Our Mission

Since 1972, the Ventura County Rescue Mission has been serving the poor and homeless, offering hope to thousands of hurting people. The mission provides a full range of services to help the most vulnerable members of our community break free from poverty, homelessness, and addiction.

Refuge

Food, shelter and clothing for those in need.

Recovery

Biblically-based programs to minister to the whole person: body, mind, and spirit.

Restoration

Equipping people to lead productive and independent lives.

Lighthouse for Women and Children

The Lighthouse for Women and Children began serving homeless single women and women with children in 1998, Today, with an overall capacity of 112 beds, the Lighthouse offers care specifically tailored to the needs of homeless women and children by providing emergency shelter, substance abuse recovery, Christian discipleship, education, life skills development, vocational training and transitional housing.

Woman and Child smiling

Mission History

1972 | Founding of The Rescue Mission

The Oxnard Rescue Mission started in a small building providing food, shelter, and recovery for homeless men.

1989 | MISSION ACQUIRES ANGEL HOUSE

Angel House property added to provide transitional housing.

1991 | MISSION ACQUIRES LA PAZ HOTEL

La Paz property added to provide additional transitional housing for recovery program graduates.

1992 | RESCUE MISSION FIRE

A fire completely destroys the main dormitory of the mission. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the blaze.

1998 | NEW MISSION FACILITY OPENS

The Ventura County Rescue Mission opens a new, larger facility to serve the poor and homeless in the community.

1998 | LIGHTHOUSE FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IS ESTABLISHED

In response to the increasing numbers of homeless women and children, the mission launched the Lighthouse.

2003 | Lighthouse Opens Emergency Shelter

In response to the growing numbers of homeless women and children, the Lighthouse launches a year-round emergency shelter.

2007 | Lighthouse Expands Facilities

The Lighthouse acquired two additional facilities to expand transitional housing for single women and children and to accommodate intact homeless families.

Mission Impact

Every day as the sun rises and sets into the ocean, the Ventura County Rescue Mission is changing lives for good.

Shelter Graphic

49,764

Nights of Shelter

NIGHTS OF SHELTER
Last year we provided more than 49,700 nights of safe, warm and comfortable sleep for men, women, and children.

Meal Graphic

223,628

Meals Served Last Year

MEALS SERVED
A warm meal nourishes the body, mind and soul and can make all of the difference in the world to someone who is hungry and homeless.

Shirt with Heart Graphic

4,837

Articles of Clothing

ARTICLES OF CLOTHING
Fresh, clean clothes can make a big difference for someone looking for a new start in life.

Graduation Cap Graphic

33

Life Recovery Program Graduates

LIFE RECOVERY PROGRAM GRADUATES
Last year 33 men and women graduated from the life recovery program clean and sober, and ready to make a difference in their community.

You can help us change lives for good.

Your donation supports people in need and helps them lead healthy, self-sufficient lives.