God's grace and your generosity are transforming Charles' life, and a Mission meal was the key.

When he got out of prison, Charles had to decide whether he was willing to work for the new life he wanted. A warm meal and a friendly face at the Orange County Rescue Mission helped him make the right choice.

Charles got out of prison two years ago; he wanted it to be the start of a new life. But it soon started looking a lot like his old life had.

“I had been homeless for eight years before I went to prison,” he explains. "Now I was back on the streets again. I had to decide. I could get myself another number” (by committing a crime and returning to prison) “or try to make it on the outside.” As he considered his options, Charles made a stop at the Orange County Rescue Mission.

“I just came in for a meal,” he remembers. “I saw a friend and we sat and talked.” He ended up speaking with Mission counselors, too.

Charles grew up with rough Santa Ana gangs and was heavily involved in drugs, crime ... even devil-worship. But God's grace reached Charles in prison and began transforming his life. Charles drew closer to God and started focusing on his education, ultimately earning his GED.

We were able to offer Charles a place at the Village of Hope. With time to devote to his studies, Charles is proving to be a star student: out of more than 4,000 applicants, he was one of fewer than 300 to win a scholarship to a local college. His goal is to earn an associate's degree, then apply to the Cal State University system.

“I'm proof that anyone can change,” Charles says. “My goal is to help others who are like I was. I know that if I've made it this far, God will take me the rest of the way.”