Newsletters, Podcasts, and Social Media
For media inquiries contact Lisa Thompson at 540-777-7683 or email lisa.thompson@rescuemission.net
From Despair to Hope: Mary’s Story
Mary’s story is one of resilience and hope. After years of struggling with domestic abuse, financial instability, and a spiral of challenges, Mary made the courageous choice to come to the Rescue Mission’s Women’s and Children’s Center (WCC) with her two sons, ages 10 and 11. Although it meant leaving everything behind – including their beloved dog – Mary knew that starting over was necessary for her family’s future.
For years, Mary endured abuse from her partner, who struggled with addiction and drained their resources to support his habit. The emotional and physical toll of their life together left Mary feeling trapped and isolated. The impact of years of trauma affected her sons as well – acting out in response to the violence they had witnessed. When Mary herself turned to drugs and alcohol to cope, the situation worsened until a frightening incident with her partner forced her to confront the reality of her circumstances. She was desperate to save herself and her sons.
Click below to read more about Mary and the rest of the 2024 December Newsletter!
Expanding Compassionate Care to the Streets: Fralin Free Clinic’s Mobile Medical Clinic
The Fralin Free Clinic, a ministry of the Rescue Mission, is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of the Roanoke Valley’s most vulnerable residents. By providing healthcare directly on the streets through the Medical Street Outreach, the clinic aims to remove barriers, foster trust, and pave a path toward healthier futures for individuals grappling with homelessness, addiction, and poverty.
Since the inception of the Fralin Free Clinic, we have been unwavering in our pursuit of innovative ways to deliver healthcare to those who need it most. One of our most exciting advancements is the launch of our new Mobile Outreach Unit, a refurbished RV graciously provided with support from New River Electric and sponsored by Gentle Shepherd Hospice.
Click below to read more about the Fralin Free Clinic’s Mobile Outreach Unit, and the rest of the 2024 November Newsletter!
Introducing the Care Team!
The Care Team is a multi-departmental team that works collaboratively to provide comprehensive, client-centered care for individuals seeking services at the Rescue Mission. They offer a seamless blend of services aimed at addressing both immediate concerns and long-term goals.
To guarantee success, and provide a continuum of care, the Care Team is made up of Case Managers, Community Health Workers, and Peer Recovery Specialists. These professionals are essential in ensuring that client needs are met through diverse expertise.
Click below to read more about the Care Team and the rest of the 2024 October Newsletter!
Bringing Compassionate Care to the Streets
The Rescue Mission of Roanoke has long been a beacon of hope for those experiencing homelessness, addiction, and poverty in the Roanoke Valley. Among its many critical services, the Medical Street Outreach program stands out as a transformative initiative that brings healthcare directly to those who need it most—individuals living on the streets who might otherwise go unnoticed or untreated.
The Medical Street Outreach program was designed with a singular purpose: to reach people where they are, both geographically and emotionally. For many individuals experiencing homelessness, the barriers to accessing traditional healthcare services are immense. From transportation
challenges to the overwhelming nature of seeking help, these obstacles often result in untreated medical conditions, deteriorating mental health, and a lack of crucial medications.
Click below to read more about the Medical Street Outreach program, and the rest of the 2024 September Newsletter!
Dana: A story of resilience, faith,
and the power of community
Dana grew up in a small, four-room house with no plumbing. Life was cramped and close-knit with his parents, three sisters, and one brother. The kids all shared one bedroom, while their parents had another. There was a small TV room and a kitchen. Despite the tight quarters, the family was extremely close, doing everything together. From a young age, Dana was a
proud and natural leader. People followed him wherever he went, and he excelled in sports. His outgoing nature made him popular during his high school years. Graduating with a strong sense of independence, Dana was ready for the world ahead of him “the future was bright” he says of his childhood.
Click below to read more about Dana and the rest of the 2024 August Newsletter!
Thank you! Your gift
today creates life-changing opportunities for tomorrow.
Thanks to your support, the Rescue Mission is a comprehensive crisis intervention center with a 76-year history of helping hurting people in Jesus’ Name. This year alone, we have assisted more than 1,000 men, women and children with emergency shelter.
One of those individuals was just highlighted by the Manager of our Women & Children’s Center, Zakkiiyaa Morris. Zakkiiyaa shared as she was leaving the dining hall after lunch, she encountered a guest sitting on the sidewalk. She said, “I paused and asked her how I could help.”
The guest explained that she was waiting for a voucher card to get clothes. That was an easy connection to make, but what came next was transformative. She began to share her struggles, and Zakkiiyaa offered a listening ear, comforting her with a hug and prayer. This led to a deeper connection as the guest opened up about her battle with alcohol addiction, and expressed a desire to change.
This was a powerful moment. The simple act of asking “how can I help?” led to a first step toward recovery and healing.
Click below to read more about how your gift creates life-changing opportunities for tomorrow, and the rest of the 2024 July Newsletter!
People are counting on us. Please help today.
The Rescue Mission of Roanoke plays a vital role in helping the most vulnerable people in our community. As the Director of Development, I see every day how each donation helps. Right now, we are facing a tough situation where donations are down, but the need for our services is increasing. Your support is more important than ever.
Our mission is simple helping hurting people in Jesus’ name. With your support, we are able to care for individuals who just arrived from sleeping outside on the street, in a car, or in a dangerous situation. These aren’t just adults; they include families, children, and the elderly who are in these difficult situations often through no fault of their own. When you give to the Rescue Mission, you provide a safe place for these people—a place where they can rest their head, eat, and start to rebuild their lives.
Click below to read more about how your support will help others and the rest of the 2024 June Newsletter!
Success and safety: The Women and Children’s Center at the Rescue Mission of Roanoke
The Rescue Mission of Roanoke, a lifeline for single women and families, provides a safe haven and comprehensive support to some of the most vulnerable in our community at its Women and Children’s Center (WCC). The WCC not only offers emergency shelter but also a wide range of services designed to empower women, children, and families towards stability, self-sufficiency, and long-term housing. The WCC is critical in addressing the immediate needs of women and families in crisis. Last year alone, over 36,000 nights of safe shelter were provided to individuals, along with hundreds who took full advantage of our case management services directed at serving guests as they stay with us. By providing a secure place to stay, the staff plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the physical and emotional well-being of their residents. At the WCC, the impact of these services is profound, offering more than just a temporary shelter but a pathway to a brighter future that includes health, hope, and healing.
Click below to read more about the Women and Children’s Center and the rest of the 2024 May Newsletter!
Threads of Kindness: Your gifts help our guests
The Rescue Mission is proud to announce a critical addition for our guests…a thrift store dedicated exclusively to them. This store is not just a place to find clothing and goods; it’s a vital component of a larger effort to empower individuals on their journey towards long-term, stable housing. The new guest store operates within the Donation Center at the Rescue Mission, a place where compassion and community action converge. Unlike traditional retail outlets, this store serves a dual purpose: to clothe those in need while giving a semblance of normalcy and self-respect. By offering guests the opportunity to shop with vouchers, the store provides essential support without the burden of cost.
Click below to read more about the new guest thrift store and the rest of the 2024 April Newsletter!
Debbie: A story of recovery, resilience, and hope
At the Rescue Mission, we truly love the presence of our guests. Each person who walks through our doors is a child of God, a person with goals, aspirations, and hopes for a better tomorrow. We have recently been blessed with someone who embodies all those traits and more. Her story is one of recovery, resilience, and hope.
Debbie came to the Rescue Mission several months ago in need of a place where she could find peace and stability. “I came to this area from Florida after losing my husband” she said when asked about how she ended up at the Mission “his death was tragic, truly crushing.” After arriving in the Roanoke area she found temporary shelter with her son, but that didn’t last long. Her stay at the Mission began as she walked through the doors and met our staff, “The Mission was exactly what I needed. The staff, the people, the resources, I couldn’t have asked for more.”
Click below to read more about Debbie and the rest of the 2024 March Newsletter!
Rhonda: One Step at a Time
The Rescue Mission serves many roles based on the changing needs of our guests. From medical care to shelter, we provide the immediate needs that are required to keep someone healthy and focused as they stay with us. But Mission services don’t end at the door. One of the critical roles we play in serving our guests is to prepare them to thrive outside of the Mission, to have the “skills to pay the bills” once they are ready to move out. One of the ways we do this is through our Guest Development Department, a place where guests refine critical skills for future success.
One guest who took advantage of this was Rhonda. As a hard working mother who had experienced trauma over the past few years, coming to the Mission was a blessing, giving her space to breathe and find a path forward from poverty and homelessness. “I heard God say to me ‘Go to the Mission’ and I knew it was time for me to move from where I was” she said as she explained how she came to the Mission. “Once I was at the Mission, I leaned on the Lord. He brought me here, so I jumped right into it”. Attending Chapel almost every day, attending Bible studies, and getting involved, Rhonda began to find a supportive community at the Mission, lifting her spirit and giving her confidence to take the next steps towards success. As she recovered at the Mission, she knew her stay was not forever and that she had to prepare for life outside of the comforting halls of the Mission, “that’s where Ms. Sonia came in”.
Click below to read more about Rhonda and the rest of the 2024 February Newsletter!
Moving out: Adam
In December, we congratulated Adam, a participant of our Way Forward Recovery Program, on his graduation. As he was sitting at the post event reception amongst friends and family, he was asked what his plans were for beyond the Mission. “I’m moving out soon; I just signed the paperwork for an apartment downtown” he said with a smile on his face. “I can’t wait to move out, but I’m going to miss this place” he added quietly.
Adam came to the Way Forward Program with little more than the hope that he would be better once he got to the Mission. “I was pretty lost, I had burned every bridge in my life because of my addiction” he said about his life before coming here. As Adam was introduced to the men and women in the program, he began to see a space where love and compassion are paramount. “It was a fresh start, a new beginning” he said about the program. As Adam moved through the program, he changed from one who was asking for advice from others to one who was giving advice, making a lasting impact on those in the program, and those who would come after him.
Click the button below to read more about Adam and the rest of the 2024 January Newsletter!