City Rescue Mission Helps Thousands of Clients Heal from Homelessness

The man was obviously drunk and homeless when he wandered up to The City Rescue Mission in Oklahoma City. He wasn’t a mean drunk, just a lost and lonely drunk, so the staff at Oklahoma City’s homeless shelter welcomed the ragged soul in, tucked him into a bunk and told him God loved him.

For months after, City Rescue staff tried to counsel the man, tried to convince him to enter their recovery program. However, the man was drunk… all the time.

He reeked of homelessness, and people shied away from the ragged, wild look of him. He didn’t want to talk or be saved. He was lost in the dark, grey fog of alcohol and despair.

Then one day, he came to Reverend Tom Jones, director of the City Rescue Mission.

He was sober, for once. He wanted to tell his story…

 

The City Rescue Mission, tucked away along Reno Avenue in downtown Oklahoma City, is a haven for the lost souls of the world. With 400 men’s beds and 200 women’s beds, along with a family center, The City Rescue Mission isn’t just a homeless shelter, but a place where lives are turned around.

With his wide, accepting smile, Jones leads staff and clients alike in a journey of recovery and renewal. He understands that no one aims to be homeless.

“I’ve never met anyone who reached a point in which they say, ‘I’ve arrived! I have achieved my dream to be a homeless adult!’” Jones said. “What happens is that they reach a point of hopelessness and they feel they cannot get out of the hole they are in.”

The City Rescue Mission helps the thousands of clients, served annually, get out of that hole. It’s a place of healing, growth and belief.

 

A Better Way

The drunk was clear-eyed the day he spoke to Jones. He simply walked up and told his story:

The dirty homeless drunk was a successful business owner in Dallas. On the day of his wife’s funeral—a day that broke his heart into pieces—his son and his son’s family were killed in a head-on accident on the way to the funeral.

He buried his wife and his child. He then bought a bottle of booze and started walking. That was three years ago. He was finally ready to face his pain and heartbreak and go home.

Jones helped to create the Bridge To Life program at City Rescue Mission, the largest, free drug and alcohol recovery program in the state. The 10-month program combats alcohol, drug abuse and other life-controlling problems.

The center also partners with more than 70 agencies to provide free access to medical, dental, veteran’s benefits, counseling, education, job placement and more.

“We will work with you to end your homelessness,” said Jones. “As a faith-based center, we let you stay and eat here for free for however long it takes, as long as you are working with us to get the help you need.”

City Rescue Mission also provides care for the up to 100 children at the shelter, a GED program, a work program and an education program. Clients living at the shelter are offered jobs through partner companies. Clients are also helped into college where they can learn skills like medical coding or dental assisting.

Short-term housing and programs for the severely disabled or elderly are also components of the center’s mission.

With 5,000-plus clients served at The City Rescue Mission each year, the center is funded solely through private donations.

“We let clients stay for as long as it takes for our team to help them succeed,” said Jones.

 

Mission Of Faith

Anthony Drzewiecki, 49, is one of the graduates of the Bridge to Life Program. He knew he had an alcohol problem and he wanted a change.

“I knew I had enough, but I didn’t know what to do about it,” he said. After a few failed attempts at recovery, he came to City Rescue Mission again to find his way. “I felt like God led me here. I know I’m here for a reason, and I’ve tried to surrender and accept what is meant for me.”

Jones said all of the clients at City Rescue have a story and a will to succeed.

“Now, we are looking into more effective ways to reach the 8,000 homeless youth we have in the city,” Jones said. “When you let people believe in themselves, they will rise up with strength. Our mission is to help them rise up with that strength.”

For more information, visit cityrescue.org.

 

 

Photography by Emily Brashier