Who Are You?

In previous posts, we've put the spotlight on the Discipleship Academy, Family Services, and Food Services. Along with these aspects of our ministry, the Mission is an emergency shelter for homeless men; the Mission provides case management with a full time LSW who supervises social work interns from several universities, and the Mission engages in a robust collaboration with outside social service agencies.

The Mission is not a drug rehabilitation center, although daily we deal with individuals who are in various stages of recovery from addiction. The Mission is not a mental health facility, although we provide shelter for individuals with mental health issues. The Mission is not an employment agency, although a large part of our effort is directed to workforce development that is designed to send people into the marketplace as productive, reliable workers. The Mission is not a church, although we provide a Sunday morning service for those who have no access to weekly worship. The Mission is not a seminary, although we commit a major part of our resources to instructing people in the ways of Scripture and in leading people to become followers of Christ.

The Mission does all of this - but the question of identity is still important. Who or what are we? This question will be more completely addressed in subsequent posts.

Spotlight on Food Services

The Rescue Mission is more than a homeless shelter. As many know, we operate a full service meal program or "soup kitchen." We provide meals for our resident clients and for anyone from the general public who is in need of a hot, nutritious meal. The Mission has served 3 meals daily for most of its history.

 Even though we had a significant leak in the kitchen last week, our food service staff is still on track to serve an average of 631 meals each day, "rain" or shine. As you can tell by the graphic, the average number of meals served daily has increased significantly in the last 10 years.

We rely upon monetary donations, food drives and food donations, volunteer servers and preparers to help in this enormous endeavor. These come along side our 3 full time and one part time food service staff.

Here's how you can help:

• Donate! Call Lynn Wyant to learn the different ways to do this. 
• Volunteer to provide a meal
• Volunteer to prepare a meal
• Volunteer to serve a meal
• Pray for God to continue to preserve our failing infrastructure

Spotlight on Family Service

Many people do not realize that homelessness impacts, not only men, but women, women with children and entire families. In response to the growth of this segment of the homeless population, in 1988 the Rescue Mission opened a family service unit.

This week in Family Services, we have sheltered 27 children, 26 women, and 2 married couples. Imagine if you can, 27 children in a building with no playground, no place to enjoy outdoor activities now that school is out for the summer.

Our house is full with people, with noise, with laughter, and with the love of Christ. Please pray for us during this summer. We are in need of a new facility to more adequately meet the needs of the growing homeless population - especially woman and children. Contact the Mission to learn how you can help.

The Discipleship Academy

Today we turn the spotlight on the Discipleship Academy. The Academy is a program of intensive Bible study and service duties designed to achieve these outcomes in every individual in the Academy:

• Provide a solid foundation for life by introducing men to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Build upon this foundation by grounding the students in the truth of Scripture though doctrinal and expositional studies. Below are but a few of the courses offered:
• Apologetics
• Basic Bible Doctrine
• Church History
• Conflict Resolution
• Expository Teaching (teaching through books of the Bible)
• Goal setting and Action planning.
• Personal Finance
• History of Redemption
• Employment Seeking Skills.
• Equip men in the Academy to become godly fathers/husbands who are strong enough to face the challenges of a world that does not value holiness, Christ-likeness, integrity, and hard work.

You can partner with the Rescue Mission as we help the men in the Discipleship Academy work toward these outcomes.

Keep reading. We will spotlight different ministries in future posts.

Summer Signs

These are sure signs of summer at the Rescue Mission:

• First, our über-volunteer Becky Long is sorting a donation of summer clothing items for our women and children. Space is at a premium at the shelter, so these clothes need to be stored in what space we have available. Thanks, Becky for tackling this difficult task.
• Second, box fans have been purchased to replace ones from last year that were worn out or damaged. Our building really gets hot and the people who stay with us need all the help available to beat the heat.

Storing clothes and buying fans are not likely what comes to mind when thinking of helping individuals who experience homelessness. It is, however, one of those "mundane" tasks that must be accomplished all the time.

Thanks to all who remember us throughout the year as we minster to people in need.

Selfies

Two of our staff members were good sports and allowed us to use them to test drive our "selfie wall" at the Rescue Mission. Crystal Eckman, Mission Ambassador (L) and Robbie Jones, Family Service Manager (R) seem to be enjoying the experience.

When you come to the Mission to tour or volunteer, make sure you have your picture taken in front of our "selfie wall." No, we won't paste it all over social media (without your permission, that is), and yes, there is a lot of laughter at the Rescue Mission. Jesus brings us joy and we are happy to share our joy in Christ with all who come for a visit or for shelter.

Servant's Heart Award

Thanks Director of Development Lynn Wyant for this post:

The Rescue Mission of Mahoning honored seven exceptional volunteers on Wednesday May 4, 2016 at the Emergency Shelter located at 962 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Youngstown, Ohio in a special ceremony. Each of the honorees received the Rescue Mission’s highest volunteer honor – The "Servant’s Heart" Award.

Lynn Wyant, Director of Development explained "This award originated in 2006 to honor one exceptional volunteer. Barbara Clark has since passed away but was a faithful volunteer who cheerfully served the Mission during years of illness. She inspired others and she inspired us so it was decided that we would create a special honor to give to our most dedicated volunteers."

Wyant added, "every year, hundreds of individuals and groups give sacrificially of their time to help the Rescue Mission. Annually, the Mission receives nearly 25,000 hours of donated volunteer time and sincerely appreciates each and every volunteer."

The following individuals were recognized their exceptional efforts to help the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley: Rick Blair III, Madison Goske, Becky Long, Sharon Moser, Kristi Schmitz and Sandi Love & Jacci Bradley.