COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: FREDERICK RESCUE MISSION

Welcome to the latest blog post in our Community Spotlight series, where we highlight the remarkable individuals and organizations that make Frederick a great place to live and work. 

In this post, we’re turning our attention to the Frederick Rescue Mission, an organization that has been in our community for over 60 years. From providing meals and shelter to offering life-changing recovery programs, the Frederick Rescue Mission embodies the spirit of giving back that makes Frederick so special. 

Join us as we explore the mission’s journey, its profound impact on the community, and how its dedicated staff and volunteers continue to transform lives every day.

What do you think makes Frederick a great place to live?

Frederick is an unusually community-minded culture. Most residents seem intrinsically motivated to give back to the community, generously contributing time and resources. Many organizations throughout Frederick benefit from a healthy foundation of volunteers; Frederick Rescue Mission sees about 1,000 every month! We distribute groceries to over 7,000 people each month, all donated or purchased with financial donations from our community. The gently worn garment donations clothe about 1,500 people each month. We accept no government funding—all expenses are financed through community donations. The success of the Mission is linked to the compassion of our community.

Can you share more about the founding vision of the Frederick Rescue Mission and how it has evolved over the past 60 years?

In 1964, the Frederick Rescue Mission opened to impact our community in need. What began with a thrift store and 10-bed shelter for homeless men has expanded to touch the lives of tens of thousands of people over the years.

In 1984, the Mission made a bold move to the heart of downtown Frederick, transforming the building that once served as the Frederick County jail into a place where people can be free to experience hope and healing. This transformation symbolizes our belief in the power of change and our commitment to creating a better future for our community.

Over the next decade, the Bread of Life Community Kitchen opened, and we still offer breakfast and lunch 365 days a year to the hungry and homeless. Then, we reached a significant milestone when we started the Changed Life Recovery Program (CLRP) to address the core issues of addiction by helping to heal the body and mind.

In addition to daily breakfast and dinner, we provide no-cost groceries for our community to take home and share with their families, allowing us to serve greater numbers of people in need. This ministry expanded from its beginnings as a hallway aisle inside the main Mission building to the current stand-alone Food Distribution Center.

Faith House – an employment-focused residential program for women and women with children who are experiencing homelessness – opened in 2016. The Faith House can house up to 12 women and 8 children. Not long after, in 2020, this ministry expanded by adding the Faith House Transitional Living Program apartments. This year-long program provides a supportive environment for up to 19 women and 16 children.

In December 2018, we built the George L. Shields Bread of Life Kitchen. This upgraded kitchen facility is where our staff and volunteers prepare meals with love. It is also an encouraging and safe place for the men in our residential program to learn new skills and gain a sense of pride in their work.

No other organization in Frederick serves more meals or provides more food items to hungry and homeless men, women, and children. Serving for 60 years, the Frederick Rescue Mission and its life-changing programs are still making a difference – changing lives now and for eternity.

The Frederick Rescue Mission has a long history in the community. How have local partnerships and collaborations contributed to your success and ability to serve more people?

The staff and volunteers of Frederick Rescue Mission strive to meet the needs of each person we serve. We ask questions daily, listen, and refer people to our community partners if we can’t meet their needs. We work in tandem with the Department of Housing and Human Services, the Mental Health Association of Frederick County, beyond Shelter, Justice Jobs, Heartly House, and many other community groups and churches in Frederick County.

What is one program or service provided by the Frederick Rescue Mission that you feel is not as well-known to the community?

Many people know “of” the Mission with a vague idea that we help the poor and homeless. Often, they are familiar with a specific service. However, they usually have no idea at just how much we do to rescue people from hunger, homelessness, poverty and chemical addiction. We welcome people to come in to tour the Mission and see our work in action. These tours are very popular with tour-goers amazed at all that happens on our campus.

How do you approach the challenge of meeting both immediate needs and fostering long-term stability for the individuals and families you serve?

We do not just meet the immediate needs of our guests; we develop relationships with them. We facilitate volunteers coming alongside our guests to listen and pray. We offer year-long residential programs for men in recovery and women who want to transition out of homelessness. In the context of relationships, we can help people in the ways they want to be helped—physically, emotionally, educationally, and spiritually.

Looking ahead, what are some of the key goals and initiatives for the Frederick Rescue Mission in the coming years? Are there any new projects or expansions on the horizon?

The needs of the community are not going to lessen anytime soon. In fact, those coming for help continue to increase. Our goal is to continue serving to meet those needs, all the while striving to “love better.”

Community involvement and volunteer support are crucial to your operations. How can individuals and organizations in Frederick support your mission?

We work to rescue people from poverty, hunger, and chemical addiction. If you or your organization resonates with that mission, there are many ways you can participate. We do not accept government funding; we are entirely dependent on the financial and volunteer support of our community.

Bonus: How does the mission balance its spiritual ministry with providing practical support like food, shelter, and addiction recovery programs?

The Mission’s spiritual ministry is the force behind our programs because the central motivating factor is love. Jesus loves each person who comes for services and compels us to love them as well. We strive to help people in every way they want help—physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Conclusion

The Frederick Rescue Mission is a lifeline for thousands in our community. The commitment to addressing both immediate needs and long-term recovery is a testament to the compassion and resilience that defines Frederick. 

The Mission’s success is deeply intertwined with the support of local residents, volunteers, and organizations, all working together to create a better future for everyone. Whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, there are countless ways to get involved and make a difference. 

For more, go to https://therescuemission.org/