You wouldn’t recognize him now, but Tracy is someone you may have seen around Orange County. Near the end of his homelessness, he spent his days wandering the streets and along the railroad tracks.
You may wonder why we hope you will read about Tracy. We share his story with you so that you can know the good news — that it IS always possible for people to change their lives, and it’s a daily occurrence at Orange County Rescue Mission.
Our desire is that you, too, are energized by the reminder that hope is alive in our community!
A Second Chance at Life
Tracy was just 13 when he left foster care to survive on his own. He completed high school, but after having his first drink at 19, alcohol abuse began to take hold of his life.
Despite his challenging upbringing, Tracy completed some college, secured a job and even managed to stay sober for 12 years. But after becoming physically ill and having a near-death experience, Tracy’s addiction took hold of him.
He fell into a cycle of addiction, drug crimes, and homelessness — until he believed death was his only escape.
“My whole life was consumed by drugs and alcohol,” he says. “I was hoping I would just die.”
But then, Tracy met someone from the Rescue Mission outreach team, and a seed was planted in his heart.
After he’d carried the weight of hopeless desperation for so long, he finally knew where to turn. All he needed to know was that a place like the Rescue Mission existed — a place where people care and can provide the support and resources to heal from and overcome all that led to his homelessness.
Because of generous neighbors like you, Tracy received:Hot meals and a safe place to sleepDental care, therapy, and grief supportBible studies that reignited his faithHelp with fulfilling court demands to clear his criminal recordThe skills to start a new career and be a good employeeAnd the guidance to rebuild his life from the inside outMost importantly, he found hope — and a second chance at life — with Jesus Christ at the center.
“I thought I’d never get a job or a place to live because of the wreckage of my past. But I have integrity today. I’m regaining the values I compromised in the past one step at a time,” says Tracy.
We are so grateful for your prayers and financial support, which help us serve even more of our neighbors in need this year. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus — and helping us work to end homelessness one life at a time here in Orange County!
