Expanding Hope
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Expanding Hope
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Through a partnership with Central Arizona Shelter Services, we expanded our vocational and educational services to the public.
This new building more than doubled the capacity of our men’s recovery program, the culmination of a God-sized dream years in the making.
Watch the men’s reactions as they move into the Life Recovery Building last June.
We broke our record for homeless outreach placements, as both months we saw 60 individuals placed in housing or programs.
Our Hope for Hunger Food Bank was updated to become more welcoming and efficient, better serving the increasing number of families facing food insecurity.
We celebrated one year of partnering with the City of Scottsdale to reduce homelessness by connecting individuals with day labor jobs and personalized case management.
Expanding Hope into 2022
Throughout Scripture, we see the Lord’s servants asking Him to bless their efforts.
In 1 Chronicles 4, Jabez asks for his territory to be enlarged. The Lord was moved by his faith and granted his prayer.
At the Mission, we entered 2021 with a similar spirit of boldness. We gave testimony to the powerful ways the Lord used us. As the need for our services grew, we prayed that He would “enlarge our territory” throughout the Valley. We were overwhelmed as we witnessed remarkable expansion. Your faithfulness cultivated so much of this growth. As we look to 2022, we have set our eyes on “expanding hope.” There are so many God-sized opportunities on the horizon, and we look forward to the ways we will multiply and expand hope together.
With Gratitude,
Ken
Thanks to your partnership this past year, our team adapted to meet the increasing needs of those who came to us in crisis. I am proud of the ways we found strength in our calling. The vision the Lord has given us for expansion is not just about our space or our numbers. It is about bringing an opportunity to experience the transforming power of the Gospel to every person who needs it.
As we carry out this vision, we believe this: we are here, because of you.
The Phoenix Rescue Mission “team” is not only our staff and the Board, but it very much includes you–our donors, volunteers and friends. I thank the Lord for giving us so many caring partners who step up when the need is great to bring hope all throughout the Valley.
Blessings,
Ted
Thanks to your partnership this past year, our team adapted to meet the increasing needs of those who came to us in crisis. I am proud of the ways we found strength in our calling. The vision the Lord has given us for expansion is not just about our space or our numbers. It is about bringing an opportunity to experience the transforming power of the Gospel to every person who needs it.
As we carry out this vision, we believe this: we are here, because of you.
The Phoenix Rescue Mission “team” is not only our staff and the Board, but it very much includes you–our donors, volunteers and friends. I thank the Lord for giving us so many caring partners who step up when the need is great to bring hope all throughout the Valley.
Blessings,
Ted
Steve:
Fully loved, finally accepted
2021
Mission Mileposts
program census
more than doubled
Transforming Lives Center for men
Steve’s life-long struggle for acceptance began the moment his father walked out. At six years old, that abandonment left a wound he would tend to for the rest of his life. He began experimenting with drugs through high school to fit in. He served in the Air Force upon graduation, but after discharge, became a functional alcoholic. For the next two decades, he drank all day and barely held the pieces together.
Before he turned 40, he lost his stepfather. “That’s when everything spiraled,” Steve recalls. He began using cocaine and went to jail for five years for armed robbery. Once released, Steve found himself living in his truck. He reached out to the Mission and began our Transformations program. Then COVID struck.
“I left my accountability. I caved in and went back to drinking.” He tried to live with his mother but was afraid of bringing her the virus. He began isolating himself and sought false comfort in his addictions.
“I thought, I always got another relapse in me, but do I have another recovery? It was life or death.” At age 54, Steve finally chose life. In humility, he came back to the Mission and was welcomed with open arms.
Steve’s transformed life serves as a reminder that God’s timing is never early or late.
“The Mission and those who support it saved my life. I know that God fully loves and accepts me.”
Kim:
Daughter of the King
2021
Mission Mileposts
in recovery program
(national average: 41 days)
to parental custody
program census
Changing Lives Center for women and children
Shame has been a constant companion to Kimberly from as early as she can remember. She crumbled under the impossible spiritual expectations of her mother and decided early on that she would never measure up. She headed down a dark path of self-destruction in adolescence, turning to men, alcohol and drugs to fill the aching void in her heart.
“At 16, I found out I was pregnant. It brought so much shame to my family,” Kimberly remembers through tears. She married the first man she could just to get out of her mother’s house.
Over the next two decades, Kimberly’s life spun out of control with bankruptcy, divorce, a meth addiction and a second pregnancy. She found herself in detox and hit rock bottom when her daughter came to pick her up. They called Phoenix Rescue Mission as a final lifeline.
“When I arrived, I was so broken. I knew this was exactly where I needed to be. These women have the same brokenness. And they’re all here to be changed by Jesus, too.”
Because of friends like you, Kimberly has learned who she really is: a daughter of the King. She’s started to build a relationship with her mom and is a mentor for incoming, younger girls.
“With the Lord in my life, I have a purpose now.”
Delivering Hope
2021
Mission Mileposts
(in housing or program)
Totes distributed
staff increase
for case management
Homeless Street Outreach
In 2021, we created the ‘Kick Starter Toolkit’ for our Street Outreach Case Managers. This put essential tools in our team’s belt to remove barriers for men and women experiencing homelessness.
This extensive toolkit vastly improves what we can offer our clients, and paves the way for meaningful conversations on creating a plan to overcome the circumstances that are holding them hostage.
A lack of identification and funds is the difference between being able to access services, housing or employment — which can often mean the difference between life or death for the people we serve.
Thanks to your partnership, we can now comprehensively care for more individuals.
ASU Cronkite Documentary
Watch how those who’ve been there are fighting homelessness. Follow Yvette and Steven as they use their lived experience to care for those on the streets.
Meeting
Basic Needs
2021
Mission Mileposts
in the community
Food Distribution Efforts
Perhaps one of the few positive things to emerge from COVID-19 is innovation.
As the daily demand continued at our Hope for Hunger Food Bank, the pandemic led to new opportunities to serve families in under-resourced areas. These places are referred to as “food deserts” where there is a shortage of fresh, nutritious food. This, combined with an inability to access healthy food because of transportation and cost barriers, hits vulnerable populations the hardest.
The good news: this is 100% preventable.
This is where Phoenix Rescue Mission steps in. With your support, we launched mobile efforts to bring food pantries to neighborhoods in desperate need. We no longer needed to wait for families to come to us for help. We went to them.
In 2021, our team was hard at work bringing hope throughout our food distribution efforts. We fed over 150 families a day at our Hope for Hunger Food Bank in Glendale, handed out 2,000 more food boxes than in 2020 and hosted a variety of Community Outreaches to supply struggling families in forgotten areas. This assistance is a crucial first step to begin addressing the deeper causes that prevent individuals from realizing their potential.
2021
Mission Mileposts
program census
more than doubled
Steve:
Fully loved, finally accepted
Transforming Lives Center for men
Steve’s life-long struggle for acceptance began the moment his father walked out. At six years old, that abandonment left a wound he would tend to for the rest of his life. He began experimenting with drugs through high school to fit in. He served in the Air Force upon graduation, but after discharge, became a functional alcoholic. For the next two decades, he drank all day and barely held the pieces together.
Before he turned 40, he lost his stepfather. “That’s when everything spiraled,” Steve recalls. He began using cocaine and went to jail for five years for armed robbery. Once released, Steve found himself living in his truck. He reached out to the Mission and began our Transformations program. Then COVID struck.
“I left my accountability. I caved in and went back to drinking.” He tried to live with his mother but was afraid of bringing her the virus. He began isolating himself and sought false comfort in his addictions.
“I thought, I always got another relapse in me, but do I have another recovery? It was life or death.” At age 54, Steve finally chose life. In humility, he came back to the Mission and was welcomed with open arms.
Steve’s transformed life serves as a reminder that God’s timing is never early or late.
“The Mission and those who support it saved my life. I know that God fully loves and accepts me.”
2021
Mission Mileposts
in recovery program
(national average: 41 days)
to parental custody
program census
Kim:
Daughter of the King
Changing Lives Center for women and children
Shame has been a constant companion to Kimberly from as early as she can remember. She crumbled under the impossible spiritual expectations of her mother and decided early on that she would never measure up. She headed down a dark path of self-destruction in adolescence, turning to men, alcohol and drugs to fill the aching void in her heart.
“At 16, I found out I was pregnant. It brought so much shame to my family,” Kimberly remembers through tears. She married the first man she could just to get out of her mother’s house.
Over the next two decades, Kimberly’s life spun out of control with bankruptcy, divorce, a meth addiction and a second pregnancy. She found herself in detox and hit rock bottom when her daughter came to pick her up. They called Phoenix Rescue Mission as a final lifeline.
“When I arrived, I was so broken. I knew this was exactly where I needed to be. These women have the same brokenness. And they’re all here to be changed by Jesus, too.”
Because of friends like you, Kimberly has learned who she really is: a daughter of the King. She’s started to build a relationship with her mom and is a mentor for incoming, younger girls.
“With the Lord in my life, I have a purpose now.”
2021
Mission Mileposts
(in housing or program)
Totes distributed
for case management
Delivering Hope
Homeless Street Outreach
In 2021, we created the ‘Kick Starter Toolkit’ for our Street Outreach Case Managers. This put essential tools in our team’s belt to remove barriers for men and women experiencing homelessness.
This extensive toolkit vastly improves what we can offer our clients, and paves the way for meaningful conversations on creating a plan to overcome the circumstances that are holding them hostage.
A lack of identification and funds is the difference between being able to access services, housing or employment — which can often mean the difference between life or death for the people we serve.
Thanks to your partnership, we can now comprehensively care for more individuals.
ASU Cronkite Documentary
Watch how those who’ve been there are fighting homelessness. Follow Yvette and Steven as they use their lived experience to care for those on the streets.
2021
Mission Mileposts
in the community
Meeting Basic Needs
Food Distribution Efforts
Perhaps one of the few positive things to emerge from COVID-19 is innovation.
As the daily demand continued at our Hope for Hunger Food Bank, the pandemic led to new opportunities to serve families in under-resourced areas. These places are referred to as “food deserts” where there is a shortage of fresh, nutritious food. This, combined with an inability to access healthy food because of transportation and cost barriers, hits vulnerable populations the hardest.
The good news: this is 100% preventable.
This is where Phoenix Rescue Mission steps in. With your support, we launched mobile efforts to bring food pantries to neighborhoods in desperate need. We no longer needed to wait for families to come to us for help. We went to them.
In 2021, our team was hard at work bringing hope throughout our food distribution efforts. We fed over 150 families a day at our Hope for Hunger Food Bank in Glendale, handed out 2,000 more food boxes than in 2020 and hosted a variety of Community Outreaches to supply struggling families in forgotten areas. This assistance is a crucial first step to begin addressing the deeper causes that prevent individuals from realizing their potential.
Workforce Development
For years, our Vocational Development Program has been a vital piece of the transformation process for men and women in recovery. Through this program, they received the tools to learn essential life competences, along with career preparation and employment assistance.
We extended the program to the public at our Hope for Hunger Food Bank. The demand was great. Central Arizona Shelter Services heard about our program and offered to host this robust educational and employment assistance program at their new Norton and Ramsey Social Justice Empowerment Center in Glendale. Now, we can serve those coming to our food bank as well as referrals and walk-ins off the street – greatly expanding our reach.
“Our goal is for clients to first become empowered by receiving food boxes, and then eventually become self-sustained through employment, education and vocational training,” explains Rhonda Webb, Vocational Development Manager.
Because of your support, women like Cindi received her fingerprint clearance and food handler’s card here, which she explains helped set her goals in motion. Sapphire and her two children were rescued from an abusive situation and came in desperate need. Our staff welcomed them and gave Sapphire resources to guide her next steps. These are just a few of the many lives the center has impacted.
Will Work Programs
Three years ago, we dreamed of starting a program that worked alongside city leaders to bring meaningful solutions to those experiencing homelessness on their streets. Glendale Works was born out of this vision, offering individuals a cash day rate to conduct beautification projects and landscaping duties across the city.
Phoenix Rescue Mission believes that for true transformation to happen, we need to create pathways for people to experience life change. Our Will Work programs instill a sense of dignity as men and women earn honest wages for a day’s labor while we connect them to opportunities that will help them exit homelessness for good.
The program was so well-received, we began to work with the City of Scottsdale to create Scottsdale Works at the end of 2020. In the first year, dozens of individuals received help obtaining needed documentation and eight people successfully moved into their own housing.
“Once other participants hear about it, they start asking what else they can do. And that opens the door to all sorts of transformation,” explains Reese Miller, City of Scottsdale Human Services Representative.
Will Work Programs
Three years ago, we dreamed of starting a program that worked alongside city leaders to bring meaningful solutions to those experiencing homelessness on their streets. Glendale Works was born out of this vision, offering individuals a cash day rate to conduct beautification projects and landscaping duties across the city.
Phoenix Rescue Mission believes that for true transformation to happen, we need to create pathways for people to experience life change. Our Will Work programs instill a sense of dignity as men and women earn honest wages for a day’s labor while we connect them to opportunities that will help them exit homelessness for good.
The program was so well-received, we began to work with the City of Scottsdale to create Scottsdale Works at the end of 2020. In the first year, dozens of individuals received help obtaining needed documentation and eight people successfully moved into their own housing.
“Once other participants hear about it, they start asking what else they can do. And that opens the door to all sorts of transformation,” explains Reese Miller, City of Scottsdale Human Services Representative.
ABC 15 News Story
After 20 years of experiencing homelessness, a Scottsdale man now has a place to call his own. In the early 2000s, Jason Smith found himself living on the streets of Scottsdale. He worked labor and odd jobs here and there, but nothing was consistent until a few months ago, when the City of Scottsdale teamed up with the Phoenix Rescue Mission to create Scottsdale Works — Brick by Brick. The program offered Smith a new opportunity.
Financials
Phoenix Rescue Mission is committed to maximizing and stewarding the impact of the gifts entrusted to us by God and our ministry partners, like you. Because of this, we increased the percentage of each dollar that goes directly toward programs and services from seventy-six to seventy-nine cents.
Total Expenses
Programs
$18,523,069
Fundraising
$3,715,623
Management/Administration
$1,306,557
Public Support & Revenues
Contributions
$18,049,557
Donated
Supplies or Services
$10,494,040
Other
$1,932,871
Leadership Team Ken Brissa, Chief Executive Officer | Ben Parker, Chief Operating Officer | Nicole Peña, Chief Resource Development Officer | Leo Salgado, Chief Financial Officer | Nathan Smith, Chief Program Officer | Amanda Hines, Senior Director of Human Resources | Abby Muller, Senior Director of Leadership Giving | Jesse Dallariva, Client Services Director | Jussane Goodman, Director of Community Engagement | Ta’Mella Pierce, Clinical Director | Michael Simmon, Director of Program Support & Development | Sybil Rossiter, Associate Director of Annual Giving
Board of Directors Ted Guy, Board Chair | Mary Kostrivas, Treasurer | Mary O’Hanlon, Secretary | Matthew Brinkman | Kay Ekstrom | Ron Eriksson | Carl Johnson | Tony Muller | Kathy Murphy | Amilyn Pierce | Paul Reichert | Brad Richardson | E. Christian Schoenleb | Paul Senseman | Nathaniel Spatz | Andy Warren | Jim Watkins
Ambassadors Cindy Anderson | Phyllis Barbee | Billy Bell | Lori Bell | Kevin Biesty | Art Brooks | Dinah Brooks | Judi Butterworth | Marcia Christensen | Steve Eriksson | Steve Fedyski | Tracy Fedyski | Steve Fernandez | Laurie Ficarra | Jody Humber | John Humphrey | Michael Hunter | Donna Kent | David Kotter | Mike Kuzara | Gary Nudd | Jon Phillips | Dennis Pickering | Lance Rauhoff | Dr. David Sanderson | Steve Shinn | Emily Talpas | Mike Terlizzi | Steve Trussell | Neville Verster | Casidy Ward | Bill Warner | Terrell Welch | Boaz Witbeck | Kim Yeatts
Our Mission
We provide Christ-centered, life-transforming solutions to persons facing hunger, homelessness, addiction and trauma.
We are here.
(Because of you!)
Thank you for your prayers and support this past year! Your partnership expanded hope across the Valley and brought the Good News to the least, the last and the lost. Together, we changed lives for the better and transformed hearts for eternity.
Get Involved
Sustain our Work
Help bring renewed hope through financial support.
Volunteer
Serve your community through a variety of opportunities.
Spread the Word
Be an advocate for the Mission in your sphere of influence.
Pray
Petition for transformation of our clients and for those we have yet to reach on our city streets.
