Making A Difference That Matters
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The Roth family grows in size, and in faith, at the Mission
Laurence and Camille both grew up in Northern New Jersey but didn’t meet until they both had relocated to Los Angeles. Laurence had struggled with heroin off and on since he was 19, but was a year clean when they met at a bar three-and-a-half years ago. The couple clicked instantly and even moved in…
Mission’s mobile shower program going strong throughout COVID challenges
As COVID continues to disrupt much our daily lives, our Survival Outreach Services program is still out in the community, providing hot showers, meals and other services for those in need on the streets. “There’s been an increase in visitors—people who once showered at gyms or parks or beaches who can no longer do so,”…
A series of tragedies, financial hardships leaves Vincent on the streets
Looking back at his childhood, Vincent recalls camping and spending summers surfing with his dad and three brothers. “He was a high school teacher, so he had the summers off, so we were just beach bums,” said Vincent, who added that his mom was a registered nurse. Vincent graduated from high school and then got…
Serena ‘doesn’t let circumstances define’ her
Serena grew up in a household full of children. Her adoptive mother, a retired veterinarian, had adopted six other children. Serena, who came in at age 2, grew up with two older brothers and four younger siblings in their home in Long Beach. “I grew up with all of them,” she said. “It was adventurous.…
Cindy is getting stronger, becoming a better person at the mission
Cindy was born in Colombia, but came to the United States with her mom and stepdad when she was 9. Their relationship ended, though, and Cindy was raised by a single mother. “Everything changed,” she said. “After that, I wasn’t really focusing in school. At the time, I didn’t really think it was that important.…
Jose says the Mission has helped him ‘find himself in Christ’
Growing up with strict parents led Jose to push the limits as a kid, and it only continued as he got older. “I used school as an escape, a reason to do whatever I wanted,” he said. “In high school, I started skipping more and more. I remember once my mom caught me and walked…
Pantry distributes more than 14,000 meals to families all over L.A.
When it became clear that the COVID-19 pandemic was going to severely impact the San Fernando Valley, resulting in a health emergency and economic repercussions, the Mission sprang into action. Just days after the idea was formulated, a pop-up pantry at the Northridge Fashion Center was launched. The pantry, a collaboration between the mission, Harbor…
Joe: ‘I’m here to change my life’
Joe remembers when he was 8 years old, and for a couple of years after, learning about becoming a deacon. “I was a Christian and I’d go with my uncle and study,” he said. “I planned on being a deacon in the church.” But when he was 12, his parents divorced. “Neither of them really…
Scott graduates after ‘hardest 10 months’ of his life
Scott is honest about his alcohol abuse, admitting it started when he was just a kid. “Alcohol was my first love,” said. “I never drank to drink. I drank to get drunk. It was a way of life for me.” He earned a scholarship to play football in college, but lost it due to his…
Angel: ‘When God calls me home, I want to leave on a good note’
Angel was raised in an environment where drinking was the norm. It wasn’t just socially acceptable—it was expected. “I come from a social family where everyone drinks alcohol,” he said. “It was just part of the culture in Mexico, and it was part of my upbringing.” Angel moved to the United States from Mexico in…
Maria returns to the Mission more than 15 years after first seeking help
Maria and her four siblings had a nice childhood with supportive parents, an active church life, and a strong education in Mexico City. “We had a good and healthy relationship with our parents—we were very lucky,” Maria said. “We had a comfortable living—my dad had several businesses, and he taught us how to be hard…
Crystal And Her 4 Kids Find Peace, Support At The Mission
Crystal’s father died when he was just 24, leaving behind a 21-year-old wife and three young daughters, ages 3, 5 and 6. “He had a heart attack, and all of my sisters and I were present when he passed away,” Crystal said. “It was tough. There was a lot of trauma from the beginning.” Crystal…
