Making A Difference That Matters
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VIP volunteers
BAOF They call themselves “Being About Our Father’s Business” and have been coming to serve with the Rescue Mission for 12 years. Though members have come and gone over the years, the core group remains committed to “doing God’s work” and to “ministering to those that we are called to love.” Anna, who has been…
Director’s Note
It is more blessed to give than to receive Volunteering is a powerful thing. It is an act of service to others for no other reason than to provide help and blessings with no expectation for anything in return. Yet, when we volunteer, we often find that we receive more than we give. This message…
Ministries can’t operate without committed volunteers
Have a passion to share or a skill to teach? Join us! On a recent Saturday morning, students and staff from Pepperdine University joined the Rescue Mission for a few hours of volunteer service. They prepped food in the kitchen, served meals, and put together hygiene kits for homeless neighbors. They ended the day by…
Matt gathers more tools to ensure success in recovery
The Mission has helped him renew his connection with God Nearing completion of the Enhanced Program construction track, Matt feels that all the pieces of his life have finally come together. “I feel a clarity that had been missing for so long and I’ve regained my connection to God,” he said recently. “I’m sober, engaged…
Meet Angelica Nevarez, Program Manager at Lighthouse for Women and Children
How did you hear about the Lighthouse? I heard about the Lighthouse a while ago, but I became really interested in it around 2014. I did a tour of the Lighthouse and learned a lot about it then. At the time, the recovery group I was in (working as the group facilitator) was attended by…
Director’s Note
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month It might surprise you to hear that in Ventura County alone, there were about 7,000 domestic violence allegations made in 2020, according to the Ventura County Family Justice Center. Domestic Violence is a massive problem in our area that often goes unnoticed and unreported. The violence often includes…
Mission’s workforce development programs help graduates find meaningful work
Enhanced Programs in several areas are offered During a typical overnight shift in the Security Office, Bradford works to ensure the Mission’s facilities are kept safe. “I’m responsible for making sure that everyone on grounds is where they should be and that no one is here who shouldn’t be,” he said. “I monitor the cameras…
Beatrice ‘fully commits’ to program, celebrates over one year of recovery
Grief, addiction, led her to the river bottom Beatrice wasn’t used to being indoors. After years of homelessness and living at the Santa Paula river bottom, Beatrice felt more comfortable outside. She could come and go as she pleased, pretend she was camping, and make her own rules. But it wasn’t always this way. “Grief…
Victoria will fight for all human trafficking victims
She’s currently on full scholarship studying criminal justice It took Victoria years to realize she was trafficked by someone she loved. Victoria grew up in a household where she “knew she wasn’t wanted.” Her teenage mother was forced to marry an abusive, alcoholic man, creating a toxic home environment, and at the age of 9,…
With new position, Robert is ‘being guided to a better future’
He’s also helping others in the program find purpose As a combat veteran who spent 14 years in the Marine Corp Infantry, RMA VC’s new Ministry Resident Robert has many stories of close calls. On a recent night, while taking a break from working with volunteers, Robert recounted the time when he and his platoon…
Trevor overcomes addiction, becomes house manager at Mission
He’s also working on his college degree Moe was loose again. The 500-pound black bear had made it past two electric fence barriers to escape and now the staff at the zoo was attempting to get him safely back to where he belonged. Trevor and others on ATVs had corralled Moe near the gate and…
Meet RMA VC Chaplain Reed Gibson
In 2022, Reed Gibson joined the RMA Ventura County team as a chaplain. After 20 years as an engineer, Reed decided to focus more on his heart for ministry and community. Reed uses his prior experience as a youth pastor to now “live his dream” of full-time ministry. He’s also excited to share his love…
