“I was existing.. not living.”
After years of abuse and drug addiction, Mission resident Jennifer found a place to heal.
For years, Jennifer lived in fear and hopelessness, with no faith or determination left in her. She was trapped in a toxic environment, battling addiction and enduring abuse. However, everything changed when she made the courageous decision to break free.
Watch Jennifer's Story
Discover More Resident Stories
”We all here are given a set of tasks to do, because we are provided with a level of security, a foundation, and a home. They always have something to elevate you to the next portion of your life: opening up a bank account, saving up your money to be able to move into your own place, having a car, getting these things taken care of so that your life has some manageability to it.
Jennifer M.Mission Resident
Pathway to Independence Program
The Pathway to Independence Program is designed to provide structure, accountability, and a path to success for those in need. Throughout a resident’s time here, we assist with eliminating barriers to independence.
Eliminating Barriers by:
- Spiritual Counseling
- Chapel and Church Attendance
- Acquiring Birth Certificates
- Acquiring DMV Identification
- Job Skills Training
- Computer Skills Courses
- Working with Social Security
- Connecting Residents with Community Partners (Options, Choices, Ontrack, etc.)
- Assisting with Job Search
After spending a month in our program, each resident is reviewed by their Coordinator to ensure they are making progress. Based on this review, they may be granted another month’s stay. This monthly review process continues until the resident is discharged, or is able to become financially stable and live independently outside the Mission.
To help insure the protection of our residents and potentially their children, all of our services are reserved for those in our resident program. If you are, or know someone in need of services for homeless, please consider applying to our resident program.
Helping Our Residents Flourish
“It’s rough at times, but it is very fulfilling and very encouraging to watch these guys grow and change.”
How is it that the Grants Pass Gospel Rescue Mission has such a great success rate? Men’s Coordinator Bobby Galli plays an important role in guiding homeless men along the Mission’s Pathway to Independence Program.
Meet Our Men's Coordinator
Our Shelters
Wagner Hall – Men’s Residence
The 30 Day Dorm
The 30 Day Dorm has 30 beds available for men who need a place to stay and have agreed to follow the rules of the Mission, filled out the necessary intake information and been approved by the Men’s Coordinator. The dorm is designed to house residents for a maximum of 30 days. This 30 day period is designed for the staff and residents to build trust with each other. If a man has employment when he moves in, upon the Men’s Coordinator’s approval he may continue that work without interruption. Residents are not allowed to search for jobs during this period of time unless prior approval by a staff member is obtained.
If physically able, men are assigned house or Mission duties by the second day of residence. New residents must wait for 30 days before they can receive a pass to leave the building for extended periods of time to visit family or friends. This is to help men rest, reset, and to get focused on the task that lies before them. If they choose to extend their stay they will move to a different dorm soon after their 30 days are up depending on bed availability. These 30 days function primarily as a means of learning about each resident’s (strengths/weaknesses) so that we can discover where the real work of change needs to take place. Watching a man interact in both social and work environments helps us learn more about his real needs rather than his perceived needs.
Over 30 Days
Any resident who wishes to stay more than 30 days undergoes the Pathway to Independence review process by the Men’s Coordinator. This process includes implementing a plan to make progress toward independence. The maximum stay time is determined on an individual basis by the Men’s coordinator. There are six dorms designed for men who stay longer than 30 days. Each has its own unique size, shape and set-up. Once a man has completed the 30 day period he is required to schedule one full day a week to search for work. He is also free to request occasional passes to visit family or friends, but must request and obtain a pass 24 hours in advance.
Fikso Family Center – Women and Children’s Residence
Pathway to Independence Program
Like at the Men’s Shelter, the Women follow the Pathway to Independence Program as well. Each resident works with the Women’s Coordinator to track their progress on a monthly basis, and if needed an additional month’s stay may be granted.
Single Women
There are four bunk rooms designed for single women without children. Single women must follow all of the rules and responsibilities like other residents.
Rooms For Moms With Children
There are 12 rooms designed for a mom with up to 4 children. If the mom has more than 4 children the Mission will work to accommodate her, depending on space. Every two rooms are connected and share a bathroom.
Minors – Under 18
The Gospel Rescue Mission shelters children under the age of 18 who are living with their mother or legal guardian. The mother or legal guardian must show proof of custody of a minor.
Married Couples
The Mission does not have rooms for married couples. When a couple comes to the Mission the men must stay at the men’s shelter and the women must stay at the women’s shelter. To be considered “married” a couple must show a marriage license.
Visitation Rights for Fathers and Family Members
No Male visitors are allowed in the Women’s shelter at any time. Fathers, family members and friends must check in at the Men’s shelter. Visitations by males must be done off Mission property and must be scheduled and approved by Mission Staff.
Faith House Transitional Housing
Transitional Housing For Women and Children
The Faith House Transitional Housing Program partners with the Grants Pass Gospel Rescue Mission as pathway for the homeless in our community to achieve independence. The transitional housing program incentivizes independence from the need for charity by building on the foundation established through residency at GRM.
More Than Just Meals
We see providing healthy meals to our residents as a Biblical call. It’s an expression of love.
Our Kitchen Manager works with residents on a daily basis, teaching them the skills they need to operate the Mission’s two fully licensed Commercial kitchens. We cook approximately 9,000 meals every month. Due to the abundant growth in our raised-bed gardens and donations from local markets and individuals the Mission has installed processing and packaging capability to our kitchen.
Learn About Meals at the Mission
Community Garden
Along the railroad tracks behind the Mission are 52 raised garden beds that are stunning! In them we grow veggies like tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, onions, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, anaheim peppers, cantaloupe, crook neck squash, and much more. Each morning the Mission residents pull weeds, harvest, and tend to the needs of each raised bed, and in turn they really produce. The result is that they grow so much that they couldn’t possibly consume the abundance, so we share the overflow with the ROC Food Pantry right next door to help people struggling to beat their monthly food budget. In fact, each year our garden produces close to 10,000 pounds of produce!
This is yet another example of how God blesses people through the gospel message. He makes them fruitful in their affliction when they learn to walk according to His ways.
Retail Skills Training
Each resident contributes to their stay. Based on needs and ability, some residents work in housekeeping, the garden, the kitchen, or our at one of our thrift stores. While here, they learn valuable job skills.
Mission resident, Annie, loves that she is able to work at our Booth Street Thrift Store:
“Disability had put me into early retirement and I was a new Christian and COVID had set me adrift from my church. I was bored and spiritually hungry. A couple poor choices later, I found myself homeless and a genuine candidate for the services of GRM.
I work at the Mission’s Booth Thrift Store where I am able to do humble work and focus on my spiritual growth. It is a prayer answered. Imagine being able to just stop your labors and pray with your boss!”
Leave Us a Note
Have a question, or something you’d like to share with us? Leave us a note!
Note: For urgent requests, please call the Mission’s front desk at: 541-476-0082