Editor’s note: This is part one of a three-part series on a faith-based Lakeland Village program that serves men who are homeless or grappling with substance abuse or personal problems. Future installments will focus on one man’s involvement with the program and the difficulties it faces in expanding its services.

A men’s ministry and outreach program that serves homeless men grappling with alcohol, drugs, domestic violence and other problems has quietly operated "under the radar" in Lakeland Village for more than a decade.

United Community Outreach – which relies on a thrift shop and revenues from work crews to fund its operations – has kept such a low profile that even the head of Riverside County’s homeless services program was not aware of its existence.

"I’m not familiar with them at all," said Ronald A. Stewart, director of the county’s Department of Social Services Homeless Program Unit. "I think there are a number of organizations out there that operate under the radar."

Many passersby might not realize that such a residential facility exists along Grand Avenue on the west side of Lake Elsinore.

To many people, the sprawling four-acre property might appear to be a fruit orchard dotted with a pair of tents and about a dozen mobile homes and modest structures along with vehicles and equipment in various stages of repair.

But the visibility of the nonprofit, faith-based Lakeland Men’s Ranch has risen in recent weeks as a small group of southwest Riverside County activists has pressed cities to help establish one or more temporary homeless shelters.

The activists – including some who have briefly opened overnight shelters at a Murrieta church and a Temecula church – note that no permanent site has been identified, permitted or funded in a vast swath from Temecula to Perris and Lake Elsinore.

The Lakeland Village program was launched about 11 years ago when a founder of the nonprofit, faith-based group wanted to expand beyond its Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano operations.

"He felt that God spoke to him and said you’ve got to open a place in Lake Elsinore," said Pastor Jim Trimmer, who directs the four-acre facility that flanks a section of Grand Avenue west of the lake.

An organization brochure describes the nonprofit group as a "Christian discipleship" program.

Trimmer estimates that the Lakeland Men’s Ranch has housed 900 to 1,000 homeless, addicted or adrift men since it opened. It generally houses about 30 residents at a time, generally for one-year volunteer commitments.

A recent breakdown of the center’s current residents showed that two residents arrived in 2006. The largest share, 19 residents arrived last year. Ten had come to the center since the start of this year, Trimmer said in an interview.

Residents are referred to the center from court and probation officials, law enforcement agencies, churches and families. Trimmer said he has even drawn residents from street corners and homeless encampments

Random drug and alcohol testing is done at the center. Because of the proximity of Lakeland Village Middle School, the facility does not accept any registered sex offenders, Trimmer said in a recent interview.

The program is self-sufficient, raising approximately $250,000 a year to cover its operating costs from a roadside thrift shop as well as work crews that do landscaping and home repair Advertisement

[ Berry-Bell and Hall Mortuary ] work and also clean up foreclosed properties.

The program also runs a scrap metal operation, woodworking shop and repairs computers and other electrical devices for sale on eBay. It solicits jobs for residents, and will pick up donated items, many of which are repaired or refurbished before they are sold at the thrift shop

"We train people," said Trimmer, who doubles as an associate pastor of a Lake Elsinore church. "We help them work in the world."

Many of the program’s residents have existing skills as mechanics, cooks, construction workers, electricians, carpenters and plumbers. Steps are taken to teach residents budgeting and job-hunting skills and also help them obtain or clear restrictions on their Social Security cards and professional and driver’s licenses.

"We try to get all the monkeys off their backs," said Trimmer, 66.

Kathy’s Thrift Store, which is part of the ministry, in turn has donated goods to individuals and families in need, Trimmer said. Much of the food consumed by facility residents is donated by area stores and restaurants, he said.

Although several men have been ejected over the years for violating rules banning drug and alcohol use, Trimmer said the center has had few law enforcement or disciplinary problems.

"We’ve only had three fights in 22 years," Trimmer said of operations at the nonprofits’ three Southern California locations. He recently cited several examples of men who have turned their lives around as a result of the program.

Glen Chase counts himself among that group.

A decades-long battle with alcohol landed him in prison after he was arrested for drunken driving and a carjacking incident. Other rehabilitation programs didn’t take hold, and the single father of two had seemingly run out of options.

"The doors of every other place I was calling were shut," he recalled. At that point, Chase’s parents began caring for his children and introduced him to Trimmer more than a year ago.

"God opened some doors in my life," said Chase. Now 43, Chase has moved up in the center’s operations to alternately work as a home overseer, thrift shop manager and now a counselor. He recently received a certificate from the California Association of Addiction Recovery Resources.

"Because addiction is such a selfish thing, being of service to others is what keeps me going. It’s what keeps me straight," he said in an interview. "It feels awesome. It’s the one thing that’s key to my sobriety and my recovery."

The Lakeland Village program and its leaders have also won key allies among southwest Riverside County activists who have pressed cities and other government agencies to allow and support homeless shelters and transitional housing in the area.

"I thank God for Pastor Jim," said Anne Unmacht, president of nonprofit Project TOUCH, which has taken a lead role in regional homeless advocacy efforts. She said Trimmer has welcomed men who are struggling because of joblessness, prison records or substance abuse.

"He’s got such a gift in him to help that population," Unmacht said in an interview. "I just call Pastor Jim and, with no questions asked, he’ll come and get them with open arms."

She also praised the program’s ability to survive and serve the area without relying on government funds.

"They’re self-sustaining," she said. "It’s a miracle, basically, and it works."

An audio slide show on the ministry can be seen at www.myvalleynews.com.