“We're talking about affecting their lives for change — forever.”

In 2002, Jennifer Hillyer's outlook was, to say the least, bleak. She was merely existing in a motel-to-motel attempt to maintain what little control of her life she still possessed. Narcotics charges didn't help. She lost custody of her two children and was completely out of options when she made contact with the Orange County Rescue Mission.

The help Jennifer received from OCRM, her battle with self will, her return to Jesus, her reunion with her children and her aspirations in real estate management are all documented in another article. This story picks up where that one left off...

Jennifer graduated OCRM's Strong Beginnings Program in 2005 equipped with the tools she needed to be a success. Mostly, she gained a feeling of confidence in God by witnessing His faithfulness in helping her to accomplish her goals. She has regained custody of both of her children, completed OCRM's Institute of Real Estate Managers' REstart course and, as of October of last year, moved her family into their own apartment. Her children (Brittini, 18, and Nicholas, 5) are thriving, in stark contrast to four short years ago when Nicholas was in “the system” and Brittini was a runaway in Dallas. Brittini graduated high school last year and has just graduated from beauty college. Both children are enjoying the advantages of their new apartment, far removed from the negative influences of the sober-living motel they came from. Recently, Jennifer was even able to buy a new car!

Having satisfied all court obligations arising from her narcotics arrest in 2002, Jennifer's criminal record has been expunged and is now completely clean. For the time being, she is making good money as a waitress as she ponders her next move into the field of drug and alcohol counseling. The most recent goal she has set is to work toward reconciliation with her husband, bringing further stability to her family. “They deserve to have a mom and dad under the same roof,” she says. Pastor Ray Green, Jennifer's former case manager, says that for Jennifer to go from where she was to where she is today is nothing short of a miracle. His praise for her successes continue...

“Jennifer came from the streets, a drug addict, lost her kids and was about to just give up on life. To get her life together spiritually, emotionally and now financially, and to be able to get her kids back, and to have her kids be successful — that's a major accomplishment in our field.

“She's been out of the [Strong Beginnings] program for over two years now. By this point in the ball game, many have given up and turned back to drugs. Jennifer is still moving forward in what we taught her — how to budget, how to set goals. What makes this a great story is a person moving forward in what we taught them — without the program. That means that we had a very profound effect on how she now lives her life.

“When we talk about reaching out to the least, the last and the lost, we're talking about affecting their lives for change — forever. You know the old saying. ‘Give them a fish, you feed them for a day. Teach them how to fish, you feed them for life.’ To have her call back and say, ‘Hey, this is how I'm doing, and I want to be able to give back to the Rescue Mission because I'm on my way now. I learned my lesson and I know what to do.’ To hear that, we know, as an organization, we've taught her how to fish.”

Our Mobile Medical Clinic saves lives when homeless people seek help early.

Steve L. was homeless; he lived by the generosity of relatives. He began coming to our Mobile Medical Clinic four years ago after he’d been hit by a car. The lower portion of his spine had been exposed in the accident, and he was in a lot of pain. Since he had no money for medical care, he couldn’t afford to fill the prescriptions emergency-room staff would give him.

So we filled them, and did what we could to help him. When we hadn’t seen him for a few months, we were concerned. We were saddened when his daughter called to let us know that he had died.

We wish we’d reached Steve earlier in life — maybe we could have made a difference. But at least we were there to offer him God’s love at the end. At times like this we prayerfully pick ourselves up and try to reach the next “Steve” — before it’s too late. Other cases are tougher.

William H. worked hard as a house painter. But, like so many of our patients, William worked for day wages — meaning he earned little money and had no benefits of any kind. Over the last year, William had visited our Mobile Medical Clinic to get allergy medications, be treated for an ear infection and for other minor medical care. Recently, his symptoms seemed very serious and we urged him to go to the hospital.

William and his wife could barely afford the motel they lived in, much less visits to the doctor. He and his wife discussed their problem with the neighbors, who decided he had an irritable bowel. They began treating his symptoms with over-the-counter medicines. Eventually, the pain drove him to the emergency room, where he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He wasn’t yet 50 when he died.

Yes, sometimes this is very sad work. But God has called us to bring compassion and practical assistance to the poor. With your help, we’ll stay on the front lines — offering compassionate medical and spiritual help for homeless people when they need it the most. Thank you for helping to save lives among Orange County’s homeless.