Rescue Mission Graduates 16 From Rehab Program

On Saturday, November 5, the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission graduated 16 members of its drug and alcohol rehabilitation program at the Santa Barbara Community Church. The room was full of a positive and supportive energy exuded by friends and family.

Many of the graduates looked to God to pave their way to recovery. “Without Jesus Christ as my lord and savior, I’m lost,” said one. As the graduates spoke, they all expressed thanks to the Rescue Mission. “I’m really, really grateful to Santa Barbara Mission,” another person stated.

A woman named Joselle told a very compelling story. “Age seven is when life changed as I knew it,” she said. “All of a sudden I had a stepmother. She ruled with an iron fist and an iron tongue. She was verbally abusive.” When Joselle’s stepmother got full custody of her at the age of 13, she felt scared and out of her element. That’s when her life started revolving around mind-altering substances. Joselle was charged with six DUIs in her lifetime. On January 22, 2016, Joselle started turning it all around. “My heart is strong, and I’ve felt the best I have in over a decade,” she said.