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From A Hidden Life To A Happy Life
From the outside, Ray’s life did not look too bad. He had a string of jobs that provided money for a place to stay, a car, and food. He had some friends and some girlfriends, even though those relationships did not seem to last very long. Ray even considered himself happy, at least on the…
Ryan Couldn’t Hide It Any Longer
Ryan grew up playing sports. “I played baseball in college at CSUN. I graduated with a speech and communications degree. I’ve had 16 knee surgeries since then,” recalls Ryan. “I was partying and taking pain medications for years. I grew up in the church. I kind of knew how to say the right things, do…
Candise Finds ‘Peace And Joy’ At The Lighthouse
Candise is the oldest of seven, raised by a single mom, with her father in and out of prison. The family grew up mostly in the Colonia area of Oxnard. Candise said, “Both of my parents were drug addicts, and both were in the (Colonia) gang. “I started hanging out with the wrong crowd. I…
Hector returns to the mission after post-graduation relapse
When Hector graduated from the Mission’s program in July 2018, he was hopeful for the future. He had spent the previous 20 years in the oil industry and, as he neared graduation, Hector reached out to his former supervisor. “He was proud of me and told me to come on back,” he said. What Hector…
Estrella leaves jail, drugs behind for a new life
Estrella grew up in Oxnard with her younger sister and parents, who separated when she was 10. Her father was deported shortly after for being in and out of jail. “I became very rebellious because I didn’t have my dad,” Estrella said. “I started using drugs when I was 11 and alcohol when I was…
School Supply Giveaway Event A Success Once Again
Like most incoming freshmen, Mia is nervous to start high school. After the last few years of being an honors student in middle school, Mia is eager to earn good grades and maybe even go to college one day, as she would be the first in her family to do so. Mia is often a…
Thomas Stops ‘Fighting With Himself,’ Embraces God
Thomas grew up in South Oxnard with his mom and two sisters. “I was the only boy in the house,” he said. “I learned how to be a man from the streets. It was pretty rough. I was 12 years old and in a gang already, drinking daily, missing school. By the time I was…
Samantha Is Reunited With Her Children, And God
With her graduation from the Lighthouse program approaching this month, Samantha is feeling optimistic about her future. “I’m feeling really good about everything,” she said, smiling. “Life is so good right now.” Samantha wasn’t always as hopeful. She grew up in Oxnard with her parents and three younger siblings. “I went to church as a…
Steve Relishes ‘Living In The Light’ Now
Steve grew up in Santa Barbara in a loving home with two parents and two younger siblings. His father, however, was an alcoholic. “A lot of family on my dad’s side has issues with alcohol,” Steve said. “A lot of them are either in recovery, in active addiction, or have died because of it. My…
After years in the Ventura River bottom, Lawrence seeks help
Lawrence was born in California to two truck drivers. After experiencing some financial problems, his parents sold their home and relocated to West Virginia. “I noticed my parents were kind of veering away from each other,” Lawrence said. “Now that I know what I know, I see that they weren’t in love anymore.” Lawrence’s older…
Giselle sees restoration with her children, and her relationship with God
Giselle grew up in the Colonia area of Oxnard, not too far from the Lighthouse. She started experimenting with drugs when she was 17, met her first love at 18, and they had a son at 19. “Everything was good until he was 2 or 3,” she said. “We started having arguments, and we separated.…
Regina Overcomes Addiction, Returns To Lighthouse To Serve
Regina had a strong support system, a Christian background, and beautiful family. But after a fertility struggle and a surgery, she found herself battling addiction. “I grew up in Westlake Village in a great family. I did really well for myself,” said Regina, who worked in insurance. “I had a beautiful daughter and a great…
