2024 Impact Report
OUR APPROACH | JOY’S STORY | SOUTH COUNTY LIGHTHOUSE | YOUR IMPACT | FINANCIAL SUMMARY | FULL REPORT PDF
LIGHT THE WAY
Together we get to “Light the Way” for our community out of the darkness of this homelessness crisis.
Because of you, many lives are being transformed.
Your kind generosity and steadfast partnership are helping more people get off the streets — permanently — than ever before! Thank you for believing in what we do.
Donnie Dee
President
Because of You in 2024
Our system of care is a comprehensive approach, providing food, shelter, resources and guidance to homeless neighbors on their path to healing and self-sufficiency. Your support changes lives.
Joy came to our shelter, intending to stay 30 days while her broken foot healed, because she couldn’t pay rent while injured. But when her foot didn’t heal quickly, she panicked. She wanted to get back to work, but God had other plans. A woman of deep faith, Joy prayed and God reassured her that she needed to enroll in our 12-month program.
“I was depressed, frustrated, fighting to keep faith, pushing back hopelessness.” She pleaded, “God, why am I going through this? Then I heard Him say, ‘Can you just be here?’”
Joy embraced the first semester focusing on wellness. She recognized her need for physical healing but believed she had already overcome her past personal issues, including childhood trauma.
“I didn’t want to touch how deeply I was hurt. But I gave God permission to go to places I never wanted to go before.”
On the outside, Joy’s childhood looked normal. She was the daughter her father, a pastor, had prayed for. But Joy never felt loved by her cruel mother, who favored her three brothers. She grew up in a home filled with physical and mental abuse.
Tragically, Joy’s brothers sexually abused her without her parents knowing. Feeling broken, she held the pain inside and at the age of 15, she tried to take her life. At 16, Joy gave her life to the Lord, saving her for something better.
She eventually moved away, establishing her 26-year nursing career, with 17 years in psychiatric nursing. Joy worked hard, often having two or three jobs. Yet her lack of self-care and lack of rest caused the stress fractures in her foot, which led her to the Mission. Here God brought her restoration through classes like Hope, Life’s Healing Choices, and Revelation Wellness.
“I didn’t realize I had picked up where my abusers had left off, because I was so hard on myself. These classes tear down the faulty framework and help you identify the wholeness and authenticity of God’s love.”
Joy has learned to love herself and has forgiven her mom and brothers. She reflects, “There’s a place of strength in forgiveness.” To symbolize this new beginning, she let go of her birth name, legally becoming Joy Faith Reign. Embracing her new identity, she has left behind the trail of past pain.
Joy serves at the Mission opening in prayer for devotions and leading worship. Recently cleared to return to work, Joy is considering ministry or medical work. She graduated in November, eager for her fresh start.
“I’m prepared to go back into the world mentally healthy and to take care of myself.”
On June 20, we opened National City’s first-ever, permanent 30-day shelter for men, women and families. Guests are offered personal, trauma-informed care to help them take their next critical steps out of homelessness.
This referral-only shelter provides a safe place to sleep, plus hot meals, clothing, necessities and access to showers, laundry, and wrap-around services. Guests meet weekly with case managers to identify options for rehabilitation and stable housing, including entry into our Mission
Academy residential program. With the help of partner agencies and volunteers, guests have access to addiction recovery classes, medical and mental health services, social activities and voluntary Bible studies.
Because of you, our homeless neighbors feel safe and hopeful again.
207 guests came through our doors
18,160 nourishing meals served
32 families found safety, including 64 children
28 guests enrolled in Mission Academy
22 guests transitioned to permanent housing
Fast access to social security cards, IDs & birth certificates
On-site mental health evaluations, therapy, & rehab referrals
373 volunteers helping with meals, life skills classes, Bible studies & more
Your light shines brightly into our community! Because of you, men, women and families are rebuilding their lives.
- 94,158 nights of shelter for men, women & children
- 63% of 30-day shelter guests connected to longer-term care or housing
- 295,162 nourishing meals served
- 2.3 Million pounds of food recovered feeding hungry neighbors
- 108,720 hours of job training
- 3,965 hot showers provided
- 11,500 hygiene kits given to unsheltered neighbors
- 95% of Mission Academy alumni still housed
Our Values of Faith, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence guide everything we do, including our financial stewardship. We are committed to ensuring that we maximize the use of every dollar received to benefit those in need.
INCOME*
| Donated Income | $17,437,773 |
| Business Revenue | $1,623,175 |
| Material Donations | $1,099,814 |
| Food Donations | $5,500,879 |
| Total Income | $25,661,601 |
EXPENSE*
| Programs | $18,383,012 |
| Fundraising | $4,267,939 |
| Administrative | $1,504,781 |
| Total Expenses | $24,155,732 |
*Fiscal year October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024, includes Capital Campaign income and expense now that our two Lighthouses are operational. These numbers are unaudited. We receive an annual independent financial audit at the end of every year. Tax ID 95-1874073.
