J.R. reunited with his son’s mother, and the three of them live together now in their own apartment.

After graduating, he returned to work at RMA VC

On a recent morning drive to pick up donations for the Mission, J.R. was thinking about all the opportunities that have become available for him since graduating from the Life Recovery Program in January 2019. “It’s amazing how much my life has changed and how many doors God has opened for me in the last few years,” he said. “I have truly been blessed.”

After struggling for years with addictions, homelessness, and incarceration, J.R. made his way to RMA Ventura County in 2018. “I heard about the meals that were served here and that’s what initially got me to come,” he recalled. “But once here I knew that something was going to change in me if I stuck around.” He did stick around and started to relearn things that were once part of his life, like sobriety and a strong work ethic. But most importantly, he developed a strong relationship with Christ.

After completing the program, J.R. found employment and moved to the transitional living apartments while he worked various jobs. Eventually, he was able to afford his own apartment, but never lost his connection to the Mission. “I had always felt that the Mission was another family to me, and I missed the fellowship there.”

In August of 2020 J.R. was reunited with that family when he got a call from his previous program counselor who told him about a job opening at the Mission. He applied, got the job, and that’s when more doors began to open for him.

As RMA VC’s primary driver, J.R. picked up and delivered donations all over Ventura and Los Angeles counties, working with countless agencies and businesses along the way. “I’ve been able to develop so many great relationships with so many people, whether they are donors, vendors, or staff members at all our locations.”

J.R. was a quick learner with an impressive work ethic. He was soon promoted to oversee many of the operational duties at the Mission and supervise residents as a vocational trainer. Each day he works alongside the men in the Life Recovery Program, helping them to learn essential life and job skills that prepares them for future employment. “I think the men relate to me because I know how it is for them because I’ve been there. I get to help grow God’s Kingdom daily.”

Of all the doors which have opened or re-opened for him in the past years, J.R. is immensely grateful for those that led to the restoration of family relationships. After a long journey of reconciliation, J.R. and his long-time fiancée and the mother of his son were recently married. Now the three of them live together as a family in their own apartment.

It is such a blessing to be married now, to my wife who is a fully committed Christian. Getting to be a husband and a father who is responsible and supportive has been God’s biggest gift to me,” he said.

Despite his busy workload and family, J.R. still manages to find time to give haircuts to men of the program at the Mission’s new barbershop! It is a labor of love for the residents and for the place that helped open up so many opportunities for him.

This really is my second home, and I am eager to see what God has in store for me here, and what new doors He will open for me. But I will continue to be grateful for the ones I’ve already walked through.”