The beginning was Christmas eve in 2008. It was a chilly foggy morning in Santa Paula. The night before a good hearted soul sneaked some homeless folks into a church for warmth. One of them died. His name was Richard Rios Soto, 38 years old with a family in Santa Paula.

The SPIRIT of Santa Paula is a 501C3 formed in 2002 for the purpose of doing "good things" for the community in the name of Jesus Christ. We never dreamed that single event would embark us on a great journey of coming to know nearly every homeless person in Santa Paula, dining with them and sleeping with them as opened our soup kitchen, the winter overnight shelters, the drop-in center, the transition house, food pantry, food distribution, health care and food preparation training, assistance with utility bills and so much more. Their families have become ours. Local churches have done amazing transitions in their focus of service. Great cooperation has been initiated between the local clergy and public safety personnel. We are also the first line of defense for people returning from prison with resource development.

We have served over 175,000 meals, housed newborns and seniors, escorted people to church and the police station, reconciled families and been a source of hope thanks to redeeming work of Christ where all things are possible and old ways of thinking and behaving pass away and are made new. Without hope, the people will perish. We bring light and hope.