Even in Southern California, the homeless face serious risks on chilly winter nights!

I was born and raised in Minnesota,” James says. “But let me tell you, Southern California gets cold in January when you’re sleeping on the streets. People assume the homeless aren’t right in the head,” he continues, “that they don’t have any life plans, or that they have no desire to leave. That may be true for a handful of them, but really, the only requirement for being homeless is not having a home.”

James certainly never expected to be homeless on the streets of Orange County. As a young man, he was a sheriff ’s deputy in Minnesota, and still carries the scar of a gunshot wound he suffered on the job. Later he worked in Southern California as a bounty hunter and bodyguard, before deciding he needed a change.

James moved to Florida. There he met and married his wife, Sandra — and soon found himself supporting not only the two of them, but Sandra’s pregnant daughter and the daughter’s live-in boyfriend, as well. He just couldn’t keep up, and before long, the whole family was evicted because James couldn’t pay the rent.

James and Sandra became nomads, staying with friends or family or in motels. Finally, a friend gave them enough cash for them to return to Southern California.

“We got here in January 2008 and spent the next three months on the streets,” James says, “sometimes in Santa Ana, sometimes in Newport or Laguna. It gets a lot colder at night out there on the coast. Sitting on the streets is like being nowhere,” he continues. “I used to be able to call the shots. You can’t do that on the streets. You’re sleeping on someone else’s property, trying to find someplace you won’t be harassed or run off.

“I’m so glad we’re finally here at the Mission,” he continues. “We’re off the streets and I’m doing custodial work here. And I’m more in tune with Jesus than I’ve ever been. My main thing now is to get a job,” James explains. “It doesn’t have to be my perfect job. We’re not cold on the streets now. That’s what’s important.”

The only things worse than the bitter chill are bitter loneliness and hopelessness. Your gifts bring warmth, light and hope to homeless people.

At community college, Ryan had everything going for him. Since he was a good athlete and a dean’s list student, school was no problem. Ryan’s future looked bright. What nobody knew — what he didn’t admit even to himself — was that by the time he transferred to a four-year school, Ryan was an addict.

“For a while, I could get straight As while doing drugs every day,” he remembers. “But it all caught up with me.” As his addictions gained control, Ryan quit school and took, then lost, a series of menial jobs. He got married and had a son, but that marriage fell apart because of his drinking. As he spiraled further downward, Ryan fell into and out of rehab programs — finally ending up in prison, serving six months for petty theft.

“I was homeless the night I got out of jail,” Ryan remembers. “I had nothing but a T-shirt and shorts on a December night. Not even enough money to catch a bus.”

For three months, Ryan slept under bushes. Then came a year in county shelters. Finally he came to join us at the Orange County Rescue Mission. “I’m really, really grateful to be here, and to still have people in my life who are important to me,” Ryan says.

Today, Ryan has two children. “I’m getting ready to call them,” he says. “It’s vitally important I tell them how I feel and try to be a dad somehow. My life has to be about what they need, not about me. “I’m praying to stay focused on that, and on staying sober.”

Ten years ago, Alisha’s mother graduated from the House of Hope. But by then, 17-year-old Alisha was already caught in her own web of drugs and what she describes as “bad experiences on the streets.” It wasn’t until 2003 that Alisha, by then the mother of year-old twins, followed in her mother’s footsteps and came to stay at the House of Hope.

She didn’t last long. “I was young,” she says simply. “The rules were hard and I wasn’t ready to make a commitment. So I walked out. “That’s one of my biggest regrets.” Over the next few years, Alisha found herself living on the streets. Eventually, she even spent a few months in prison.

“I gained a lot of experience,” she says. “My mom kept telling me to go back to the House of Hope. I needed that experience to see she was right.” A few months ago, Alisha returned to the House of Hope, bringing her newborn son, Ryder, with her. Today, Alisha and her three children feel at home at the House of Hope.

“They love it here,” she says. “And this time I’m going to stay strong and get my life together.”

The Weingart Foundation, established in 1951 by real estate developer and investor, Ben Weingart, is one of the major private foundations in the United States with assets of approximately $821 million. During the last twenty-eight years, the Weingart Foundation has provided grants to support a wide range of Southern California social services, educational and community programs that address the needs of the disadvantaged and underserved.

The Weingart Foundation has been a strong partner of the Orange County Rescue Mission since 2002 when a $1,000,000 capital gift was provided toward the construction of the Village of Hope transitional housing program for homeless men, women and children. Located on five acres of the former Tustin Marine Corps, the 192-bed facility opened in March 2008 and contains a comprehensive health center, workforce development center, Children’s Dream Center, a 388-seat dining facility, recreational and playground areas and a chapel/auditorium. Over 100 homeless individuals now call the Village of Hope home and have begun the challenging work of rebuilding their lives.

The Foundation supported the Rescue Mission again in 2008 with $250,000 in capital funds for the construction of Hope Family Housing in Buena Park, Ca. Hope Family Housing, a 17 unit apartment complex, is a supportive housing program where homeless families can live independent for 18 to 24 months, paying reduced rent based upon their income level. Families also are provided with an on-site case manager who offers continuing case management, guidance and support.

The Village of Hope and Hope Family Housing are long-term solutions to the complex issue of homelessness. With generous support from the Weingart Foundation, the Rescue Mission has been able to build these centers of hope for those trapped in homelessness. We want to thank the Weingart Foundation for their generosity and commitment to helping those in our communities who are most in need!

From December 10-20, Gorjana of Laguna Beach organized a holiday canned food drive in which they, and other local businesses in the community, distributed boxes to customers and local residents to fill with food and return. Additionally, volunteers handed out reusable bages at four supermarkets for those who were willing to fill with food items for the hungry of Orange County. All proceeds from the drive benefited the Orange County Rescue Mission.

Partnering with Gorjana in the effort, which collected nearly 6,000 pounds of food, were Albertson's, Art of Fitness, Heidelberg Café, La Sirena Grill, Laguna Supply, Orange Inn, Pavilions, Ralph's, Thalia St. Surf Shop and Whole Foods.

Said Iva Pawling, Gorjana Brand Manager, “We hope the Food Drive will be really successful, and become an annual event to benefit your organization.”

After putting some very creative ideas to work in order to raise money for the Least, the Last and the Lost of Orange County, and then presenting OCRM with a check for $1,000, Transpacific Management Service sent us the following letter describing what they did and the fun they had doing it:

Thank you, Transpacific Management Service, on behalf of all those we serve. God bless you!