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Stories of Hope

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Breaking Free: A Father’s Redemption Through Faith and Grace

Growing up as one of nine kids, Kyle often felt invisible in his own home…

The Road to Optimism: Steve’s Story

Steve’s life fell apart when he had to leave a job he loved…

Paul has a NEW LIFE in Christ this Easter!

“I was homeless… I reached a point where I was done.”

Ella

Thank you for giving Ella a life-changing gift this Christmas!

“By the grace of God… I’ve been so blessed.”

Erica

Erica shares how your support changed her life!

“I was on the streets for two years…”

Gabriel

The love YOU share gives hope

“I know now who God made me to be.”

Chanel

Chanel is celebrating Easter with JOY!

“I had no place to go… my addiction took over…”

James Case

Thanks to you… James has HOPE this Christmas!

“I had no place to go… my addiction took over…”

Windy wants to share how your support changed her life!

“I was scared to let go of the life that I knew…”

Thank you for loving your neighbor, Roberta

“God is working in my life.”

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Apr 2

🕊️ We need your help to spread some sweet joy!

This Easter, the San Diego Rescue Mission is preparing a special feast for our unsheltered neighbors on April 12th, and we need your help to spread joy! 🌸 We’re looking for apple, berry, and peach pies, plus dinner rolls, to make this meal a time of love and hope.

If you'd like to contribute, drop off your store-bought pies or dinner rolls by April 10th at the Mission front desk (Attention: Alan Kennedy), 120 Elm Street, Monday-Friday, 8 am - 3 pm. 🥧

Your kindness will bring joy to those in need. Let’s show Christ’s love in action this Easter! 🌿

For more details, visit our events page link in our bio.

Mar 29

Faith & Family Night with the Padres is BACK!

Join the San Diego Rescue Mission and the Padres on Saturday, May 17 at 5:40 PM as they take on the Mariners at Petco Park for an unforgettable night of faith, fun, and fellowship! ⚾

🎟️ Your exclusive game package includes:
• A Padres FAITH hat to remember the night
• Postgame concert by the inspiring Rhett Walker
• A ticket to the game for all the action!

Through this link only, a portion of the proceeds from your ticket purchase will benefit the Rescue Mission! www.mlb.com/padres/tickets/specials/faith-family-night

Get your tickets and change the lives of our homeless neighbors!

#FaithAndFamilyNight #Padres @padres

Mar 27

From hopelessness to hope – Thanks to YOU! 🚨

"I was depressed and hopeless. Now I am very optimistic." – Steve, Mission Academy Student 2024

Steve’s life was torn apart after a tragic accident and a series of heartbreaking losses.

👉 Learn how you are changing lives, read Steve’s story on our Mission blog. Link in bio.

#HomelessResources

Mar 25

🎙️ Don’t miss this interview on KOCT TV’s Oceanside Spectrum! Donnie Dee and Porsche Copeland join Celeste Barbier to talk about the incredible work being done at the San Diego Rescue Mission’s 30-day emergency shelter in Oceanside. 🌊

🏠 Dive into the heart of homelessness and discover the impact of the Mission and the vital work being done throughout the county. 📅 Join us for the next Huddle Luncheon in Oceanside on Wednesday, March 26th.

👉 Visit the link in our bio to learn more and RSVP today!

#HomelessResources

Mar 22

Ever wonder how simple running shoes could change someone's life?

Up and Running helps people facing homelessness regain confidence by training for half marathons. Runners build discipline, self-belief, and hope through the program. Each year, over 100 participants finish the race, proving they can overcome challenges and start anew.

Right now, our Mission Academy students are training for the upcoming San Diego Half Marathon. Thanks to the generosity of Fleet Feet San Diego—who donated 13 pairs of running shoes—our runners now have the shoes they need to race with confidence. This support is more than just shoes; it’s a gift of encouragement that inspires hope and change.

Please pray for our students as they complete their half marathon later this month and learn more about our Mission Academy residential program though the link in our bio.

@upandrunningagain @fleetfeetsandiego

Mar 19

🌷 Bring in the Easter season with hope 🌷

This Easter, give more than just a meal—give the gift of new life. Every donation of just $2.72 provides a hot meal and so much more to a person in need.

With every act of generosity, you offer our hurting and homeless neighbors the hope and support they need to start anew.

👉 Give today and make this Easter unforgettable for someone in need. Together, we can make a difference! Link in our bio.

#HomelessResources

Mar 15

Join us for our next Huddle in North County!

🗓️ When: Wednesday, March 26th at 12pm
📍 Where: Oceanside Navigation Center
🌮 Cost: $15 Meal Fee

Don’t miss this thought-provoking discussion on homelessness with CEO Donnie Dee and Mayor Rebecca Jones of San Marcos! Get the latest updates about the Mission, discover ways to get involved, and enjoy a delicious taco lunch. 🌮

📣 RSVP Now! Click the link in our bio.

#HomelessResources

Mar 13

“We have to figure something out for our baby. Being homeless is not comfortable.” – Taylor, Oceanside Navigation Center Guest

Taylor, a guest at the Oceanside Navigation Center, never imagined she and her young daughter would be homeless. After their living situation fell apart when their roommates couldn’t accommodate a baby, Taylor and her partner found themselves in a desperate situation.

Referred to the Navigation Center through a local church, their lives began to transform. Her partner secured steady work, and Taylor started EMT training—both key steps toward a brighter future. “He's able to get to work on time, have a good night's sleep, and take a shower... I started EMT school. They give us all the resources and so much support—jobs, housing, everything we need.”

Your generous support changes lives. Thank you for being a beacon of hope for families throughout the County. Learn more about our emergency shelters through the link in our bio.

Mar 11

Steven and Harvey found a way off the streets thanks to your support.

Our system of care is a comprehensive approach. It offers food, shelter, and resources, guiding homeless neighbors toward healing and self-sufficiency. Your generosity changes lives.

By adding new 30-day shelters, which we call Lighthouses, we’ve added 212 beds across the county. Once safe, guests can transition to long-term housing, or Mission Academy, where they can rebuild their lives, just like Steven and Harvey did.

Your support powers programs like strategic community outreach, Lighthouse emergency shelters, Mission Academy, and more. See the impact you’re making through the Impact Report links in our bio.

#FromStreetsToStability

Mar 7

🚗 Big thanks to Hoehn Motors for their incredible generosity! 🚗

This new vehicle will help us bring hope to people experiencing homelessness at the San Diego Rescue Mission.

We’re deeply grateful for their donation.

Additionally, we want to extend a special thank you to the Bill and Susan Hoehn family, who underwrote the 5th floor remodel of our residential program downtown. Their support is making a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.

📸 Photo: SDRM CEO Donnie Dee & Sean Conner, General Manager, Hoehn Motors

Want to make an impact too? If you have a used car, van, or vehicle to donate, you can help change lives today! It’s easy, and your donation goes a long way in supporting those in need. Follow the Car Donation link in our bio.

#HoehnMotors #CarDonation #HomelessResources @hoehnmotors

Mar 6

Isaac’s Journey to Mission Academy

Isaac arrived at the South County Lighthouse shelter with a strong desire to rebuild his life. He came seeking a long-term program that would help him develop new skills and give him the structure to improve his future. From the start, Isaac stood out for his kindness, his willingness to assist those around him, and his strong motivation to change his life.

In January, Isaac took the next step by joining Mission Academy, our year-long residential program designed to help individuals experiencing homelessness achieve long-term stability. At Mission Academy, there are five key goals that guide students throughout their journey: Encounter God, Experience Recovery, Engage in Job Training and Placement, Establish Housing, and Enlist a Support Network.

Please keep Isaac in your prayers this month, and take a moment to explore more inspiring stories of lives changed through the link in our bio.

Mar 4

“Our church is so blessed! Without the support of the San Diego Rescue Mission, we wouldn't be able to serve those in need of a warm meal.” #HungerReliefPartner

Our Partners for Hunger Relief program fights food insecurity in San Diego by redistributing “rescued food” that would otherwise be discarded. The collected food feeds people in our programs and the surplus is distributed to non-profit food pantries countywide.

Our Partners for Hunger Relief program rescues millions of pounds of nutritious food each year that would otherwise go to waste.

In 2024, we recovered 2.3 million pounds of food and served 295,162 nourishing meals. 🍽️Your support helps men, women, and children facing food insecurity and homelessness in San Diego. 🏡

Let's remember the importance of nutritious food. 🍎 Your contributions ensure access to healthy meals for those in need. #NationalNutritionMonth #HomelessResources

Partner with us, click the link in our bio.

Mar 2

Everyone deserves to be seen and known by name. 💚
Join the OneName challenge today. Visit onename.org to learn more and sign up.
#OneNameChallenge #FromHomelessToHopeful

Feb 27

For broken people to heal, they need a place that feels hopeful. Your gift provides a safe shelter built with excellence and care. Your care changes lives. Donate now, link in our bio.

Feb 26

It’s employee of the month time!

Congrats to Ryan, our Donor Services Manager! Ryan exemplifies faith, integrity, compassion, and excellence every day. From uplifting colleagues with prayer to going above and beyond in every task, his servant heart and dedication shine through…Plus, his happy dance shuffle always brings a smile to the team!

Want to make a difference? We’re hiring for Development roles and more – apply now! 💼 visit the career link in our bio.

📸 Ryan working the line at our recent Christmas Community Meal

#EmployeeOfTheMonth #JoinOurTeam

Feb 21

"I was determined to step out of my comfort zone…" — A powerful testimony from one of our guests, Mark, who just transitioned from our 30-day South County Lighthouse shelter to our downtown Mission Academy 12-month rehabilitation program.

Before entering the Rescue Mission, Mark felt overwhelmed by life. "Drinking heavily only made things worse, creating more problems than I could handle. I felt hopeless and embarrassed, longing for reassurance that everything would be okay."

Mark is now in our Mission Academy residential program that helps individuals experiencing homelessness rebuild their lives. Here, he will learn to replace destructive patterns with healthy habits, practice self-forgiveness, and rely on others for support. Through daily devotions, Biblical counseling, job training and life skills classes, Mark’s life is on a path to recovery.

His story is one of courage and he hopes it will inspire others who may be facing similar struggles.

Let’s continue to support each other, embrace new beginnings, and believe in second chances. 💙 Pray for Mark as he steps into this new chapter at Mission Academy, seeking strength, healing, and guidance on his journey of transformation. 🙏

To learn more about us, visit the links in our bio.

#Hope #MissionAcademy #HomelessReources

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Get life-changing stories, invitations to upcoming events, and learn how you can help fight homelessness in the San Diego community.

San Diego Rescue Mission is a non-profit homeless shelter and recovery center serving thousands of men, women and children experiencing homelessness, hunger, poverty and abuse in San Diego since 1955.

P.O. Box 80427
San Diego, CA 92138
(619) 687-3720
sdrminfo@sdrescue.org

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