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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…
Brian keeps his eyes on God during MS battle
Brian grew up in the Los Angeles area with his mom, stepdad and two younger brothers. At 22, his grandmother died and he inherited nearly $200,000. “That’s not a good thing for a 22-year-old,” he said. “That’s when everything started going downhill. I was addicted to meth for a few years and then went to…
Crystal Nears Graduation And Focuses On Her Kids, Future As A Woman Of God
Crystal grew up in Oxnard, first with her mother, who is now a recovering addict, and then in foster care before being adopted by her grandparents. She had her first daughter at 18. “That’s when I started using drugs—first weed and then the harder stuff,” she said. “I had my second daughter when I was…
Louis Gives Up Drinking And Looks Forward To A Renewed Life
As Louis nears 50, he marvels at the clean bill of health he recently received from the doctor. “I’ve been drinking since I was 16. That’s 34 years,” he said. “I just thought I would have some health issues with the amount I’ve drank. But everything is OK.” Now that Louis is at the Mission,…
Bryce Gets Off The Streets And Back To The Mission
When Bryce was 2 years old, he was adopted, and grew up in Ventura. “My parents were well off and gave me everything I ever wanted,” he said. Despite being active in sports, playing football, baseball and soccer, he got into drinking and drugs, and his parents kicked him out. “I graduated from high school…
After Living On The Streets, Michelle Comes Home To The Lighthouse
Michelle grew up in Oxnard and had what she calls a normal childhood. “I never wanted for anything, but I grew up fast,” she said, having her first son at just 16. “I started getting into drugs, little by little. I was hanging around with the wrong crowd.” Michelle started dating a man in her…
