The Phoenix Rescue Mission ("The Mission") is a charitable organization that offers a number of Christ-centered program and services for men, women, and children in the Phoenix, Arizona metro area who are struggling with homelessness, drug addiction, and trauma. Phoenix Rescue Mission is a member of the Citygate Network[1] and is accredited by the ECFA.[2]
 | |
| Formation | 1952 |
|---|---|
| Location |
|
| Services | Homeless Services, Addiction Recovery, Employment Assistance, Service Referrals |
Membership | Citygate Network, Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability |
CEO | Ken Brissa |
| Website | http://phoenixrescuemission.org |
Formerly called | Phoenix Gospel Mission |
History
editThe Phoenix Rescue Mission was founded in 1952 as the Phoenix Gospel Mission by LeRoy and Grace Davidson, a 28-year-old house painter living in Phoenix. On its opening day, about 15 migrant workers came and sat on wooden boards supported by paint cans for a basic meal and to hear the gospel message. The Phoenix Gospel Mission was incorporated in 1954 by six local businessmen at a building on South 3rd Street, the current site of Chase Field. The Mission moved to the current site of Comerica Theatre in 1969, which at the time was the Utah Hotel at 440 W. Washington Street. At this location, the Mission offered showers, three meals every day, clothing, Sunday school, food boxes, and six beds for addiction recovery. Urban renewal forced the Mission to relocate to the current site of the Community Services Center at 1801 S. 35th Avenue in 1991.[3]
Phoenix Gospel Mission officially changed its name to Phoenix Rescue Mission in 1997 and its outreach services continued to expand, now providing thousands of individuals food and clothing.
In 2011, the Mission opened the Changing Lives Center, a specialized facility for near homeless, recovering, and/or traumatized women and their children.[4] The Changing Lives Center was and continues to be the only faith-based recovery program in the region offering long-term, comprehensive services to women and their children.[5]
Programs and Services
editEmergency Services
editThe Mission serves nearly 1,000 meals daily at the Community Services Center at 1801 S. 35th Avenue in Phoenix. The Center has over 100 beds[6] designated for men's emergency shelter.[7]
The Changing Lives Center for Women and Children
editThe Changing Lives Center, which opened in 2011, is the only faith-based recovery program in the region offering long-term, comprehensive services to near homeless, recovering, and traumatized women and their children.[8] The Center has a capacity of housing 160-170 women and children. In the 12-to-18-month program, women receive life skills, education, counseling, and ultimately become self-sufficient through career assessment and job placement.
Addiction Recovery for Men
editThe 150-bed addiction recovery program[9] for men is a 12-to-18-month, Christ-centered program featuring Bible study, counseling, addiction recovery education, relapse prevention, life-skills development, vocational training, on-site work therapy, discipleship, group meetings, church attendance, and support group meetings.[10][11]
Vocational Development
editPhoenix Rescue Mission's vocational development program is available both to guests of the mission and to members of the community who are in need. The program places program clients and other guests from the general public in permanent employment through basic literacy skills, financial coaching, GED preparation, career preparation, resume building, interview training, and job placement.[12][13][14]
Hope Coach Mobile Outreach
editThe Mission's Hope Coach vans offer water, hygiene kits, socks, and other items to homeless men, women, and families without shelter. Staff help volunteers learn about homelessness, see oft-ignored neighborhoods, and encourage people on the streets to come to the Mission for help.[15][16][17]
Community Engagement
editThe Community Engagement department provides food boxes, clothing, Christmas gifts,[18] Easter baskets,[19][20] and school supplies[21] to the working poor.[22][23][24]
References
edit- ^ "Citygate Network". Citygate Network. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ "Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability". ECFA. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
- ^ "The Mission – History". Phoenix Rescue Mission. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
- ^ "Changing Lives Center". Phoenix Rescue Mission. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
- ^ "Let the Construction Begin: $1 Million Gift Moves Changing Lives Center Forward". PR Newswire. 17 September 2007.
- ^ "Phoenix Rescue Mission - Emergency Shelter (For Men), Phoenix, AZ 85009".
- ^ "Phoenix Rescue Mission". Emergency Services. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ^ "Phoenix Rescue Mission". Changing Lives Center for Women and Children. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
- ^ "Transforming Lives Center │Addiction Recovery for Men".
- ^ "Phoenix Rescue Mission". Addiction Recovery Program. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
- ^ "Phoenix Rescue Mission". Emergency Services. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ^ "State of Affairs: Arizona Battles Meth, Sees Increase in Heroin Use Among Women". Addiction Campuses. 27 August 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
- ^ "Phoenix Rescue Mission". Retrieved 17 September 2015.
- ^ "Search | Arizona Department of Economic Security".
- ^ "Phoenix Rescue Mission's 'Hope Coach' hit the streets to help the homeless". azfamily.com. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ "Phoenix Rescue Mission aids the homeless". azcentral.com. 9 May 2013.
- ^ "Hope Coach Mobile Outreach". Phoenix Rescue Mission. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
- ^ "Donations needed for Phoenix Rescue Mission toy drive". azfamily.com. 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Phoenix Rescue Mission Easter Outreach Celebration". Retrieved 18 September 2015 – via azfamily.com.
- ^ "Details – Easter Outreach Celebration". arizonafoothillsmagazine.com. AZ Foothills.
- ^ "PHOENIX RESCUE MISSION: BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT". Carl Hayden High School. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
- ^ "5 myths about the working poor in America".
- ^ "Home". workingpoorfamilies.org.
- ^ "Who are the working poor in America?".