The Next Phase of The Village of Hope Campus is About to Become a Reality

In March, we shared with you a snap-shot of the impact that programs and facilities on our Village of Hope campus have had since opening in March of 2022. Later this summer we expect to break ground. New facilities will expand the Mission’s ability to provide space for people experiencing homelessness to recover from hospitalization as we work to help them find permanent housing.

A two-story building with 40 studio apartments will provide space to accommodate many of the participants in the Mission’s Transition to Hope program. Transition to Hope is a program for graduates of our faith-based Hope for Men and Women’s program. Transition to Hope provides homes where participants experience a sober living environment (SLE). The Mission works to help participants find jobs or pursue further education and continues service coordination and counseling. In the Transition to Hope program participants take on responsibilities to become self-sufficient by paying their own way. Some of the participants in this program are referred by the County Probation Department and work to build a new life and a brighter future. Locating a portion of this program on the Village of Hope campus will be a welcomed addition.

Ending Homelessness - One Person at a Time

By Dr. Bruce Metcalf, CEO, Merced County Rescue Mission

You have probably heard the story about the boy who walked on the beach where thousands of starfish had washed ashore. As he walked, he picked up starfish and threw them back into the sea. An old man observed what the boy was doing and said to him, “With all the starfish on the beach, you aren’t making much of a difference.” The boy picked up another starfish, and, as he threw it into the sea, he responded by saying, “It made a difference to that one.”

I know that I live in a small corner of the world where we do not have huge numbers of unhoused people living on the streets as you might find in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. In all of Merced County, we have counted about 800 people who are unhoused. Of these, about 500 are presently in shelters or programs, and about 300 continue to live on the streets.

It is the privilege of the Merced Rescue Mission to be part of a collaborative partnership in Merced County and to be making a difference in the lives of people, one person at a time!

This collaboration includes both nonprofits like the Rescue Mission and government agencies. (Can you imagine that!) Together, we are planning, strategizing and adding housing in a variety of ways for people in Merced County. Homekey projects, apartments, and cottage houses are some examples of our collaborative efforts.

Within one and a half years, we expect to have only 125 people left unhoused. Within three to four years, we expect to achieve a net- zero* of people who are unhoused. We recognize that new people will become homeless as we help those who are presently unhoused. The good news is that we will have programs and facilities in place to meet the needs of people who face homelessness. All of this is a testament to the will to make a difference by collaborating and working together!

I have listened to speeches about homelessness, and I have read articles explaining why people become homeless. All of these are informative and helpful, but it is time now for action, creative innovation, and doing something! I believe that Merced County will be one of the first counties in California to achieve a net-zero* population of people who are unhoused.

The Merced Rescue Mission is grateful for the opportunity to work together with our whole community to make Merced a better place for everyone. We invite you to join us by becoming an advocate in these efforts! Please support us with your prayers, your contributions, and your voice, by sharing this good news with our community. Join us in the exciting movement to end homelessness in Merced County!

*Net-zero - No one left living on the street or in situations unsuitable for human habitation. Net-zero recognizes that, while people experiencing homelessness are getting housed, there will also be new people becoming homeless, and there will be a place for them so that no one will be left on the streets.

Oasis Fundraiser 2025 - A Great Success

The Oasis Dinner, our annual fundraiser, was a wonderful evening celebrating what God has done through the ministry of the Rescue Mission. Over 300 people attended, and we surpassed our financial goal of $100,000. Thank you to everyone, including those who contributed by mail and online, for your investments through contributions and prayer, which have resulted in many lives being transformed.

Those of you who joined us that evening were witnesses to a spirit of excitement. Following the two inspiring testimonies presented by video, which you can now see on our website, many of our staff members and participants gathered on stage. These were the people privileged to serve you at the dinner. These were the people whose lives have been changed. They represent one of the great outcomes of the Mission’s programs -- that many people come to work at the Mission after having completed one of our many programs.

Of our 140 employees, over 90% have gone through a Mission program, and now they are on the front lines as dynamic co-workers, spreading the message of hope to those who often feel hopeless. My life is also changed and renewed every day as I have the privilege of working with them.

At the dinner, we also shared plans for moving forward into the future. This summer we will break ground to add 32 beds to our Hope Respite Care facility. This project will also add 40 studio apartments that will greatly help our Transition to Hope program. All of this moves us closer to building facilities for our Hope for Men and Women’s program. What an incredible time to be part of this ministry together. Thank you for blessing the Mission as partners in God’s work, changing lives for the Kingdom!

Thanking Our Teachers

The Rescue Mission would like to thank the many men and women who come on a weekly basis to teach courses and lead Bible studies at our Hope for Men and Hope for Women programs. The volunteers give their time preparing, and then teaching, and mentoring. But the value given by these teachers far exceeds the time that they give.

These teachers are building relationships and serving as role models for the men and women in these programs. Lasting relationships have been established, and men and women have come to know Jesus because of the modeling of faith exhibited by these faithful servants. The Life Transformation program would be just another program if it were not for the compassionate human touch displayed by our teachers.

Our teachers are putting the love of Jesus into action through this great service that they are giving. May God bless each one of you!

Hope for Women teachers: Rachel Coronado, Kris Eslick, Rose Guerra, Roslyn Johnson, Patricia Padilla, Gina Thomas

Hope for Men teachers: Michael Briggs, Paul Cauwels, Paul Fregene, Tim Grever, John Morgan, Dave Ogilbee, Westley Pearson, Don Peterson, Ken Stinson, Ken Sullivan, Richard Weikart

"Called to Serve" - A Calling Not a Job

"Called to Serve" - A Calling Not a Job

By Ron Croft, Hope for Men staff

Joy means the perfect fulfillment of that for which I was created and regenerated, not the successful doing of a thing. The joy Our Lord had lay in doing what the Father sent Him to do, and He says – “As My Father hath sent Me, even so, am I sending you.” (Oswald Chambers)

Am I working a job or fulfilling a call from God? Am I finding joy in my work, because I am called of God or because things are going my way?

These are important questions to ask ourselves when our work involves ministry!

What is ministry?

Ministry in a Biblical context, essentially means service. It encompasses any activity where individuals serve God and others, often in the name of Christ, to meet needs and spread the Gospel. God doesn’t call us to a job but to a ministry within our job. The Merced County Rescue Mission at its core is a ministry serving the people not only of Merced, but in communities throughout California.

Oswald Chambers said, “If you have received a ministry from the Lord Jesus, you will know that the need is never the call: the need is the opportunity.” Here at the Mission, we have a marvelous opportunity because the need is great!

What do you find joy in?

Paul says, “That I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry I have received of the Lord Jesus.”

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. (Phil. 4:1)

Paul the Apostle learned to find his joy, not in the circumstances whether good or bad, but in his Savior and in the calling. He had placed upon him. So it can be with us! Strive not for the treasure which passes away, but for the glory which can never fade.

My prayer for all of us is that we might truly find the joy and fulfillment that can only be found in the calling of God as we minister life to those seeking life. May they come to truly know the Author of Life.

Merced County Sherrif's Posse Blessed the Mission

The Merced County Sheriff's Posse blessed the Rescue Mission by bringing an incredible meal of steak, salad and dinner rolls to feed over 100 recipients at the Mission.

The Merced County Sheriff's Posse was formed in 1948 and has been serving as goodwill ambassadors since. They are an all-sterling silver mounted parade group, proudly riding American Saddlebred Palominos. The group has had the honor of serving not only locally but also as far away as Washington D.C.

Thank you for blessing the Mission!