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Victories to Celebrate.
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GEORGE FINDS GOD IN JAIL AND STARTS HIS NEW LIFE AT THE MISSION
When George looks back at his life, he acknowledges that he didn’t have much of a childhood. “When I was small, my mom abandoned me,” he said. “My dad wasn’t really around-he was but he wasn’t-usually in prison or jail. I kind of raised myself. A little bit of everybody helped out.” That included his…
GARY HOPES TO LIVE A QUIET, SOBER LIFE, AND RECONCILE WITH HIS DAUGHTER
Gary grew up in Buena Park in Orange County, near Knott’s Berry Farm. “I lived there when it was just a berry farm. Before it was anything that it is now,” he said. He grew up with both parents and his six siblings-three brothers and three sisters, all in the same house. He recalls his…
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
It’s December, and most of our supporters know what that means: Banquet season! Our Thanksgiving banquet was a huge success! We provided over 800 meals and thousands of blankets, coats and kids clothing to men, women, and kiddos in our community. Many of our guests are barely holding on emotionally and financially; this event is…
GREG RETURNS TO GOD AFTER PAINFUL LOSS LEADS HIM TO ALCOHOL
Greg is still consumed with love when he speaks of his wife, Cindy. She was the love of his life, and their marriage was blissful. Greg said they enjoyed each other’s company and looked forward to spending their evenings together. “Each day after work we would wait on the other to sit and relax and…
Hundreds fed at 23rd annual Rescue Mission Alliance Central Coast Thanksgiving banquet
By April Chavez / Santa Maria Times – November 19, 2022 (To read entire article CLICK HERE) Community members are coming together to make sure no one is left behind this holiday season. Aiming to instill more kindness in the community and share the festivities involved with the end of the year, 130 volunteers joined together…
EVAN SEES FAMILY RESTORATION AND HEALING FROM ADDICTION IN PROGRAM
The goodness of God can be seen all throughout Evan’s life. Evan was raised alongside his older sister in Fallbrook, Calif. by two loving and committed parents. “I had a great childhood, and my parents are still married to this day, and school was great,” Evan said, adding that he has good memories of growing…
AFTER FLEEING FROM THE LAW, BRIAN SETTLES INTO MISSION’S PROGRAM
Several stints in jail left him yearning for a heart change Brian was born to two teen parents in Santa Maria. After six years his young parents separated, leaving Brian and his sister to be raised by their father. “My dad took custody of my sister and me because he found out that bad things…
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Growing up in the Western United States my whole life, I’ve learned a deep respect for those who pioneered the West. Every time I drive south on the 101, south of Los Alamos, I become overwhelmed by the landscape. I think about how blessed we are to have well-maintained roads that cut through the beautiful…
Luis continues to build ‘spirit mind’ after graduation
About a year ago, Luis was 20, battling addiction, and coming off of two years in and out of jail. He had started hanging with gang members in high school, where he was introduced to meth. He cleaned up for a bit, but after graduating and going to work in the fields, Luis started using…
Deja comes to work at the mission after addiction, loss strike her family
Six months into her new job managing Santa Maria Super Thrift, the Mission’s thrift store, Deja is seeing how the trauma she experienced as a daughter of an addict, can result in a perspective that’s helpful in her role. Deja grew up locally with two younger siblings-their mother was addicted to heroin. “It was pretty…
Kylie revels in seeing god work in clients’ lives
“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35-37. When Kylie Alsin was in college, she felt…
Dallas graduates program, begins his next chapter in life
It’s been nearly a year-and-a-half since Dallas got to the Mission, and as a recent graduate, he barely recognizes his past life, which was consumed by drugs, homelessness, and mental illness. “When I came into the program, I was a junkie and I never had a job in my life and I never really followed…
