In 2004, Richard Means was a homeless and hopeless methamphetamine addict caught in a downward spiral and looking desperately for a way out. But it's very difficult to find an escape to your addiction when at the same time you're trying to find another fix. You want out, but you don't. Richard was staying at an emergency shelter program in Santa Ana (and still using) when he was first introduced to the Orange County Rescue Mission.

“We first met Richard in the winter of 2004-2005,” recalls Nathan Bates, Manager of Student Affairs at OCRM's Village of Hope. “He was a homeless meth addict who walked into our breakfast service at the Men’s Shelter pushing his infant son in a dirty shopping cart. Through a series of events that started with a warm bowl of oatmeal and some encouraging words, the Lord took a grip on his heart.” However, it wasn't long after this that Richard lost custody of his son, Eric, to the state of California.

As the reality of his actions sunk in, Richard slowly began to clean up his act. He joined a 90-day detox program and faithfully completed his Prop 36 classes (a miracle in itself!), which allow first- and second-time, non-violent, simple drug possession offenders the opportunity to receive substance abuse treatment instead of incarceration. He also began the process of attempting to regain custody of his son.

In July of 2008, he applied for entrance into the Village of Hope and was accepted. Starting with supervised visitation, Richard was allowed to have Eric visit him at the Village of Hope. As the authorities saw the change in Richard they began to approve overnight visitation. Amazingly, through a combination of perseverance, prayer and hard work, Richard was granted full custody of his son in early 2009!

But Richard will be the first to tell you that this “change” he underwent was not his own doing. Prior to this, no matter how long he stayed clean, he would eventually return to his drug habit. But within his first week at the Village of Hope, Richard surrendered control of his life to Jesus Christ. “The only thing that was going to help me with my addiction was God,” he says. “He was the only one that could do it.”

And that He has. During his stay at the Village, Richard could recognize God at work to keep him close, to prevent him from straying. He submitted himself to regular drug testing, NA meetings, parenting and anger management classes and chapel services. “I don't even have a desire for drugs anymore,” he beams.

On November 8, 2009, Richard and Eric became the first Single Dad and Child graduates of the Village of Hope! Richard is now employed full time and looks forward to getting connected with a good church, taking care of his son and adding to the progress he has made. Thanks to the compassionate work of the Rescue Mission staff and the faithfulness of our supporters, Richard and Eric's futures look truly bright.

7 kids, no job, no money, no food.

Living at home with her mom and six brothers and sisters was tough for Sylvia. It’d be tough for anyone. Her father had left years before. Now, the whole family depended on Sylvia’s oldest brother, who worked two jobs to try to meet the family’s needs. Then, tired of his dead-end jobs, her brother left home and joined the Marine Corps. Following basic training, he was sent to Iraq for a year. He sent his Marine pay home to the family, but it still wasn’t enough.

“Christmas was horrible,” Sylvia remembers. “We worried all the time about him being hurt or killed. He could only call us once a month. “We had no money,” she continues. “Nothing for gifts, nothing for food. It was my worst Christmas ever.”

He eventually returned home safely, but the family’s situation didn’t improve. Life just seemed to be dealing Sylvia one blow after another. She began a relationship with a good man and completed classes to become a medical assistant. But when their son was born with serious breathing problems, Sylvia had to quit school before she received on-the-job training. Without that training, no one would hire Sylvia when she tried to get work following her son’s recovery. Then, her fiancé developed a severe infection in an arm injury and needed surgery. That used up what little savings they had left.

With no income or savings, they were reaching the end of their rope when her fiancé’s brother told them about the Orange County Rescue Mission. Today, Sylvia is getting her life back on track at our House of Hope in Orange County. Her fiancé is staying with his mother while he finishes recuperating from surgery.

“The kids and I are doing really well here,” Sylvia reports happily. “I’m advancing in my faith and taking refresher courses for my training. “My goal is to work as a medical assistant, save money and reunite my family,” she continues. “I never want another Christmas like that one.”

This month, we shine the Volunteer Spotlight on Laurel Kemper who is a self-described "ordinary mum." Her humble title belies the hard work and care that has gone into bringing up and home-schooling her two children after leaving her original profession of accounting.

Laurel has lived in Orange County all her life and, as she puts it, has "...always known about the Orange County Rescue Mission and that it is very successful." She started to volunteer for us just over a year ago when her daughter, Kristina, then in her Senior year at High School, needed to be a volunteer as a requirement of her school work. Laurel suggested she could volunteer for the Rescue Mission because she was impressed with their positive contribution to the community. As the Rescue Mission was a long way from their home it would be impractical to just drop Kristina off there and come back later to collect her. So Laurel joined her daughter as a volunteer performing a range of clerical tasks in the Volunteer Management office.

Laurel recognizes that her attitude towards the homeless has been impacted to some extent by her voluntary work. She notes that, whereas some homeless people will probably never want to be other than homeless, "Those who really do want to change their circumstances can do so with the help and support of organizations like the Rescue Mission." She says, "The change in people who have gone all the way through the training there is amazing." Laurel says that two of the most important reasons for the success of the Orange County Rescue Mission are that it is a private, non-profit organization (not run by the government), and the strong Christian values that permeate everything they do.

Serving in the Volunteer Management office has had two major benefits for Laurel. Firstly, she says that it has improved her sense of well-being. "If I'm feeling a bit gloomy, going there always cheers me up. The people are so wonderful and it is really fun to volunteer there." She adds, "This feeling of cheerfulness lasts over even into the following days." Secondly she acknowledges that volunteering together with Kristina has deepened their relationship. "Sharing things and having fun together has been important for us."

To anyone who is considering volunteering at the Orange County Rescue Mission Laurel advises: "It is a place where you can serve Christ and have a lot of fun at the same time. It's great, a wonderful place, the people are fantastic and the atmosphere is just amazing. You can get away from focusing on yourself and think beyond your own needs to those of others." It is easy to tell from her enthusiastic tone of voice that Laurel has really enjoyed her service as a volunteer and would strongly encourage others to give of their time in this very satisfying pursuit.

Thank you, Laurel (and Kristina) for all your valuable voluntary service. God bless you!

As told by Tommy

For 17 years, I drove a bus up in central California as I used and sold drugs. My wife never guessed that I was living two lives. Finally, it got to be too much so we left and came to Orange County. I got jobs at nursing homes. That was a good disguise, but drugs always found their way to me. Finally, my wife found out I was using and divorced me after 30 years.

Eventually, I was arrested for dealing drugs and was sent to detox. After seven months in the program, I ran, but they caught me and I spent a year in jail. When I got out, someone told me about the Mission and I’ve been here about 15 months.

I’ve noticed all kinds of changes. I used to be violent. It was easy to hate and fight. If I wasn’t here, I’d be locked up again for sure. I’m taking anger-management classes. I used to be all business, but now I’m a happy person. I guess I’ll always have my guard up, but I’m more relaxed now. I’m closer to God and my family. I trust people. I never used to do that.

Your generosity made Tommy’s dramatic life-change possible. Thank you for caring for the least, the last and the lost among us by supporting the Orange County Rescue Mission.

After Joe’s grandmother died, he found himself living in his car while working as a courier. But then a hernia limited his ability to work, while car problems ended his ability to get around. Soon, he was calling a storage unit “home.” “I wasn’t ‘contemplating’ suicide,” Joe recalls. “I had it all planned out.”

Then, something convinced him to shelve his plan and call the Orange County Rescue Mission instead. We helped him get the operation he needed and found him a room at the Village of Hope. Now he’s training to be a long-haul truck driver. “My life before wasn’t going to end well,” Joe says. “Now I am healed physically and mentally, and am about to get a good job. I’m where I am today because of the Mission.”

On October 24, Coto Community for Hope sponsored its fourth annual “Party With a Purpose” benefiting the Orange County Rescue Mission's Village of Hope. Over 250 people attended a lovely evening of dining and music which featured silent and live auctions of unique and valuable items including trips to New York, Hawaii, Italy and South Africa. Over $200,000 was raised to give a hand up to the least, the last and the lost of Orange County.

General William and Willa Dean Lyon were honored for their longstanding generosity to helpless and homeless families through their continuous support of the Village of Hope. Thank you to Coto Community for Hope and all who contributed to the success of this event and, in doing so, brought hope for a brighter future to the hopeless once again.

Tim Telles, founder of Tribeca Destination Salon in Aliso Viejo (right), presents Donna Naccachian of the Orange County Rescue Mission a check for $2,158, proceeds of the October 18 “Cut-a-thon” fundraiser. The money will be used to benefit the Orange County Rescue Mission's Village of Hope on the former Tustin Marine Base. About 50 customers attended the fundraiser where, along with haircuts, there were 30-minute massages, eyebrow threading, silent auction, and refreshments — all available with a $30 donation.

“We believe that volunteerism and community service are important to the success and growth and well-being of our community,” said Tim Telles, who opened the salon with his wife Treeny in February 2007. At the Village of Hope, Telles heads up an effort to help men and women look and feel better by donating his services to the residents. There, he helps organize volunteers to give haircuts, hair color and new hair styles. He is actively recruiting stylists to volunteer.

For the last seven years, a group of ladies from St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Orange have given of their time and talent to bless the the clients of the Orange County Rescue Mission with handmade quilts. Each square cut, filled and backed with donated material, these treasures are stitched together with love and given with the hope that homeless men, women and children will spend this winter a little bit warmer.

This year, six women of The Dorcas Society, as they call themselves, ranging in age from their 70s into their 90s, put together 35 quilts. “We feel that what we're doing is making a difference,” says quilter Margaret Pilgrim. “We're doing God's work.”

And we at the Orange County Rescue Mission couldn't agree more. Thank you, ladies, for your generosity. Your gifts serve to warm not only bodies, but hearts as well.

Through the Sempra Energy Foundation’s Season of Giving, employees support worthy causes and organizations they love by giving their time during the holidays. One such group of Sempra employees recently volunteered at the Orange County Rescue Mission.

“We had a very productive and worthwhile day yesterday volunteering at Orange County Rescue Mission,” remarked Sempra's Jennifer Chang in a follow-up e-mail. “The Mission had just received many large donations, so we helped at the warehouse opening boxes and sorting various toiletries. Ed's team, a group of 11 employees, must have opened about 300-400 boxes from 10 am - 1 pm. Nobody took any break and ideas were flowing regarding how we could work even faster. Lynn, Carol and Steve held the knives and took charge of opening and flattening the boxes. Ed, Diana, Pauline, Kelly, Kerry, Andrew and Cailian took care of the sorting, organizing and cleaning. The warehouse folks were amazed and commented how fast we worked and appreciated us helping them do a lot of work within just a few hours.”

As part of the annual Season of Giving program, the foundation provides $1,000 grants to charitable groups as a result of employees applying on behalf of the local charity. We're happy to report that the Orange County Rescue Mission was nominated, and has been awarded one of the grants. Thank you, Sempra Energy, both for your hard work and generosity!

For once, I never have to convince anyone that homelessness, hunger and poverty really are problems in Orange County. It’s all too obvious. It’s a cruel irony, then, that many people are telling me their ability to help has been undercut by the tough economy. That’s when I tell them about all the ways there are to help our neighbors in need. After all, it only costs $1.48 to give someone a hot meal at the Orange County Rescue Mission. Even small gifts go a long way!

But that’s still only the beginning. Your donations of time, clothes, blankets, school supplies and food ... and, of course, your prayers ... all make a real difference. If you haven’t visited the Village of Hope yet, come down and see your gifts at work. Bring your family or church group! We’re always happy to welcome volunteers, accept your donations for our warehouse, or just show you around.

In the parable of the widow’s mite in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells us the amount of a gift is less important than the spirit in which it is given. This Thanksgiving and Christmas season, we are grateful for all you can give, and do, to help the less fortunate in our community. Thank you!

In His service,

The Dhont Family Foundation was founded in 1999 by Andre and Eveline Dhont, who immigrated to Orange County from Belgium in 1950. Andre Dhont worked on citrus ranches until he saved enough money to buy a gas station, enabling him to eventually invest in real estate. As a result of their investments, the family had a strong desire to give back to the community, and the foundation, now overseen by son Andre Dhont, continues this legacy by generously supporting various Orange County non-profit organizations.

The Dhont Family Foundation has provided funding over several years to the Orange County Rescue Mission, including contributing to the campaign to construct the Village of Hope, a 192 bed transitional housing program for homeless men, women and children located in Tustin. Most recently, the Dhont Family Foundation provided funding to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County for their Emergency Food Project. Since 1983, Second Harvest has distributed over 245 million pounds of food to 390 member agencies annually, such as emergency food providers (food kitchens), food pantries, homes for battered women and children, and homeless shelters.

As a result of the Dhont Family Foundation’s gift to Second Harvest, the Orange County Rescue Mission will receive 1,000 food boxes a month, helping to alleviate hunger to almost 50,000 individuals annually who come to us for help. Our deepest thanks are given to the Dhont Family Foundation for their contributions to the Rescue Mission and for their broad impact on the problem of hunger in Orange County. Orange County’s neediest populations will feel the impact of this generous gift in a very tangible way this holiday season!

by Michelle Young, House of Hope Facility Manager

This morning we learned about the importance of honoring Veterans. We started with a history on the different wars and why it is important for us to honor those who serve and have served. What a blessing today was. The children (ages 3-11) made Veteran cards with a specialized note, poem and decorations. At 2:00 p.m. we walked down to the Depot Park where the City of Orange celebrated with a Veterans Memorial Service. Here, the kids were able to see representatives of all four branches of the U.S. military in multiple generations. We saw Mayor Carolyn Cavecche and even Miss Orange! The keynote speaker was a Colonel in the Air Force. This was a huge treat for the kids — since he was head to toe in his uniform.

The children said that their favorite part was when we saluted the Armed Forces by allowing the family members of those who serve or have served to stand during each branch’s song as it was being played. After the celebration, we handed out our homemade veteran's cards to the veterans. They loved it and so did the children. It was such a blessing.

The Orange County Rescue Mission is committed to helping you assist the poor in the most cost-effective way possible. That’s why we take extra care to use every penny efficiently. As part of that effort, we are governed by an independent Board of Directors. We are also a member in good standing of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). Upon your request, we will send you an audited financial statement prepared by an independent certified public accountant.

At the Orange County Rescue Mission, averaged over the last 10 years, a full 79 cents of every dollar given has gone directly to help the homeless. If gifts received are above a specific need, they will be used for Mission programs where the need is greatest. Your support is greatly appreciated. With your help, the Orange County Rescue Mission works to make our community a better place for everyone to live.

Re-enrollment Time in Ralphs Community Contributions Program!
Congratulations to Ralphs for donating almost $3 million this past year through its Community Contributions Program. If you are signed up through your Ralphs Rewards card, and have designated the Orange County Rescue Mission as the beneficiary, then a portion of these funds have been donated to assist us in bringing hope to the Least, the Last and the Lost of Orange County.

Albertsons Community Partners Program
Albertsons Community Partners Program will continue to accept registrations as usual. By using your Preferred Savings Card, and designating the Orange County Rescue Mission as the beneficiary, you can bring hope to the homeless of Orange County.

TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE!! If just 60 people sign up and use their Ralphs Rewards and/or Albertsons Preferred Savings cards, and the average quarterly shopping percentage brings in a modest $3.15 each, then those 60 people could make $756.00 a year JUST BY DOING OUR OWN GROCERY SHOPPING! Of course, the more you purchase, the more you earn for OCRM. (We'll keep you updated on the quarterly progress!)

Click the following links to sign up:

Starting September 1
Ralphs Community Contribution (Enter Non Profit Organization # 91204)

Now
Albertsons Community Partners (Enter ID # 49000125638)

Thank you!