Newsletters, Podcasts, and Social Media
For media inquiries contact Lisa Thompson at 540-777-7683 or email lisa.thompson@rescuemission.net
All Things New: A Story of Renewal at the Rescue Mission
January is a month that reminds us that God is always doing something new. At the Rescue Mission, we see this promise lived out every day—in quiet steps forward, in fresh starts, and sometimes, in extraordinary transformations.
One of those stories belongs to a guest we’ll call “J.” His journey is a powerful testimony of what can happen when a life once shaped by trauma and violence is met with the love of Christ and the steadfast support of a caring community.
Click below to read more about J’s story and the rest of the 2026 January Newsletter!
One Act of Kindness: John’s Next Chapter
When you first meet John, you notice his smile—steady and determined, the kind you see on a teammate who believes the game isn’t over. He’s seventeen, the oldest child, living at the Rescue Mission with his dad and siblings. He’ll tell you right away he doesn’t want to be in a shelter—“nobody does”—and yet he’s quick to add: “Y’all are helping us. I’m grateful.”
This isn’t the first time the Mission has been part of his story. As a little boy, this was the last place he stood before being taken into foster care for 18 months. Returning now stirs painful memories—but also a sense of redemption. “It hurts,” he says softly, “but I know God has a plan.”
Click below to read more about John’s story and the rest of the 2025 December Newsletter!
Serving Up Second Chances: Krystal’s Journey of Hope and Recovery
When Krystal walked through the doors of the Rescue Mission, she wasn’t looking for a job, she was looking for a chance to start over.
After being released from jail, Krystal moved into an Oxford House, where residents were required to either work or volunteer. “I never volunteered a day in my life,” she admits. “But a friend told me about the Rescue Mission and that she had been volunteering in the kitchen. She said, ‘You should come with me and give it a shot.’ So, I did.”
Click below to read more about Krystal’s story and the rest of the 2025 November Newsletter!
Finding Purpose in Service: Connor’s Work at the Rescue Mission Pantry
When you step into the Manna food pantry at the Rescue Mission, chances are you’ll see Connor hard at work. For more than a year, Connor has served as Pantry Assistant, helping to ensure that families across Roanoke receive the food and care they need. His days are full of organizing the warehouse, managing incoming donations, and making sure everything is ready when hundreds of families come through the food distribution line each week.
What surprises many people, Connor says, is the sheer volume of food that comes in. “The other week we had eight tons of Coca-Cola donated. That’s 16,000 pounds. That’s not normal, but we get a lot of product,” he explained with a laugh. Whether it’s donations from Kroger or a sudden truckload from another partner, Connor and his team make sure every item is sorted, stored, and ready for distribution
Click below to read more about Connor’s story and the rest of the 2025 October Newsletter!
20 Years as a Servant of Hope: Dr. Faith Pasley’s Mission at the Fralin Free Clinic
When Dr. Faith Pasley came to the Rescue Mission two decades ago, she wasn’t simply looking for a place to practice medicine, she was answering a lifelong calling.
The daughter of a pastor, Dr. Pasley went to medical school with a dream of serving in overseas missions. While her path didn’t lead her across oceans, it brought her somewhere just as meaningful: the heart of Roanoke, where the need for compassionate, Christ-centered medical care is profound.
Click below to read more about Faith Pasley’s story and the rest of the 2025 September Newsletter!
“God’s Not Done With Me Yet”: Ricky’s Story of Pain, Purpose, and Preaching
Ricky has survived more pain than most of us could imagine – and through it all, his faith, though shaken, has not been broken. His story is one of miraculous survival, deep-rooted trauma, and quiet, persistent redemption. Today, he hopes to be a powerful voice at the Rescue Mission, offering others the encouragement and truth that helped bring him back from the edge.
Born and raised in the Roanoke area, Ricky’s childhood was marked by deep tragedy. At age six, he witnessed the horrifying death of his father, who was hit by a tractor-trailer. Ricky was nearly killed in the same accident, suffering severe trauma to his chest. Not long after, he endured years of physical and sexual abuse, from the age of six until 14. “I could write a book,” he says with a tired but knowing smile.
Click below to read more about Ricky’s story and the rest of the 2025 August Newsletter!
“You Can Come Back”: Thomas’s Journey Through Darkness and Home Again
Thomas grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia, in a family that believed you could achieve anything if you set your mind to it. So, when addiction took hold, it was more than just a personal struggle—it was a battle against everything he’d been taught. For years, he tried to fight it alone, caught in a cycle of jail, probation violations, and despair.
“I kept thinking, I can beat this on my own,” Thomas said. “But addiction doesn’t work like that. I just didn’t want to be locked up again.”
Click below to read more about Thomas’s story and the rest of the 2025 July Newsletter!
A Father’s Fight: A Journey
from Brokenness to Hope
Here at the Mission, every story of recovery is precious. But on Father’s
Day, some of the most powerful stories we hear come from the men who are not just working to rebuild their lives – but to reclaim their role as fathers.
One of those stories belongs to Eric, a man whose past was marked by pain, addiction, and incarceration – but whose present is full of purpose, compassion, and hope.
Before Eric walked through the Mission’s doors for recovery, he had already stayed in the Shelter several times. Back then, he admits he was lost.
Click below to read more about Eric’s story and the rest of the 2025 June Newsletter!
Amber: A Message of Hope
Meet Amber, a beacon of resilience and faith at the Rescue Mission. As a mother of four and a supervisor in the Women’s and Children’s Center, her journey is one of incredible transformation. Amber’s life was marked by addiction, domestic violence, and homelessness for seven years. Yet through it all, she never lost sight of the hope that faith can bring.
“Back in 2019, I reached what I felt was the end. I asked the Lord for forgiveness, and I asked for His help,” she shares. “That was the turning point. It was then that I began to hear Him, and my recovery started. I’ve been sober for six years, and I haven’t looked back. More than just recovery, I found a deep relationship with Christ, and His grace and love continue to transform me.”
Click below to read more about Amber’s story and the rest of the 2025 May Newsletter!
A Life of Service: Larry’s Journey from IT to Inspiring Change
For 34 years, Larry built his career in IT at Anthem, solving complex technical problems and navigating a world of systems and data. But when he retired, he found himself searching for something deeper – a way to give back and make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
Larry’s introduction to the Rescue Mission of Roanoke came through his daughter, who worked in the Women’s and Children’s Center at the time. Seeing the Mission’s work firsthand, Larry was moved by its profound impact. He wanted to be a part of that change and soon began volunteering, teaching money management classes for seven years. But what started as a simple opportunity to give back soon became a calling.
Click below to read more about Larry’s story and the rest of the 2025 April Newsletter!
A Heart for Service: Danielle’s Journey of Compassion and Dedication
Danielle’s story is one of unwavering dedication, compassion, and the deep desire to make a real difference in the lives of others. A hardworking single mother of two young boys, Danielle has always believed in the importance of helping those in need. Raised in Roanoke, she pursued a career in social work, driven by her passion for serving others. Her experience working with various agencies, including social services and the health department, gave her a unique understanding of the struggles many face.
Click below to read more about Danielle’s story and the rest of the 2025 March Newsletter!
Gratitude and Resilience: Glenn’s Journey
Glenn often reflects on how much he owes to the Fralin Free Clinic and Melanie, the Heart Corps service member who has been with him every step of the way. With a family history of heart disease and diabetes, Glenn is grappling with both conditions before even turning 50. His father’s early death at 59 from a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery left a lasting impact on him.
Glenn is a proud father of a 23-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter, and he’s been married for 25 years. He has been a licensed security officer since 1999, but after facing health challenges, Glenn found himself staying at the Rescue Mission. Here he works with the Mission Opportunities to Serve (MOTS), helping with everything from making beds to distributing shirts.
Click below to read more about Glenn’s story and the rest of the 2025 February Newsletter!
A Life Transformed: The Power of Second Chances
Blair’s story is one of struggle, survival, and ultimately, redemption. Growing up in the Tidewater area of Virginia, he was raised in a world few could truly understand. His family had been in the bootlegging business for generations, operating several small clubs that served as both home and business. From a young age, Blair was immersed in a world of excess – smoke-filled rooms, the clink of bottles, and the constant hum of adult conversation. It was a world where indulgence was the norm, and the lessons of his upbringing would shape his path in ways he could never imagine.
Blair’s father was the embodiment of this lifestyle. Known for his love of the party life, his father’s death at just 33 from cirrhosis of the liver left Blair with a deep wound. But instead of pulling him away from the path his father had walked, it pushed him deeper into it. Blair’s life spiraled downward, and by his teenage years, he was no longer just following the footsteps of those before him – he was heading down a dark and dangerous road.
Click below to read more about Blair’s story and the rest of the 2025 January Newsletter!
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!
Randy’s Redemption
Randy’s journey at the Mission began with a background that many wouldn’t expect. An ordained Minister, he found his life falling apart, and his reliance on alcohol to numb his pain caused even more problems. In 2012, he found himself homeless, living in his car. Due to his addiction, he couldn’t save money, so he remained in a cycle of homelessness and hopelessness. Randy stayed at the Mission from 2012 until 2014 when he moved out into an apartment. He stayed there until his addiction became such a barrier that he couldn’t cope anymore. “Addiction caught up to me again” he said of the moments before he came back to the Mission “I was laying in my bed, eating peanut butter out of the jar, just a totally mess.” He decided then that he had to enter the Rescue Mission recovery program. “I was such a mess that I missed the program introduction and orientation, but I called, and he let me come a day late, which he didn’t have to do” he said of the program director at the time “That’s God at work”. So, at 55 years old, Randy came back to the Rescue Mission, eager to accept what God had ready for him.
Click the button below to read more about Randy and the rest of the 2023 December Newsletter!
The Meaning of a Meal
Every November, you can count on The Drumstick DASH, our Thanksgiving meal, and a community coming together as one to make a difference for good. But why does coming together matter? “It really means a lot that volunteers came to serve food today” a guest told me last year at Thanksgiving, “they could be with their families, but they’re here, serving us.” I let this guest know that these volunteers are here because they see him as family. Our wellness as a community depends on the health of our whole community, each one of us. Holly, kitchen supervisor at the Rescue Mission was recently asked about the impact of meals, and what it means to our guests. “Eating meals as a community is important because it brings a sense of fellowship. Many of the guests get to know each other and have formed supportive relationships.” The impact of meals isn’t just felt in the Rescue Mission dining room, but beyond our walls. A meal means that our young guests can focus at school, and our older guests can focus on work when they go in for a shift. A meal means sitting down with others, connecting.
As we move into the fall, our Thanksgiving and Christmas meals are entering the preparation phase, with hundreds of turkeys and hams along with pounds upon pounds of sides ready to provide a meal cooked with love. While meals during the rest of the year mean a full belly and food security, holidays take on an extra meaning, providing guests a place to go where they can feel at home. When asked about her favorite part of the holiday meals Holly said “The family style seating. Instead of coming through the line guests get served at their tables. Another great part is to see the turnout of volunteers and how many people want to spend their holiday helping out and joining the community and seeing all the conversations being had.” The smiles you see on their faces when they are brought food by volunteers and the laughter that fills the room from stories shared all adds to the special moment. Meals mean so much more than the food on the plate. Everything from the presence of volunteers and the service of guests to the spreading of cheer means that for just that moment, everything else melts away. Worries, frustrations, the problems of life are forgotten because the love of others has become contagious, spreading like the love of Jesus at a time when it is needed most.
We invite you to get involved at the Rescue Mission by volunteering at our Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts, or any night you can. Our guests would love to see you.
Click the button below to read more, in the 2023 November Newsletter!
The impact of the DASH: Growth is critical in 2023
“You have to build your recovery on a solid foundation” Janet said when asked about her recovery process, “This wasn’t possible before, but it is now because of what the Mission offers.” Janet is a graduate of the Way Forward Recovery Program, she
graduated over the summer. Now, she is a full time staff member, helping our guests navigate this new life ahead of them. Her journey is one that is possible only because of your support through participation in fundraising events such as the
Drumstick DASH.
As the Event Manager for the Drumstick DASH since 2019, I have had a chance to see the DASH impress, and persevere through tough times. In 2023, we are expecting between 8,000-10,000 supporters to come out and walk or run on Thanksgiving Morning. This is no small feat, especially considering that, much like other races, the pandemic took a toll on participation each year since 2020. In fact, many races were canceled in the immediate face of the pandemic and never came back. The Drumstick DASH was resilient. From 5,065 in 2020 to 7,545 in 2022, we have seen steady growth to grow back to what the DASH was pre-pandemic. We need your help to keep this growth moving. We need your help to strengthen the foundation of fundraising events such as the Drumstick DASH to ensure that critical funding and support is there for those we serve. As we see the demand for our services rising, the Drumstick DASH is more important than ever.
God grants us opportunities to help others. This Thanksgiving, He is giving you the opportunity to give to the Mission and have fun while doing it. Each runner and walker we have signed up for the DASH is like a direct donation right to the Rescue Mission. Your direct donations go to food, shelter, medical services/outreach, and more to ensure that our guests (and those who are unsheltered) have the services and support they need to find a path towards success. Prices will rise at the end of the month, so we encourage you to sign up today. At the Mission, your gift will mean more than you can ever imagine. As we say at the Mission, “the time to help others is always today”. Let’s make an adjustment to that and say “the time to help others is Thanksgiving Day”. We can’t wait to see you out there.
Kevin Berry is the Director of Communications at the Rescue Mission of Roanoke, Event Manager of the Drumstick DASH, and
loves a great slice of pizza.
Click the button below to read more in the 2023 October Newsletter!
My time at the Rescue Mission
Hello! My name is Amanda Kline and I am currently a junior at Hollins University majoring in communications. This summer, I have been given the incredible opportunity to work as a marketing intern at the Rescue Mission. The Rescue Mission holds a special place in my heart as it has been a part of my family for nearly ten years. In 2014, my mother, Natalie, became the assistant children’s chaplain here, and I have spent countless days at the Mission, helping out in children’s chapel and exploring the facility. The Mission and the people I have met there have had a profound impact on my life, and I am forever grateful for that. I have been blessed to have mentors who have guided me along the way and witnessed miracles happening on a daily basis. I am honored to share a small part of my mission story with you.
Click the button below to read more about Amanda Kline, and more, in the 2023 September Newsletter!
Interview with Karen Hart, Art Gallery Coordinator at 2nd Helpings
We are excited to introduce Karen Hart as our new Galley Coordinator at 2nd Helpings. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the art world and we are hopeful she can introduce the Roanoke region to all the beauty that our gallery offers. If you haven’t been by our galley, we invite you to take a look! Check it out at 1502 Williamson Road NE, Roanoke, VA, 24012.
How long have you been working in the art field? What brought you to it?
I was born in Wilmington, Delaware, which along with Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania was part of the Brandywine School artists colony of illustrators. Perhaps the most famous of these were Howard Pyle, Frank Schoonover and N.C. Wyeth. The latter being the father of Andrew Wyeth. Although I enjoyed history and mathematics, art was always my favorite class throughout my school years, but eventually gravitated to a path that combined culture and art. Entering the hospitality industry and later tourism and public relations provided a new view of the world of art. For a number of years I independently promoted travel to Egypt through self-funding roadshows in the USA and publications. Later I gained a contract from the country’s Tourism Ministry to operate press trips that produced media and print publicity. Most recently, I was the Director of the first artists community in the United Arab Emirates.
Click the button below to read more about Karen Hart, and more, in the 2023 August Newsletter!
The Honeycutt Family, 30 years of giving to the Mission
Since 1993, the Honeycutt family has been faithfully giving and serving at the Rescue Mission of Roanoke. The history of your Rescue Mission is filled with donors, volunteers, staff and more who pour their hearts out to make a difference in the lives of our guests. We wanted to get an idea of why donors support the Mission, and figured a good place to start was with some of our longest standing donors. We caught up with Susan Honeycutt, supporter and Board Member at the Rescue Mission.
Click the button below to read more about the Honeycutt Family, and more, in the 2023 July Newsletter!
Meet Nathan Fraley, Rescue Mission Community Health Worker
As a Community Health Worker, Nathan works closely with Rescue Mission and Fralin Free Clinic staff to ensure our guests receive high level, professional care when they come into the Rescue Mission or as we visit them in the community. Nathan was named the 2023 “Community Health Worker of the Year” by the United Way of Roanoke Valley. We sat down with Nathan to hear a bit more about who he is and what his job entails.
Tell us a little about yourself
I was raised in Bedford VA and went to Liberty High School, then attended Christopher Newport University to study Communication and Psychology. After school I worked at a small doctor’s office in Bedford before coming to the Rescue Mission to work in Reception. I later transferred to work at the Fralin Clinic full time last November.
Click the button below to read more about Nathan Fraley, and more, in the 2023 June Newsletter!
Persistence Is Powerful
A shelter guest is making moves, and her story is one of hope.
In late March, the Rescue Mission featured a short video in an email about Robin, a shelter guest who came to us almost eight months ago. Her journey began in confusion but has transformed into confidence and a bright outlook on life. While using all the emergency services at her disposal, she found other services that she didn’t expect to make such a big difference in her stay.
Robin loves the art classes that we hold for our guests, proclaiming that it gives her comfort to know that “I have a place where I can go express myself”. Many of our guests talk of how they find peace through classes, case management, chapel, and Robin is no exception. At chapel, there’s a sense of fellowship “when we pray together, we stay together” according to Robin. Financial classes and case management also had a major impact on her stay, helping to guide her while on site and preparing her for the future that’s ahead. Her faith that God will always turn things around gave her the determination and persistence to stay focused on getting the little things right so she can do one big thing, move out.
Click the button below to read more about Robin, and more, in the 2023 May Newsletter!
An inspiring coat in a beautiful space
For many of our guests, the first place they visit at the Rescue Mission is our dining room. We know how important is to make our dining area a space of love, warmth, and compassion. Russell Chu, a local artist with a passion for helping others, created three murals in our dining space that illustrate the love, direction, and comfort of Christ while also bringing bright colors and designs to such a critical space at the Mission.
“Something deeper inside motivated me” said Russell Chu when asked about why he painted the murals “and I’m so glad people are enjoying them”. He spoke of how it is not always easy to find the right design for a specific space, but that it’s important to have artwork in spaces like the dining area. “After I did the first painting of God’s hands encompassing the world, I texted a picture to my brother. He said it gave him peace and comfort”. Once he heard this, he knew “it wasn’t just an art project, but a mission from God”. Russel hopes that his murals will have an impact on those who come to the Mission, and that it gives them the same inspiration he felt. Concerning the importance of each mural, Russell said “we need such expression of faith, especially in dark times”.
We encourage you to come and volunteer at the Mission or take a tour and see these murals for yourself. They are a beautiful expression of God’s love for us all, and His comfort in tough times. We thank Russell for his amazing work and cannot wait to see the impact that his work will have for years to come.
Click the button below to read more in the 2023 April Newsletter!
Meet Leah Shank Director of Development
Leah Shank is the Director of Development at the Rescue Mission. Bringing years of nonprofit experience to the job, she is excited to share all the ways people can get involved through giving.
What was your background before coming to the Rescue Mission?
I have worked for several faith-based non-profits with my job responsibilities ranging from counseling, providing training for social workers and older youth aging out of foster care, volunteer management, and fundraising.
As our Director of Development, what does your job entail?
The goal of my job is to provide the resources the Rescue Mission needs to serve every person that walks through our doors needing health, hope, and healing. My job entails reaching out to donors, identifying new donors, securing grants, planned giving, and building and maintaining relationships with churches and businesses. Basically, connecting with anyone that wants to walk along side the Mission in “helping hurting people in Jesus’ name”.
Click the button below to read more about Leah Shank, and more, in the 2023 March Newsletter!
Rescue Mission Profile in Commitment
“You have to build your recovery on a solid foundation”
Janet came to the Rescue Mission a year ago looking for recovery and a new start. What she found was a community of people who have encouraged her and helped her to find her talents, peace, and purpose. When asked about encouragement at the Mission she said “I discovered that I have a talent for art. When I was working the in the art studio, Mrs. Beverly told me that I had a gift and that I should keep going, now I’m looking into working in Art Therapy when I graduate”. Encouragement wasn’t all she found at the Mission, she found a passion for helping others, and a commitment to serving others who are seeking recovery once she leaves here. “Maybe by building my skills, it means I can help others in recovery” she thought aloud, “but today I’m committed to my recovery”.
Janet can be see smiling all around the Rescue Mission, bringing light to everyone she connects with. To hear more on Janet’s story, listen to our podcast “Rescue Recorded”. Her interview in Season 1, Episode 3 looks into her transformation and what she views as critical resources at the Mission and beyond.
Join us in a network of love!
It was like holding love in my arms. A tiny bundle softly breathing, swaddled and secure in the crook of my embrace, took my breath away. Here he was! Our first grandchild arrived, with his mother safe and sound after a scary delivery. What love is this!
Carl Sandburg said that “A baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.” And yet, it is a messy, overwhelming world we live in. Troubles surround us. At the Rescue Mission, daily we see the results of a broken world. Illness. Addiction. Poverty. Abuse. Finding love seems impossible at times.
Click the button below to read more of Lee Clark’s story, and more, in the 2023 February Newsletter!
Rescue Mission Profile in Commitment
Daneen has been on staff at the Rescue Mission of Roanoke for just about a year. She is the first shift supervisor for the Women and Children’s Center. “The work at the Mission is so important to me because it’s a representation of Christ’s intent for a communal plan to aid in the need of our community. It is Love. It is helping hurting people in the name of Jesus” she recently told us in an interview. Daneen is the first of a weekly series we have celebrating our 75th anniversary at the Rescue Mission. Click below to hear more from Daneen through our podcast, Rescue Recorded.
Big Prayer
How big are your prayers?
Full disclosure – there are times when I get so caught up in the heaviness of this work that my prayers seem to be mired to the earth. Domestic violence. Mental illness. Substance use. Physical impairment. People lost in the trauma of abuse and illness being unwilling or unable to come into a safe place.
In those moments when I can’t see a way forward, that things are beyond my control, that my own weakness overshadows the potential for change…just when things seem at their worst, light breaks through. God reminds me that He is in control. That his power is limitless. That I need to be still. Quiet. Small. And let Him be big in all his creative power and might. Then my prayers can soar.
And when our prayers soar, and our sense of self is anchored in God alone, great things can happen.
I see it every day at this Rescue Mission.
Click the button below to read more of Lee Clark’s story, and more, in the 2023 January Newsletter!