“40 Years in the Wilderness” Sheila grew up in a home marked by divorce and insecurity. “That really damaged my heart,” she says. Throughout her childhood, she longed for a stable family – one that gathered around the table, laughed together, shared stories, and encouraged one another. Instead, she wandered down a dark and lonely path. Although separated by divorce, Sheila’s parents did their best to provide for their children. They worked

“Beauty in Brokenness” For much of her life, Linda carried deep wounds beneath a strong exterior. Family pain and unaddressed emotional trauma from childhood pushed her toward addiction and dangerous choices. But when she came to City Rescue Mission, Linda discovered something she had

“Walking in the Light”  Stanley grew up in a close-knit Christian family. In addition to church activities, he spent his boyhood fishing, hunting, camping and farming on the land surrounding his peaceful rural home.   “It was a beautiful childhood,” he says. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”  But sadly, something was missing.    As the sixth of 11 children, Stanley often felt invisible and overlooked, especially

“Now I’m walking in the light.”  Adopted at a young age, Vera was raised in a family of nine children. She loved school, sang in the church choir and developed her passion for cooking while working her first job at a fast-food restaurant. Though

God Brought Me Out of the Darkness.  For years, James lived on the edge – run-ins with the law and running from the Lord. He hated himself and believed he would die in that dark and broken state. But at

““Here, I found love, confidence and people who truly care.” Tiki came to City Rescue Mission after decades of substance abuse, broken relationships and deep loneliness. She had sought our help before – but this time was different. With God’s help and

“The Mission didn’t just give me shelter. It gave me hope, healing and a reason to live.” Margaret’s childhood was defined by both love and loss. Moments with her father were happy, but her mother’s substance abuse drew Margaret into

“But they didn’t give up on me. The Mission gave me a chance to sit down, detox and get my mind right.” Raised by his grandmother in a tight-knit neighborhood, Jay had plenty of love and attention. But without the

 “This place gave me something I hadn’t had in a long time: hope.” Tanya’s life unraveled when her husband went to prison. Left to raise her six children all alone, she struggled to stay afloat – financially and emotionally. Finally,

“Knowing that I am a child of God now – it’s a beautiful thing. I already had that identity. I just didn’t know it.” Robert grew up surrounded by the beauty of the St. Mary’s River, fishing and camping with