is celebratory, bittersweet We recently held a graduation event, where we honored four men who completed the Life Recovery Program! We also celebrated Dallas, who earned his GED earlier this year. If you’ve never been to a Mission graduation, we’d love for you to join us at our next one! It’s a humbling and…
