Timeline
June 1955
June 1, 1955
Arnold Thiesen leaves his position as superintendent of the Fresno Rescue Mission to start a much needed Rescue Mission in San Diego.
August 1955
August 1, 1955
Called City Rescue Mission initially, the San Diego Rescue Mission’s first service is held at 428 G Street in a building that had been a poker parlor for the previous 25 years.
December 1955
December 1, 1955
The Mission now serves over 1,500 hot meals a day and begins its first daily radio broadcast on KGB-AM 1360.
August 1956
August 1, 1956
The mission offers its first weekly medical clinic.
November 1958
November 1, 1958
The Mission moves into a new facility (formerly a hotel) located at 527 5th Avenue in downtown San Diego. Overnight shelter begins for men. One year later, the third floor was designated as a shelter for women and children – the city’s first!
Did You Know?
January 1, 1959
The huge neon cross on the front of the Mission’s new building cost $345. It was 8.5” tall by 5.5” Wide. The cross continually flashed “Jesus Saves.”
August 1960
August 1, 1960
The Mission opens its newly renovated Dining Hall with capacity for 110…A whiskey bar was located in this same space prior to the renovations!
Did You Know?
January 1, 1961
On Thanksgiving Day in 1961, the Mission hosted a “Mortgage Burning” ceremony to commemorate raising nearly $36,000 for the new facility.
April 1967
April 1, 1967
Opening of the City Rescue Mission’s Goodwin Family Shelter at 14th and J Streets.
February 1968
February 1, 1968
The Mission now feeds 5,000 men, women, and children each month.
May 1970
May 1, 1970
135 Children have made use of the Goodwin playground facility during the last four Saturday afternoons. After playtime the children attend Bible Clubs, followed by ice cream, cookies and punch.
Did You Know?
January 1, 1971
In 1970 the Mission went through more than 3 lbs. of coffee each day!
May 1973
May 1, 1973
Construction begins on the conversion of the Mission’s 2nd Floor to an expanded Men’s Shelter to more than 60 beds. The center for Women and Children moves completely into the building at 14th and J Streets.
October 1975
October 1, 1975
The Mission serves its one millionth free meal and has now provided nearly a quarter of a million nights of free lodging.
January 1978
January 1, 1978
The Mission dedicates its brand new 300 seat Chapel, made possible through the purchase of an adjacent building with lot several years prior.
August 1980
August 1, 1980
City Rescue Mission changes its name to San Diego Rescue Mission, citing confusion with the Mission being an agency of the City.
April 1984
April 1, 1984
The Mission holds a ground breaking ceremony for a new 48,000 square foot facility at 1150 J Street.
1985
December 1, 1985
The Mission begins its Food Recovery Ministry, now called Partners for Hunger Relief, to collect food from grocery stores, restaurants, caterers, and hotels that would otherwise be discarded.
June 1986
June 1, 1986
The Mission dedicates the new J Street building. It includes a chapel, dining hall, men’s quarters, health clinic, recreation area, and library.
Did You Know?
January 1, 1987
In 1991 Mrs. America Jill Scott visited the Mission and shared her testimony.
February 1992
February 1, 1992
The San Diego City Council Issues a conditional use permit for a Women’s and Children’s Center at 936 South 16th St. There is no signage in order to protect our women and children.
June 1993
June 1, 1993
The Rachel Grosvenor Center for Women and Children is opened.
July 1997
July 1, 1997
The Mission opens a Central Receiving Center for the tons of goods donated each year. Within months it opens two thrift stores.
Did You Know?
January 1, 1998
On January 25, 1998 fifty men from the San Diego Rescue Mission’s rehabilitation program participated in the Super Bowl held at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Their duties included breaking down and setting up the stage for the half-time festivities.
2000
December 1, 2000
San Diego Rescue Mission opens Nueva Vida Haven (NVH), now called the Downtown Navigation Center, in response to the increasing need for emergency shelter services for homeless families. Each night, 60+ battered, homeless, or poor women and children, 12 and under, turn to the Mission as we are the only walk-in after hours shelter.
2004
January 1, 2004
San Diego Rescue Mission consolidated all of its rehabilitation programs into the former Harbor View Medical Center at 120 Elm Street, doubling its capacity to help more people than ever.
September 2005
September 1, 2005
The Mission celebrates 50 years of serving the least, last and lost and also dedicates the Elm Street building.
2006
December 1, 2006
The Mission Opens its new Outpatient Therapy Center. This Psychotherapy Center is a free service to the community. Therapy is provided at no cost to individuals, families, children and couples to those who are homeless, at risk for homelessness or those who are unable to afford therapy.
September 2008
September 1, 2008
A brand new playground is dedicated for the Mission’s Children.
June 2009
January 1, 2009
The Rescue Mission opened the first non-VA recuperative care unit in the county providing 28 beds to homeless individuals who have been discharged from hospitals, but have on-going medical needs.
June 2014
January 2, 2014
San Diego Rescue Mission opened a multi-phase Transitional Housing program for single men and women followed by a program for women with children in 2015.
September 2014
September 1, 2014
As another step to offer a full continuum of services to clients, the Rescue Mission opened a preschool for the children of mothers staying in our emergency shelter, as well as, mothers in our year-long rehabilitation program. The school ceased operations in February, 2023.
2017
January 1, 2017
In partnership with the San Diego Community College District the organization built upon its tradition of providing practical help with an even stronger emphasis on education as a means of improving clients’ employment opportunities post-graduation.
2017
January 2, 2017
Donnie Dee takes the helm of the San Diego Rescue Mission as President & CEO after nearly three decades in various roles at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
October 2020
October 1, 2020
The Mission merges with Bread of Life Rescue Mission to expand critical services to North County.
July 2023
July 1, 2023
The Mission launches Oceanside Navigation Center, one of our Lighthouses, a referral-only 50-bed transitional shelter for men, women and families.
June 2024
June 1, 2024
On June 20th, we proudly opened National City’s first permanent 30-say shelter called the South County Lighthouse, offering 162 beds for men, women, and families.
October 2024
October 1, 2024
The Downtown Navigation Center 30-day shelter for women and children closes. This marks a transition as new shelters serving men, women and families open across San Diego County.
