JJ's Story

When people see me, they see that I am a fine young man with talent, love, and a sense of humor. But I wasn't always like that. When I was growing up, my childhood was never really lived because my Dad wasn't around. So I was the "man of the house". Both my Mom and my Grandmother were gone at work during the day, so me and my two sisters were on our own until they got off. We moved around a lot--from apartment to apartment--and my Mom and Grandmother were constantly at each other's throats. Somewhere between their "struggle for power" I had gained two little brothers. We were a happy family of six until the happiness just disappeared. My Mom and Grandmother got in a custody battle that lasted for nearly three years. During that time all I knew was anger. In fact, I became so angry that I had to take anger management classes because I spent a few nights in juvenile hall for domestic violence. When all of that was over, we moved to San Diego and everything seemed to get worse. We were forced to live in shelters and my Mom got married at that point, my anger grew more intense than ever. I fell in and out of my faith in God. I didn't believe God really loved me and my family because of the things that had happened to us. Things started to change, however, when I got involved with Care House. But even that wasn't enough. I attempted suicide twice and was, as a result, sent to a mental hospital. I then started to get more involved with Care House: I attended group functions and Bible studies. Since I became really involved with Care House I have had one major slip up that could have ruined my life, but having the Lord caused me to choose the better path. Without my faith in the Lord, neither my family--which is now a family of 12--nor I would be happy. And I thank Care House for that.

BJ's Story

I am 17 years old and I just graduated from Monarch School. I am currently a student worker at Care House and enrolled in San Diego City College. Although I have managed to graduate and mature over the years it still was a long and painful process, it was nothing less than a struggle. I was raised in a very aggressive household. My parents would constantly argue and fight physically and verbally. As the years passed it only got worse. The household that I grew up in now turned to many different places, we moved from hotel to hotel, friends house to friends house. It had gotten to the point that by the age of 15 my family had stayed in every single hotel and motel in all of San Diego County. My life didn’t seem to be worth living to me, my parents were experimenting with different drugs and alcohol. We moved from place to place no matter how run down it was. We once stayed in a house that was missing two whole walls and nothing to cover it but sheets. But I pushed through. I was always the type of kid that had to question and have a reason for everything. I knew God was there but I put limits to how much I would believe, until I got involved with Care House.

I first got involved with Care House when I was about 10 years old, I was leaving school one day and there was a group of people with their heads bowed and this guy was talking. I have to admit curiosity drew me to this crowd more than anything but I believe God wanted me to join that group, because it was just then when I had my first Bible study, it was just then that I had met other people that wanted to know God’s
word. It was from then on that I was thirsty for God’s love, that one day was all I needed to make me want more. See because it wasn’t until then that I realized that through my struggles there is someone that can pull me out, there is someone who understands completely and most of all someone that loves me without limits, and its this alone that got me through my hard times in life. I not only managed to lift myself up but I also made things the best I could for my two younger siblings. I have tried to be the best role model possible for these two and I love them to death. Growing up was not easy for me but partly was because I knew the horrible impact it would have on their lives and it killed me
inside. Now I am in a foster home it has been almost 3 years since me and my brother and sister have been with our real parents, 3 years away from drugs, from violence, from negativity, we all managed to do so through the love of Christ. I also owe all that I have and that I am today to Care House but more so to Leah and Rachel because without them in my life I don’t know if I would have grown up to be the strong willed person I am today, I don’t think God would be working in my life as he is today without this help and I love Care House so much for it. I am grateful for Care House and without their help and support I would have turned out like my parents, lost and afraid. I would like to thank you all for your prayers, financial support and love that you show to not only myself but all the kids at Care House. God Bless!!