From the Streets to Stability
In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mercy Holistic Ministry was searching for a truck driver and cleaners for our shower ministry in Downtown Sacramento. We had 12 applicants scheduled for interviews, but on the day of the interviews, only one person showed up—Marion.
I had met Marion earlier at one of the shower sites, where he was volunteering. Seeing his dedication, I asked him if he was serious about changing his life, and he assured me that he was. When the interview day came, none of the other candidates showed up, so we hired Marion.
Marion had been struggling with life on the streets, but over the past four years, he has transformed. He is now a supervisor with our organization. Two years ago, he came to me with a smile, saying that his income had grown to the point where he was no longer eligible for government assistance, including his EBT card. This was a significant milestone, as it showed that our mission to create a productive generation, not just a consumer generation, was being realized.
Recently, Marion and I went together to put down the deposit for his new apartment. From living on the streets to sleeping in his car, and now to having his own apartment, Marion’s journey is a powerful testament to the impact of Mercy Holistic Ministry.
Two Students: From the Streets to College Campus
In January 2024, our ministry was invited to introduce our services to students at a
community event hosted by American River College. While we were on campus, two
students* approached our supervisor, Marion and shared that three years ago, they had been
living on the streets, relying on our ministry for food and showers.
Today, those same individuals are students at American River College, their lives transformed
by the support they received. They expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Marion and our
ministry, acknowledging the role we played in their journey from the streets to higher
education. This story is a powerful reminder of the lasting impact we can have on the lives of
those we serve, made possible by support of generous hearts like yours.
From Volunteering to a New Career
For the past two years, one of our regulars has been taking showers at our site every Saturday. Over time, he began volunteering with us regularly. One day, I had a conversation with him about his future, and he expressed a desire for stable employment. I reached out to a partner family who owns a restaurant and asked if they had any job opportunities.
The restaurant owner, trusting our recommendation, agreed to interview him. He started out cleaning the kitchen, and through hard work and dedication, he has now advanced to become a driver for the restaurant owner. His transformation was evident when I saw him at a graduation event at our office gym, where he was taking photos and videos of the celebration.
I congratulated him, acknowledging how far he had come—from being a recipient of services to becoming a productive member of society. He now works Monday through Friday and continues to volunteer with Mercy Holistic Ministry every Saturday. His commitment to giving back to the community that supported him is truly inspiring.
Mercy on the Move (October 19)
You are invited to our 3rd annual dinner and auction event, Mercy On the Move.
Join us for dinner, an expert panel on homelessness, silent auction and more. Invite
your friends and family to learn the latest information about this pressing issue in our
city and what Mercy Holistic Ministry is doing to serve and transform this community.
The shower trailer will be present and open for tours. We have many exciting auction and
drawing items.
Don’t miss out!
Reserve your spot by September 30 by emailing mercyholistic@yahoo.com
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