Rescue Mission Alliance

Dawn and her family left the shelter at the end of last year when her husband was offered a job. Shortly thereafter, his hours were cut and then eliminated. Like all of us, his position was at the mercy of the economy. He found he had unemployment benefits from a previous employer. This kept their family above water and hopeful for the future. Dawn says, "once we left the family shelter and got on our feet, I knew that with faith anything was possible. Prayer got me through it."

With her husband's support, Dawn attended a job club, which provided help with resume writing, interviewing skills, and resources for business attire. The club offered job leads that could turn into real opportunities. Dawn left a message for one potential employer and continued to search.

While waiting to hear back, Dawn returned to the mission "to give back to the place that helped us out," and to prepare herself for employment. She volunteered over 32 hours a week until she was offered a job. Dawn conducted herself in a professional manner, taking ownership of her duties, assisting our staff, and was willing to do even the most humbling tasks with a smile on her face.

Today, Dawn is working full-time as a receptionist for a financial firm in the area. Her 8-5 schedule allows her to help her family financially and be home to care for her children. The mission will miss her, but for us, this is success. We come alongside of the families and utilize outside agencies to assist with job placement and training. We are committed to "changing lives for good," and rejoice with Dawn and her family for their perseverance, faithfulness, and success!

Click here to help people rebuild their lives and be a part of success stories like these.

My name is Dennis. I’ve been an alcoholic since I was sixteen. I am now 58 years old. I cannot remember a day or a time that I was not drinking alcohol, and lots of it. I would normally drink between a six-pack and a twelve-pack per day after I got off work. These past few years, I hit bottom. I lost my job at the Casino and started living on the streets. My son-in-law, who was homeless and found help at the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission, found me living on the streets ready to die. He told me my granddaughter kept asking about me. It was at that moment I knew I needed help. So, I joined the mission’s drug and alcohol recovery program in Ventura County. For 42 years, there was not a day I was not intoxicated. Going through the mission’s ten-month program, I didn’t have one drink. Wow, what a difference being sober; it feels great. Thanks to the mission, I fully surrendered my life to God; I humbled myself and admitted I needed help. My life was out of control. Now that I am clean and sober, I want to thank God and my little granddaughter Savanah. A little girl brought a stubborn man to his knees. Now I am one happy granddaddy!

My name is Rosemary. I have always been a hard worker and never asked anyone for anything. A couple years ago I moved with my children into a rented house. Little did I know the house was in foreclosure and within three months we would be evicted. We lost our deposits and had nothing left in our savings. At first the girls and I lived in a motel until all money ran out. Then for six months we slept in the family mini-van in the neighborhoods of Sylmar. That was a scary experience. We would shower at a friend’s house, but because her house was overcrowded, we could not move in. Afraid, exhausted and frustrated, I called 211 and asked for help. A counselor told me about the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission.

We stayed in the shelter for eight months. During that time, I worked as many hours as I could at K-mart. Per shelter rules, I saved 80% of every dollar I earned. This savings eventually helped me to move into my own apartment. I am so thankful to the Mission for providing me shelter, food, showers, and most of all security and safety where I could rebuild my life. Financially things are very tight, but we are making it, and we will make it.

Alex and his family look forward to a new life

My name is Alex. I was born and raised in East Los Angeles. I went to a private school and excelled in soccer. I was offered a full scholarship to play at Cal Berkley; instead, I started using drugs. I became addicted to crystal meth. I chose drugs and gangs over a college education. I was full of myself. I felt invincible. Not only was I using drugs, I was selling drugs. At age 22, I was driving around in a black limo pushing pounds of coke, meth, and opium. I was living the good life, so I thought.

Reality hit when I was arrested for grand theft auto, embezzlement, and drug possession. I served 11 months at Tehachapi prison near Lancaster. After leaving prison I promised my girlfriend and kids that I was going to change my ways. The change was short lived and I started using crystal meth again. Due to my drug use, I lost my job and we became homeless. Full of stubbornness and pride, I told my girlfriend I would never live in a shelter because of curfews and drug testing. Broken and defeated with nowhere to turn, I agreed to stay in a shelter. We turned to the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission. They welcomed us with open arms. At the mission, I decided to abandon my drug use and gave my heart to God. Wow, what a change. Instead of hate and rebellion, my heart is filled with love and compassion. Instead of submitting to the destructive power of drugs, I have submitted my heart to God. My life will never be the same.

Being homeless and working a fulltime job at the mall isn’t easy. Even though I’m a manager, I only make $10.00 per hour. My greatest challenge is to keep a smile on my face at work. When customers come in, I’m always positive. If they only knew the stress I have in my life and that I live in a homeless shelter. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. I’m so thankful that I have a roof over my head. Sometimes I’m so tired when I get back to the shelter and I have no real privacy for me and my girls. All in all, I’m not depressed. This is another obstacle I must go through. I must be strong and positive about my life or I’ll be in the same place forever.

Changing Lives for Good