The Rescue Mission homeless shelter in Eureka has been in the process of renovating their Women & Children’s Center since last year. Hoping to complete it, they’re asking the community for support and donations.
The Rescue Mission in Old Town has been serving the unhoused in Humboldt since 1967. It’s a place where individuals can enjoy free food, a bed, a place to relax, and gain access to resources
“You know, a lot of people, when they see a lot of things going on in town that are not so pleasant, many people have contacted me and talked to me about we need to do something about that,” Bryan Hall Rescue Mission’s Executive Director said. “You know, the Rescue Mission is not a flop house. We have rules and, you know, that sets us apart in a lot of ways from what people think that we’re about. We help people get on their feet, get their lives together.”
A major part of the rescue mission is their women and children’s center–serving women who have met with hardship and have a chance to get back on their feet… the center is going through a huge renovation project, With 3 phases to complete; funds are running low.
“It’s difficult right now because, you know, people are struggling financially,” Hall said. “So we completely depend on private donations at the Rescue Mission, we’re not we’re not state or federal funded in any way. and so we rely on the generous community.”
The shelter is also in need of personal hygiene items.
“Whatever you say you could use as a woman, we provide that here for them,”Kristen Freeman; the Women’s Shelter Director said. “The expansion that we have for actual showers to supply shampoos and conditioners and body lotions, full sized bottles are always greatly appreciated.”
I asked why this shelter is important to them and what it means to have something like this in our community.
“I came here 16 years ago, straight out of jail, and I was looking at six years in prison and when I came here, my life completely changed,” Hall said. “Today I’m executive director, so that’s what happens here, there’s such an opportunity when we help people get sober, stay sober and make good choices.”
Freeman added: “I came to the shelter, broken […] 17 years of homelessness, alcohol and drug addiction and when I stepped into the building, the Rescue Mission, I felt that sense of being for the first time in almost two decades.”
Women are allowed to stay as long as they need at the center, so long as they do chores like clean their room, and work toward getting their lives back on track.
lea johari; 2 months at women’s shelter: “I think it’s a very good place because I’m able to get back on my feet, pay some things off and save money so I can get in a good place,” Lea Johari, a woman who has been at the shelter for 2 months said. “One of the reasons why I’m here is because my credit wasn’t that good, but I’m able to pay it off now that I’m here and I’m happy about that. We have chores that we do and we take care that we can still go out for appointments or school leave or which has been great.”
And it’s not just her that thinks the shelter is great…
“Other women that stay here, they’ve told me that this is the best shelter in Eureka,” Johari said. “You know, you’re not pressured to get things done or you have to live like this you know?”
Once the project is complete, up to 70 beds will be available.
For more information call the Rescue Mission office at: (707) 445-3787
Or visit their website at: http://www.eurekarescuemission.org/
