Orange County Rescue Mission - November 2004 Charity-of-the-Month
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Nearly 35,000 people in Orange County are without homes... And without hope.
Orange County Rescue Mission
1421 Edinger, Suite B
Tustin, CA 92780
tel: 1-714-258-4450
fax: 1-714-258-4451
web: http://www.rescuemission.org/
In Orange County, California, the homeless are often invisible. We rarely see them as they live under bridges, in filthy motels, in battered cars, or in cold alleys—yet nearly 35,000 are barely scraping by right in our hometowns. And sadly, their hope is nearly vanished too.
These homeless include over 9,000 innocent children in Orange County right now. In fact, families with children represent 70% of the homeless here. Most of their parents have jobs, but just don’t make enough to pay rent and buy food. The homeless must stretch their money so far that 60% of them go regularly without meals – that means kids, too. In the midst of Orange County’s affluence, more children go to bed hungry here than in any other place in California. The homeless are stuck in a vicious cycle of poverty. They need a hot meal, a hand up, and hope.
The Orange County Rescue Mission helps hungry and homeless families in Orange County California get back on their feet. We deliver hope by providing food, shelter, clothing, guidance, counseling, education, job training, parenting classes and health care. Our faith-focused mission is to minister the love of Jesus Christ to the least, the last and the lost.
The Orange County Rescue Mission delivers hope for a new beginning.
Founded in 1963, the Orange County Rescue Mission serves thousands of people each year. As one of the county’s largest, private nonprofit organizations, we operate entirely through donations without government welfare funding. We do not discriminate – we welcome all in need of help, regardless of faith or background. Our faith-based outreach is comprehensive, valuable and trusted in the community.
And our faith formula is working: 85% of the homeless men and women who graduate from our recovery programs become self-sufficient.
Our success has been recognized by the White House when we were awarded the 211th Point of Light by the President of the United States. We also became the first Rescue Mission on the west coast to be named “Certified Excellent” by the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions. We were named “1998 Outstanding Nonprofit of the Year” at National Philanthropy Day, and “Most Technological Nonprofit in California in 2000” by the Pacific Research Institute.
Providing hot meals and warm beds to the homeless on the street.
The Emergency Shelter in Santa Ana provides three hot meals a day, showers, hygiene products and fresh clothing as well as financial, spiritual and guidance counseling. Most importantly, we provide hope for a new beginning. The Shelter serves 57,600 meals per year.
Giving men a pathway to self-sufficiency.
Our New Life Program helps men to become productive members of society and overcome life-damaging behaviors. It provides basic life skills, education and job training as well as dealing with drug and alcohol issues. We’re proud that 74% of the men who graduate from this recovery program become self-sufficient.
Helping homeless mothers to turn their lives around.
The House of Hope, a 45-bed shelter, is a safe haven for homeless and abused women and their children. Women participate in an 18-month program to change their lives, while their children thrive in the safe and stable environment. The women learn to become fully self-sufficient through parenting classes, educational programs, vocational training, counseling, and life skills training.
Bringing job training to homeless men and women.
Transportation is a problem for the homeless, so we go to them with our Mobile Technology Vehicle. This state-of-the-art mobile learning center offers computer classes, resume building, interviewing skills and job search services. Our mission is to help the homeless find a career path, not just a low-paying job, so that they can financially provide for their families and break the poverty cycle they are trapped in.
Feeding motel children and homeless families.
Food serves as the basic building block for healthy families. Yet, many families in motels must often make a terrible choice between paying the rent and feeding their children. The Mobile Food Pantry visits various motels with food and hygiene items for families unable to make ends meet. We provide 327,348 meals per year for those in need.
Caring for the sick and keeping kids healthy.
The Mobile Medical Clinic provides medical care, treatment and prescriptions to those who would otherwise never receive health care. The Medical Clinic is overseen by a full-time physician and medical assistant, and staffed by a strong corps of volunteer doctors and nurses. Thirty free clinic sessions are held monthly, providing 2,692 patient visits per year.
Giving families practical help to build a real home.
Designed for families living in dire conditions, the Strong Beginnings Program is a comprehensive program to help the family move to permanent housing. The program fills the basic physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs of the family so they are equipped to remain in a home. Our Strong Beginnings Program is reaching out to 390 individuals representing 130 families.
Keeping families together in life-changing programs.
The Village of Hope will help homeless families work toward a new self-sufficient life as they live and learn together. The Village of Hope is being developed on six acres at the former Tustin Marine Corps Air Facility, where we’re turning two existing barracks buildings into warm, welcoming housing for 192 people. The facility will also include a cafeteria, adult learning center, child care, playground for the kids, and health care facility. Computer and job training will also be provided.
Please support us by making a Secure Online Donation
Orange County Rescue Mission
1421 Edinger, Suite B
Tustin, CA 92780
tel: 1-714-258-4450
fax: 1-714-258-4451
web: http://www.rescuemission.org/
