Irene Rittenhouse

The following testimony is a prime example of what results when caring people identify with the struggles of the less fortunate — and do something about it...

“Sixteen months ago my life changed. I was forty-nine, divorced and barely getting by on 24 hours a week telemarketing at 8.50 an hour. It was a long road getting to that point and would be a long road rising above it. The Orange County Rescue Mission has provided light to what could have been a very long, dark and frightening journey. I hope I will be viewed as a successful rescue.

I was married for almost twenty years, and I’m proud to say I raised four wonderful children. They have grown to be responsible adults, educated, productive and have provided me four beautiful grandchildren. I had been a military wife, I’ve lived across the world, never in one place long enough to truly find a career.

The man I married became someone I didn’t know. He molested one of our children, was arrested and I filed for divorce. The children ranged from sixteen years to fourteen months. It was a long struggle. I worked at fast-food restaurants, a Boy Scout camp, worked retail—whatever I could to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. One by one they bloomed, went off to college, and started their own lives.

I attended classes as I could. Then, at the El Dorado Motel, I saw the Technology Vehicle. I became a faithful student. I was familiar with computers; they had fascinated me for years. I had learned quite a bit, most of it was self-taught. I started with the Tech Vehicle and in 6 weeks I took my first exam, passing the MS Word test. In the spring, I found a new, full time job earning eleven dollars an hour, full time.

I continued with the Tech Vehicle, and on Dec 17th of this year, I passed the Expert Excel test. In the months in between I passed the Word expert test, MS Outlook and PowerPoint. Next month I will take, and pass (!) the Access Test. I will receive the designation “Office Master” from Microsoft.

But it’s more than that, much more. Fellowship is a word we sometimes use lightly. It has become an enormous presence in my life. Every person involved with the mission has, in his or her own way, increased my awareness of Christian Fellowship, the unwavering knowledge of being a child of God and a member of His family.

The Tech Vehicle teaches much more than computer skills. Bible verses often fly across the trailer. Parables are discussed, and they often lead us to new awareness of ‘how-I-can-get-from-here-to-there.’ Even the homeless network—we have helped one another find employment, shared stories, and as a group, discussed some of our deepest problems. Prayers often flow. I’ve come full circle. Once I was the student, now I divide my time; some nights I am still the student but on others, I’m the volunteer, offering my help to others just starting the same journey. It’s a marvelous feeling to be able to give.

But the Mission has done much more. Early in 2002, I took a job that in retrospect I know I should not have accepted. The company was shaky and eventually folded. A big misstep on my part. The mission helped in so many ways. The War on Hunger truck provided food. I received help with my rent, bus passes and Goodwill coupons to beef up my working wardrobe. Prayers were offered up on my behalf. Everyone offered support, kind words and comforting verses.

Donors, may God bless you. Your generosity made these things possible. The wonderful staff at the Mission kept hope alive. The director and volunteers on the Tech Vehicle demonstrated over and over and over how wonderful caring and sharing people can be.

During my unemployment I got acquainted with a local Christian businessperson who did a good bit of public speaking. They needed PowerPoint presentations to accompany their speaking engagements, and they were kind enough to give a beginner a chance. That income helped mightily in keeping me afloat. Without the skills I learned through the Mission, this would not have been possible.

Yet here I was, in a failing economy, unemployed. We prayed, oh, how we prayed! My friends, family, and every person from the Mission offered up prayers on my behalf. The results are nothing short of miraculous. I was hire—two weeks before Christmas!—at the corporate headquarters of a National Mortgage company.

16 months ago I worked in a dark, small telemarketing sweatshop in a rough area of town. Today I have a spacious cubicle on the top floor of what passes in Orange County for a high rise located in a prosperous and lovely area. One wall of my cubicle is all glass; I have natural light and a fabulous view. I’m surrounded by all the accouterments of the traditional corporate environment—marble floors, modern, well maintained equipment and nice successful coworkers. My starting wage is fourteen dollars an hour, and yes, I have all the benefits.

Following my probation of ninety days I will receive a raise and have been told I will reach seventeen an hour within my first year—that is the rate set for this position. This would not have been possible without the Mission and God’s magnificent intervention. The Rescue Mission taught me the skills, provided the wherewithal to secure the necessary wardrobe and has reminded me on how far we can go if we trust in the Lord.

Remember that businessperson I mentioned earlier? They realized I’d have a gap between finding the job and collecting a paycheck. In an incredible act of Christian kindness they graciously and generously offered me an advance on future work to help me get to payday. I am moved and humbled by it all.

If you ever wonder if what you do makes a difference, know most certainly that it does. I am but one example of the lives you have touched. Even if we have never met you have touched my life and my spirit and I am forever grateful to you.”