Another wonderful indicator of a new year is our Winter Graduation. Each January, I am blessed to witness another group of graduates successfully complete the Orange County Rescue Mission program.

These are the stories that are a reminder that homelessness is a devastating reality, but also that hope and transformation are possible. At times they were tempted to give up, but these graduates are proof that the hard work and perseverance are worth it. We have been able to watch God move in their lives.

Among this winter’s amazing group of graduates, we have stories like Josh’s, who was living under a bridge in Costa Mesa before he came to our Double R Ranch men’s program. He spent 2 years at the Double R Ranch before returning for our employment services and is now employed at Tustin Mazda as a sales representative. There are the Thurmans, a family that entered our gates homeless and unemployed, and now both parents, Shanna and David, are employed and providing for their young son, Preston. There is Brielle, the brave teenage girl that turned from the path of drugs and chaos that she was on, and through the help of Laurel House, was able to restore her relationship with her family and return home.

Please take a look at the Winter Graduation video here and listen to these graduates’ stories yourself. Rejoice with them as they move forward into a renewed and self-sufficient life. Thank you for your support which makes it possible for men like Josh, families like the Thurmans, and girls like Brielle to be given a second chance at a life of joy and hope.

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