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Debbie and her husband were forced to move into a motel at the end of 2004 when they simultaneously lost their jobs. After about a year of living in survival mode, Debbie, who was staying home with her son while her husband worked, got the number for the Orange County Rescue Mission from the side of our War on Hunger Vehicle and contacted us in December 2005. Joel Gumbayan was assigned to help her. At first, Debbie was hesitant, and even a bit standoffish. “Living here, you learn not to trust anybody. As things went along, I got to know him, and the things the Mission did... they wanted to help us.” Meanwhile, Debbie's relationship with her husband degraded to the point that they could no longer live under the same roof. When he left in June 2006, she secured a graveyard position as a security guard in order to hold things together. About that time, Joel introduced Debbie to an OCRM program called REstart, a great opportunity for Debbie to gain marketable skills in the real estate management industry. However, it would prove to be a significant challenge. Debbie would now have the unenviable task of raising her son while going to school in the afternoons and working through the wee hours. Sleep became quite a commodity. Here's what her schedule looked like:
Debbie recalls, “I kept telling myself, ‘It's gonna be worth it, it's gonna be worth it.’” At the end of six weeks, Debbie quit her job in order to participate in the four-week, full-time internship required for graduation and certification. On November 16, 2006 she (and six others) were part of a graduation ceremony highlighting their accomplishments. Now in the job-placement phase of the REstart program, Debbie has already received a job offer pending final arrangements with the temporary agency for whom she now works. “I think it’s a great start, I really do,” she beams. “I’m looking forward to it. There’s so much out there; I’m just hoping to take this and run.” This is wonderful news, but here's the best part of the story. During the past 12 months, as Debbie's relationship with the Orange County Rescue Mission developed, there was another relationship, unbeknownst to her, that was developing concurrently — her relationship with God. As is the practice of all OCRM staff, Joel has all along been taking steps to introduce Debbie to the idea of trusting God to meet her needs. As time progressed, and Debbie began to trust Joel, she also began to open her heart to the Lord. At the end of the interview for this article, Debbie was asked if she was willing to put her trust in Jesus as her Lord, and she uttered a tearful “Yes!” Thanks to you, and the gifts of time, effort, skill and finances that you provide, there is now not only one more successful graduate of the REstart program, but also one more member of the kingdom and family of God! |
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I survived, but nothing changed. Kidnapping, robbery and other crimes cost me a total of 30 years in prison. I was locked up for 30 Christmas days, 30 birthdays. They mean nothing to me — a day when someone might give you a piece of hard candy. But then something changed. My last time in the back of a cop car, I cried out to God, “God, I can’t take this any more. I give my life to you.” I served the Lord in prison, becoming a preacher. When I got out, I became an evangelist — even speaking at rescue missions! An amazing transformation. Then, after 11 years of sobriety, I was hit by a string of family deaths — my uncle, little sister, my mother. I felt overwhelmed. I thought I could handle one drink, but that one drink of vodka sent me right back into my alcoholism. I stayed drunk for two years. Finally, my landlord kicked me out of my apartment and I ended up on the streets. Here at the Mission, I have the opportunity to sober up and get my focus back on Jesus. A lot needs to change. For one, I’m going to have to learn how to celebrate Christmas again. |
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His car was in the garage with a broken window and blood all around. He had barricaded himself in and they had to pull him out. And, I can’t even go see him in prison because I’m on probation. Christmas hasn’t been very good in the past, but life is getting better for me. I came to the Mission for a new chance at life, and I’m getting it. I never wanted to join a gang like my brother. I don’t have it in me. You have to murder someone to get in or hurt someone to prove yourself. Through Jesus’ example I see I can be like Him. He was a courageous man. To be like Him would take a lot. A lot of my problems come from being illiterate. I’m registered in a Santa Ana Community College night-school class to learn to read and write, so I can eventually get work and have a better life. This Christmas, things will be better. For one, my probation period will be over so I can visit my brother! |
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Every Thanksgiving, our Outreach team, along with our Church Partners, delivers food boxes to the residents of these motels. This year, eight Church Partners joined with us to deliver 216 food boxes to 14 motels. Along with the food box, each resident received a Bible, a Gospel tract and a pamphlet explaining how the most needed resources can be accessed. Many were prayed for that God would meet their needs. It is our hope that, through this ministry, the families we serve will experience God's love in a tangible and life-changing way. Thank you to all who held food drives, made donations or volunteered time and effort to make it all possible. God bless you! |
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On November 16, a graduation ceremony was held in honor of seven students who have completed the 10-week course, a four-week internship and have now entered into the job-placement phase of the program. This is an ideal situation in which the graduates can employ their newly gained job skills to qualify for positions in real estate management, which normally include living accommodations as part of their compensation package. As of this writing, two have already secured employment! After the graduation, REstart Orange County Chairman Aaron Weiner stated, “We are proud to have graduated our third annual REstart class in November. Most of the 23 students that have progressed through the Orange County program since it began in 2004 are still gainfully employed in the multi-family property management industry. With those careers have come self respect and the respect of their professional peers, not to mention a stable home. One of our REstart alumni astutely remarked recently that with the formal IREM-sanctioned training that is presented, he found himself better educated and informed than many of the other people he encountered in the industry. REstart isn’t just an introduction to the business, it’s a springboard to a profession.” There are now plans in the works to graduate two classes in the coming year, doubling the opportunities for homeless individuals and families to establish themselves on firm footing and provide hope for their futures. |
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Community groups, churches, families, individuals, and businesses — here’s a great way to help homeless families stay together while they rebuild their lives and become self-supporting: Adopt a family suite or a room in the Village of Hope! The Village of Hope is an innovative, faith-based, transitional facility that will keep homeless dads, moms, and kids together, while giving parents 12 to 24 months to work on job training and life skills. To make this dream a reality, we must complete the transformation of two existing military dormitories into 128 rooms for homeless families. A plaque with your name, or your group’s name, will be placed in the room. More importantly, your group will be part of creating modern-day miracles in the lives of hurting families in Orange County. Please e-mail John Luker or call (714) 247-4306 for more info. You can also check our Web site for volunteer work dates, construction needs, prayer requests and more. |
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The families in the sparse motel rooms are quite a contrast. The motel families are in survival mode. They worry about enough day-to-day cash to feed their children. Like all parents, they want to give their children Christmas. But Christmas is a luxury they don’t have the energy to think about. Until this special day. You see, the motel families are registered in our Strong Beginnings program. They are working toward independence — but are still struggling. The gift-bearing families are from partnering churches who’ve chosen to adopt a family for Christmas. Yes, the presents often make the children squeal with delight and the parents cry — but it’s not really about the gifts. The motel families are tasting compassion, receiving someone’s care and concern, experiencing mercy. They are getting tangible proof of how much God loves them. It’s not just a toy car, it’s an experience of Christ’s love. For the donating families, it’s about practicing compassion. Not focusing on oneself. Often, the children in these families have broken into their own piggy banks to buy the gifts. These children are learning their parents’ values of service, and gratitude, and kindness. This is the meaning of Christmas. You are part of this expression of love. Your gifts of compassion are felt every day, year round. Thank you. On behalf of the entire staff, I wish you the true joys, blessings and gifts of Christmas. In His Service,
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The Orange County Rescue Mission offers an exciting Vehicle Donation Program. When you’re ready to put that old vehicle to good use, call us and we will conveniently come pick the vehicle up, handle all of the DMV paperwork and provide you with a 100% tax-deductible receipt. Best of all, 100% of all net proceeds will go directly to serving the Least, the Last and the Lost of Orange County. Now THAT is a wise investment! |
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Refer them to us! We have downloadable and printable cards with the services we offer and a map to our emergency/transitional facility in Santa Ana. Click here to download the cards in PDF format. Print them out, keep them in your car and hand them out to the homeless people you encounter. If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader, click the link below.
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Copyright © 1963-2006, Orange County Rescue Mission. All Rights Reserved
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