Will you Do Your Part this Summer and help us collect the following items to help the homeless men, women and children of the San Diego Rescue Mission.

We’re asking San Diego businesses, schools, churches, youth groups and any other organizations to help us collect necessary hygiene and clothing items to help the homeless men, women and children of the San Diego Rescue Mission.

Please see our list below of items needed.

Women & Children Needs:

• Sippy cups
• Baby wipes
• Strollers
• Nursing supplies (breast pumps)
• Feminine hygiene products

Men & Women Needs:

• Men & Women Deodorants (travel size)
• Men’s clothing XL, XXL, XXXL
• Women’s Clothing
• Men’s Shaving Cream and Disposal Shavers
• Denture Cleaner/Paste
• Large Shampoo
• Toothpaste / Tooth Brushes
• Large bars of Soap
• Qtips
• Underwear, T-shirts (Men’s, Women, Children)
• Jackets, Sweaters, Shoes (Winter Clothing)

Drop Off Location:
All items should be put in a box marked “Summer Drive” and dropped of at our 120 Elm Street location in downtown San Diego. For questions visit our Contact Page or Facebook Page.

If you prefer to donate a monetary amount to help, please fill out our secure online donation form here.

Thank you, San Diego, for doing Your Part to help San Diego’s homeless & hungry this Summer.

Meet our newest resident here at the Mission.  Because of the continued support of our donors, this little girl has a safe and stable place to come home to and thrive while her mom finishes up the year-long residential recovery program.

When hunger ends, life really does begin. And that statement couldn’t have rang more true at this year’s Easter Meal, where we were able to provide hundreds of home-cooked meals for those who might otherwise have no food, companionship, or celebration this holiday.
Writing of new beginnings, we recently announced our new Mission Catering service available to churches, organizations and individuals.

This new program not only provides an additional revenue stream to the Mission, but helps our residents gain valuable knowledge and experience needed to acquire employment in the culinary field.

A few other exciting new things happening this year include expanding our Thrift Store offerings by seeking a new location.  We also have a new partnership with the Fish, Food, Feel Good organization which will donate fresh fish and seafood product to the Mission.  The kids’ playground has a new shade structure made possible by Over the Hill Gang association.  And finally, under the new Green Initiative Program, the Mission continues to improve savings by changing all light bulbs, installing sensor light switches and reducing paper usage.

On behalf of everyone here at the Mission, I thank you for your continued support of our critical life-changing programs. Because of you, we are able to celebrate another year of new beginnings here at the Mission!

Herb Johnson
President/CEO

KUSI.com – KUSI News – San Diego CA – News, Weather, PPR

WHEN:
Sunday, May 12, 2013

WHERE:
De Anza Cove, Mission Bay, San Diego

WHAT/WHY:
Thanks to Mission Valley Sunset Rotary for putting on their Inaugural Mother’s Day 5k on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 12 benefiting the San Diego Rescue Mission! This was a fun and healthy way to kick-off Mother’s Day for the whole family. The 5k raised funds for the San Diego Rescue Mission who is dedicated to providing support for the needs of homeless men, women, and children in San Diego. They provide rehabilitation and Christian discipleship to create better lives for San Diego’s homeless, their families, and the community as a whole.

Immediately after the events unfolded, I reached out to the President of the Boston Rescue Mission, letting him know that they are on our Prayer List.

As he described the horrific acts of violence at the finish line, and how his friends and family were coping with the tragedy, he concluded his email with the following inspirational statement:

“Our hope comes in many forms.  In this time of sorrow, I pray and hope for healing, for courage, for the peace and the goodness that still surround us all.”

An important reminder, that in spite of this horrific event, there is still good in this world, and the act of few should not overshadow all the good that the rest of us are accomplishing.

Stay Strong. God Bless,

Herb Johnson
President/CEO

That’s when the men and women who have successfully completed their 12-month residential recovery programs are recognized in a special graduation ceremony. The event celebrates the accomplishments each graduate has made, with God’s help, during their year-long journey. Current program participants also attend to honor their brothers and sisters and to be inspired by the possibilities that await them.

As part of the ceremony one male and one female graduate each shares their story of recovery. A local Christian band or church choir provides entertainment for the day and, of course, all graduates receive an official diploma.

Time and Location:
First Presbyterian Church
320 Date St. San Diego, CA 92101
6:30 PM

For more information or to attend, please contact Mark Lagace at or 619-819-1851. Reservations Required

Our comprehensive programs  meet basic needs, then go further. They help our clients address the challenges behind their homelessness for positive, lasting change.

They provide an opportunity for those in need to take control of their lives, find a new level of stability, and return to their communities as fulfilled, contributing members of society.

In my new blog, I’ll be sharing stories from within the Nueva Vida Haven Emergency Overnight Shelter for Women & Children, as well as insight and progress updates from our 12-month rehabilitation program.

Our residential rehabilitation program is the largest in the county and goes beyond just providing basic meal and overnight shelter -and even beyond basic job training.

We incorporate a holistic approach to recovery, addressing the needs of the mind, body, and soul. By doing so we help our residents confront and overcome the problems that led to homelessness in the first place. This helps put broken families back together.

Join me here on this blog each month, as I share important updates and powerful stories from within the San Diego Rescue Mission, and show you first hand just how the support of people like you is helping to change lives.

Herb Johnson
President/CEO

“I had reached bottom.”
“I thought about ending my life.”
“I burnt all my bridges.”
“My friends and family gave up on me.”
“I had nowhere else to go.”

In addition to receiving food and shelter, they need to know that they are loved… that their lives have value… that they can begin again.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Not just life today, or life tomorrow, but life eternal. Your support brings this message to people who are homeless and hungry; it lets them know that they do have the strength to start over!

Herb Johnson
President/CEO

Keeping our doors open to women & children like this depends of the generous support from people in our community.

There have been some new clients this week to Nueva Vida Haven, our Emergency Overnight Shelter for Women & Children. Here are some of the clients testimonies as to the reasons they are at NVH:

• Brenda’s family was sharing an apartment with another family. The roommate is in a domestic violence relationship and Brenda left for the safety of the family. NVH is providing a safe environment until they transition to a program.
• Terry is applying to the WCC program. She is needing to be in a program to reunite with her 5 month baby. NVH is giving stability for Terry while she waits for transition to the program.
• Kathy is needing to relocate to her hometown out of state. NVH is providing shelter while she makes arrangements to return home.
• Annette is pregnant and has another child here in NVH. NVH is providing a sober environment while she waits to transition to a treatment facility for problems with addiction.
• Karen is chronic homeless. She has come to NVH during the winter months. Karen is now considering applying to WCC program.
• Harriet is working as medical assistant at a hospital. She has 4 children that she supports solely on her own. NVH is providing shelter so that this mother can keep her employment and work toward being self sufficient.

These are just a few of the clients that have come to NVH – we serve many more each night. Keeping our doors open depends of the generous support from the people and businesses of San Diego. Please show your support of this critical life-saving program by making a donation here: http://www.sdrescue.org/feed-hungry-families-fb/

How will you do your part to help San Diego's homeless this year?

Here at San Diego Rescue Mission, we are limited with the amount of volunteer opportunities that can be done on site at our mission, but we still need help in other ways. Would you, your family, or church group consider the list below to help us continue to provide the life changing programs to meet the needs of the homeless? We are so grateful for your support and desire to help us serve the least and the lost of San Diego. Here is a list of ideas to get you started.

• Donate the cost of ONE meal ($1.74)
• SPRING CLEAN! Then donate all those gently used items to the nearest San Diego Rescue Mission Thrift Store. Your gently used clothing or household goods not only help provide financial support for the Mission, it also provides jobs for our residents!
• Have a lemonade stand or garage sale and donate the proceeds to San Diego Rescue Mission
• Run a donation drive for things like hygiene items, socks, underwear or pillows
• Think of our clients at the holidays and donate new items or gift cards to our men, women and children
• Help with outreach for our Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas Meals to invite those on the streets to our family meal
• Join our Interfaith Homeless Vigil in November and remember the homeless who died on the streets that year
• Pray for our clients, our programs, our staff and our donors
• Shop at our Thrift Stores, proceeds keep our doors open and help us provide jobs for our clients
• Put on a Fundraiser for San Diego Rescue Mission.  Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:
  • Pancake Breakfast: Talk to local organizations, schools, farmer’s markets or your church to see if you can hold a pancake breakfast at their location. People love to enjoy a delicious breakfast for a good cause.
  • Car Wash: Advertise and set up a car wash with permission of a local business or your church. You can also set up a barbecue or lemonade stand for everyone to enjoy as their cars are being cleaned.
  • Silent Auction: Ask groups from the community to donate various items (gift baskets, gift cards, sports equipment, music, etc) and sell away. A good, old fashioned raffle can be a great fundraiser.
  • Chili Cook-Off: Invite the community to participate in the tried-and-true chili cook off. Charge five dollars for guests to get a taste of these delicious recipes and be sure to vote for the champion chili chef of the year!
  • Host a Dance: Get out some decorations, make a family friendly playlist, and put on your dancing shoes! Inviting your neighbors, family and friends to a dance is a great way to build community and raise some money!

OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE YOUR CHURCH AMBASSADOR BY FEBRUARY 1, 2013

WHO:
We would like 1 or 2 representatives from each church to become their “Church Ambassador.” These are men and women who regularly attend their church, have a heart for the homeless and are willing to commit to the program.

WHAT:
The main job of our Church Ambassadors will be to:

• Communicate the Mission’s news, volunteer opportunities and program needs to your church on a regular basis
• Promote main events at your church such as Sleepless San Diego, Interfaith Candlelight Vigil, Graduations, etc.
• Communicate to Jamie Wright the Church/Community Relations Manager opportunities to represent the Mission to your church via church fairs, speaking on Sunday, etc.
• Help coordinate fundraisers, donation drives, etc. alongside or on behalf of the Mission with your home church
• Attend meetings every other month to discuss upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and the ins and outs of the Mission, along with updating what your church has going on for the Mission to be a part of
• Commit to praying for the Mission on behalf of your church community

WHERE:
The Church Ambassador Program will have meetings at San Diego Rescue Mission’s 6th floor conference room, every other month on Tuesdays from 6pm- 7:00pm. Snacks will be provided. Please inquire about exact meeting dates.

WHY:
The number of homeless men, women and children in San Diego County has increased by 8.6% since 2011, with a total number of 9,800 people so far in 2012. In order to make a difference San Diego Rescue Mission is looking to better communicate with our church partners and to work together to provide food, shelter and the Gospel message to these people in need. By strengthening our bond with local churches, we will be able to help more people than ever before.

Questions? Contact Jamie Wright at jwright@sdrescue.org or 619.819.1892