San Diego Rescue Mission residents climb to new heights

During a recent morning devotional, Noemi Bravo, an education and career development coordinator at the San Diego Rescue Mission, told the story of Moses climbing Mt. Sinai, then pivoted to the Coast to Crest Trail Challenge.

“These six individuals really climbed the mountain,” Bravo said of the recent finishers from San Diego Rescue Mission. Bravo also completed the series of five hikes at locations up and down the San Dieguito River watershed. “Pushing through to the peak of the mountain is where you get the best view of life,” she said.

Bravo’s acknowledgement included certificates and gifts from the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, which organizes the annual hiking challenge.

The challenge aligns with the San Diego Rescue Mission’s goals to promote personal growth, overcome homelessness, and rebuild lives. The recovery curriculum includes wellness programs to equip participants with tools to achieve lasting personal transformation. Within this holistic approach, hiking as a group serves to build confidence, resilience, and community.

Like anyone on the journey to recovery, Coast to Crest Trail Challengers push through discomfort to gain that hard-earned sense of achievement. One participant, Rita, says she appreciated the support of her fellow hikers and that, thanks to being sober, she was able to feel every emotion and every muscle during the hikes. “It was rough,” she recalls. “My body’s not used to it.”

The collaboration between the two organizations reflects a shared belief in the transformative power of nature. Beyond the physical journey through the trees and brush, the challenge provides a metaphorical climb to the mountaintop, empowering individuals to see new possibilities for their futures.

San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy Executive Director Cheryl Goddard attended the ceremony and praised the participants for their accomplishments. “The Coast to Crest Trail Challenge isn’t easy,” said Goddard. “It takes grit and determination. It’s a powerful reminder that every step forward matters — on the trail and in life.” sdrvc.org