Making A Difference That Matters
Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
Stay connected with all the good work the Mission is doing!
From broken to blessed, program residents give back
At 8 a.m. on a brisk Friday morning, RMA San Fernando Valley’s shower trailer quietly enters the Van Nuys Home Depot parking lot. Though the sun has barely risen, a small line has already begun to form – people waiting not just for a warm shower or a fresh haircut, but for a moment of…
Director’s Note
As the Director of RMA San Fernando Valley, I am continually inspired by the incredible work we do and by the generosity of our donors, who help change lives for good. During the recent Los Angeles County wildfires, we witnessed an overwhelming outpouring of support from our community. Your generosity was nothing short of amazing.…
Jasmin finds her voice, begins to heal from life-long trauma
“My past has been very complicated. It’s been quite a journey,” Jasmin shared. “I came from a broken home – very toxic, very dysfunctional. I never grew up with my dad and my mom was an alcoholic and a workaholic. She worked and she partied. I was always having to take care of her. There…
Rafael finds missing puzzle piece in quest to stay sober
Rafael’s story is one of strength and change. He grew up in Glendale, California, with his parents hailing from El Salvador. His dad wasn’t around, and his mom and grandma worked hard to raise him and his siblings. Like many kids, school had its ups and downs. His mom didn’t speak much English, so learning…
Family flees persecution, finds safety, support at Mission
They feel like they’re among family Living in fear of persecution was not the life Perla and Byron wanted for themselves or for their children. Facing deadly threats, the family was forced to flee to escape the violence and unrest in their home country. When they arrived in Los Angeles, Perla and Byron were left…
Jason “washes” his old life away, embraces the new
He was baptized at the Mission When Jason was in junior high, his mother and him were kicked out of their apartment. They lived in his mother’s car for years. “My childhood, I didn’t really get to see,” Jason said. “I grew up pretty quick bouncing around from friend’s house to friend’s house, trying to…
Roger “gives thanks to God” for overcoming 17-year drug addiction
He recently celebrated 7 months sober Roger, 37, has had a life marred by drug addiction. When he was 4 years old, his brother overdosed on heroin. In his teens, Roger started using marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, and eventually, moved on to heroin and fentanyl. At 19, Roger and his girlfriend had their first child. Over…
Mission throws wedding for Monica, Felix, their 5 children
Community partnerships made the day special Monica’s childhood was full of domestic violence, abuse, and neglect. “I grew up in a really toxic family. It was really hard; it was very abusive towards my mom and (us) kids. My dad would always hit my mom every day,” she recalled. “It was really traumatic to see…
Looking back…
As we reflect on the past year, we’re filled with gratitude for the difference your support has made in the lives of our graduates. Your compassion has ignited a spark of hope in them. Here are some updates on some of the men and women you’ve read about this year. Together, we’ve witnessed remarkable transformations:…
The intersection of homelessness and human trafficking
How RMA is battling this crisis with prevention and recovery programsFor over half a century, Rescue Mission Alliance has been a beacon of hope, offering refuge to those struggling with homelessness and addiction. Now, we’re illuminating a darker corner of our community: human trafficking. This month, we observe Human Trafficking Awareness Month; it’s an opportunity…
Meet Josie Casarrubias, Director at RMA San Fernando Valley
Tell us a little bit about what you do at the Mission. As Program Manager for many years, I was fully responsible for the operation of Home Again (RMA SFV’s family shelter). I supervised the staff onsite: case managers, intake coordinators, shelter staff, chef, and volunteer coordinator. Recently, I took over as Director of the…
Renewed Hope rooting on the Rams
The residents of the men’s Life Recovery Program were blessed to receive tickets to the Los Angeles Rams vs. Dallas Cowboys football game. With a packed lunch, the guys headed to SoFi Stadium. None of the men had been to the stadium before. In fact, many had never watched an NFL game in-person before. They…
