Orlando Union Rescue Mission, Orlando Florida

Crystal, 21, a homeless single mother of five (ages 4, 3, and one year old triplets), is finally taking the responsibility of being a mom seriously. Separated from the abusive father of her children, Crystal relied on friends for her family's food and shelter. Today, Crystal is working at McDonald's, taking courses in motherhood (i.e. budget management, parenting skills, etc.), all of which are program requirements for staying at the missions. She says, "Because of the missions, I've learned to love my children, and help them understand when something is wrong rather that just spank them when I'm feeling badly. This is the closest I've ever been to my children."

On Mother's Day, Crystal was one of nearly three dozen mothers honored by the Orlando Union rescue Mission for achieving a better life for her children.

Los Angeles Mission, Los Angeles, California

Jacqueline, a mother and former inmate, whose life was ruined by 23 years of addiction to alcohol and drugs, was recently hired as a receptionist by a local law firm., After graduating from the Los Angeles Mission's City Light program for homeless women, Jacqueline was mentored by a volunteer, Felipa Richland, who asked her to interview for the job in her firm. Jacqueline said, "I wanted to change my way of life and the mission helped me." She continued, "I want to learn everything I can at this job... and my ultimate goal is to become a good wife and a good mother."

The Los Angles Missions City Light Program prepares women -- most of whom are mothers -- for the working world through job and education training. Approximately 80 percent of the City Light graduates, like Jacqueline, now have full- or part-time jobs.

Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley, Youngstown, Ohio

Margo, 40, was a crack addict and mother of three who lived in a home with no gas or electricity. Margo said she used to "pull weeds, cut grass, and do laundry for other people. I did whatever I had to do t get my kids a pair of shoes." Today, with the help of the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley, Margo is a college student who will receive her BA in June 1997.

The Mission helped Margo overcome her 20-year addiction to heroin and crack. Margo's advice to other homeless mothers who are neglecting their responsibilities to their children : Don't wait until you're 40 to wake up and wonder what happened to the last twenty years of your life. Love you children enough to stay clean."

These stories re only samples of the successes of rescue missions in helping homeless men, women and their children move from dependency to self-sufficiency. Overall, 14,000 homeless men and women graduated from IUGM rescue mission programs last year.