Making A Difference That Matters
Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
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After his own struggle, Freddy wants to be a guide for others
Growing up in New York where drugs and violence were prevalent prepared Freddy for his new role as a case manager at Renewed Hope. “In my younger years, I tried drugs and I saw some friends pass away from it. There was a time I didn’t focus on school and started down the wrong path.”…
Angela and her 5 children—including a newborn—take time to regroup
After her parents were divorced, Angela and her brother lived with her father, and they moved often. “My dad moved us a lot, so my mom wouldn’t be able to find us,” Angela said. “He was physically and sexually abusive to me and my brother.” No one knew about the abuse that Angela and her…
Louis knew God ‘always had a plan’ for him
As a Native American boy growing up in the city, Louis had a lot to figure out-and he typically did it alone. “I was always by myself,” he said. “I was sitting around a campfire, trying to figure out a name for myself-it’s part of my culture. And I thought, ‘Man, I’m always alone. Then…
RUSSIAN FAMILY FINDS FREEDOM IN U.S., AND STABILITY AT MISSION
Living scared and in unrest was not the life Ivan and Irina wanted for themselves or their 3-year-old twins, Max and Valerie. So, in November 2022, they moved away from the only life and family they ever knew in Russia and came to Los Angeles. The oppression had become unbearable for Ivan and Irina. “I…
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
The Rescue Mission Alliance San Fernando Valley welcomed its new director, Richard Rodriguez, in February. Here, he shares a bit about himself and his hopes for the Mission’s future. My parents had always spoken of a hope beyond what they knew, a life that could set the course for the next generation, toward a future…
LG FOCUSES ON GOD, MUSIC, AND OVERCOMES ADDICTION
Music has always been a part of LG’s life. Growing up outside of Sacramento with five siblings and a single mom, LG used music to escape his “loud home.” Although he doesn’t look back fondly on his childhood, he does acknowledge how his mom took care of him and his siblings. “She was so great,”…
TERRELL GRAVITATES TOWARD FAITH-BASED PROGRAM, RESTORES RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
In 2020 Terrell moved from his home state of Illinois to California in hopes of starting a new career and new life. But COVID changed all of that. Terrell found himself alone in a new state with no job and no plan B. Looking to fill the void of being lost and with no direction,…
ABIGAIL OVERCOMES CHILDHOOD TRAUMA, AND PROVIDES FOR HER CHILDREN
Abigail’s childhood was filled with many disappointments. Since both parents were drug addicts, at birth Abigail was adopted by her great aunt. She was raised alongside her adopted siblings and her great-aunt’s boyfriend, who molested her from 14 to 17 years old. School was Abigail’s “safe place and escape,” she said. “My house was very…
MATT REUNITES WITH HIS WIFE AND GETS LIFE BACK ON TRACK AFTER STAY AT RENEWED HOPE
A brain injury made it difficult to cope; reconnecting with God was the answer Matt came to Renewed Hope in August-he had been calling for the month prior ensuring there was room for him. His money to pay for a bed at a sober living facility had run out. His mother-in-law had been helping out,…
SANDY BUILDS CONNECTIONS AND COMMUNITY AS HOME AGAIN VOLUNTEER
Her advice? Start serving by doing something small Bringing people together in the community for a greater good is at the very heart of why Sandy Neville does what she does. Sandy started as a volunteer at Home Again in 2010. It was Easter, and she played with the kids on the playground and made…
LUZ ESCAPES CONTROLLING RELATIONSHIP, PROVIDES STABILITY FOR HER DAUGHTER
With her mom from Puerto Rico and her dad from Mexico, Luz is proud to be a first-generation American. Although her parents separated shortly after she was born, her dad, who won full custody, was a wonderful parent to Luz. “I was very close to my dad,” Luz said. “I was never scared to talk…
AFTER GRADUATING THE PROGRAM AT A SISTER MINISTRY, FRANK TAKES HELM OF MISSION’S KITCHEN
Frank has good memories from his childhood, growing up in Oxnard with his parents and two siblings, spending time in the kitchen. “I remember watching my mom cook and helping out when the family got together.” This is when his love for cooking was born. In his 30s, Frank started drinking, and it became so…
