Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Baze.
Hi Heather, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Heather Baze. I grew up in Orange County, CA and lived there for most of my life. My husband and I have been married Ty for 30 years with 3 beautiful children and 3 grandchildren. While our kids were little, I stayed home with them during the day and worked nights in customer service. When our first 2 started school, I went back to the daily workforce. I worked for The Breckenridge Group, they owned over 160 restaurants and while working there I started as a clerk and worked my way up to accounts payable and receivable supervisor. I am an alcoholic and a drug addict and so is my husband. We were functional until we weren’t and our wheels started to fall off one by one. The first was my husband lost his job, now I had a great job as well however he was the main bread winner, it didn’t take too long after that for us to lose our home. Which would lead me to lose my job not to too long after that. During this time, we were both making very bad decisions and I found myself in trouble with the law due to my addictions. I became pregnant with our youngest son and was desperate to get sober but couldn’t. God showed up and I was arrested and my release date was my son’s due date. My journey with The Salvation Army began in a place of addiction and hopelessness. For a long time, I felt trapped and lost, unsure if life could ever be different. But when my husband went to The Salvation Army’s rehabilitation program, God began to move in our lives in ways I could have never imagined. Through his connection with The Salvation Army, I was introduced to the church community. As I grew in faith and allowed God to work in my heart, I discovered a new purpose and hope. God spoke to me, healed my brokenness, and gave me a calling I never expected or dreamed possible. Today, I have been a Salvation Army officer for over eight years, serving others and sharing the same hope that was given to me. The first appointment we had was in Las Vegas, NV, where were stationed 3 years working in the church, after school programs, camp, summer programs, and some social services. Our next appointment was in Sierra Vista, AZ where we served 5 years. Just like in Las Vegas we ran the church, however in Sierra Vista we were responsible for family services, daily feedings, homelessness, and emergency disasters. Recently we were moved to Santa Monica, CA in July 2025 and we are loving it here. I can’t wait to see what God has planned for us! My life couldn’t be any better—God truly turned my ashes into beauty.
Bible Verse:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My road was not easy. There were years where I honestly didn’t think I would ever make it out. I was deep into addiction — meth, pills, alcohol, whatever could numb me or help me escape myself. I used to think I needed those things to survive. But in reality, they were slowly destroying every piece of me. I lost myself in those cycles. I disappointed people I loved. And most of all… I disappointed myself. But here’s the part that’s important for me now: as painful as that journey was — I would not be who I am today without it. Those dark nights shaped me. Those relapses taught me. Those consequences woke me up. Today I can look back and say: I’m not proud of everything I’ve done. But I am proud of what I’m becoming. Every struggle I went through built the person who’s writing right now. I am not who drugs and alcohol tried to make me.
I am someone who overcame. And I give God credit for that. I fought for this version of me. And I’m still fighting — every day — but now I fight from a place of purpose and clarity. My past does not disqualify me. My past prepared me. I’m not where I want to be yet. But thank God — I’m not where I used to be.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Salvation Army officer. What this means is I wear many hats, I am a pastor, administrator, coordinator, and landlord.
We have just moved here and love the mission. The need is great, but God is greater! We serve anyone that is in need without discrimination, our biggest task here has been homelessness. In Santa Monica we serve 5 meals a week. On Monday’s and Wednesdays we serve a sack lunch for the unhoused and shelf stable food box with bags of fresh fruits, vegetables and meats. On Tuesday’s and Thursday’s we serve a hot dinner, where our friends can sit down and enjoy the meal. During these meals we give away clothes, shoes, socks, hygiene kits, and UCLA medical comes. Last year we served 15,942 meals and 1945 food boxes. Our Hope Team works directly with Santa Monca Police Department and does walks with them on the beaches and park throughout SPA 5. By doing these walks with SMPD it opens up more opportunities for us to do direct assistance. they have sent many people back home when possible, with there program Project a Way Home. We also work closely with many of our partnered agencies. It takes a village and we are so blessed to be in community that works together to do the most good. We work very closely with the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation to get people in to rehab right away. With this partnership we run 2 sober living houses for the graduates to have a safe third phase of the program to rebuild they are called, The Bridge House. Lastly, we manage a senior apartment complex across the alley. I absolutely love my job and thank God daily that He sent us here!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are several ways people and organizations can partner with us:
1) Volunteer
Individuals, families, youth groups, workplaces, and schools can volunteer with us directly.
Examples: serving hot meals, building food boxes, sorting clothing/hygiene items, helping behind the scenes with set-up / tear-down, holiday distributions (Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) and Volunteering makes the biggest impact because it is direct human care.
2) Financial support
100% of donations given locally stay local. Financial support allows us to keep providing: groceries, hot meals, clothing, hygiene, utility support
Even $10 or $20 a month consistently has real impact when hundreds or thousands of people in the city do it.
3) In-kind gifts
People can drop off needed items, such as: new socks + underwear, travel size hygiene (soap, toothpaste, deodorant, wipes), jackets, sweats, blankets, shelf-stable canned items, Churches, schools, and businesses can also host drives for these items.
4) Corporate partnerships
Businesses can partner through:
monetary sponsorships
matching employee gifts
volunteer days
donating product or services
This is how we scale impact beyond what our own staff can do alone.
5) Community referrals / collaboration
Social workers, case managers, faith leaders, teachers, nurses, and other orgs can refer people to us when they see needs. We are glad to be one of the “first doors” someone can knock on.
6) Spread the word
Sharing our work online, telling people what resources we have, inviting friends and neighbors to volunteer or give — this matters more than most people realize. Awareness is fuel.
“When you partner with The Salvation Army in Santa Monica, you are directly helping feed, clothe, and support men, women, and families in your own city.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://santamonica.salvationarmy.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/santamonicaTSA
