Life Changer: Natalie
Natalie and her son are thriving at the Mission, surrounded by friends, and growing spiritually. But it wasn’t always that way. She and her son fled an abusive relationship with her son’s father in New York to come to Florida, seeking shelter with her mother and brother. With her tax refund in hand, Natalie planned […]
Give Back, Get Back — Volunteer Spotlight: Mark Cavalleri
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] If you were to ask Mark Cavalleri how God transformed his life, his answer would be service. Once riddled with depression, substance abuse, and unwise choices, Mark’s earlier life played out very similar to many guests at the Mission. In his 30’s with no job, no home, no car, and nowhere else to turn, […]
Home, At Last: Angel
For years, Angel barely scraped by as a single mom of four, relying on governmental rent assistance. While she was unsure of how to best help her special needs daughter adjust to adulthood and dreamed of home ownership, she was content. Life felt stagnant but steady. Then, her landlord delivered some startling news. He was […]
Mayor in the Making — Mission Accomplished: Moliere Dimanche
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Moliere (Moe) Dimanche’s journey from despair to electoral dreams unfolds like a symphony of second chances. The opening notes create a somber tune, echoing his impoverished childhood and the legal entanglements of his youth. His life today, however, crescendos to a remarkable height. Once a guest at the Mission, Moe now aspires to become […]
A Life Restored: Chris’s Story
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Chris Brooks’s transformation from a carefree church kid to a lawbreaker who attacked a police car didn’t happen overnight. It was a painful journey of bad choices, and the catalyst of many of these choices was his use of alcohol, beginning in high school. As a teenager, Chris prided himself on being the guy […]
Nourishing Compassion — Volunteer Spotlight: Marcus Brown
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Never underestimate how much one good meal can fill a soul with hope. Marcus Brown experienced this firsthand when, as a young adult, his poor choices and drug dealing led him to a life of hunger and uncertainty. “When I was living that life, I feel like I took from families [and my] community […]
Mission Kid — Mission Accomplished: Mannie Willis
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] When Mannie thinks of the Mission, he remembers mastering the monkey bars and learning how to play the piano. In 2004, when Mannie was nine years old and moved to the Mission with his family, those activities were some of the biggest moments of his young life. After the instability of evictions and homelessness, […]
Finding Home – Mission Accomplished: Rhonda Jackson
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Rhonda’s life took a painful turn when she left everything behind for love, only to find herself alone and destitute. With her new husband in jail and her family unable to offer long-term help, Rhonda felt she’d lost all support and love. Eager for some sort of solace, she visited the Mission near the […]
Never Alone Again: Eboney’s Story
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] “You have to find a way. You have to find a way. You have to find a way.” This mantra defined Eboney’s perspective of the world. Survival was imperative, and it was up to her and her alone. She hadn’t always felt this way. In early 2020, she was pregnant with her first child, […]
A Message of Hope — Volunteer Spotlight: 121 inc.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Abject poverty. Sex trafficking. Juvenile adjudication. Family desertion. Homelessness. For over 18 years, Scott and Stephanie Reid have witnessed the devastating damage these unfortunate realities wreak on today’s youth. Through 127 Home tour, a branch of their non-profit 121 inc., the Reid’s prepare and train student groups eager to bring hope to their hurting […]