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Gary Reconnects With God After Years Away
“I grew up on a small island in the South Pacific called American Samoa,” Gary said. “I only had three goals in life: to speak English without an accent, get a college degree—check, check—and to leave that island and never return. It was too small. I loved my culture, but I wanted to see what…
After Suffering Devastating Losses, Nick Focuses On His Young Daughter
When Nick was 10 years old, his brother died after a night of extreme alcohol and cocaine use. Two years later, his mother, a lifelong heroin addict, died from congestive heart failure, and complications from hepatitis C and diabetes. “I lost so much of my family at an early age,” he said. “My father was…
Lighthouse Grad’s Life Renewed After Years of Struggle
It wasn’t until her 30s that Elena started experimenting with drugs with her husband. They were both in the entertainment industry and it was all around. “We were both drinking and using even though we were educated people and knew better,” she said. “It’s fun when it’s fun, but when it’s bad, it’s really bad.”…
Wade Wants to Fight for His Joy
Growing up in a tough part of Oxnard, the gang life was all around Wade. “I was only 13 when I got into it,” he said. “They go after the little kids and manipulate them. In my mind, I thought of it as a righteous cause. As you grow up, you realize, this isn’t right.…
Valerie Escapes Abuse, Refocuses on Her New Life
After more than 20 years in an abusive marriage, Valerie had hoped her pain and troubles were behind her. Unfortunately, violence would come back into her life with a vengeance. After seeing her boyfriend with another woman, an altercation broke out one night. Valerie’s boyfriend, along with his friends and sisters, beat her nearly to…
Jeremy Returns to the Mission After Devastating Relapse
“You need God in your life.” That was the last thing Jeremy’s wife said to him before she left his life for good. “I didn’t think much of it at the time,” Jeremy said. “I do now.” Jeremy and his wife had it all by the time they were 30. They owned their home in…
Overwhelmed By Love, Jacki Finds Hope At The Lighthouse
When Jacki, 25, found out she was pregnant, she was already three months along. Her fear was immediate—she’d been using meth, and she was worried for her unborn child. Jacki quit that day and remained clean for almost six months, until temptation overwhelmed her. “On October 15, 2017, I took one hit and I went…
Florentino Makes Life-Changing Promise
As a 14-year-old messing around with a tagging crew, Florentino didn’t expect to get caught—or receive a steep one-year sentence. “I experienced a lot there—violence, fear,” he said. “It was a pretty scary place to go at the time.” Florentino got into trouble often, lengthening his sentence time and time again. By the time he…
Program Graduate On His Way To A Bright Future
Van was called a “late bloomer.” Despite a large extended family that often drank and used drugs at get-togethers, Van managed to avoid that lifestyle until he was in his 20s. “I was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, and there weren’t ever drugs around me,” Van said. But that changed when his…
You’ll Never Go Through This Experience Unchanged
It’s been more than 11 years since Stuart, a member of Gold Coast Christian Church in Oxnard, had the idea that he and some of his congregants start volunteering at the Mission. Unfortunately, his idea didn’t catch on quite like he hoped. One Friday a month, Stuart showed up to serve meals. Rarely did anyone…
Veteran Marine Hopes to end Cycle of Addiction, Homelessness
After 14 years serving in the Marine Corps, Robert got married, had a daughter, and worked hard for his family—but he was constantly struggling. It wasn’t until much later in life that Robert would realize he was battling with post traumatic stress disorder. “It was tough,” Robert said. “Prior to coming here I was working…
Keeping His Children—and God—Top of Mind
Despite the challenges he’s facing—being away from his children and working on his recovery—Fitim seems to always have a smile on his face. His positivity comes from peace, he explains, because after two years of drug use and jail time, Fitim is healthy and looking forward to a new start. “I’m glad that God sent…
