Rescue missions and other faith-based homeless service providers help people experiencing homelessness all over the country. Today we're highlighting five of them.

When working with homeless service providers in most cities, you'll notice there is often a distinction between faith-based service providers and other secular providers. The difference often comes from the type of services offered and the funding sources associated with those funding sources.

Often faith-based groups will forgo traditional funding via federal, state, or local government to offer services tied more directly to their religious mission. One of the most common of these types of providers is city Rescue Missions.

Rescue missions emerged in the late 1800s as religious groups seeking to convert and rehabilitate the down-and-out. Over time their services have changed, but one constant remained: Each day, their teams seek out those who need a helping hand.

Today we're highlighting the work of three rescue missions around the country. We recognize that hundreds of rescue missions could share this spotlight (so we'll probably be doing a few more of these posts), but here are three that have caught our eye over the last year.

Open Door Mission

Located in Omaha, Nebraska, the Open Door Mission has been serving individuals in Omaha since 1954. Operating multiple facilities, including the Garland Thompson Men's Center, the Lydia House Women and Family Center, and various Family Outreach and Donation centers, the Open Door Mission offers life-changing programs to help end the cycle of homelessness and poverty.

Over the last year, Open Door Mission provided 150,000 nights of safe shelter, delivered over a million meals, and helped nearly 24,000 individuals avoid homelessness.

You can check out more about Open Door Mission here.

San Diego Rescue Mission

In 1954 (must have been something special about that year), a group of leaders in San Diego began to search for a way to address homelessness and hunger in their city.

The San Diego Rescue Mission emerged, which helps provide food, clothing, and spiritual guidance to the region's homeless population.

Today the San Diego Rescue Mission operates emergency shelters for Women and Children, a children's preschool for those experiencing homelessness, and a residential program called the 'Mission Academy,' which provides tools and training to help them transform their lives.

To find out more about the San Diego Rescue Mission, click here.

Denver Rescue Mission

In 1892, with a vision to restore broken lives, the Denver Rescue Mission was formed. Originally it served former prostitutes, but over the years, the mission of restoring shattered lives remains.

Today the Denver Rescue Mission delivers services to individuals experiencing homelessness by providing emergency services, rehabilitation, community outreach, and transitional programs.

These services include meals, emergency shelter, case management services, and essential educational opportunities.

Via their New Life and Next Steps programs, the Denver Rescue Mission also helps people build self-sufficiency and supports them in overcoming the challenges that have hindered their success in the past.

To find out more about the Denver Rescue Mission, check out their website.

Support a Rescue Mission near you

Rescue Missions around the country are doing fantastic work. While we highlighted three amazing organizations, the Rescue Missions in your area need your help to continue to offer the services that make the most impact in your area. As the holiday season approaches, it's never been easier to make a difference with your donation search for your local rescue mission and find out how you can make a difference in your community today.

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