Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
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Keno is ‘living proof’ that change is possible
Keno, 50, recalls growing up in a “broken home. Not so much drugs, but a lot of alcohol and child abuse,” he said. “If dad was having a bad day, he’d come home from work, and we’d all absorb it from him.” It was at the age of 11, shared Keno, when everything started to…
Meet Luke Johnson, Director at RMA Central Coast
He was previously the men’s program manager In 2020, Luke Johnson joined the RMA Central Coast team as the Men’s Program Manager, a role that aligns perfectly with both his calling and his deep roots in the community. Born and raised on the Central Coast, Luke carries a genuine passion for serving the very community…
A heartful goodbye
It is with bittersweet emotions that my family and I say goodbye to the Central Coast, a place we’ve been honored to call home for eight years. We are taking a new step in ministry as I accept the role of Executive Director at Fairhaven Rescue Mission in Covington, Kentucky. I want to extend my…
Gina spent her life helping others, until she needed help herself
“I’m so grateful to the Mission; you literally rescued my life,” Gina said quietly. For over 20 years, Gina worked as a certified nursing assistant. Helping others was something she always wanted to do, and it brought her immense joy. “I’ve loved taking care of people, helping people. I got my CNA license when I…
Program teaches Jasson it’s ‘okay to be vulnerable’
Jasson, born in El Salvador, was 2 years old when his mother moved to the United States to better support her son. “When she left, the first couple years I was bounced around with her friends or family,” he said. “They didn’t really want me there though. There was a lot of physical abuse. I…
Fighting hunger, feeding hope, fueling change
It all starts with a meal In April 2024, a stark reality was unfolding in Santa Maria. From the 101 overpass, visible on the dirt paths of the riverbed between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, a sprawling encampment had taken root. Old tents, rusty, stolen bicycles, and dirty tarps stretched over dying plants…
The one message that changed Jocelyn’s life
Jocelyn’s early life was chaotic; her parents separated when she was young, and she primarily lived with her mother. “I wasn’t normalized into having a family. I was separated between holidays and weekends between my parents,” she said. “I mostly stayed with my mom, taking care of her. My mom was into partying, clubbing, drinking,…
Cesar appreciates support, accountability at the Mission
The youngest of 13 children, Cesar was raised by a single mother after his parents separated shortly after his birth. He never saw his father again. That early abandonment became the root of much of the trauma he would carry throughout his life.”I started drugs at a very young age. My mom wasn’t around very…
Director’s Note
This is going to be a bit more personal. If we haven’t been introduced, my name is Chris Rutledge, and I’m the Director of RMA Central Coast. My wife Sarah and I have been married for 13 years this November, and we have twin 11-year-olds. I want to share an observation I had at…
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…
