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Pastor reflects on life change, commitment to giving
My name is Christopher Anthony Trujillo and I am a pastor at Freedom Church in Chatsworth. I lead our Recovery Ministry as well as our Community Outreach Ministry. My testimony is one that I share gratefully because I know without Freedom Church, I wouldn’t be who I am today. They welcomed me into their church…
Goodbye 2020, bring on 2021
All of us can share stories of this past year: fires, COVID-19, elections, social distancing, home schooling and on and on. What we all can embrace is hope for a great new year. Yes, we have had a number of challenges, some more than others. In the midst of many hardships, what we do know…
After a challenging and rewarding year, we look forward
It is a privilege to be reaching out to you today as the Valley Food Bank director. While we navigated one of the most unpredictable and challenging years in our history I am so humbled to be surrounded by such a diverse and passionate organization. One with such a rich legacy of serving our community…
ROTARIANS DELIVER MUCH-NEEDED RESOURCES, SHOW THEIR COMMITMENT
It’s Monday morning and our Rotarian friends from Studio City-Sherman Oaks arrive at the Valley Food Bank with two vehicles filled with the food resources we had been needing. I quickly did the Four-Way test (part of the Rotarian moral code): Is it true? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and…
Mike: ‘When I was 56, I found the Lord and the Lord found me’
After struggling with alcohol for most of his life, and eventually finding himself homeless, Mike is the first to admit how blessed he is. Now the outreach coordinator at the Mission, after completing the Life Recovery Program several years ago, he spends his time connecting with those who were once in his shoes. “I’m so…
Graduate reflects on realizing God’s powerful love
Carlos grew up in Guatemala, and came to the United States when he was 20 years old. He got right to work, mostly in construction, got married, and had a son. But the marriage didn’t last. “I was drinking too much and my ex-wife wanted me to stop,” Carlos said. “I never did. She got…
Charles credits success to his focus, the company he keeps
It took a lot for Charles to finally want change in his life. He was nearly 55 years old. He’d used methamphetamine for 40 years. He had broken his ankle, and after a quick surgery in an emergency room, wound up with MRSA, a bacteria that causes serious infections. “I could have died,” Charles said.…
2020 Lives changed for good: Joe
When Joe felt like he had nowhere to turn, he reached out to his younger brother, Bert. Bert was getting help with his addiction, and had a place to stay. He encouraged Joe to join him, and that’s how he ended up at the Victor Valley Rescue Mission. “I told my brother I needed to…
2020 Lives changed for good: Tony
Drugs took hold of Tony early. In middle school, he was already using and felt out of control. He asked for help from a teacher and entered a rehabilitation facility in Orange County. “I couldn’t control myself anymore,” Tony said. “I couldn’t handle it. I was 12 or 13 years old.” Tony finished high school…
AFTER DRAINING CUSTODY BATTLE, JOHN WANTS TO LEAVE DRINKING BEHIND
John was a talented athlete at his Apple Valley High School, but sports took a backseat after he had a child his senior year. He got two jobs right away, holding an internship at Edison and a part-time gig at Taco Bell. After graduation, he got a job working full time as a cable lineman.…