Gratitude. That’s the word that comes to mind when we think of our 130 years of service to the Denver and Northern Colorado community. Denver Rescue Mission stands on the shoulders of those who came before us.
Thank you for joining us in 130 years of impact.
Who We Are
Mission Statement:
Denver Rescue Mission is changing lives in the name of Christ by meeting people at their physical and spiritual points of need with the goal of returning them to society as productive, self-sufficient citizens.
Four Core Strategies
Emergency Services:
People experiencing homelessness are invited inside, off the street, where their immediate needs are met with meals, 24/7 shelter, lockers, restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities. Mission staff develop relationships with guests and connect them to resources and services toward long-term solutions.
Rehabilitation
Men facing addiction and homelessness are equipped with skills and spiritual support to overcome destructive habits, engage in a healthy community, secure full-time employment and permanent housing, and begin new lives.
Transitional Programs:
Families and individuals experiencing homelessness transition into self-sufficient lifestyles by developing life skills, saving money and securing housing. From a residential program with case management services to funding toward long-term housing solutions, our transitional programs meet the unique needs of families and seniors.
Community Outreach:
People at risk of becoming homeless receive assistance with food, clothing, furniture, household items, holiday meals, and referrals to programs and services.
Who You Help
Pick a photo above to read the story of the people you’ve helped.
Impact Stories
Ed (third from the left) stands with Scott Harris from the Mission’s Board of Directors, his mother Dora and his brother Bill at his graduation from the New Life Program in 2008.
EDWARD, NEW LIFE PROGRAM GRADUATE
“I graduated from the New Life Program in 2008. One memory I have from that time was when I was telling Chaplain Danny Major about my stories of drinking and doing drugs, and he said to me, ‘As a dog returns to his vomit, Ed.’ That just stuck so clearly with me because it’s so true. Another was when Tom Konstanty came up to me as I was in a smoking area at The Crossing and said, ‘A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.’ Those are significant for me to remember and not forget. Now, I’ve been employed at Crossroads Church doing maintenance for about 10 years. I’m loving life. I live with my kids and I take care of my grandkids, which is a huge blessing.
Ed (third from the left) volunteering at the Mission a few years ago with members of Crossroads Church.
About two years ago, I got to go down to [Lawrence Street] to serve lunch. It was a blast. The [guests] were very kind and very considerate. I have so much to give back [and will do] whatever I can do to further somebody’s life along, get them out of depression, take that cloud away from them and give them hope—I am a hope dealer.”
GARY & MARY, LONG-TIME DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS
“We’ve been [donors and volunteers] at the Mission for 30-plus years. We love supporting the Mission, as they not only help people experiencing homelessness with immediate needs, but set them on a path for success spiritually, as well as toward gaining their independence. [As parents to three sons], we want our kids to have a servant’s heart and recognize the joy in giving. Each one of their experiences at the Mission has had an extremely positive impact on them as children as well as adults. It brings us great joy to [donate and volunteer] and seeing how appreciative and kind people are really does warm our hearts. It begs the question, who is really helping whom?”
LISETTE, LONGEST MISSON EMPLOYEE
“I came to the Mission in 1992 when it turned 100, so I’ve been here for 30 years. I remember on my first day, I was SO excited to come work at the Mission and everyone was so kind. I was just thrilled that I got to work here and still am. I really don’t think it’s a job, I think it’s a calling. I have such an immense feeling of gratefulness that the Lord allows me to work here. When I first started working at the Mission, there was a newsletter about a person who was driving home from work and they happened to be in front of Lawrence Street Shelter and they thought, this is where Jesus Christ would be. I love when people associate our Jesus saves sign downtown with Denver Rescue Mission because that’s what it’s all about. It’s this beacon of hope in a desolate and hopeless area where people know they’ll be safe and we’ll help them. The world will measure your importance by the number of people that are serving you, but God is more concerned with the number of people that we are serving. And at the Mission, what a privilege it is where every day we get to serve.”
Lisette, our longest-serving employee, sits with children of employees at a Mission event in 1992.
Annual Stats
MEALS
815,516
NIGHTS OF SHELTER
322,027
POUNDS OF CLOTHING
433,703
TOTAL UNIQUE PEOPLE SERVED
8,942
NEW LIFE PROGRAM GRADUATES
82
REMAINED IN HOUSING FOR 1 YEAR
86%
AVERAGE STARTING WAGE FOR NLP PARTICIPANTS
$16.03
(up $1 from last year)
FAMILIES IN STAR TRANSITIONAL PROGRAM
217
FAMILY RESCUE MINISTRIES HOUSEHOLDS MOVED INTO HOUSING
134
FAMILY REFUGEE SERVICES HOUSEHOLDS MOVED INTO HOUSING
36
PARTICIPANTS ACROSS ALL PROGRAMS WHO CREATED A BUDGET
208
VEHICLES GIFTED TO GRADUATES
110
VOLUNTEER HOURS
60,957
CHANGE MAKERS
589
(Long-term Volunteers)
AVERAGE DONATION SIZE
$142.39
DONORS
76,375
Financials
Your generous support this year allowed the Mission to not only take care of Denver’s most vulnerable citizens during the pandemic, but improve our facilities and increase staffing levels as we move forward with our new 24/7 shelter initiative. The $8.34 million change in net assets allowed us to fund and complete the following projects:
- Full renovation of the Lawrence Street Shelter
- Acquiring the parking lot adjacent to the Lawrence Street Community Center
- Renovation of the entire Tower building at The Crossing due to flooding from a frozen pipe
- Growing our cash reserves in response to increased staffing and operational needs
Total Support & Revenue:
58,601,607
Total Expenses:
50,255,068
The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance recommends giving to organizations who spend at least 65% of their total expenses on program activities. In fiscal year 2020-21, 86% of our expenses were in program services.
Download our audited financial statement at DenverRescueMission.org/Financial-Accountability.
Leadership Team
SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Brad Meuli, President/CEO
Tracy Brooks, Vice President of Emergency Services
Griff Freyschlag, Vice President of Development
Josh Geppelt, Vice President of Programs
Sherri Heronema, Vice President of Human Resources
Kevin Mann, Chief Financial Officer
John Morarie, Vice President of Operations
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Don Manuell, Chairman
Scott Adams, Vice Chairman
Scott Harris, Treasurer
Briana Bailey, Secretary
Tom Athenour
John Munro
Stuart Pattison
Teresa Stewart
Marissa Wood
Letter from Our CEO
Dear Friends,
Gratitude. That is the word that comes to mind when I realize Denver Rescue Mission is celebrating 130 years of ministry. Gratitude to God for guiding us as we seek to do His will at the Mission, to serve the poor and needy. Gratefulness to this generous community that willingly shares its resources with us and funds this work. Thankfulness for our resilient and courageous staff who do whatever is needed to serve those who come to us for help. Our staff and volunteers model the love of Jesus and His grace as they seek to change lives.
But it is not just our current staff we all appreciate; we often say, “we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.” 130 years is a long time for a ministry like ours to be around, and I am grateful and humbled to be able to lead this organization as we celebrate 130 Years of Impact.
This last year, and several months of the previous year, have been some of the toughest months we have ever experienced because of the pandemic. Despite the challenges we have faced, God has provided an opportunity to “step up to the plate,” to be the light of Jesus in a world that has been dark and to help people who have not known where to go for support.
While we have been working and fighting harder than perhaps ever before, our generous donors have empowered us financially in ways we could have never imagined. You recognize how important this work is and have helped to make the following projects possible:
- Renovation of our 100+ year old building, our flagship, the Lawrence Street Shelter.
- Opening of a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 451 bed shelter, the 48th Avenue Center.
- Executing a 24/7 sheltering process at Fort Collins Rescue Mission.
- Renovation of a section of The Crossing, which houses our New Life Program participants, after a fire suppression pipe burst during cold weather in February 2021.
- Purchase of a new parking lot next to our Lawrence Street Community Center to ensure adequate parking for 24/7 staff, volunteers and special events.
As you review the Financials section of this report, you will see how the $8.34 million change in net assets allowed us to fund these initiatives but most importantly has allowed us to continue to share the good news of Jesus with our guests and participants making this community, this city and this world a little better place for all of us to live.
At the Mission our mantra during this incredibly challenging time, with all that we have faced, has been God is in control. I am confident in saying this is true for all those who came before us to make the Mission the place it has been, and is, these past 130 years. This Bible verse has been an encouragement to me, and I hope it is to you:
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
With Gratitude for 130 years,
Brad Meuli, President/CEO
DIRECTORS OVER THE YEARS
JOSHUA GRAVETT
Mission Director 1892 – 1907.
JIM GOODHEART
Mission Director 1909 – 1930.
US GRANT SENSION
Mission Director 1951-1958.
TRUMAN THOMPSON
Mission Director 1958-1966.
STANLEY SKIVINGTON
Mission Director 1966-1967.
LEROY BRADERICK
Mission Director 1967-1987
DEL MAXFIELD
Mission Director 1987-2001
BRAD MEULI
Mission Director 2001 – Present
Walking In Faith Since 1892
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Romans 12:9-13