“The Mission is just like Heaven to me. I didn’t know love, understanding and happiness until I came here.” Shantakia experienced unimaginable loss at the vulnerable young age of 13 when her mother passed away. Two years later, she lost

“There are a lot of people out there who really need help, and this is a good place for them. It gets them off the streets… back to their families.” Shantakia experienced unimaginable loss at the vulnerable young age of

“I’m really thinking about my purpose and what it’s going to take to get there.” Jonathan knows firsthand how one bad decision can serve as a gateway to another… and then one more… until life spirals out of control. First,

“All my brothers and sisters in the program, I feel like we have a relationship because we’ve all been through much of the same and we got past it and we graduated.” The unfortunate series of events unfolded when Christopher

“It’s all come together, and the biggest takeaway is that faith has been imparted in me.” Not all stories of homelessness are spurred by a toxic upbringing or a single tragic event. Sometimes the homeless experience creeps up on someone,

“This is a place of healing” Shanda married at age 18 – to escape the struggles that had forced her to grow up way too fast. The little girl lost her mother when she was only 7. Along with her

“God put me in the right place” Arthur woke up in the woods, as he did many mornings, while he wandered lost, experiencing homelessness and controlled by addiction. He stumbled through the dark and the cold, battling the elements and

“I was given another opportunity” Mary was forced to grow up way too soon … when she became a teenage mother. She missed out on normal rites of passage like going to prom, playing sports and dreaming about what she

“I was shown Grace” Abusive instead of loving. Dismissive instead of attentive. Critical instead of understanding. Chris’ stepfather was anything but a positive influence in his life, instead afflicting the young boy with pain, confusion and self-loathing. As he grew

“I’ve become a new version of myself” Happy. Healthy. Safe. Carefree. Sadly, these are not words Breanna would use to describe her childhood. From as early as she can remember, her story was one of sadness, confusion, loss and despair.