What happens after someone graduates from Orange County Rescue Mission (OCRM)? Does the change last? We are often asked these questions. We keep track of those statistics through our alumni program. Consistently we see year over year, an average of 85% of people who graduated from OCRM are still employed, stably housed, and sober!
But even more powerful is hearing or reading the stories of who a person becomes after graduation.
Here’s your chance to read one of those life-changing stories. Bernadette and her two children arrived at Village of Hope in 2021. You may even recognize them from their newsletter in 2022!There are moments in life when everything feels like (or maybe it is) falling apart — when hope feels distant, and there’s no clear path forward.
For Bernadette, it was a moment of crisis after years of addiction, pain, and instability. But her story didn’t end there, thanks to friends like you.
Addiction was deeply rooted in Bernadette’s family; she began experimenting with drugs and alcohol from a young age. Experimentation grew into dependence, exasperated by her then undiagnosed bipolar condition. In adulthood, periods of sobriety would end in a relapse.
During one of her sober stretches, Bernadette met a charming and seemingly God-fearing man who promised her a better life — her escape and hope. Once they were married, everything changed … but not for the better.
He became controlling and abusive. Bernadette spiraled emotionally and fell back into the only way she knew how to cope, and the chaos began once again. She lost all hope. Seeing no way out, Bernadette attempted to take her own life.
This act of desperation became Bernadette’s moment of realization that she needed more than addiction recovery. She deeply loved her kids and didn’t want them to lose their mother.
Thankfully, a friend led her to OCRM’s Village of Hope in 2021. She began her sobriety journey again, but this time with mental health support and a stable home environment where she and her kids could rebuild their lives together on the foundation of their relationship with Jesus Christ.
“Pretty quickly, God changed my heart and ways,” Bernadette remembers. “I needed to return to God with an open heart. That was a missing piece before — surrender.”
During her time at Village of Hope, Bernadette also received vocational training and became a community leader. She was rebuilding her confidence, her skills, and her future.
After graduation from OCRM, Bernadette’s commitment to educational and career growth continued. She completed her college education and became a certified drug and alcohol counselor. After successful employment at a well-known treatment center, Bernadette is now an employee of OCRM as a case manager guiding and counseling women. She serves people in need with excellence and with the love of Jesus Christ.
Bernadette’s commitment to career growth is fueled by love and dedication for her family. After a season of transition at House of Hope, they moved to their own apartment. She and her kids attend church together, where Bernadette also volunteers.
“I want to tell the donors how grateful I am,” Bernadette says. “There are so many supporters of the Rescue Mission that prayed for us, and that means so much.”
Because of your kindness, Bernadette’s story didn’t end in despair. It became a story of a powerful transformation that will positively influence others.
