Join the Story of Redemption
This summer, we’re inviting you into something sacred. Something deeply human.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing the stories of five neighbors who are in the middle of transformation. These aren’t polished “after” stories. They’re honest, courageous, in-progress journeys that remind us real change takes time.
We celebrate the big wins, but most of the work happens before that. In the mess. In the quiet, steady steps that often go unseen. That’s where hope takes root. That’s where dignity is restored and trust begins to grow.
We hope you’ll come back to this page throughout the summer to follow along. Read their stories. Share them. Say a prayer.
Last week, we received a call.
It was from a mom who was homeless, hurting, and desperate for a way out.
Shonda had been living in a cycle of abuse, trying to numb the pain with drugs that slowly took over her life. Addiction, for so many of our neighbors, is about dealing with trauma. It is a response to pain that feels impossible to name, let alone escape.
What stood out about Shonda wasn’t her addiction, though. It was her courage.
When she called, she said, “I cannot fight this alone.”
That day, at OurCalling, Shonda found a safe place to begin healing and work with our care ministers on an exit plan. A path to safety. A plan for healing. Today, she’s in a recovery community overcoming her addiction and is on the road to stabilization.
But the journey doesn’t end there. To stay on the path of healing, she needs safe and stable housing, trauma counseling, and a consistent community.
This is where you come in.
Your gift ensures we can continue supporting Shonda—not just her, but the many others who walk through our doors daily looking for hope and healing.
Will you help write the next chapter for her, and every neighbor asking for help to start a new life?
When our Street Outreach team met William, his encampment had just been cleared, and he was trying to figure out what to do next.
William is a veteran with serious health challenges, including glaucoma, diabetes, schizophrenia, a hernia, and a brain infection.
When we initially offered help, he declined. This is common. Many of our homeless neighbors don’t say yes to getting off the streets right away. Years of trauma, survival instincts, and past disappointments make trust difficult.
We had the opportunity to pray with William and let him know we were here when he was ready. He cried as we prayed, and we knew seeds of hope had been planted.
A week later, we got a call from the hospital. It was William. He was ready to take the first step.
That day, we helped him get into a specialized VA program that can address his medical needs. He’s on the road to healing and recovery, but ultimately, William needs long-term care in a healthy community.
He needs our Street Outreach team to keep checking on him and help navigate the next step of rebuilding his life when he’s ready.
Transformation doesn’t happen in a single visit. Help us expand our street outreach team so we can reach more people like William.
So many of our stories begin in places you might recognize, like under bridges or on street corners. But this one begins in a storm drain.
That’s where our Street Outreach team found James—hidden, hurting, and battling addiction.
He looked us in the eye and said, “I’m done. I want out. I need help.”
James told us he was at a crossroads—steal to survive and likely end up in jail, or get clean.
James chose courage.
What made the difference? His older brother Anthony. Clean for four years, Anthony’s transformation gave James hope that recovery was possible.
Today, James is in detox, waiting to move into a sober living program. And already, he’s thinking about how he can help his younger brother, Michael—still in the storm drain, not yet ready to take that first step.
You can help James stay on his path to stability—and help us build the trust needed to reach Michael when he’s ready.
Amber is ready for change.
She wants off the streets, but not without the people she cares about.
Amber lost her only caretaker, her mother, and became homeless. But even in her own struggle, she’s been a source of hope for others.
Our team calls her the camp’s cheerleader. She tells everyone about the services we offer, even if they’re not ready to accept help yet. She encourages her neighbors and believes change is possible, even when it feels far away.
Amber has already connected dozens of people within her camp to our team. She stays in the camp to encourage her neighbors to work towards stability. Amber’s story isn’t finished, but she’s already helping others begin theirs.
Will you help us keep showing up for Amber and the people she refuses to leave behind?
Your gift helps us keep returning to her camp, offering resources, building trust, and staying present until the day she can finally say,
“They’re going to be okay. Now I can start my own path toward stability.”
Rosa isn’t homeless—but her son Sean is.
A loving, devoted mother, Rosa did everything she could to raise Sean well. Now, she carries the weight of guilt and grief, feeling helpless to reach him.
When we called her last week, her first words were, “What happened? Is he okay?”
No greeting. Just fear—and hope.
She told us how she wept after sending Sean money. She knew it wouldn’t help, but worried that saying no might mean silence. She’s torn between holding boundaries and holding on.
She can’t reach him—but we can.
Knowing our Street Outreach teams are out there, ready to provide permanent solutions for Sean, brings her peace. It gives her hope.