Making A Difference That Matters
Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
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Feelings Of Emptiness, Hopelessness Fuel Bad Choices
Joey was born to parents who were happily married. They didn’t drink or use drugs. They worked and took their children to church every Sunday. Despite his traditional upbringing and supportive family, Joey felt something was missing. He started rebelling early, trying marijuana when he was 12. “I remember when I first even discovered the…
Rebuilding Life One Piece At A Time
In Trenidad’s 52 years, he built a life for himself—and watched it all fall apart around him. Now, as a member of the Mission’s Fresh Start program, he is committed to putting the pieces back together. Trenidad was born in 1965, the oldest boy of six children. “We were a very tight knit family,” Trenidad…
Trading Crystal Meth and Auto Theft for a New Life
When Cody was a little boy, his mom would leave him alone for long stretches of time. There wasn’t much food, and he never knew where she was going or how long she’d be gone. When Cody was 5, his sister was born, and he cared for her often in his mother’s absence. “I never…
Ready Now
Autumn came to the Lighthouse 17 years ago. She wasn’t ready then and ended up leaving. But, after a series of horrifying relationships and drug abuse, Autumn returned. “I’m ready now. I have a teachable spirit and am ready to be still and learn more about God. I never got to learn about God when…
An American Dream Turned Nightmare
I was raised just like any other kid. My parents both worked full time, so we had a comfortable life. We would go on vacations and lived the normal American dream. I started to rebel at about 14 and went full on in my junior year of High School. I wanted to make my own…
Out of the Miry Clay
“I met this guy named Jimmy. He was in the Fresh Start Program. He told me, ‘Instead of staying in your car, why don’t you come to the mission?’ At first I was resistant. Time went on and that is when my car broke down. I couldn’t stay in my car anymore. I prayed about…
Running on Empty
“I heard about the Lighthouse through my grandparents, they knew someone who worked here. I had a feeling that the Lighthouse might be where I needed to go. I was hesitant because the program is nine months, but then I decided to try it; I was tired of running,” states Kuliah. Her running began as…
Turning Myself In
Charles states, “The moment that I felt like I needed to seek help was when I found myself alone in downtown Santa Barbara. I didn’t know how I got there or what I was doing and I had nothing with me. I was out of control and felt suicidal. I just started crying out to…
Not Alone in the Fight
Solitia says, “I come from a very dysfunctional family. Both of my parents used drugs. When I was born they both got locked up in jail. So I went to live with my grandmother who didn’t use. I was born prematurely at six and a half months, and I was hooked on heroine.” “From the…
Divine Guidance
“It just seemed like, through all that time, the Lord was with me. Each door opening was an opportunity for me to get out of there. I just felt God’s presence throughout everything. I feel like He is the one who brought me here,” states Marbel. She had been betrayed by the man who said…
One Good Thing
Keith states, “The one good thing I did have was my mother. She didn’t use or drink. She was a Christian woman, and many of the good morals I have to this day are because of her. Her values influenced me to come into this program. I’m grateful for that.” Otherwise, Keith’s childhood was chaotic.…
True Riches
Daniel grew up with money. His father was successful financially and growing up, his family had everything they needed. Yet Daniel showed up at the mission lost. He says, “I came in here with a pair of work boots and a camouflage hat, just lost…I didn’t know what to do.” He grew up going to…
