Southern California

Orange County Rescue Mission Gives ‘A Hand Up, Not a Handout’

Orange County Rescue Mission Gives ‘A Hand Up, Not a Handout’
Chuck Pelser and his three children at the Orange County Rescue Mission Village of Hope in Tustin, Calif., in an undated photo. Courtesy of Orange County Rescue Mission
Lynn Hackman
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SANTA ANA, Calif.—Several years ago, Chuck Pelser’s life hit rock bottom. Heavily addicted to drugs at the time, he had lost his home, and his children were scared and suffering as they witnessed him spiraling out of control. At one point, things got so bad that, despite his love for his kids, Pelser attempted to commit suicide.

The single father of three children was desperate to change his life and the lives of his kids, so he swallowed his pride and moved in with his mother. He told himself that the unstable motel life they had been living was part of the reason things were falling apart around him.

Lynn Hackman
Lynn Hackman
Author
Lynn is a reporter for the Southern California edition of The Epoch Times, based in Orange County. She has enjoyed a 25-year career as a senior-level strategic public relations and contingency planning executive. An editor, blogger, and columnist, Lynn also has experience as a television and radio show producer and host. For six years, she was co-host of Sunday Brunch with Tom and Lynn on KOCI 101.5 FM. She is also active in the Newport Beach community, serving as chair emeritus of the Newport Beach City Arts Commission, among various positions with other local organizations.
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