We're so excited for our most recently housed client, Preston. Preston wants to share that he has been homeless for several years and has been in almost all the Mission's programs - from Hope Respite to Bridging to Transition to Hope. He has made it through the pathways to becoming permanently housed in a brand-new apartment!!
We'll continue to follow up with him in our Community of Hope program and assist with his transition as well. Congratulations, Preston!
My name is Joseph. Through the Rescue Mission, I've received a brand-new life. I have a new job, and I have a lot of Christian sisters and brothers who have held me accountable through the Lord Jesus Christ. I've been in addiction for 30 years, and I thank God every day that he has renewed my life. Now I have a purpose and my health has been restored. The Rescue Mission of Merced has given me housing, food clothed me, and given me a brand-new life. I thank them for that today. God is well pleased!
I was lost without foundation. Hope was a dim light. I had lost everyone in my life that I loved. The giants I was facing were addiction, homelessness, financial bankruptcy, emotional bankruptcy, drug court, divorce court, CPS court, and family court. It forced me to live in my car next to a dumpster in the parking lot of Bear Creek of the Nazarene church. I began attending church sessions where I was referred to Merced Rescue Mission, and I met David Carr. He saw in me something I didn't see in myself at the time. He offered me a bed in the Transitional house, and I accepted it. He was willing to work with me and gave me a chance, so I took it.
Ever since that day, I leaned on the Mission until I could stand on my own. After facing down all my giants, I was re-educated with a new career choice, my family was reunited, my spirit rebuilt, and I strengthened my connection with my Higher Power. I would definitely recommend the Merced Rescue Mission to anyone who can relate to my story.
P.S. As I walk into the sunset, I see only one set of footprints as God carries me away.
The Mission’s Distributive Bridging Program staff is so proud of Angela, who is pictured below. While in the program, she has made huge changes and worked so hard on completing the Behavioral Health Court Program. She graduated on July 12th. Congratulations Angela! Keep up the good work.
My name is David. I grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After high school, I went into the military and served in Iraq. When I came home, I used the GI Bill and obtained a 4-year degree from Cal Poly. I thought I had my life on track, but I didn’t. Drugs ruled my life. What the drugs had hidden was a rage monster cultivated in my Ranger training. It was the problem underneath my meth problem. The law finally caught up to me in the worst spot possible—in my home, with my kids and wife completely afraid of the monster I had become. I was in supreme denial until those handcuffs hit my wrist and I was booked into jail.
When I was released from jail, I reported to Probation, which sent me to the Rescue Mission. I met people there who were on the front lines of picking me up from the depth of the depression, and I would not be where I am today without them. Eventually, I entered the Mission’s Hope for Men program, which really opened my eyes to the word and power of God. After looking back, I can see that God was already working in my favor--even while my eyes were still shut. This is what this testimony is all about. Merced Rescue Mission harnesses the power of hope, positivity, and GOD to help people like me who have completely lost their way if they are willing to change, even if it’s a little bit at a time.
Donnie came to the Merced County Rescue Mission’s Hope Respite Care Program from Doctor’s Medical Center in February of 2022. While at Respite Care, Donnie received instructions on his medications and transportation to his treatment appointments. After completing the recuperative care portion of the program, Donnie transitioned over to our Hope Respite Bridging program. In May 2022 Donnie’s cancer went into remission, and he made the move to the Merced County Rescue Mission’s Distributive Bridging program where he will receive help with housing.
Here is one of our thriving Bridging Program participants, Adrian. We are so excited to share his growth and accomplishment of graduating from his Relapse Prevention class at BHRS! He has also taken a leap of faith and signed up for Merced College classes this Summer and Fall! We can't wait to see what personal achievements he will accomplish next! Way to go Adrian! Keep up the good work and may God continue to bless your journey!
I was born in Sonora into a family of addicts. My childhood was terrible, and I used my first time at the age of 5. I was using heroin and committing crimes. I would sleep around with women to get what I wanted and have been in and out of jail, prison, and rehab my whole life. When I got my daughter taken away, I decided to give rehab another try, and it changed my life! From there I went to sober living (Transition to Hope) with the Rescue Mission, and it helped while I worked, got off parole, got my daughter back, and graduated from drug court!! They even helped me get a place to live and now my family is back together! Thank you, Lord!!!
Pieces Falling Together
I used to have a difficult time looking in the mirror. Before the program, I only saw shattered pieces of myself. I truly believed that I wasn't "fixable" or that I was even worth saving. The enemy had me convinced that my poor choices and addiction to drugs and alcohol would never be forgiven. I felt abandoned, betrayed, alone, desperate, discouraged, full of fear, angry, bitter, disappointed, and hopeless. Thank God for the Rescue Mission’s Hope for Women program, which accepted me with arms open wide. The moment I walked through the doors I felt peace, comfort, and so much love. I finally felt safe, which was a feeling I hadn't felt in a very long time.
Within the safety of God's love, mercy, and grace that He pours into the Hope for Women program, I have been able to heal the deep wounds from past trauma. Through the help of all the counselors, teachers, mentors, sponsors, and fellow sisters in Christ I have been able to pick up the pieces of myself and start to put them back together. This program has helped restore what the enemy stole from me, including the relationships with my children, family, and friends. I also gained employment with Restore Merced. I am so grateful and feel truly blessed to be a part of Hope for Women. The Rescue Mission has saved my life and the lives of so many others.
I am a very grateful and hopeful participant of the Bridging Program. I am a survivor of devastating circumstances that led me to homelessness. I've worked hard all my life, employed since 10 years old. I am an ex-military wife who raised 3 awesome children on my own. I am a grandmother overcoming PTSD and a cancer survivor. I'm very excited to be one of the first few females to start working for Restore Merced next month. I've also signed up to go back to college and continue my education.
I was very sick at the hospital and had nowhere to go after. The Mission’s Hope Respite program took me in until I felt better. Then I was told about the Bridging Program. I am so happy here and I am so grateful for all the help! Thank you Merced Rescue Mission!
Even in the midst of challenges, Frank is a positive force who actively teaches others sign language because he is deaf.
We were homeless in Merced for 5 years and lived in our car with our dogs. We got into the program, Project Room Key, for 3 months, then we went to the Navigation Center for 3 months - we were among the first participants at the Navigation Center. From there we went to a Mission bridging home for 10 months. Now, thanks to Merced Rescue Mission and Sierra Saving Grace we got our apartment!
A few years ago, I started using drugs and alcohol in an effort to self-medicate. It soon became destructive, and my life became worse and worse. When I finally came to the end of my own best efforts to try and get clean and sober, I began to lose hope. I was isolated, sleeping in my car, and homeless. That day, I came into a local tent revival and got prayer at the altar. I received the forgiveness of Christ, got right with God, and was delivered at the same time. I invited God into my life, and I soon was directed to the Navigation Center. There I got connected with the men’s program at Merced Rescue Mission and transferred into a transitional home.
I started working a job immediately and worked until I could rent a room in a house. From there I continued straightening things out in my life. I am now in a nice, three bedroom - two bath apartment in a good area.
From the moment I was delivered, I have been praising God. I am actively involved in a local church and now help with the youth. I am so grateful and am happy to be free from addiction. I have been clean and sober for over a year now. I am grateful to be able to give back to my community and encourage other men, to help them know they are a major important factor in the family structure.
I thank God for both the Navigation Center and the Merced Rescue Mission. I am now a volunteer facilitator for the ACE Overcomers classes, part of the Hope for Men program curriculum. I am very honored to be able to be in a position to be able to encourage other men and contribute to the family structure and community.
I was addicted to meth and other drugs and had lots of fallouts. The last one almost led me to prison, but I caught a break and ended up in the Merced Rescue Mission. The Mission helped me stay clean and stay off the streets with a family to stand behind me every step of the way. They introduced me to Restore Merced, where I got a job restoring the city streets, as well as myself. They helped me find a way to financially budget with the programs they offer, and with the job that kept me from being homeless I was able to get on my feet and gain my life back with the help of the Merced Rescue Mission and Restore Merced. Now I have a full-time job, a car, and I’m restoring my sanity and peace. I appreciate the love and the family they both have offered me. I am grateful to be part of them both.
I came to the Merced Rescue Mission when it was located on Canal Street when I became homeless. I remember sleeping on a yoga mat on the floor and being grateful to be out of the cold.
Over the years, I stayed with the Rescue Mission in their transitional program for men. I have come a long way on this journey. I am now in my own apartment and so thankful for everything the Merced Rescue Mission has done for me.
Read more powerful testimonies from Mission participants, click here.
Hi, my name is Mona Lisa. Before coming to the Hope for Women program, I was incarcerated. I had a long history of using drugs and going to rehab. I would never be where I am today without the Lord. I graduated from the Hope for Women program. I now have a job, a relationship with my dad, a relationship with my husband, and can now fight to get my children back. Regardless of my past, or what the judge decides, I will keep fighting to get to see my kids. I give all the glory and praise to the Lord Jesus Christ! Thank you, Merced Rescue Mission and the Hope for Women program!
“I found myself in Los Banos shortly after getting in an argument with my younger brother while driving up north. It just happened to be the first town we came across after our talking ceased. He unloaded my wheelchair and some of my belongings in a hospital parking lot and wished me good luck. I had first heard of the Merced Mission a couple of days later while lying in Los Banos memorial hospital anxiously contemplating what to do after my impending discharge. I had serious doubts regarding what they could do for me and was expecting something akin to the homeless shelter that I provided medical care for in Santa Monica. I was extremely surprised to find a new wheelchair-accessible van waiting to take me to the Mission’s respite house in LB. Bobby, Jason, Jamie, Anthony, and the rest of the staff at the house were amazingly proactive and resourceful in helping me with everything that I needed, whether I requested it or not. They had even found $500 to pay for my prescriptions. I had gotten well enough to move out of the respite house and into the Mission’s local SLE. I’m currently working with an associated housing resource which has given me a second chance at living a full and productive life, thanks to the rescue mission. I truly don’t know what my life would be like without all these beautiful people.”
With its commercial kitchen, the new Hope Respite Care facility on the Village of Hope campus will need a Kitchen Manager. Jolene, a graduate of our Hope for Women program, has been hired to fill this position. Her experience working as the assistant to the Navigation Center Kitchen Manager has proved that she will be a valuable asset.
My name is Jolene. Within two years of being released after serving a fifteen-year sentence at Chowchilla’s Women’s Facility, I was arrested and spent two years at Sandy Mush Correctional Facility. I was looking at a life sentence and I was at my rock bottom once again. I have never really believed in any kind of faith or God. Every week the Merced County Jail Ministry would come into the jail, Ms. Gina would always make time to come talk to me. She began to pray with me and over me, she also started talking to me about the Merced Rescue Mission and their Hope for Women program. I applied and decided that I needed to believe in something bigger than me. I made the decision to believe in God and have faith that God would carry me through this time. I was accepted into the Hope for Women program and have since graduated from the program. I have a full-time job with the Merced Rescue Mission serving at the Navigation Center. I am clean and sober and living my best life today. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for God, Ms. Gina coming in with the Jail Ministry and the Merced Rescue Mission.
Hi, my name is Jesse. I’m here to give witness to how my Lord and Savior redeemed, restored, and strengthened my life through the Merced Rescue Mission.
My life’s purpose is to give hope to those who are struggling and are fighting the same fight I did. My life has taken me on a path through who I was in the past, and what brought me to Merced Rescue Mission. Through the Rescue Mission, I have become the person I am today.
I’m a recovering meth addict who suffered many years of being incarcerated, living that life of that revolving door. At the age of 16, living on my own, then to prison, I had no source of direction. I had no purpose in life, and I didn’t understand why I was put on this earth.
In 2015, I came to the Mission and reached out for help. I needed hope, and my life was falling apart. My family and children wanted nothing to do with me because of my addiction. I went through the Mission program many times. The people at the Mission showed me so much grace and didn’t give up on me. In 2019, I finally surrendered my will to the Lord and committed myself to the Hope for Men program. After nine months, I completed the program, and I was able to put what I learned from the Mission into action. I now have my driver’s license at the age of 50! I did not have it until now. The Mission and Restore Merced have shown me a good work ethic. I now have a full-time career as a maintenance engineer at a nice hotel. By putting God first in my life, God has made all things possible. I have a purpose in life, and I am doing His will in my life. My life has been restored through Jesus Christ. There is HOPE and freedom in Jesus. God bless you!
My name is Jacob, and I am a recovering meth-addict. I began using at the age of 16 and have suffered from this addiction for over 20 years. Now, 38 years old, I have been in and out of jail since I began using. It seemed I would never learn my lesson. The last time I was on probation I remember my probation officer telling me he was going to discharge me from probation, even though he knew I had used a month before. He told me, “Jacob, I’m going to let you hang yourself.” I was shocked, but he was right. Six years later, on December 3, 2019, I would be arrested for an attempted car jacking and several other crimes. I already knew I had one strike on my record. At my court date I was notified by my public defender that I was facing a life sentence and that they were trying to strike me out. I fought my case for eight months believing I was going to prison for the rest of my life. God blessed me when I was told that they had made a mistake on my case. I was released from prison on March 29, 2021. Since then I have learned to have people as an important part of my accountability team. I entered the Merced County Navigation Center operated by the Merced Rescue Mission and there I met staff members who had been in a similar position to mine. I am very thankful for the Navigation Center and the staff. Without their influence I would not have made important changes in my life and made significant progress. I was reluctant to leave the Navigation Center, but I was encouraged to take a spot in the Rescue Mission’s Transition to Hope (Sober Living) house where a bed had opened up. After two months of residing in the Transition to Hope house, my Service Coordinator (Case Manager), Warren, encouraged me to apply for a resident advisor position. I am now a resident advisor, have a paying job, and I am looking at an early discharge from parole. All of this due to God’s grace and the very special people from the Rescue Mission who have helped and supported me. I cannot thank God enough for watching over me and sending people my way who have had my best interest in mind.
