Dear Friends,

An unexpectedly steep drop-off in donations recently has left our Rescue Mission facing a $343,798 shortfall in donations — at a time when requests from homeless men, women, and children for help are up more than 256 percent!

Is this drop because of stubbornly high unemployment? An outpouring of support for Haiti and Chile? Lingering recession fears? The reasons aren’t clear. But what IS clear is that if we do not receive your help immediately, we might run out of food and resources to help these homeless men, women and children.

We can provide a healthy meal for just $1.48. That means that for just $35, you can purchase 24 meals to feed the hungry. Only $71 buys 48 meals and 96 meals can be provided for just $142!

Our need for your help is urgent. We need your help NOW! Join us in Operation Lighthouse and send your most generous gift to the Rescue Mission today.

Help us to keep the Light on for the Least, the Last and the Lost.

Click here to help now!

Seven years of depression and pain left deep wounds, Helen says, but this Easter you’re helping her heal.

Helen had wonderful kids, a fabulous house, luxury cars, a successful career ... “an ideal life,” she says. She even volunteered at the Orange County Rescue Mission. But when her marriage ended, Helen fell into a seven-year spiral of depression.

Today, God’s Easter grace and your generosity are helping her recover. More than “the blues,” depression is a serious mental illness. “I lost confidence, my identity, even daily living skills,” she recalls. When she began missing work, she lost her job, too. “Some days I could barely get out of bed,” Helen says. “Only knowing I had to function for my kids kept me going. I went from running million-dollar projects to not being sure I could get a job pushing shopping carts,” she recalls. “It was frightening to know I could change that much.”

As her savings ran dry, Helen and her children moved to smaller and smaller apartments, and finally to a friend’s hotel. There, someone encouraged her to contact her friends at the Mission. Today, Helen is finding grace and new life at the Mission. “This isn’t just about shelter,” she says. “This is a place of deep, deep healing. “I’m dealing with some serious wounds,” she continues. “It was a very dark time for me. I became isolated and lived in constant fear. But I don’t fear anything now. I no longer live just for survival. I’m grateful for what I have every day. “Even when I was a volunteer, I never relized how many angels are at the Mission.”

I lost my job as a teacher’s aide. My son kept getting sick. Then my car broke down. I couldn’t work, couldn’t pay the bills. I didn’t have any support. I’m college-educated, but I’m homeless. What happened to me can happen to anyone.

I found the Village of Hope online. Being here has been a real blessing. I think God brought me here for two reasons: It’s been a great support system for my son and me while we get back on our feet, but I’m also learning I can be a help to the other women here. Before, I isolated myself too much. I’ve made some real friends here.

This is the Village of Hope, and I’m Hope. We laugh about that.

Patrick DiGiacomo is a man who enjoys taking a calculated risk and overcoming challenge. He is an equities manager who has been trading stocks for his clients portfolios for the past 30 years. His diverse life and eclectic interests are exemplified by his varied roles as a former U.S. Marine, an accomplished chef and a certified commercial pilot.

Patrick is single and, although originally from New Jersey, has lived for the past 28 years in Corona Del Mar. In June of last year, his desire to use his cooking talent to serve others prompted him to contact Orange County Rescue Mission Volunteer Manager Brandi Umberger. She, in turn, arranged for him to meet with Ken Weekes, Manager of Food Services in the Village of Hope kitchen.

Since then, Patrick has volunteered his time and talent on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. In addition to cooking 150 dinners for the residents of the Village of Hope, Patrick also helps prepare 450 meals served at the Santa Ana and Fullerton National Guard Armories.

Patrick sees two major challenges to providing quality food for the residents: “First, there is the need to ensure that we have sufficient staff in the kitchen each day to do our best possible work. Secondly, we need a regular supply of fresh and flavorful food from our donors.” One day, Patrick didn't have all the right ingredients for the food he wanted to cook. The following day, a fellow volunteer whom Patrick had recruited into service took it upon herself to purchase a huge amount of food at Costco and drop it off at his house. So, by bringing a friend to work with him, Patrick not only found someone who was interested in volunteering in the kitchen, but who also shared his vision to offer his talents to bless the Village of Hope students.

Patrick sees his volunteer service as a great opportunity to improve the variety, flavor and presentation of the food that the kitchen provides for the residents. He does so by improving the use of perishable ingredients, cooking methods and even the physical layout of the kitchen. This enhances the nutritional value and eating experience of the people living at the Village of Hope. Patrick also takes great satisfaction in equipping students with culinary skills that will be of value to them in many areas of their lives, and may even lead to future employment. For those students who wish to pursue food service as a career, Patrick sees himself as a mentor.

Patrick says that one of the greatest sources of satisfaction he receives is the appreciation that the residents give him for his service. As Patrick puts it, “On most days when I leave, the residents start clapping. What they don't know is that hearing them express their satisfaction for the dinner we have just prepared is a very humbling experience. Lucky for me, I wear glasses most of the time so they can't see the tears that occasionally run down my face. I couldn't do it without the wonderful support and help of all the other people who work in the kitchen.”

Thank you, Patrick, for bringing your gifts of artistry and organization to the students at the Village of Hope!

I asked the Mission not to use my photo. I got kicked out of four schools by ninth grade, and two more by the 12th. I was never one to follow rules. I’ve been in bar fights, brawls ... done a lot of fighting. Never been in prison, but I have spent a few nights in jail. I’ve always had problems with drugs, alcohol, and anger management. Had a good job, but was around bad people. I got tired of living that way.

One of my brothers goes to Calvary Chapel, and he knew some people from the Orange County Rescue Mission. They helped me get an interview. The spiritual side of the Mission is new to me. It’s hard being away from my family. But I need the time to find sobriety and get my life back.

Since 2005, The State Street Foundation has partnered with the Rescue Mission, helping to support programs that bring hope and opportunity to the homeless and disadvantaged in Orange County. Over the years, the many generous financial gifts from the State Street Foundation have allowed the Rescue Mission to expand their programs and services in some unique areas.

In 2005, they helped provide a satellite upgrade to the Rescue Mission’s Mobile Technology Vehicle which served very poor families living in run-down, drug-infested motels, so that they could benefit from educational and vocational resources.

In 2008, State Street provided not only a generous amount of food, clothing and household donations, but they also made a donation that helped equip the Village of Hope’s new Child Development Center with a series of brand new, kid-friendly computer learning stations. This last year, the Mission started a new summer program called “Summer to Remember” to provide a fun and experiential summer for the children of the homeless families residing at the Village of Hope. State Street stepped forward again to help with that program to truly make it a memorable summer for the 60 children participating in the program.

In addition to all the financial help that State Street has provided, they have also been willing to “roll up their sleeves” and work alongside the mission staff on various volunteer projects. In 2007, a State Street team came to the Village of Hope and spent all day planting and landscaping the grounds of the campus. In August of 2008, State Street staff hosted a week long food drive for the mission, and since December 2008, a number of their dedicated employees have volunteered to assist in the Child Development Center. That volunteering spirit – to give equally of their time and funds - is a quality that sets State Street apart as an exceptional partner.

Thank you, State Street Foundation, for taking the journey with us over the years, for strengthening our programs through your generosity and volunteers, and for believing in our mission.

1. Fill up “Easter baskets” with hygiene items and drop them off at the Mission office.
2. Volunteer to serve Easter dinner at the Village of Hope.
3. Pray that each person receiving help this Easter will feel God’s love and respond to it.
4. Drop off hams, rolls or other items for food baskets and Easter meals.
5. Pray for God’s resurrection power to transform the lives of the men, women and children in our many programs.
6. Donate your used car. Call 1-888-366-0007 to find out how!
7. Hold a canned-food drive for the Mission.
8. Tell your children, neighbors and church family about the work of the Orange County Rescue Mission.
9. Spend a moment reflecting about your desire to help the less fortunate and renew your commitment.
10. Visit our Web site and donate a generous gift!

I was living with my daughter. She and her husband disappeared. They came back high on drugs eight days later. I called the police, and social workers took their kids. My daughter doesn’t like me now.

I moved to a motel. A friend called the Mission and handed me the phone. I’ve been at the Village of Hope a few months. So many great things have happened. I quit smoking and have started to write again.

I know God led me here. I pray for my daughter. She and her husband are in treatment now, and she’s expecting twins. I really miss her. I just don’t want my grandkids around drugs any more.

I’d like to tell you about something I’m hoping will become a lasting Easter tradition here at the Mission. It’s a special event you helped make possible.

When my wife and I vacationed in Ireland years ago, we found an old church. Outside it stood an ancient tree. It was traditional, we learned, for people to say a prayer, then hammer a coin into the tree. Over the centuries, thousands of coins had been pounded into the gnarled, twisted trunk.

When we prepared last year to dedicate the chapel at the Village of Hope, I thought of that tree. We built a large wooden cross, and I asked everyone who’d had a life-changing experience at the Mission to drive a nail into the cross. It was an incredible time. Whole families came forward to drive in nails together.

Now, in 2010, we have a full house! We have plans for an egg hunt and other fun activities. But the centerpiece will be the Resurrection Day service around that nail-studded cross — people whose lives you helped change, praising God in the chapel you helped build.

I pray that this Easter you’ll feel the transforming love of Jesus in a new and powerful way. Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia!

In His service,

Congratulations to Village of Hope Brownie Troop #1082, led by Cindy Donham, for selling 270 boxes of Girl Scout cookies! The girls meet at the Village twice a month.

Way to go, girls!

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.

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.

TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE!! If just 60 people sign up and use their Ralphs Rewards card, 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 here to sign up:

Thank you!