Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
Stay connected with all the good work the Mission is doing!
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…
Rebuilding a Good Foundation
Brandon shares, “I had been sober about five and a half years, but I started getting depressed, so I started drinking again. I got three DUI’s within 13 months and everything just fell apart. My son’s mother said I couldn’t see him unless I stopped drinking. I was warned that, if I didn’t stop drinking,…
Real Life
Having grown up on the Central Coast, Casey attended local schools, graduated high school, and began a successful career. He states, “But then I had a really hard time. I had problems with my girlfriend and for whatever reason, I went down another road and got into addiction. It was a train wreck for about…
Lessons Learned, Looking Forward
Reflecting on lessons learned at the mission, Will says, “Transparency is a big one. Knowing that I’m not alone and that I’m able to help others through being transparent is a big lesson learned. Being able to identify with others and being honest brings camaraderie. Camaraderie is a huge part of the program here. It…
Intercessory Player
An intercessor is defined as, “a person who intervenes on behalf of another.” That is Ivan. Through diligence at the thrift store, in the place of transitioning leadership, Ivan has stepped in and provided useful service to the mission. Ivan states, “At first I thought this was just a thrift store; this is just work,…
Ring Man
“I didn’t have my wedding ring when I came into the program and my wife has since expressed a desire to reconcile. The other day she put the wedding ring back on my finger. I wept. It means a lot to have someone else see how quickly I am developing here. She knows that the…
Making Change a Friend
“This place has changed my life from where I was to where I am at now. I’m healthy. I’m off the streets. I’m helping others instead of taking from them. I’m learning about God. What He is doing in my life now is amazing because I’ve never really liked change and He is changing me.…
Shaping Character, Serving Customers
Thrift store volunteer Gino says, “We are not just selling stuff to roll it up into our pockets for a profit. These men are our future. How we help, these men will shape the character of tomorrow. I’m all for it.” Gino understands the place he volunteers and ‘gets’ the vision of Central Coast Super…
A Wanted Man
“Nobody wanted me around,” says Travis. “I grew up in the San Fernando Valley and had a violent childhood. I watched my step-dad shoot a gun out of the house window at my mother. At the age of 12, my step-dad gave me meth so I would play better in a baseball game. After experiencing…
When Smiles Are Extra Precious
In partnership with the Santa Maria Foursquare Church and with Grace Baptist Church, the mission is reaching out to the many homeless children that live in north Santa Barbara County. Of all the counties in California, Santa Barbara County has the highest percentage of homeless students in its school systems (13.6%), and most of that…
Use it or Lose it
The servant who hid his talent got it taken away and given to another. The lesson to be learned is, “use it or lose it.” To that end, Haela and her daughter are making the most of their opportunities by serving as volunteers. She says, “I went to a Bible study where a lady is…
