Lexington Rescue Mission

Lexington Rescue Mission is an interdenominational ministry that supports the general welfare of those who are most vulnerable in our community. The Lexington Rescue Mission provides daytime shelter for those who are homeless, and anyone else in the community who needs a meal, assistance, or escape from the hot or cold weather. The Mission provides a continental breakfast and a hot lunch to anyone in need Monday – Saturday. These meals are currently provided in carry-out containers due to COVID-19 safety requirements. So far in 2020, we will serve approximately 50,000 meals to the hungry. People in need of clothing, hygiene items, household supplies, and other types of assistance are welcome to come to our Outreach Center. So far this year, we have provided 2,731 of these items to 1,590 unique clients. The Lexington Rescue Mission offers two transitional homes for men that provide a safe, affordable living environment where residents can find the accountability and support that they need to make the transition to independent living. Last year, 120 men were housed at the Lexington Rescue Mission. Our new transitional home for women – Grace Place – is scheduled to open in the fall of 2020. The Lexington Rescue Mission helps those experiencing homelessness find affordable housing, pay their first month’s rent, and provides case management for three months post-placement to ensure clients are able to maintain permanent housing. This has been especially important this year as people have been urged to shelter at home, which is impossible to do if you don’t have a home. So far in 2020, we have moved 44 households from homeless to a home. This includes 49 adults and 28 children. Our Jobs for Life classes assist unemployed men and women in finding, preparing for, and maintaining lasting employment while our staffing service, Advance Lexington, provides job placement with second-chance employers. The Lexington Rescue Mission helps currently and formerly incarcerated men and women prepare for their transition back into the community. In a typical year, we provide life-skill classes and mentoring at the jails and prisons in the area. However, in March of this year, the jails and prisons went on lockdown due to COVID-19. So, our focus this year turned to support the record number of people being released from jail to help curb the coronavirus. We assist these ex-offenders with shelter, permanent housing, finding a job, obtaining IDs, and reuniting with family through re-entry case management. The Lexington Rescue Mission offers chapel services and Steady Hands, a discipleship group, and all are welcome. The Lexington Rescue Mission has been deemed an essential organization and has been able to stay open and serve hurting people who are especially affected by the pandemic.