When she got the news that she lost her house and would be out on the streets, Raquel hugged her children and tried to hold back her tears.

“My landlady sold it and didn’t tell me, so I didn’t have time to find another home for my family,” she says. “I was so scared that we were going to be homeless.”

Raquel was raised by alcoholic parents who both died when she was a teen. To find love and stability again, she began dating the father of her children when she was just a teen. Raquel was heartbroken when he became abusive. But it took nearly 30 years before she found the courage to take the kids and leave him.

Unable to afford anything else, her family ended up in Section 8 housing. Then even that was ripped out from under their feet. Raquel had very little hope left when she heard about the Rescue Mission.

The day she came to San Diego Rescue Mission, everything changed for Raquel.

“I felt like a ton of bricks was lifted off my shoulders,” she said, smiling. “It was only by God’s grace.”

“I’m a different person since I came here…”

Raquel and her children were welcomed into our Nueva Vida Haven emergency shelter, where their immediate needs for food and shelter were met. Soon after, she and her family joined our Haven of Hope Women’s & Children’s Center, our 12-month recovery program for women and their children.

In our care, Raquel dedicated her life to Jesus and found healing from the trauma of losing her parents and the abuse she suffered for so many years. “I’m actually listening to the Lord and letting Him do what He wants to with my life,” she said.

The life-skills classes we offer have helped Raquel become a more patient, loving mother. With our staff’s love and support, she’s found the confidence to work on her GED, with hopes of going to a vocational school.

“I want to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and take care of the elderly. I want to be somebody that can take care of someone else’s mom.”

Because you gave from your heart to help Raquel, her life has been changed by your goodness and God’s love forever! “I’m a different person since I came here and gave my life over to God. It’s not easy, but I take it day by day.”

To read this issue of Mission in Motion, click to download.