Lighthouse for Women & Children

For the past six years, Nourishing Neighbors has supported the Rescue Mission Alliance by filling our food pantries and providing hot meals to hungry men, women and children in Ventura County and San Fernando Valley.

As Nourishing Neighbors celebrates their 10-year anniversary, we are proud to call them our partners and friends. For more information about our free programs and services, visit: vcrescuemission.org/lighthouse

Make This Summer a Season of Hope and Relief.

Summer brings heat, sun, and a surge in people who need help. Partner with us by visiting vcrescuemission.org/campaigns/summer-2024

We are running out of time, please help us meet our goal!

Thanks to a generous matching challenge gift, every dollar you donate in May will be doubled, up to $197,500.

Learn more at vcrescuemission.org/matching-2024

Thanks to a generous matching challenge gift, every dollar you donate this month will be doubled, up to $197,500.

The Lighthouse for Women and Children is teaming up with our men's ministry in order to reach our goal. Learn more at vcrescuemission.org/matching-2024

We are making progress! Thank you to all you have given!

Thanks to a generous matching challenge gift, every dollar you donate this month will be doubled, up to $197,500. We only have about half the month remaining, so please help if you can!

Learn more and see where we stand at vcrescuemission.org/matching-2024

Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of commercial s*x act or labor. Victims are often recruited by a family member or someone they know (U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline Statistics).

Partner with the Lighthouse for Women and Children as we provide housing, support, and a specialized program to meet the needs of human trafficking survivors and their children. Visit vcrescuemission.org/freedom to learn more.

If you or someone you know is being trafficked, call the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text INFO to 233733.

The storms of life have weathered many of the residents at the Lighthouse for Women and Children. Addiction and domestic violence silenced the hope that tomorrow could be a good day.

Crystal has risen out of despair into peace and encourages other women in the recovery program who are just getting settled.

"The Lighthouse guides souls through the storms of life, offering them a path towards healing and transformation in the light of Christ,” she says, adding a powerful verse from the book of Revelation. “See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.”

Partner with the Lighthouse for Women and Children as we provide an open door to free recovery and Biblical counseling services to women in need.

The Lighthouse for Women and Children is a resource for women who have escaped trafficking situations. We provide counseling services, recovery classes, case management, Bible studies, church, and vocational training.

For more information about our free shelter, meals and services, call 805-385-7200.

If you or someone you know is being trafficked, call the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text INFO to 233733

Partner with us and help prevent human trafficking. Resources from the U.S. Department of State say victims "... are often hidden right in front of us at, for example, construction sites, restaurants, elder care centers, nail salons, agricultural fields, and hotels."

They've outlined ten common trafficking indicators:

-- Living with employer
-- Poor living conditions
-- Multiple people in cramped space
-- Inability to speak to individual alone
-- Answers appear to be scripted and rehearsed
-- Employer is holding identity documents
-- Signs of physical abuse
-- Submissive or fearful
-- Unpaid or paid very little
-- Under 18 and in prostitution

Call 1-888-373-7888 to report a tip or connect with anti-trafficking resources. For urgent situations, call 911.

Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Trafficking doesn't just happen in foreign countries; it happens in our own community, our own backyard.

The Lighthouse for Women and Children is ready and equipped to meet the needs of the women and children who have escaped this reality.

For more information, visit vcrescuemission.org/freedom

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If you or someone you know is being trafficked, call the Human Trafficking Hotline @ 1-888-373-7888 or text INFO to 233733

Help us spread awareness about human trafficking. Learn how the Lighthouse for Women and Children has resources to help.

Visit vcrescuemission.org/freedom

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month! Join us in strengthening individuals, families, and communities.

To learn more, visit vcrescuemission.org/freedom

Baby Aaric spent his first Christmas in the loving care of his mom and the team at the Lighthouse. He's the only baby in our program right now and we are so happy to provide a family environment!

Leo is one of the many kids at the Lighthouse who received new Nike shoes this Christmas! A family in our community took the shoe sizes and preferences from all the kids and then went shopping for them!

Our staff is helping Leo's mom work with Child Protection Services to get custody of all her children. Our prayer is for family restoration!

Our friends at the U.S. Navy gifted Jelani a brand new bike! Their team brought gifts for the women and children in our Recovery Program, helping us have a great Christmas celebration!

Reyes Coca-Cola in Ventura visited the Lighthouse today in a red van filled with toys! They purchased gifts for the women and children in our Emergency Shelter, Life Recovery Program, and Transitional Living Program.

They had connected with our team earlier this month to get the gender and ages of all the children at our facility. Each kid felt so special!

Thank you for this wonderful Christmas celebration!

Grace Life Community Church (formally New Trinity Church) is having a community outreach event this Thursday, December 21st at 9 a.m.

Baby items, toys and feminine products will be given out to women and children in need. The distribution will start at 9 a.m. and guests are invited to come early to get a spot in line. There will not be a registration process and all items are first come, first served.

Please help spread the word about this event. We are so thankful to partner with Grace Life Community Church!

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Thursday, December 21st, 9 a.m.
Grace Life Community Church
1800 Camino Del Sol
Oxnard, CA 93030

The staff at Dignity Health St. John's Medical Center provided Christmas presents for all the women and children at the Lighthouse! We had to borrow a larger van because there were so many gifts to transport!

Today is , a chance to make a real difference!

Join us as we stand united against homelessness, addiction, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Every contribution brings hope, healing, and change. Together, let's build a brighter future.

Visit https://vcrescuemission.org/donate/ to be a part of this impactful movement! 💫💙

🌟 This , November 28th, let's stand together against homelessness, addiction, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Your support can help us bring healing and hope to women and their children in need. Join our mission to create real change.

Visit https://vcrescuemission.org/donate/ to be a part of this impactful movement! 💙✨

On Nov. 28th, we are participating in , a global day dedicated to giving. By supporting the Mission, you will help provide hundreds of free meals to anyone who is hungry.

We invite you to join the movement and to help get the word out and give this Tuesday. Visit vcrescuemission.org/giving-tuesday today!

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the dedicated donors, volunteers, Lighthouse staff, and family who united to bring to life the Quinceañera that this young lady had envisioned since childhood. This day became a cherished chapter in Lighthouse history, offering a space for this family to gather, celebrate growth, and embrace new beginnings alongside her mother, siblings, and relatives.

Without the support of our donors and volunteers, moments like these wouldn't be possible. Turning dreams into reality and preserving this young girl's story in everlasting photographs.

Meet Leslie Painter, our Lighthouse Director, who began her role in August 2022 and recently celebrated her one-year milestone with us. Under her leadership, our program's retention rate has increased by 37 percent since last year.

With a passion for aiding human trafficking survivors since 2008, Mrs. Painter has remained steadfast in her dedication to assisting both this vulnerable group and women with children escaping domestic violence.

Mrs. Painter is now leading the charge to guide her team towards expanding our program’s capacity by 60 beds. This expansion aims to enhance our services, particularly for Transitional Living Program (TLP), and provide specialized support for human trafficking and domestic violence survivors along with their children.

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Diana, a recent graduate of Lighthouse, shared her inspiring story at the Rescue Mission Alliance, Central Coast Women’s Fundraiser. She spoke about overcoming domestic violence and drug addiction, highlighting how Lighthouse served as a crucial advocate during her challenging times. Diana’s courageous testimony resonated with the audience, showcasing her journey to restoration.

RMA Chiefs Ministry Officer Clayton Coates and Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino congratulated Diana, acknowledging her faith and determination as she continues to build her life with newfound support.

We express our heartfelt thanks to our volunteer, Amalia, for dedicating her time to cutting the hair of women and children at the Lighthouse.
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This Friday, all the ladies and kiddos are loving their new hairstyles as they celebrate the end of a busy week at the Lighthouse program.

Meet Beatrice, a vibrant and straightforward lady who's just begun Phase 1 of our program. We're grateful to be part of her remarkable journey, guided by the wisdom of "Let your light shine before others" (Matthew 5:16).

Today, Anna is heading to have her baby. We appreciate everyone’s support during her pregnancy and the prayers from those afar. Please continue to pray as she welcome her baby boy. Our Lighthouse baby is on the way!! 🩵

Miss Alana wishes everyone a happy Monday!!

This month marks Norma's incredible milestone of one year of sobriety. Her journey has been a true blessing to the Lighthouse community. Norma's transformation into a servant leader, driven by her commitment to her family, children, peers, and self, is a powerful motivation for everyone around her.

Currently in Phase 2 of the program, Norma is dedicating her time volunteering at the Camarillo Animal Shelter. Let's keep Norma in our thoughts and prayers, encouraging her to stay on this inspiring path. She is stepping into a chapter filled with endless opportunities.