News and Updates from Serving California

SERVING CALIFORNIA NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2017 ISSUE

Ministries and organizations apply to Serving California for grants between January and August of each year. This was a record year in terms of the number of organizations looking to partner with us to make a difference in the lives of Prisoners, Ex-Prisoners, Women in Recovery and Military Veterans. I am very excited to announce that in 2018, we will be growing and expanding our reach by over 100%. Next year, we will be adding an additional 25 new partner organizations to the Serving California family. We will be sharing more details in our December newsletter and in future press releases.

This month’s featured partner is The Bridge. I know you will be blessed to learn more about this wonderful organization and all that they are doing to transform lives in the Bay Area. I was just up there last week and had the opportunity to hear the testimonies and meet with several of their past graduates and current clients. We are excited to feature them in our newsletter this month and couldn’t be happier to be associated with and partnered with such an outstanding ministry.

Two important events earlier this month both raised awareness and funds to fight against the traumatic effects of human trafficking.

On October 1, Redeeming Love’s 2nd Annual Her Healing Begins BBQ & Cornhole Tournament was held at the McCoy Equestrian Center in Chino Hills. Redeeming Love’s work includes providing a private, rehabilitation home for women survivors of sexual exploitation.

In Van Nuys on October 7, Journey Out’s Walk for Freedom marched volunteer participants down the very streets where women are bought and sold. Journey Out’s Drop-In Center offers resources and counseling to women coming out of the sex industry and sexual exploitation.

Serving California proudly supports the efforts of these organizations. For further information about their work:
https://www.redeemingloveca.com
http://journeyout.org

Hello, my name is Thomas. I am 35 years old and was born in South Korea. I have a type of dwarfism called Achondroplasia.

My childhood was in a loving caring Christian setting. I did well in school until I got to the 7th grade.

Unfortunately, as I entered high school, education wasn’t as important to me anymore. Making friends and trying to fit in was my main focus. I starting skipping classes and running with the wrong type of people drinking, smoking and doing drugs.

I barely graduated high school.

I took some community college classes but never got a degree. I threw away my early 20’s by drinking, going to clubs, raves, and house parties.

Hear how Thomas turned his life around with the help of Serving California's partner, The Bridge.

People often visit the Monterey Peninsula for a time of leisure and to be refreshed by the temperate breezes of the Pacific Ocean. There is much natural beauty to take in. In contrast, transforming one’s life is a challenging, rigorous journey that occurs internally, independent of setting. So, it is with The Bridge, a transition home in scenic Pacific Grove where the hard work of personal restoration occurs.

The Bridge offers a discipleship training program which requires a 12-month commitment to their Christian-based residential facility. The program was designed primarily for men and women with substance abuse issues while also addressing the needs for clients reentering society after a time of incarceration.

The Bridge can accommodate about 20 men in their main house, six women in a second house, and six in their transition house which is available to those who have successfully completed the 12-month program. Earlier this year The Bridge became a TUMI satellite offering World Impact’s Capstone theology curriculum to interested residents.

The Bridge’s founder and executive is Mike Casey. He founded The Bridge with his wife, Michele, who is the program manager and store manager for their thrift store. The thrift store gives residents the opportunity to develop work skills and contribute to the ongoing needs of The Bridge. In 2016, Mike brought on Dan Chisolm to be the director of operations and help oversee the day-to-day needs of the organization. The Bridge also partners with Calvary Church to manage their kitchen and facilitate their plan in providing a culinary program as part of their vocational training.

Dan said, “There are two pillars to The Bridge. First, clients are exposed to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And, it’s a working program with clients working eight hours a day, Monday through Friday.” Mike explained that there is an expectation to volunteer, especially in serving the community. As a result, the city does not look down on the residents of The Bridge. Instead, the city plays a vital role is assisting The Bridge in achieving its mission.

Larry Callahan, Former Resident of The Bridge

One of The Bridge’s success stories is Larry Callahan who overcame a difficult life from an early age. “At the age of thirteen, I became a slave to a life of crime and drugs. I spent the next thirty-one years either homeless or incarcerated. I would rob and steal in order to support my drug habit. Little did I know that God had a different plan for me and by his Grace I was saved.”

That plan began to unfold when Larry began his life change at The Bridge. Larry explained, “One year ago I was sent to The Bridge Restoration Ministry. It was there that I gave my life and heart to the Lord and was baptized in March 2017 at Calvary Monterey. I have been able to reconnect and mend relationships that have been broken for years. I can say that I have been restored to a healthy and productive life that my addiction took away.”

Larry added “I want to send a message to everyone still struggling that Jesus does love you and is the solution to lead you to a better life. I will continue to pray for you all.”

Sometimes discovering God’s purpose for one’s life requires a bridge to take a person from the place where they are struggling to a place where they can be healthy and thrive. The Bridge truly is that kind of bridge.

HELP SERVING CALIFORNIA

You can help us continue to provide funding to organizations like The Bridge and increase the reach their work is having on families and communities. Every donation received will be matched dollar for dollar!

DONATE NOW

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PO Box 4426
Thousand Oaks, CA 91359

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