Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
Stay connected with all the good work the Mission is doing!
Staff Spotlight: Juanita Takes Helm Of Thrift Store
If you’re shopping at Central Coast Super Thrift or dropping off a donation, you may notice a new—and very friendly—face. Juanita is the new store lead at the Santa Maria store, and she is loving her new role. “There’s a lot to learn, but this is where I really wanted to be,” Juanita said. “I…
Heartbreak Leads To Clean Life
April 6th. That was the day that changed Melissa’s life—the day she delivered her 1-pound baby boy at only four months pregnant. “He was just so small,” said Melissa, through tears. “I was still doing drugs. I wasn’t taking care of my body. That’s why it happened.” The months after her baby’s death were dark…
Mission Graduate Finds Himself Back Again
When Shane is asked about starting the Rescue Mission Alliance Central Coast, he pushes back. “I didn’t do it, God did. He just used me,” Shane said. “Sometimes you’re a tool and you don’t even know it. That was 15 years ago. Now I’m back as a client.” Shane, born and raised in Santa Maria,…
After 30 Years Of Drug Abuse, A Life Is Changed
For Steve, it took some tough love to get him the help he needed. After doing drugs off and on for 30 years, Steve still wasn’t ready to change his ways. “My brother said, ‘You need help or you’re going to be out on the street.’ He has two little ones. He told me, ‘If…
Putting The Past Behind Him
Despite having only just turned 22 last month, Zachary has had a lot of life experience. His father was in the Air Force, so Zach was born in Germany and then lived in Idaho, Texas and Montana before settling in Santa Maria when he was in junior high. He excelled at school, earning a 4.0…
When a Sentence Turns Into a Blessing
It isn’t always by choice that people end up at the mission. Sometimes, as a result of a crime, part of sentencing will involve time in a recovery program. That’s how Steve ended up here. “It was court ordered that I come here for six months,” he said. Steve doesn’t have a scandalous story. He…
“Same Kind of Different as Me”
A major feature film hitting the box office this month will shed some light on what you already know—supporting rescue missions, helping the homeless, getting involved— can save peoples’ lives. “Same Kind of Different as Me” is based on the inspiring true story of Ron and Debbie Hall and their unlikely and life-changing friendship with…
Breaking the Cycle
Speaking from experience, Greg states, “You gotta get sober. You gotta find a good support group. You gotta surround yourself with good people. Don’t get caught out there. It sucks you in and soon you are on the streets and it becomes a cycle that is hard to break.” For Greg, that cycle broke. In…
Blame Game Tamed
“By age 12, I blamed God for my problems. I blamed God for my brothers’ illnesses. I blamed God for the way our home operated as a broken home. I blamed God…up until recently.” Until recently Rafael’s life was disappointing. He notes, “My childhood was pretty horrible. I was born to an alcoholic father. My…
Friday Night Food Truck
In early 2017, the Rescue Mission Alliance Central Coast “rolled” out an exciting new outreach that has a lot of people excited. Johnny Torres, the mission’s cook, came up with the idea to use our SOS Truck and serve a made-to-order menu to anyone who needs a hot meal. Every Friday night you can hear…
Raised in Love
Seeing the love in Brendon’s eyes as he recalls how his mother and grandmother raised him, you know that he had an amazing childhood. “With no dad around, my mom and grandma did so much for me. They cooked and cleaned and kept us happy. They did so much, they did everything. I am so…
Living and Leaving a Legacy
Brock states, “I had a good life growing up here locally. The root of my problem is that I like to party too much, it started in high school. Partying became an everyday thing and just took over my life. We thought we were cool if we partied every day, but the truth is we…
