2020
impact report
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE |
a word of thanks
Could anyone have imagined what 2020 would bring? On March 13, when the lockdown happened, we were anxious. We didn’t know how we would protect our 400 men, women and children, or how we would provide for our staff.
During one of the most dangerous and chaotic times, not only did God provide through your generosity, but He went above and beyond. Through your faithful giving, God has met every single one of our needs this year!
He is the God of “exceedingly and abundantly” and can do far more than all we ask or imagine.
Not only did we survive the pandemic with no COVID cases among people in our programs, but we expanded our services into North County.
Rejoice with us in the abundant blessings and accomplishments in this Impact Report. I pray you’ll be inspired and amazed by the fruit of your faithfulness in the lives of our students and our greater community. Together we are changing the state of homelessness in San Diego.
Donnie Dee
How Has Your Life Changed Mentally?
When I came in, I was a wreck mentally. I was emotionally unavailable for the first few months, because I didn’t want to feel anything. The Rescue Mission gave me so many tools, therapy, trauma care, grief share, and in-house classes that helped me overcome a lot of barriers.
I learned how to take care of my mental health. It’s going to stick with me for life, but it’s manageable now. So instead of running from my issues, God gave me the strength and I own it now. Now I’m able to recognize God’s voice.
God is everything to me. Whenever I’m having an issue, before I bring it to staff, I bring it to God. Before I make a decision, I ask God, and then I ask for advice. He is not only your cheerleader, your advocate, and somebody who loves you unconditionally, God is a way of life. And it’s a wonderful path.
I have learned how to trust God ultimately with everything. So that gave me a push to do better than I’ve done in the past, which is to go to school and college. And I believe He’s going to do bigger, greater things in my life, now that I’ve let Him in.
God’s rewired my brain into thinking the positive instead of the negative. Instead of thinking that person is homeless because they choose to be homeless, I pray for them now. I don’t judge them, because I’ve been there.
I’ve changed from being someone who used to steal people’s shoes off their feet in the streets to giving whatever they need from my heart. I help everybody now, because people have helped me tremendously. Students here come to my door all the time and I mentor them. I lead by faith, by my example and also by my words.
What Was It Like Living On The Streets for 10 Years?
When you’re on the street, you don’t really sleep. There were many times that I ran into problems. I got kicked in the head a couple of times while I was sleeping and I was stabbed once. I never got used to sleeping outdoors. I became pretty angry. I became a person that didn’t really like other people.
When you walk down the street, people cross to the other side just because you’re wearing a backpack or you don’t look like you fit into the neighborhood. People feel threatened by you, which in turn, made me feel the same way. I saw them as threatening. I just didn’t like the feeling. That’s not who I am.
Coming to the Rescue Mission was a huge relief. Now I am well-rested, healthy, and COVID-free, which is unbelievable. I still marvel at it every single day. I’m in great shape, probably the best shape I’ve been in in a long, long time.
My life has changed dramatically. I’ve always been a spiritual person. Before, I would react with my head on a whim, and now I’m more methodical. I try to pray first. I try to find something relative in Scripture. And I sometimes lead Bible studies. It’s a totally different way to look at things.
The people here genuinely care. They guide you and direct you not only in your physical state, but in your spiritual state. My advocate has been the biggest blessing for me. He is a very godly man who has helped me a lot.
How Has Your Life Changed Emotionally?
When I get anxious and overwhelmed, I don’t do the things that I need to do to stay grounded. All the other programs that I’ve been to, I made some growth, but I never got to the place where I wanted to be.
Here at the Rescue Mission, I realized that I have to be present and let myself feel whatever it is. Therapy is something that I need because having space to work through my emotions is really important. Until now, I’ve never had a therapist that I felt safe enough with going to the places where I need to go.
I always believed that God was real, but I never was able to explore what it meant for me. How I was angry at him. Now I can go into my advocate’s office, sit down and have a conversation about it. We always end our time with a prayer. That’s something that I’ve missed for a good chunk of my life.
I’m proud of my ability to sit down and pray and seek God when I’m having a hard time. I know that I may not be getting a response right then and there. But eventually, I will get that answer that’s going to help propel me forward.
I’d love to get married and have a family of my own. I want kids and to be able to give them what I didn’t have when I was a kid. I want to have a home and create a space where I can come to at the end of the day and unwind. And I want to have some really great relationships with people that can count on me and that I can count on.
2020 ABUNDANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Because of You
With program expansions, new staff, building upgrades and more, your steadfast support is impacting San Diego, bringing care, compassion and hope to our hungry and homeless neighbors.
Financial Summary
Our Values of Faith, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence guide everything we do, including our financial stewardship. We are committed to ensuring that we maximize the use of every dollar received to benefit those in need.
INCOME*
| Donated Income | $9,136,539 |
| Business Revenue | $947,251 |
| Gain on Sales of Properties | 6,086,822 |
| Material Donations | $702,115 |
| Food Donations | $6,752,779 |
| Total Income | $23,625,506 |
EXPENSE*
| Programs | $14,372,591 |
| Administrative | $1,179,177 |
| Fundraising | $2,148,465 |
| Total Expenses | 17,700,233 |
† Closures due to the pandemic caused fewer material donations, which impacted both income and expenses. This resulted in increased administrative costs of running the Rescue Mission in FY2020.
* Fiscal year October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020. These numbers are unaudited. We receive an annual independent financial audit at the end of every year. Tax ID 95-1874073
You’re a Life-Changer for our neighbors without homes.
