Archived Stories

Christmastime for single father, Tyron Jackson, was not a joyous season for his family last year. The mother of his two daughters had left all of them to pursue a life on her own. Tyron moved with Tamyra (age 5) and Teira (age 2) to be reunited with other family members. In the midst of transition, Tyron lost his job. Jobless and without a place of their own, he wondered how he was going to provide daily necessities for his girls, let alone any Christmas gifts. He’d been saving up what he could, but it was stolen and they were left with almost nothing.

Through the generosity of their community, they were given a Christmas tree and gifts for his daughters. It was the care and concern of others that helped Tyron to realize, “I can’t think about myself but only about what they need… my Christmas was complete because I was with my girls.”

Still struggling, but with much hope, Tyron believes this Christmas will be different. Tyron and his daughters came to us seeking refuge and support to get back on their feet. The mission’s emergency shelter is one of the very few in LA County that offers single fathers and their children a place to stay.

Tyron has a new job, enrolled his girls in school, and is now working toward stability so that he is able to provide for his family and give to others in need as well. He looks forward to saving up and getting a place of their own where they can celebrate Christmas all together once again, remembering the kindness of others around them and thanking God for sustaining them through that difficult season.

At age 14, Dolly Morgan decided she could not spend another night in her abusive foster home. She hopped a train in search of a mother who would love and care for her. The police found her and took her to live with her estranged sister until she was emancipated at 16. This determined young woman went on to graduate from college with a Bachelor's degree and land a prestigious internship with a famous gospel singer. Dolly was pursuing her dreams and was successful.

Back in her hometown, Dolly's sister was quickly destroying her life.

She was a heavy PCP user and already had several children taken away by the State. When she learned she was pregnant again, she planned on abortion. Dolly convinced her sister to keep this baby girl, later named Raven, and Dolly was eventually given full custody. Dolly moved to Los Angeles, knowing there would be greater job prospects in the entertainment industry to help her with her new family. She wanted to give love, security, and consistency to Raven, something that Dolly never had.

She quickly found work, but was still living in hotels and running out of money. With little Raven, Dolly realized that her new role as a full time mother meant she had to change her rhythm. She would have been fine going from place to place alone, but not as a mom. Dolly "never knew what it meant to have a 'normal' life; a life of consistency, a 9-5 job" and the sort of environment where she believed Raven would thrive.

She needed a hand up, and the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission was there to offer 90 days of refuge and relief for this educated and faith filled woman. Dolly brought Raven to a place she had never been before, a homeless shelter, in May 2011. She couldn't believe it, but she found some needed consistency during her stay at our shelter.

Dolly shared, "Most of the moms and dads here have never had anything consistent in their lives. Most of them come from the Foster Care System, going from place to place and have never held a job." She is grateful for the peace she gets from knowing the mission is there for her and Raven. Things are looking up for this dedicated mom thanks to your caring support of the mission's family shelter.

Helen Robinson has been coming to the First Baptist Church of North Hollywood for the past few years to take part in the hot lunch that is served each Thursday by our SOS (Survival Outreach Services).

Fondly known as Grandma Robinson, Helen is well known among the homeless and poor community as the kind, motherly influence that always has an encouraging word or a hug of comfort to give. After living in Florida for 20 years as a schoolteacher, Helen moved to California to be closer to her son and daughter-in-law. She always wanted several children and sought to be a foster parent in California.

She arrived in Van Nuys, California on May 1, 1999 and a few days later, she was in a bus accident that left her partially paralyzed from the waist down. The pain was agonizing and the doctor's bills added up. Years passed and there was no settlement for her, which left her penniless. She lost her house in Florida, her car, and all of her materials she had in storage in Florida because every dollar was going to pay doctor's bills. Click here to read entire story...

No age is too young to be involved in serving the hungry or homeless for the community. This was true for 13-year-old Jared Blair who creatively promoted the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission at his bar mitzvah. This Jewish celebration is to welcome a young boy to manhood, and part of that is assuming responsibilities that are fitting for a young man.

As Jared sent out invitations to his friends, he included a request for them to bring packaged food items for the rescue mission. Jared wrote, "to mark this occasion… I wanted to find something that would make a real difference in the lives of people in my community that are struggling to make ends meet each day. I have chosen to collect and cook food for those who are not getting enough to eat. I have chosen this because I want to be a chef when I grow up and I want to help people who are hungry. I want to help people who must live in shelters or on the street and beg for food each day."

Jared didn't stop there. He wrote letters to the local supermarkets asking them to donate canned and dry foods. The response was overwhelming. Jared's friends donated enough food to fill their family car and the grocery stores gave gift cards toward the purchase of whatever was needed. Jared knew that this food would be used for the mission's Rescue SOS (Survival Outreach Services), which feeds the chronically homeless, poor, and hungry in the San Fernando Valley as well as the homeless mothers, fathers, and children who are staying at the shelter. Each day of the week, Rescue SOS creatively plans and prepares meals to feed over 500 people at 6 locations throughout the Valley. Jared was excited to be a part of this process. He continues to be involved with the mission through volunteering in the kitchen and recruiting his Boy Scout Troop to help with special projects. He hopes to stay connected as the mission grows and increases their services toward those in need.

A couple of days per week, our shelter residents are welcomed by a friendly face that is able to help them more than most. Morgan Allen, a senior psychology student at Cal State Northridge, is on hand to help residents with any case management issues they are facing. Whether it is housing, job, legal, or child care related, Morgan is armed with many local resources to make a big difference.

Morgan is able to help so regularly due to a generous scholarship program through AmeriCorps. She relates that through this opportunity, she is able to do what she has always wanted. Though she had prior notions about the needs of homeless people, her experiences have enlightened her as to what the real needs can be. For example, in one case a family was forced to leave their home because the landlord was pocketing the rent rather than paying the bills.

For Morgan, it is especially difficult to see the effects of homelessness on the children when this kind of thing happens. But thanks to her efforts, families don't have to stay down and out. Not long ago, a single dad with four boys found housing after working very hard on his situation. Morgan was so excited to see his efforts pay off and know that she played a role in his success.

Laura is a beautiful and spirited mother who found herself homeless after a situation of domestic violence with her husband. For her, coming to the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission meant that she had hit "rock bottom." According to Laura, to be a single mother alone is overwhelming, but when you don't have a place that is safe to take your children, it can be very depressing. "Being here has made me look at what I had and what I took for granted. I used to spoil my kids and give them whatever they wanted, but now I see there are people without food and shelter and it has made me think again about what is important for my kids," said Laura. Not only has Laura found a safe place for her family, but she has also found a hope in God that she did not have before. Like many of us, Laura said she wanted to live her way, without God, doing "her thing." However, God did not stop from seeking her out, especially in her despair. Laura recalls a blend of verses that was quoted to her by the shelter staff that brought her comfort… "A broken and a contrite heart He does not despise (paraphrase Ps. 51:17)…He hears their cries and rescues them in their distress (paraphrase Ps. 18:6)."

She realized that, not just for her, but for her two children, ages two and three, she needs to follow God and live life His way. "I want my kids to know the way. I want to change for them." She has been encouraged by the shelter's staff with bible studies and counseling from the scripture and feels like this has been a good place for her to start over.

Lunchtime with SOS (Survival Outreach Services) is where it often starts. Each week, hundreds of men, women, and even children make their way to one of our five locations in the valley where we serve a hot lunch. The program is designed to meet the homeless community where they're at and provide them with a good, nutritious, hot meal. We start at the basics and we build from there.

Eight months ago, Freddy started coming to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Friday afternoons for lunch. He lives in his van, parking in various parts of the valley for a night's rest and uses public transportation to get around. It was raining when he arrived at the church for the first time. A gentleman called out to him, "hey mister, there's an empty seat here if you want." This small gesture was the beginning of a heartwarming friendship.

Sitting side by side over lunch, Freddy shares about his dear friend, "I look forward to seeing David every week. As soon as he sees me, he calls out and sits next to me." Their smiles confirm the sincerity of his statement. Freddy explains that a lot of people come here to see friends they haven't seen all week. "I come for lunch, for friendship, and for fellowship." A simple meal is where it starts, but we trust that it's only the beginning of so much more.