William, pictured last year at his home in
the Santa Clara River bottom, is now in the
Mission’s Life Recovery Program.

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 of us take for granted—the next meal, clean clothes, a place to shower, a warm blanket, or a safe place to spend the night.

Beyond the lack of these basic necessities, is the toll that homelessness exacts on a person’s wellbeing, their sense of dignity and the loss of meaningful relationships. Throughout society there is plenty of debate surrounding the cause or blame for these conditions. However, our focus is not on casting blame, but in promoting hope. Our mission is to help those in need find a way out of homelessness and into physical, emotional, and spiritual health, and to encourage and assist in solutions like education, employment, healthy community, and stable housing.

Every week, staff from the Ventura County Rescue Mission, along with our counterparts from the Lighthouse for Women and Children, are out in the community building relationships as part of our outreach programs. We invite and encourage those who are struggling to come to the Mission and begin this journey from homeless to home. Thank you for partnering with us in this endeavor.

–Director Michael Darden