Making A Difference That Matters
Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
Stay connected with all the good work the Mission is doing!
Wade’s Word – February, 2018
Upon arriving at our shelter a few weeks ago, I entered the living room to find Mary sitting on our sofa. She had just spent her first night with us after several nights on the streets. Mary seemed sad and I asked her if she was okay. “I’m okay,” she said. “Very grateful, that’s all.”…
Diving In Through Dignity
Dignity is a popular word around here, but even more important is how we put dignity into action! We have volunteers from every generation and every walk of life who come to serve our guests with grace and dignity. They each have a unique role—they are cooks, kids’ activity volunteers or dinner hosts—but their impact…
Wade’s Word – January, 2018
Happy New Year! So many of us are thinking about the changes we want to make as we consider the New Year. You might be thinking about getting those pounds off after indulging in goodies during the holiday season (I know I ate too much pumpkin bread). Or, you might be thinking about ways you can improve a significant relationship. Maybe it’s finding…
Sometimes You Just Have To Dance
When a new family joins our program, they work with our case managers to develop a plan for their family. Their case plan details the steps that they will take to work on childcare, employment, housing and many other needs for their family. Parents work hard throughout their stay at the Mission to achieve their…
Wade’s Word – December
One of the first places Mission guests experience hospitality is at our dinner table. The word “hospitality” means “the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.” It is often over a meal that strangers become friends. As we gathered for our annual Thanksgiving Feast this year, I was struck by how…
S.O.S.: Program Serves As A ‘Positive Interruption’ In Lives Of Homeless
Our Survival Outreach Services (S.O.S.) program began in 1998 by serving meals to the homeless in the San Fernando Valley. Today, that program has expanded to include mobile showers, case management, and access to life-essential social services in the community, such as resources for healthcare, housing, and employment. For the clients that we work with…
Local Partnerships Help Us All Serve More
The work we do at the Rescue Mission Alliance San Fernando Valley could not be done without our partnerships with several other local organizations throughout the Los Angeles area. North Valley Caring Services is just one of those many partnerships, and the outcomes we have shared working together in conjunction with our SOS Mobile Shower…
Empowering The Community Through Volunteerism
The Tierra Del Sol Foundation is an organization with a powerful mission—to empower people with developmental disabilities through workforce development. They work with individuals with disabilities to help them realize their full potential through education, employment and volunteerism in the community. We have the pleasure of having six individuals from Tierra Del Sol visit us…
Wade’s Word – November
Recently, one of our shower program guests, Thomas, had his bike stolen. He has a part-time job and his bike was his main mode of transportation. Upon hearing about Thomas’ predicament, we immediately contacted our good friend, Fred Faustman, from Bike Guys Bikes. A few days later, Fred delivered a new bike to the Mission.…
Film Tells True Story of an Unlikely Friendship
A major feature film hitting the box office this month will shed some light on what you already know—supporting rescue missions, helping the homeless, getting involved— can save peoples’ lives. “Same Kind of Different as Me” is based on the inspiring true story of Ron and Debbie Hall and their unlikely and life-changing friendship with…
Wade’s Word – October
When most people think about individuals who are homeless, they don’t picture a 6-year-old girl like Kayla. I first saw Kayla and her mom as I was leaving the office a few weeks ago. An Uber dropped them off at our front door with all of their belongings—eight suitcases and boxes in total. Kayla was…
A Summer Family Tradition
Through our on-going partnership, over twenty of our guests have gained employment at local Ralphs Grocery Stores in the past year. These employment opportunities are a huge stepping stone on the pathway out of homelessness and into stable housing for our families. One former shelter guest, Crystal, found a support system among her co-workers at…
