News
Lives Are Being Changed
YOU CARE
2016 IN
REVIEW
February 2017
Issue 2, Volume 68
When I first started working at
FRESNO RESCUE MISSION, INC.
the Mission in 2010 I knew very little
about the ministries, only that they
did “good” work in our community.
In truth, I had no idea. In fact, that
is the response we most often hear
when we provide tours of the Fresno
Rescue Mission; “I HAD NO IDEA!”
In this edition of Lighthouse News,
we are looking back to Review 2016.
As you will see, we celebrate life change. Everything we endeavor to
do is designed to help individuals and families break cycles that have
them bound, whether by poverty, homelessness or addiction. Our
focus is to help each person take steps toward real freedom found only
through Jesus Christ. From the simplest service of a meal, to a fully
designed addiction recovery program, our purpose is to share hope
for their future. Though you will read statistical information on the
following pages, we hope you will focus less on mere numbers and,
instead, see people. Every statistic represents a name with a fantastic
story to tell. Each person has been impacted BECAUSE YOU CARE.
310 G Street, Fresno CA 93706
P. O. Box 1422, Fresno CA 93716-1422
Phone: (559) 268-0839 – Fax: (559) 268-1317
FRESNO RESCUE MISSION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steve Ocheltree, Chairman
Jim Mosqueda , Vice-Chairman
Robert Abrams, Treasurer
Matthew Dildine, Secretary
Leonel Alvarado
Pastor David Carothers
Daral Kennedy
Please remember the
Steve Pearson
Fresno Rescue Mission
Lonnie Petty
in your will or trust
Emil “Butch” Rusconi
Janet Steinhauer
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
Don Eskes, Chief Executive Officer
Pastor Rob Cravy, Chief Operating Officer
Randy Bresee, Chief Financial Officer
Deborah Torres, Chief Development Officer
COMMUNITY CARE - Pastor Jay Carroll, Director
315 G Street, Fresno CA 93706
FOOD SERVICES - Phillip Roberts, Director
THE ACADEMY – Rev. Bud Searcy, Director
RESCUE THE CHILDREN - Priscilla Robbins, Director
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - Karen Gutilla, Director
Mission at the Mission
335 G Street, Fresno CA 93706
[email protected]
I know that God is using the Fresno Rescue Mission for His glory. It
is my honor to serve our community and to serve with you. Together,
we are making a difference in the world around us.
If you haven’t been to the Mission lately, come for a tour. Experience
and see how your giving is impacting not only our community, but
every life that is changed. Thank you for being a part of RESCUE!
Gratefully,
Don Eskes
Chief Executive Officer
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not
known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide
them; I will turn the darkness into light
before them and make the rough
places smooth. These are the things
I will do; I will not forsake them.”
Isaiah 42:16
Tours/Volunteer Opportunities
http://fresnorm.org/get-involved/
FRM Speakers Bureau
http://fresnorm.org/programs/
DEVELOPMENT - Larry Hodges, Donor Relations
(559) 268-0839, Ext. 134 [email protected]
FRM THRIFT STORE AND CARS - Sandra Patel, Director
181 E. Sierra, Fresno CA 93710
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF:
Al Kawasaki - YourRacePhotos.net
[email protected]
Ted Morgan - FRM Volunteer
Ken Scheid - ScheidImages.smugmug.com
[email protected]
Scott Streble - Scott Streble Photography
[email protected]
Mariano Friginal - MARIANOFRIGINAL.com
ADDRESS CHANGES – Linda Culver
(559) 268-0839, Ext. 209 - [email protected]
Income Sources
15,618
Number of Donors
Including In-Kind Donors and
12,700 Monetary Donors
Individuals
Companies
Foundations
Churches
Service Organizations
Other
75.21%
13.00%
7.78%
3.36%
0.58%
0.07%
Total
100%
All of our ministry income comes from our
community — we accept no government funding.
Food Services
273,750
Meals Served
Food is the most basic
human need, and our desire
is to build relationships with
people through a simple meal.
Every night, 365 days a year,
our amazing team serves
hope through a warm meal.
Currently, we serve between
750-1000 meals per day to the
men, women, and children
in our programs, homeless
individuals and families from
our local community who come
to us because they don’t have
enough to eat.
As the Fresno Rescue Mission
receives food donations we are
able to keep our food costs low.
In fact, it only cost about $1.76
to serve a hearty, hot meal at
the Mission.
“I once dreamt of being a chef. Cooking is my passion and food
comforts my soul. The thing is, when your heart isn’t in it the food you make
tastes nasty. When I was sick in my addiction, people could tell how I felt
inside and how I felt nothing for them just from the flavors I put on their
plate.
The food we eat at Rescue the Children tastes like we’re loved.” ~ Quiana
DID YOU KNOW... ?
When we are not able to fully utilize the donations because of
quantity or expiration, we share with over 100 other ministries,
community-based organizations and the Food to Share Network. In
this way, we are able to fully utilize every donation, even redirecting
remnants to a biofuel processing plant instead of a landfill.
Community Care
“When I think of myself, I still envision a
9,376
Bed Nights
2,149
Unique Individuals
caring man with a purpose. When I look in the
mirror, I see what the world sees; a bum. I don’t
want to see that. I used to be a professional musician
with a family and a home. I worked in night clubs
for years and never drank. Occasionally I smoked,
but I was still a responsible citizen.
Seven years ago my marriage ended. I started
drinking heavily. In 2015 I was driving while
intoxicated and destroyed my car. I lost my
license, spent 5 days in jail, paid a $2000 fine, and
continued to spiral out of control. Today, at age 65, I’m a patient through the County of
Behavioral Health and have been homeless for nearly 2 years. At my age I just didn’t
believe I could survive another winter on the streets. It’s a harsh, dangerous life. I feel
very blessed and grateful to have found the Mission. Everyone here treats people with
dignity and respect. They see in me what I used to see.” ~ Dwight
24 Hour Emergency Services:
Overnight Stay
1956
1,060 male, 535 female, 361 children
Case Management
482
Referrals 2,279
Since June 2016
911 Calls
Respite Center
Warming Center
136
138
674
Sobering Center
55
Not unique individuals
Not unique individuals
“It feels good to attend
evening services offered
here. The chaplains are
nice and the stories they
share make me appreciate
how much God loves me.
I even appreciate being
arrested. The police
probably saved my life.”
~ Jose
Life-Transforming
Programs
328
Academy
Residents Served
The Academy:
Transitioned to Aftercare
78
Found Employment
Enrolled in College
97%
3%
Men who completed the one-year
residential portion of their program
and transitioned to job search,
transitional living and
ongoing care services
“I used to think I would never read. I never read well in school and was never stable in school.
From the age of 6 I travelled back and forth with my family between Mexico and California. My mom, my 4
brothers and sisters, and myself were all born in the US, but my dad was deported several times after he lost
his temporary immigration status, so we stayed together. The last time we crossed over to California I was 16
and felt friendless. To fit in, I followed the kids in my neighborhood who were using drugs and gang banging.
My mistakes were many. Having been stabbed four times, I am fortunate to still be alive.
My last stay in jail brought me to a moment with Jesus. My cell mate was
reading Scripture to me. I heard, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make
us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 The
words touched my heart. Today, the words fly off the page and I can read
them myself. They make sense to me, which was never the case before.
Coming to the Mission has changed my life. I have reunited with my family
and my own children. I no longer have cravings for drugs. I no longer
want the life I was living when I ran the streets. Even the church I attended
as a child welcomed me back 15 years later. The same people are still there
and the worship time with my family is special. I am so thankful that Jesus
is watching over me, and for the love of other believers. I feel like I finally
have a chance at freedom.” ~ Christopher
Life-Transforming
Programs Continued
“My favorite childhood memory is of my
mom’s beautiful smile as she would kiss my face
all over, being playful. I sometimes wish I had
never lost that feeling, but I did.
201
RTC Residents
Served
If there is one thing I have learned from my time
at Rescue the Children, it is that I am worth so
much more than what I was choosing for myself
while I was lost in my addiction. It was a time of
hopelessness. I was tired, sobbing, crying out to God in the shower. I was
frightened and wanted so much more for myself and my children. The
Lord answered my cry for help and guided me to the Mission.
Rescue the Children:
Women 92
Children 109
Moms reunited with children 12
Were restricted, limited, or had no
contact with their children prior to
coming to the community
Transitioned to Aftercare
21
Those who completed the one-year
residential portion of their program
and transitioned to job search,
transitional living and
ongoing care services
Found Employment 38%
Enrolled in College 10%
Today, I feel free! I quote one particular Scripture over and over, claiming
the words as if I wrote them myself:
You, Lord, are my lamp;
the Lord turns my darkness into light.
2 Samuel 22:29
I am filled with hope because of the light of Christ - and I am also so
grateful. I am learning to be joyful in His peace, discovering the blessings
of being a great mother to my beautiful children.
All I can say is THANK YOU!” ~ Angelina
DID YOU KNOW... ?
In December 2016, we had 25 women and 38 children enrolled at Rescue
the Children (not all are pictured below). It was a full house, requiring the
added shuffle of rooms and resources to cover the need. Thank you, Lord,
for your provision!
www.fresnorm.org
“The power of God is truly amazing. We recently hosted a
group through our Mission at the Mission ministry. They were
preparing for a prayer walk with their youth when one of their
team members asked if they could also wash the feet of the people
they might meet on their venture. So the staff and disciples quickly
gathered together supplies of soap, towels, gloves, and a cooler
filled with warm water. The team set off.
Community
Engagement
Love in Action
8,178
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil;
cling to what is good. Be devoted to one
another in love. Honor one another above
yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the
Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the
Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13
Service Hours
Logged
2,211 Hours Serving through the Mission
5,967 Hours Serving through other
partnering organizations
Mission at the Mission:
Groups Equipped in 2016
Total Attendees
Meals Served
Bed Nights
The first person they met was sheltered on the sidewalk in a tent.
When they asked him if he wanted his feet washed, he stepped
outside with a pair of clean socks folded in his hands. He said,
“I was just sitting here, getting ready to put on my brand new pair
of socks, wondering how I was going to get my feet clean.” The
youth members knelt down, washed his feet, prayed with him, and
proceeded to pray over and wash the little paws of the man’s puppy.
There were no dry eyes on this walk of faith.”
33
1,239
5,485
2,025
“This ministry account took place in January 2017, but it is a familiar
story of the Holy Spirit’s ever-present power at work in our ministry
efforts each year. As we share with you the statistical information
from 2016, we never want to lose the focus and the value found in just
ONE LIFE impacted by Jesus.
Thank you, for all you do!”
Karen Gutilla
Community Engagement Director
Community
Engagement
Continued
FRM Department of Volunteers:
Total Volunteers Registered 2,649
Active Groups
238
16,214
75 churches, 46 businesses,
25 schools, 92 family groups
Relational Volunteers
221
... building relationships with
the people we serve,
one generous hour at a time...
Volunteer
Service Hours
Aircondition Repair Instructors
Academy Mentors
Beauty Consultants
Disciple Community Service
GED/Literacy/Tutors
Data Entry (Donor Development)
Food Services
FRM Thrift Store
Mission at the Mission Aides
Clothing Closet
Counseling
Children’s Discovery Center
RTC Fun Fridays
Child Mentor
Library Helper
Reading to the Children
RTC Instructors
RTC Mentors
Super Saturday Sponsors & Aides
Academy/RTC one day project
Event Helpers
Office Helpers
Fresno Rescue Mission
Thrift Store and Cars
THANK YOU!
As of December 2016, the Thrift Store is open and better
than ever! In November 2015, when the roof collapsed
at the store, we weren’t sure what was going to happen.
We knew it was important to remain open because of
the varied services we provide. So, we developed a plan
and we were up and running within 2 weeks, operating
out of a “tent” in front of the store. We didn’t think it
would take all year to reconstruct, though. Thank you
for your patience!
Vocational Training Hours 11,800
Hours generated by Community Care participants,
Disciples in the Academy and RTC, and program participants
outside the Mission (Light-House Recovery Program)
Two-Year Transitional Employees
Hired by the Thrift Store
15
Temporary entry-level staff positions designed for men and
women who are either graduating from the residential
portion of their program (transitional phase), or participants
advancing through the Community Care process.
“With the support of the community, we have been able
to continue to serve the needs of all who come to us; maintaining
employment for our transitional employees and vocational training
for program participants. In fact, most of the staff we have today
have never worked in the store building. I am very proud of our
staff. They have had the best attitude and dedication through
Fresno’s HOT and COLD.” ~ Sandra Patel, Thrift Store Director
YOUR GIFTS MATTER
Support RESCUE today! For an easy gift plan, go to our website and set up a
recurring gift, or make a one-time gift in honor of someone you love. Thank You!
www.fresnorm.org