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“Don't give up because there is always help... I tell people that it’s God’s timing.”

Sharonda's Journey: A Story of Perseverance

Sharonda’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength it takes to overcome adversity. After her sister, who had once taken her and her sons in, no longer wanted them in her home, Sharonda and her boys were forced to live on the streets. The financial strain was overwhelming, as her sister controlled Sharonda’s SSI benefits, often taking all of the money for herself. One memory that still stands out to Sharonda is the time her sister handed her just $7. With that small amount, Sharonda went to the market to buy chips for both of her sons— doing whatever she could to provide for them, despite the overwhelming circumstances.

Sharonda's two sons, Nathaniel and Henry, both have autism, which adds an additional layer of complexity to their lives. But despite these challenges, Sharonda has remained determined to create a stable and nurturing environment for them. Her resilience has been tested time and time again, but through it all, her focus has remained on providing the best for her children.

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THE WOODLANDS FAMILY SHELTER

SHARONDA'S JOURNEY: A STORY OF PERSEVERANCE

Today, things are looking brighter for Sharonda and her boys thanks to the inspiring environment of Hope the Mission’s Family Shelter—The Woodlands. Hope's encouragement and pathway motivated Sharonda to pursue a better life!

Now, both of her sons are excited to have their own space in their new home, eager to decorate their rooms exactly the way they like. Sharonda herself is thrilled to have her own room and, most importantly, closet space. While their journey is far from over, Sharonda and her sons are incredibly grateful for the stability they’ve found.

This achievement is a testament to the incredible efforts of Sharonda, her assigned case manager Sabrina, the Peer Support Specialist team member, Monica. With the dedication of these individuals and organizations, Sharonda and her sons have found a second chance at life.

"I tell people, 'Don’t give up, because there is always help.' I thank my case manager, Sabrina, for everything she has done for us. It’s all about God's timing. I wasn’t worried about my housing because I knew I had a roof over my children’s heads. It may not have been everything, but being at The Woodlands is everything to us. Sabrina helped us find housing and made all the difference. She’s the best case manager, and my sons and I are so thankful."

Sharonda’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, community support, and the unwavering hope that better days are ahead. With the help of dedicated case managers and support networks, families like Sharonda’s are finding their way toward stability, success, and a brighter future.

Conduct a Drive

HOW YOU CAN SERVE THIS NEW YEAR

Kitchen Prep Night North Hills, CA

Help our regional kitchen prepare 6,100 meals for our LA County participants! This opportunity involves preparing ingredients in bulk and assembling meals, all while meeting those in your community who also have a heart to serve.

Scan the QR code to register for Kitchen Prep Night!

As a mission serving over 2,700 men, women, and children, we always need diapers/wipes, undergarments, socks, hygiene kits, and much more! You can also band with your friends to host a “Fill the Truck” event, where you fill a Hope the Mission Box Truck with gently used clothes to donate to our thrift stores! 100% of the proceeds go back to the mission's work. >> Contact: volunteer@hopethemission.org

EVENTS

WOMEN OF HOPE

AFTERNOON TEA

We cordially invite you for a delightful Afternoon Tea hosted by Hope the Mission, benefiting our newly envisioned women's shelter. Saturday, March 8th 2025 16641 Roscoe Pl North Hills CA 91343

Purchase tickets at: support.hopethemission.org

Sunday May 4th 2025

Save the date to join us for an incredible night of worship at Shepherd Church Porter Ranch! Featuring Latin Chart-Topping Christian artist Evan Craft and a special guest. 100% of the proceeds go back to Hope the Mission.

Dear Friend of Hope,

As we wrap up 2024 and gear up for an incredible 2025, I can’t help but feel overwhelmingly grateful for every single person who supported Hope the Mission. This year has been extraordinary, and next year promises to be even better. Before we dive into the exciting plans for 2025, let’s celebrate some of our amazing accomplishments in 2024.

1. WE OPENED OUR CENTRAL KITCHEN!

After 15 years in the making, it’s finally here! Our Central Kitchen now prepares over 6,500 fresh, nutritious meals every single day of the year for our LA shelters.

Our incredible chefs and kitchen team make more than 75% of these meals from scratch, helping guests on their journey to overcome addiction, mental health challenges, and trauma. This dream turned reality changes lives, one meal at a time. We also opened our High Desert kitchen to service the Lancaster/Palmdale area.

2. WE EXPANDED HOPE BEYOND LA COUNTY.

This year, we went all in! We launched a Tiny Home Community in Kern County, opened a Thrift Store in Bakersfield, set up a family shelter in Victorville, and established a homeless service center in San Diego. Bringing Hope to new communities has been a leap of faith, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the chance to grow and share our mission beyond LA.

3. WE RODE ACROSS AMERICA.

Ken and I took on our toughest challenge yet: biking 3,500 miles from Los Angeles to Washington, DC. It wasn’t just a ride — it was a journey to raise awareness, funds, and hope. We raised over $400,000 to fuel our work and were honored by Congressman Brad Sherman, who secured funding for a new Seniors Shelter opening in 2025. It was grueling, but worth every mile.

4. WE OPENED NEW SHELTERS & SERVICES.

From family shelters in the High Desert and a Tiny Home Community in Echo Park to Inside Safe shelters with the Mayor’s Office and Pathway Home shelters with LA County. In 2024, we expanding our reach across Los Angeles, including more outreach and housing navigation services. More services and more beds mean more people off the streets and on a path to a better future.

And that’s just scratching the surface! There’s so much more I could share, but here’s the bottom line: 2024 was incredible, and we’re just getting started.

None of this would be possible without you. Your generosity — whether through donations, monthly giving, volunteering, shopping at our Thrift Store, or simply cheering us on — fuels everything we do. Thank you for believing in Hope, standing with us, and making a real difference.

With so much gratitude,

Rowan Vansleve President