Making A Difference That Matters
Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
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Diana is ‘keeping a strong grip’ on Jesus as she heals
As Diana grew older, she felt out of place. When she was 13 years old, Diana learned that she had been adopted as an infant. “I felt betrayed, but finally understood why I didn’t fit in and felt disconnected from other family members,” she said. After learning she had been lied to, tension grew between…
Vocational programs are meant to build ‘confidence in recovery’
This is the third story in a series chronicling “The Journey from Homelessness to Home,” a theme the Ventura County Rescue Mission is honoring this year. This month, we look into the Mission’s vocational programs and how they provide the men with skills, confidence, and hope for the future. Since a very young age, Adam…
LIFE RECOVERY PROGRAM OFFERS VINNY, OTHERS, THE SUPPORT TO HEAL AND GROW
Vinny’s father was an alcoholic, and was abusive to him and his mother. When he was 10, his parents divorced. “We left him,” said Vinny, who lived in Port Hueneme. “So I grew up with a single mother raising three kids. My dad was in and out of the picture. He’d appear and disappear.” When…
AFTER YEARS OF TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE, VICTORIA FINDS HEALING AT THE LIGHTHOUSE
Growing up, Victoria constantly felt less-than. Both of her parents had other children and their affection for them was greater than that for Victoria. “I was told I was unwanted as a child, so I did whatever it took to get any attention from them.” Victoria started harming herself in sixth grade. Over the next…
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
They say that home is where the heart is, but what if your heart is broken? What if your heart is full of sadness, loneliness, and despair? What kind of home is that? For many of our unhoused neighbors, each day is about survival. Each day they are in search of the things that many…
OUTREACH EFFORTS BRING MANY IN NEED, LIKE WILLIAM, TO THE MISSION
After finishing a nearly 20-year prison sentence-serving the first half in San Quintin and the second in Susanville where he trained in wildland firefighting- William wanted to change his life. He had regrets. While he was in prison, his mom had visited. “It was two days before Mother’s Day,” William said. “She looked at me…
VIOLET WORKS THROUGH CHILDHOOD PAIN, REUNITES WITH CHILDREN
Born to a drug addicted mother, Violet was adopted at 5 years old, but after three years, her parents gave up their rights. Violet was adopted again by another couple. “It was not a good experience-a lot like Cinderella’s story,” Violet said. “They had other children that were jealous, they started fostering, and I was…
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
The party might be over but the work continues. As we sweep up the confetti from our 50th anniversary last year, the Ventura County Rescue Mission enters 2023 with anticipation for the next 50 years. Encouraged from stories of the past and bolstered by the extraordinary level of need within our community, we refuse to…
AFTER GRADUATING THE PROGRAM, FRANK TAKES HELM OF KITCHEN AT A SISTER MISSION
Frank has good memories from his childhood, growing up in Oxnard with his parents and two siblings, spending time in the kitchen. “I remember watching my mom cook and helping out when the family got together.” This is when his love for cooking was born. In his 30s, Frank started drinking, and it became so…
MARYANN HITS ROCK BOTTOM AFTER FAMILY DEATHS AND SEEKS HELP FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE
MaryAnn was raised by a single mom alongside her five siblings. Her dad left the family when she was only 7 years old. “My dad chose to live in Mexico instead of with our family,” MaryAnn said. “And that has always affected me.” MaryAnn’s childhood was not easy. She and her siblings were often left…
Ventura County Rescue Mission celebrates with early Thanksgiving meal for patrons
From Santa Paula and Simi Valley to Oxnard and Ventura, the Ventura County Rescue Mission provided hundreds of Thanksgiving meals in recent days to the region’s needy.
On Wednesday, the Oxnard-based nonprofit served plates piled with turkey, mashed potatoes and other fixings to those who live at the shelter and receive services. Dozens of volunteers also helped to plate the food and bring them to the guests.
PROGRAM GIVES MARLON TIME TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
After consistent loss, he learns how to cope without using Marlon was raised by a single mom in Oxnard. His mom worked hard to provide for him and his five siblings. “I had an OK childhood,” Marlon shared. “It was hard being in the middle of five brothers. We struggled a lot, but my…
