Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
Graduation allows opportunity to celebrate residents’ wins
We are deeply grateful for the impact your support has had on the lives of our program graduates. Your generosity has sparked real hope, helping men and women take powerful steps toward lasting change.
This year, we’ve witnessed lives renewed: individuals have found stable housing, meaningful jobs, renewed relationships with loved ones, and a restored connection with Christ. These stories of healing and growth would not be possible without you.
As we look ahead, your continued support will help even more individuals overcome adversity and build a brighter future. Thank you for being a vital part of their journey. In this issue, we joyfully feature our eleven August graduates!
Joe
Currently studying Drug and Alcohol Counseling at Oxnard College, Joe looks forward to a bright future. “The Mission changed my life. It gave me the courage to face my fears and the determination to overcome my past. And most importantly, it taught me that I have value, as do all my brothers here.”
After a life-long cycle of drug use and incarceration, Joe came to us in January of 2023. “I had managed to stay out of trouble for a few years, but a bad relationship put an end to all that,” he explained. Joe completed the 10-month Life Recovery Program and has gone on to be a Ministry Resident helping others down the path he followed. “This place is amazing, and I want to help others succeed, but ultimately it comes down to trusting God. As the Bible tells us, our faith should not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”
Jovia
Jovia moved to the United States as a teenager after losing both parents during the Rwandan genocide. She took adult education classes to learn English and worked multiple jobs, often sending money back home to help her family.
In 2014, her daughter Mishak was born. Their lives remained unstable—facing homelessness three times before Mishak’s 10th birthday. Jovia and Mishak came to the Lighthouse. There, she found peace, encouragement, and the freedom to trust again. “I used to think I had to carry everything on my own. But here, I’ve learned how to let go and walk with God,” she said.
Jovia graduated from the Life Recovery Program and is currently in our Ministry Resident Program. She’s working as a caregiver, and Mishak is thriving in school. Jovia is saving money for a vehicle and for her own place. “I’m truly grateful for the Lighthouse,” she said. “It’s a place where healing begins and hope is restored.”
Jose
Jose was looking for a fresh start as he ended what he called a “toxic relationship.” Years of drug and alcohol abuse had spiraled out of control, and he knew something had to change. “I was so sad and depressed all the time. I had always self-medicated with drugs but now that wasn’t working.”
Jose joined the Life Recovery Program in January of last year and he remarked on how far he had come. “I’ve learned to forgive myself because I know God has forgiven me. I also now have respect for the life that God has given me.” Jose says he is blessed to be working at one of our thrift stores and looks forward to having his own place in the future. “I’ve made big changes in the past year,” he reflected, “and though I still get sad sometimes, knowing that God is with me always gets me through whatever I am facing.”
Susan
Susan first came to the Lighthouse in 2003. Because of the resources and life skills Susan learned while in program, she gained employment and found an apartment.
Unfortunately, in 2023, after 11 years working up to a supervisor position at the Hilton, Susan lost her job. It was a major financial blow. “I was devastated,” Susan said. “I started reverting to old thoughts and fears. I couldn’t be homeless again. I didn’t want to be a burden to my family.”
But this time, Susan knew what to do—she returned to the Lighthouse. “I am very thankful for everything that we have here, whether it’s the classes, food, clothing, comfort—it’s all from the Lord. I feel home again.”
Today, Susan has stable housing, is enjoying restored relationships with her family, and loves that she gets to spend time with her grandchildren. Susan encourages those who are struggling to come to the Lighthouse. “I know what you’re going through. Give yourself a chance. The Lord will help you no matter what. This place is good.”
Juan
Juan had spent most of his adult life using drugs and going in and out of jail. But he remembers when that cycle began to break. “I was only here because of probation, and once my requirement was over, I planned to go back to using drugs,” he recalled, “but as soon as someone prayed for me, the need to use began to leave me.”
Juan came to us in February 2024 and in his time here has learned about the causes of his addictions. “The (program) got me to look deep into myself and to understand that I was using drugs to fill a void within myself,” he said. “It was hard, but worth the struggle.” Juan plans to continue as a Ministry Resident and to further his emotional and spiritual growth. “I still have more to learn, but with the peace of Christ in me,” he said, “I know I am headed in the right direction.”
Beatrice
Beatrice had spent years outdoors, her home the unforgiving Santa Paula River bottom. “Grief brought me to the river bottom,” she confessed. “My grandfather, my son—their losses shattered me. I turned to methamphetamines, spiraled into depression, and contemplated suicide. I lost everything: my job, my home, my car. I didn’t care anymore.”
But the river bottom, once a refuge, had become a prison. At the Lighthouse, the transition to indoor living was daunting. “I was scared,” she admitted. “The structure, the rules—it was a stark contrast to the freedom I was used to. But the women in the program were amazing, and my family’s unwavering support kept me going.”
As Beatrice nears the completion of her enhanced program as a Vocational Resident, her perspective on life has changed. “Now, I feel safer inside. I even prefer staying in,” she laughed. “The program has helped me heal.” She’s working at our thrift store, has signed up for Goodwill’s Re-entry Program, and has reconnected with her family.
Tony
After living in the river bottom for five years and in full addiction, Tony finally cried out to God. “I asked him to get me out of all of this and that’s exactly what happened,” he explained. “The Mission was on an outreach, but my physical pain kept me from being able to approach them. Instead, a staff member walked a good distance to where I was and asked if I was ready to leave this place behind. I knew that was God reaching towards me.”
Tony came into the program in February 2024. “The program has taught me to take ownership of my emotions and my reactions to others. I have learned to be open and transparent and to not let negative feelings fester inside of me,” he said, “and as a Ministry Resident I get to help others by demonstrating what God can do in their lives.”
Crystal
Crystal’s life has been marked by deep-seated pain and trauma. From childhood abuse to addiction and trafficking, she has endured unimaginable suffering. “I grew up in a really quiet household,” she recalled. “There were a lot of secrets and oppression.”
As she grew older, Crystal struggled with mental health issues and substance abuse. “I felt like I knew God, but He wasn’t for me. It didn’t feel like God would even want me,” she confessed. Her life spiraled further out of control, leading to homelessness and trafficking. “I had no fight left in me,” she said.
The Lighthouse offered Crystal restoration. “They believed in healing. They know the transformation of God. He will restore because He is a true healer,” she said. “I’m using all that I went through to help others.” Crystal is currently working on her degree in counseling with City Vision University, while also working full-time, and has stable housing.
Manny
After more than 20 years of drug use and homelessness, Manny was ready for change. “Things fell apart after my divorce in 2002. My depression was overwhelming, and I started using drugs to cope with the pain,” he recalled. “I was still managing to work when I could, but basically my life was a mess.” After losing a job as a caregiver, Manny knew he had to make a change, and he joined our program in November 2022. “For the first time in many years I am free from drugs,” he said with a smile. “I have true direction now. I have learned to trust others and to trust God.”
After his time as a Ministry Resident is up, Manny has plans to find a job and to move in with his sister. “She has been so supportive of me in my time here and I want to be able to help her in return and to continue my service at the Mission by volunteering.”
Anna
Anna spent over a decade on the streets, staying with friends, or living in an RV. “I was homeless, not at all stable, and using drugs off and on—much more ‘on’—for this whole time.”
After four months at the shelter, Anna joined the Lighthouse’s women’s Life Recovery Program. “The Lord just immediately started blessing me,” she said. “Good things started happening for me as soon as I started doing what I’m supposed to be doing. I’m doing this for my baby.”
While in program, Anna gave birth to a healthy, baby boy, Aaric. Anna said being surrounded by the women at the Lighthouse has been a blessing. “I have so many questions that they can answer,” she said. “There is so much support and love here.”
Anna is a Ministry Resident and is on track to complete her GED. She’s hoping to save enough money for a car. “I know that no matter what, God has my whole life planned out. I have faith in Him.”
Ryan
Ryan came to us in January of last year after leaving a program in Oceanside and trying to get back home in Salinas. “I got stranded in Oxnard and that turned out to be God’s way of getting me to the Mission,” he said. “After 12 years of homelessness and drug abuse, this place taught me to slow down and feel the peace of God.” Ryan stressed how selfish he had been and how his time at the Mission has changed that. “Addiction is all about selfishness, but sobriety has taught me the value of service and community. And Scripture commands us to count others as more significant than ourselves.”
Ryan plans on continuing his service as a Ministry Resident and then seeing where the Lord leads him. “I still have more to do here, and I want to continue giving back to the place that has done so much for me,” he said, “and I finally have the patience to let God lead my steps.”
Be Inspired
Be Transformed
Stay connected with the good work the Mission is doing, and learn more about the people we help.
Lives Changed
For Good
