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Community Corner

RESCUE MISSION CEO's JOIN TO EDUCATE CAPITOL HILL ON SERVING THE HOMELESS San Diego Rescue Mission Participates in 2014 AGRM D.C. Forum

Herb Johnson, President and CEO of San Diego Rescue Mission (www.sdrescue.org), along with approximately 30 other rescue mission CEOs and leaders from across North America, gathered in Washington, D.C. March 3–5 for the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (AGRM) annual DC Forum. 

 

The event featured discussion and education on vital public policy issues facing Rescue Missions today, including: strong charitable giving incentives; broad conscience protections for all faith-based organizations; postal reform; balanced federal homelessness policy; and more.

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“I’m humbled to participate with my Rescue Mission colleagues from around the nation,” said Johnson. “The sharing, combined with camaraderie and mutual respect, is a true blessing to me.”

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Johnson also spent time in private meetings, arranged by AGRM, informing and educating elected officials, congressional staff, and executive branch officials about AGRM’s public policy goals and San Diego Rescue Mission’s work to serve the homeless and poor in San Diego. 

Since 1955, San Diego Rescue Mission has embraced and blessed those in need with programs such as Nueva Vida Haven, an emergency overnight shelter for women and children; the Mission’s Women and Children's Center , 12-month residential recovery program; and the Men's Center, 12-month residential recovery program.  The San Diego Rescue Mission’s Recuperative Care Unit offers up to 22 patients a safe and supportive environment, meals, oversight of medical treatment, case management and counseling, and follow-up care. The program also helps patients establish eligibility for public benefits and works to secure them long-term housing. Our Outpatient Clinic provides therapy at no cost to individuals, families, children and couples who are homeless, at risk for homelessness or those who are unable to afford therapy.  Partners for Hunger Relief bolsters food recovery efforts in San Diego and serves a broad base of agencies and people.

Each year, AGRM member ministries serve approximately 50 million meals, provide 25 million nights’ of shelter and housing, distribute 30 million pieces of clothing, bandage the wounds of hundreds of abuse victims, and graduate more than 20,000 homeless men and women from addiction-recovery programs into productive living.

 

Now in its 101st year, AGRM is an association of nearly 300 rescue missions across North America. Rescue missions have been serving the poor in America since the 1870s. They are experts at providing effective care for men, women, and children who are hungry, homeless, abused, or addicted. Today, rescue missions that are members of AGRM provide life-changing services in 46 states and in more than 175 congressional districts across the United States.

 

Colorado Springs-based AGRM is North America’s oldest and largest network of independent crisis shelters and rehabilitation centers, offering radical hospitality in the name of Jesus. AGRM exists to proclaim the passion of Jesus toward the hungry, homeless, abused and addicted; and to accelerate quality and effectiveness in member missions. For more information, visit www.agrm.org.

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