Causes: Homeless & Housing, Homeless Shelters

Mission: 1. City rescue mission, inc. (the organization), a not-for-profit organization founded in 1946, exists to transform the lives of the homeless and needy, serving them through the love and compassion of jesus christ, meeting people at their spiritual and physical points of need with the goal of preparing them to return to independent living. The organization provides emergency services (hot meals, clean clothing and safe shelter) to the homeless and needy in jacksonville and the surrounding northeast florida communities. The organization also provides a long term residential, biblically based recovery program (lifebuilders). Individuals entering lifebuilders are offered biblical instruction, counseling including relapse prevention and computer literacy classes as well as on-site medical, dental and chiropractic care. In addition to lifebuilders, the organization provides job training/placement services and educational opportunities through its newday program. The organization is privatel

Programs: Lifebuilders recovery program: lifebuilders is a 12 month biblically based residential recovery program focusing on individuals hurting from life controlling issues. Our goal is for them to experience a personal relationship with jesus christ. The purpose of lifebuilders is to prepare individuals for productive, independent living. Areas of emphasis include chapel services, morning devotions, bible-based instruction, case management, relapse prevention and individual counseling sessions. Small group work is done in the areas of: anger management, boundaries, relapse prevention, understanding the bible, forgiveness and godly parenting. All staff are aacc certified. For the fiscal year ending september 30, 2015, 123 men and women received instruction in the lifebuilders program.

emergency services: providing nutritional meals, clean clothing and safe shelter every evening and to introduce everyone who comes to the life changing love of jesus christ. Our goal is to provide basic case management including job search assistance, referrals for permanent housing and an introduction to our lifebuilders program. Each year three community meals are served; an easter meal, thanksgiving and christmas feasts each serving in excess of 1000 individuals. For the fiscal year ending september 30, 2015, city rescue mission provided 67,913 safe nights shelter and 205,351 meals.

newday: offers opportunities to equip and empower students in the city rescue mission lifebuilders program with the knowledge and resources they need to live a fulfilling and independent life. There are 3 specific areas of focus: training the training phase focuses on developing and enhancing skills that will help with their return to independent living and to be successful in the workplace and at home. The servant leadership phase is designed to give them an opportunity to receive additional practical application training - implementation of things learned during their recovery time here. The transitional classes are designed to give students valuable information and referral resources. Students will also have the opportunity to obtain job specific certifications and training. Speakers conduct workshops providing direction on vocational job training programs, as well as other educational training programs. For the fiscal year ending september 30, 2015, 37 students earned florida ready to work certificates. Employment after completing the training phase students begin looking for employment. With the assistance of staff, they are provided guidelines in job search and employer referrals - all with special attention to their career goals and exit plan. During this phase, students are expected to obtain employment, continue living responsibly, and to be a christ-like example to other student in the program. They will be working toward the successful achievement of their short-term employment goals as defined earlier in their program. Students remain in this phase for three months, paying a small program fee and saving at least 60% of money earned. Extensions are given in this phase as the need arises. Their exit plan includes identification of housing options, a social network, spiritual resources, and accountability partners. For the fiscal year ending september 30, 2015, 30 students obtained employment. After care mentorship, graduation, our alumni association and church membership are elements of our aftercare efforts. Mentors are assigned to students as often as possible. When students have a connection to the community through a friend and advocate the transition is often less threatening. Our mentors have a heart for individuals in recovery and prove to be an asset. Graduation is always looked upon with anticipation by our students and thought of as a major milestone of accomplishment. We have the ceremony/celebrations twice per year, spring and fall. The guidelines are that students move into independent living, attend a bible-believing fellowship, stay in contact with mission staff, maintain sobriety, and retain employment. Alumni acclimation for those who have moved offsite is vital to the success of the majority of our students. The alumni have a strong presence on the campus and are involved in mission volunteer activities as well as organizing student events. During the final stages of their program we strongly recommend church membership in a strong bible-believing church. Having a church home and consistent fellowship with co-laborers in ministry will support their continued recovery. It is our goal that former students become involved in association activities, seek opportunities to shepherd others, and receive encouragement themselves to perseverance. For the fiscal year ending september 30, 2015, 40 students graduated from the lifebuilders program and 36 moved to independent living.