Hi, my name is Michelle. I'm 28 and from Chowchilla. I grew up in a church, yet somehow, I went down the road of destruction, which led me to live like an animal. I was hopeless, depressed, and angry. With my mind full of good and a body full of drugs, I became desperate for change and went through a Mission program. Now I am part of the Mission team. Being able to help and give back what was given to me makes my heart happy. I hope everyone I help can see what God has done in my life and they will want the same.
Melissa's Story
My name is Melissa, and this is my testimony. I have a long history of drug abuse and tried to get clean many times. I failed and never quite understood why until I entered the Merced County Rescue Mission. In the Mission program, I learned many techniques and tools that I needed to build a foundation. Not just any foundation, a foundation built on God. Today I have two years and 9 months of sobriety and am so grateful. I have my life back and get to help others find a new life filled with HOPE, joy, and new beginnings. I know my story is helping others. My support team, the Mission, and my coworkers continue to guide me and give me strength, HOPE, and wisdom through my heavenly Father.
Marissa's
Hello, my name is Marissa. Before the Mission, I was a mess and dealing with a lot of pain from my past - things that were done to me and my own choices and reactions to the pain. I went into the Mission's Hope for Women program on June 8, 2015, and graduated a year later. I worked hard and got my kids back. My life has been nothing but blessed since allowing God to come in and heal me. He will always be my foundation and my guide for everything in life. I am thankful to be working for the same program that I so proudly graduated from. It means so much to me to help women to see their worth through God's eyes. I know God will always use my experiences for good. I pray they will help other women in the program succeed.
Jolene's Story
Hi, my name is Jolene. After serving a 15-year sentence, I re-entered society feeling lost and weighed down by old and new challenges. With only $200 dollars in my pocket upon release, I leaned on God and found the Mission. At the Mission, I found fellow brothers and sisters with similar backgrounds and experiences which really made an impact on me and created enthusiasm in me that I never felt before. It was a lot of support to success from people who already overcame or who were overcoming the same challenges - and I thought, "If God can do that with them, then maybe He could do that with me too."
Now I'm a house manager for one of the Mission's Bridging Houses, helping women gain the same direction and foundation that I and so many others here at the Mission have found in God. I also work at the Navigation Center, which works in partnership with Merced County. I meet people in a very delicate state, and I can relate to that. I feel responsible for encouraging them and being a friendly and understanding person they can turn to. Only Jesus and His work through my past experiences could have prepared me for this role; the Mission helped fine-tune me, and now I'm here to serve and help the same way others have done for me.
Some participants will say, "You don't understand" or "You don't know what I've been through". After getting to know me, they find someone who can relate, who can sit with them as an ally and model the thought process out of their dilemma. This is important, impactful, and deeply rewarding.
Jeremiah's Story
Hi, my name is Jeremiah. I come from a mixed background of trials and tribulations. I was lost before I found the guiding light of the Rescue Mission. Working for the Mission gives me the opportunity to pay it forward. The Mission inspires me to be a better father, brother, and better Christian. Helping the lost gives me the opportunity to offer guidance. We may not have had the same struggle, but I can relate to my brothers and sisters. We are here for each other. Amen.
Jennifer's Story
Hello, my name is Jennifer. I was addicted to meth and found myself facing a 12-year prison sentence in 2012. The judge had grace on me and sent me to complete a Mission program. I had lost custody of my daughter, and the program saved my life. I learned about God and learned valuable skills which helped me to regain custody of my daughter. After graduating from the Mission, I became part of the Mission team. I can share with the women in our programs about my experience, and how important it is to get a foundation in Christ - and to build on it. It helps give the women faith that they can do it too.
Dorothy's Story
Hi, my name is Dorothy. I spent 8 1/2 years in prison. My daughter went into protective custody, and then I lost my mother. When I got out, I had nothing and felt alone. I spent 10 months in a program in Atwater, then applied for a program at the Rescue Mission. I needed to find a purpose and was crying out to God for help. My life changed, God opened my eyes, my purpose is to help others and share my experiences, my losses, and my HOPE to everyone that I can. The Mission gave me my first job ever. I am now married and have my own place. I am so grateful to God and the Merced Rescue Mission for the opportunity. I will continue to pass that on to the people around me. Thank you!
David's Story
Hello, my name is David Carr. I spent over 25 years in and out of prison, addicted to anything I could get my hands on. I had no hope and drugs were my life. It's humbling, and an honor to work with people who come into the Mission. My attitude of gratitude is, "I get to work" at the Rescue Mission. I've walked the same path as a lot of folks that come through, and I never forget what it's like on the first day when you're fighting the battle on the inside. I understand the fight, and through my own personal experience and growth, I can prayerfully encourage others that it will be okay.
Cecilia's Story
Hi, my name is Cecilia. I am a mother of five kids. I used drugs and I was homeless for about a year and a half when I went to jail for two years. When I got out in February of 2020, I was at a residential program in Atwater for eight months and graduated from Tranquility. Then I went to a Mission program and graduated. I am a recovering drug addict who learned to overcome my fears, my Giants, and got a job. I am living proof. I am part of the Mission team and showing others if I can do it, there is HOPE, they can change too, it's never too late.
Stephen's Story
My name is Stephen and finding the Merced Rescue Mission was in God’s anointed timing. I was going through a difficult time in my life and was faced with many obstacles. I had financial hardships, legal matters, and a crumbling marriage. An acquaintance told me about the Mission and I reached out. I was housed in their Transition to Hope program and they advocated for me with my legal matters.
I was able to continue with my sobriety by keeping my faith in God and following His lead and guidance. I was given the opportunity to be part of the team. I can share my story, strength, and hope to others with addictions. I knew I could contribute by being an example of positive lasting change, and by offering my story. Thanks to the grace of God and the help of the Mission. I am now studying to be a drug and alcohol addiction counselor and I am fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Sunnie's Story
My name is Sunnie, and I have been an addict since age 15. I had to realize I had to do it for myself before I could do it for anyone else. I also realized I needed God more than I needed anything or anyone.
I feel very blessed that the Mission gave me the chance to prove to myself that I could work again. They had faith in me when I didn’t have faith in myself, and that was an awesome feeling. I went through the Hope for Women program twice. The first time I lasted two months. I graduated from the 9-month program the second time. Now I want to show people how great you can be on the other side with God by your side.
I have patience and understanding now and when you show people that you care, you can change lives. It may not happen overnight but remembering where you came from and where you are now is important. The Mission helped me change my life and now I want to help the Mission change more lives.
Jose's Story
My name is Jose “Enrique” and I started my addiction recovery with the Mission in 2019, in one of their Sober Living homes. Through my rehabilitation, I became a Resident Assistant in one of the Mission’s Bridging homes. With perseverance and a good work ethic, I applied for a full-time position as a Peer Navigator and have been working as an employee since September 2020. I am happy to give back to my community alongside the Rescue Mission.
Being able to give back is the best feeling. I can relate to others going through similar situations. It feels good to share my experience and be part of someone’s journey to better themselves.
Seth's Story
My name is Seth. Being homeless and addicted to drugs was the absolute bottom for me. Once I came to the Mission’s Hope for Men program I gave my life to Jesus, and God has blessed me beyond belief.
I am truly blessed to be able to manage the very program that helped transform my life and be a man of God. Being able to help men that come from the same background as myself to be men of God is a prayer that has been answered.
I hope that by giving my testimony to the Hope for Men program gives the men hope in Jesus and encourages them to make the changes that God wants for their lives.
Warren's Story
Broken, empty, distraught, at the bottom of my rock bottom - This is where I was the day I entered the doors at the Mission. I found hope, grace, and mercy. My name is Warren Cornelio and I entered the life transformation program at the Mission on September 27, 2014. Through the Mission, ACE Overcomers, Love Plus, Celebrate Recovery, and the 12-steps, I learned how to face my challenges, forgive, and move forward to a brighter future.
After I completed the Mission program I became part of the staff family. They have been by my side through an injury, the beginning of a new marriage, the passing of my mother, and many milestones. I have been blessed to work in various areas for the Mission and work with our homeless community. No matter what life brings, I know the Mission family is there for me and we, in turn, are here for you.
I have first-hand experience with the challenges that might come from taking that first step towards changing my life. With my experiences, I can walk with our clients and assist them in navigating a new way of living.
Erin's Story
My name is Erin. My life was the definition of insanity. I was lost, broken, and hopeless. Drugs had taken over my life. I had no one and nothing.
Working for the Mission has given me purpose. I get to give back, be a part of the solution, and do God’s work.
Anyone who wants to find hope and another chance at life - that is what will be given to you if you come to one of the many Mission programs.
Gina's Story
My name is Gina Thomas. I grew up in an abusive home with drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately, I grew up and started to drink and use drugs, and was in and out of jail a lot in my life.
I went to the Hope for Women program in 2014, graduated in 2015, and became part of the Mission team. I can’t explain the encouragement and love I endure every day working in the office. The love and guidance amaze me.
Given my experience in a program, I love sharing with donors and participants. They are so important to our ministry and allows me to show the love of Christ.
Angie's Story
Hello, my name is Angie Railton. I was tired of living on couches of friends and family, living out of my storage unit, and just feeling desperate. One day in 2018 I looked in the phone book and called the Rescue Mission. There was room for me in the Hope for Women program and I went. I said goodbye to my family for a couple of months and focused on myself and how to become a better me. Through Jesus Christ all things are possible. I found myself and finished strong. I graduated seven months later. Today I am employed by the Rescue Mission full time as an office assistant. I have a happy home and have found love. I was married to Bob Railton nine months ago, who serves as the first point of contact for the Mission office.
I feel blessed that I can share my story with new people in the program so they know if they work hard and stay focused in the program, their hard work will pay off and God will open doors for them that they never thought possible.
I feel that participants who can talk with someone who has gone through a similar experience help them to listen not just with their ears but with their hearts.
Christian's Story
My name is Christian. After making a few bad decisions, I found myself in a jail cell. That’s when I realized I needed a new foundation for myself and needed to be there for my kids. I turned to the Mission and found some missing pieces there that I needed. Some of the men leading were from the same streets as me. They were the first to reach out to help me up. I decided that the Mission was something I was going to do and give it my best effort.
Now I am back on track & giving back as a House Manager for a Mission Bridging house and as a shelter worker at the new Navigation Center.
The best way to keep what you have is to keep giving back. I believe my experience will help other Mission participants because I have been in similar situations. If they can see how my life has changed, hopefully, they can change too.
Jennifer's Story
Hello, my name is Jennifer Carr and before coming to the Rescue Mission I had no idea how to have a relationship with God. The Mission showed me how to have that relationship and how to begin to love and forgive myself. The Mission means the world to me, not just because it helped me change my life and head down a new path, but also because I have the opportunity to help others. I believe my experience allows me to connect with others who are seeking help and show them a new way to live.
Sheila's Story
My name is Sheila. My life before the Mission was in the streets and jail. I entered the Mission program in June of 2020. I had been homeless for three years suffering from mental illness and drug and alcohol addiction. I have been sober for over a year and work for the Mission.
Going through the Mission program helped me learn I had potential. I knew this was my second chance at a better life. I learned how to love myself again and that I was worth something.
I can only pray that my experiences would inspire others to be strong enough to find a better life. Life is worth living.
