When Judy White first came to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission in 2007 from Las Vegas, she was looking for a place to rebuild while making major changes in her life. “When I moved to the Valley, in 2007, I stayed at the original CVRM until I found a job and a place to stay,” Judy shares. “It was a very good point in my life to help me during a time that I was making major changes in my life.”
Over the years, Judy worked steadily and cared for others while renting rooms in local homes. But after the homeowners she lived with passed away, she suddenly found herself needing housing again while waiting for placement in a low-income senior apartment. So, she returned to CVRM once again—this time finding not only stability, but healing, structure, and renewed faith.
“I said, well, why don’t I go stay at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission,” Judy recounts. “And they have a whole new facility. And I heard many good things about it over the years since I left here.” Since returning to CVRM and joining the New Life Program, Judy says her time at the Mission has strengthened both her faith and her outlook on life.
“My time here has allowed me to reinforce my belief in Jesus Christ and my savior,” Judy says. “I’ve been able to pay off some bills and to save something until an apartment is available for me.”
Each day at the Mission follows a structured routine filled with chapel services, Bible studies, classes, chores, and devotionals. For Judy, that structure has helped her come out of the isolation she experienced for years, finding a new place in a supportive and collaborative community.
“Before coming to the mission, I was lost and angry,” she says. “After coming to the mission, I am happy and content.”
Judy openly shares that much of her life before CVRM was marked by hardship, emotional trauma, and isolation. Through trauma support groups, faith-based classes, and the support of staff and residents, she says she has begun to heal in ways she never expected.
“Forgiving people from my past—that’s the big one,” Judy says. “I may not want to be associated with those people, but I have been able to forgive them, and it has lifted up something from my heart.”
She also says one of the greatest gifts the Mission has given her is a community she can rely on.
“My biggest challenge before coming to the mission was having somebody who would help me all the time without question,” Judy shares. “I now have multiple people who will help me. All I have to do is ask.”
Today, Judy spends much of her free time studying Scripture, listening to audiobooks, attending church, and preparing for the next chapter of her life. She recently became a member of Southwest Church and hopes to continue growing in faith and community once she moves into permanent housing.
“I’m thankful for the Mission because they have given me a time and a place to save money, pay off bills, housing, very nice housing, food, clothing, personal items and the community that I needed for me to come out of my shell.”
For Judy, CVRM has become far more than temporary shelter. It has become a place of restoration, encouragement, and hope.
“I hope that many more people can find it in their hearts to help a place that is helping so many people,” Judy says. “There are so many people who come through here [that are] receiving the help that they desperately need.”