Because of you, Denver Rescue Mission continues to help change the lives of those who are hurting in our community. Your support is what allows us to provide meals for the hungry, shelter for the unhoused, life-changing programs for those in need of extra support, and hope for those who feel hopeless.

Lives ARE changing at Denver Rescue Mission, and YOU are a main reason why. Thank you for supporting us in 2022!

Because of You

Lives Were Transformed Through:

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 unique needs.

Because of You... 28

Community Outreach

People at risk of becoming homeless receive assistance with food, clothing, furniture, household items, holiday meals, and referrals to programs and services.

Because of You…

BRAD IS FREE FROM ADDICTION

“Thank you for your generosity and investment. There are people struggling out there who are really good people, and you are making sure there’s somebody there when people need help.”

DERRICSA HAD HER PRAYERS ANSWERED

“I truly just want to say thank you. If it weren’t for the donors, me and my kids wouldn’t have had a place.”

ANDREW HAS HOPE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE HE WAS 12

“From my heart and my soul, I have hope. If you utilize the resources here properly and actually put in the work, you’ll have a new life.”

ADRIAN HAS A HOME FOR HER FIVE CHILDREN

“I’m normally doing things by myself, so it does make a difference when there’s somebody there to support you.”

DAVID FOUND REFUGE FROM DENVER’S COLDEST NIGHTS

“Thank you so much for helping my life change, for giving me hope and for the opportunity to let God work in my life.”

MELODY HAS REMAINED IN HOUSING FOR 15 YEARS

“Thank you. I am very grateful for everything you’ve done for me and my children throughout the years. I want to let you know how much it helps and how much warmth you bring into our hearts and into our family.”

JORDAN CAN SEE A DIFFERENCE IN HER MOM

“She’s changed a lot being sober. She handles her emotions, takes care of herself and takes care of us way better. She’s ready to move on, and I can tell that she actually wants it.”

PATRICIA FOUND A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY

“When I come to Denver Rescue Mission, I walk through the door and I say, ‘I’m home.’ The staff is welcoming and treats everybody respectfully—they are my family.”

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.

Our Supporters

Because of you, we get to do this work.

165.50

Average Donation Size

82

Volunteers Help Us Serve Meals Each Day Around the Mission

DEBI SERVED 557 OUT OF 59,960 TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS

As a Change Maker volunteer, Debi leads resume and cover letter workshops and mock interviews for New Life Program participants.

See What She Says
BROOMFIELD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MENTOR TEAM ARE PART OF 608 CHANGE MAKER VOLUNTEERS

Janice, John, Kathy, Cami, and Jim (not pictured) have collectively mentored about 20 families through Family Rescue Ministry since 2005.

Hear from Them
AMANDA IS ONE OF 400 MEMBERS OF YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Amanda has been a part of Young Professionals since the group began in 2019.

Learn Why She Serves
PAM, TOM AND NANCY ARE JUST A FEW OF OUR 64,477 GENEROUS DONORS

Pam, Tom and Nancy have supported the Mission for about 10 years. Pam is involved as a Pathways of Hope monthly donor, and Tom and Nancy have supported the Mission in many ways, including as lead donors for the refresh project at The Crossing.

Learn Why They Give

Annual Statistics

Because of You…

The tired were given REST, with 351,471 nights of shelter.

The tired were given REST, with 351,471 nights of shelter.

Families were given extra SUPPORT, with 317 households served through Transitional Programs.

Families were given extra SUPPORT, with 317 households served through Transitional Programs.

Families were given extra SUPPORT, with 317 households served through Transitional Programs. 1

There was food for the HUNGRY, with 1,015,731 meals provided.

Families were given extra SUPPORT, with 317 households served through Transitional Programs. 2

Those in need were WELCOMED with open arms, with 9,713 unique people served.

Families were given extra SUPPORT, with 317 households served through Transitional Programs. 3

Individuals and families found more OPPORTUNITIES, with 245 vehicles donated.

Families were given extra SUPPORT, with 317 households served through Transitional Programs. 4

Individuals and families were CLOTHED in dignity, with 348,346 pounds of clothing donated.

Families were given extra SUPPORT, with 317 households served through Transitional Programs. 5

Men’s lives were TRANSFORMED, with 80 New Life Program graduates.

Families were given extra SUPPORT, with 317 households served through Transitional Programs. 7

New Life Program graduates found HOMES, with 92% remaining in housing one year after graduating the program.*

Families were given extra SUPPORT, with 317 households served through Transitional Programs. 6

New Life Program participants found JOBS, with $16.52 as the average starting wage.

323 participants across all programs created a budget.

371 individuals were connected with mental health care.

327 individuals obtained or improved employment.

480 households obtained housing.

*of those we were able to contact

Financials

Total Support & Revenue:

54,088,740

Total Expenses:

46,598,177

Your generous support this year allowed the Mission to not only take care of Denver’s most vulnerable citizens, but improve our facilities and our ability to attract, engage and retain employees as we continue our new 24/7 shelter initiative. The $7.49 million change in net assets allowed us to fund and complete the following projects and initiatives:

  • Renovation of the Tower at The Crossing due to flooding from a frozen pipe
  • Building out our information technology infrastructure
  • Beginning to implement our capital improvement plan for our nine different facilities

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 2021-22, 83% of our expenses were in program services.

Download our audited financial statement at DenverRescueMission.org/Financial-Accountability.

Leadership

Dear Friends,

As we complete our 130th year of service in this community, it is humbling to think of the many generations of generous donors and volunteers who have made this possible. Because of you, we get to do this work. You believe in God’s work here at Denver Rescue Mission and want people experiencing homelessness to not only have a meal and a place to sleep, but the hope of a new life through the love of Jesus. Because of you, we continue to be encouraged to be God’s hands and feet as we minister to all those who come through our doors.

God blessed us over the last three years of this pandemic and provided miraculous opportunities for the Mission to grow and to help more people. Who knew by having to convert our shelters to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, that we would be able to see more people move out of homelessness than ever before? When people feel secure about their living situation and are getting the rest they need, they are more interested in engaging with us to find a path out of homelessness. This year we saw 480 households obtain housing.

Because of you, we were able to provide 1,015,731 meals, the most we have ever provided. What makes this even more amazing is that our downtown kitchen prepares all the meals, serves some of them downtown and then transports the rest to 48th Avenue Center every day. We also provided 351,471 nights of shelter and 9,713 individuals connected with us throughout all our services and programs. The need remains great for our work.

Over these last 130 years, this is what this work is all about—developing relationships with our guests and participants with the love of Jesus at the core of all we do.

Going forward, with God’s help, we put together a three-year strategic plan, focusing on 15 key initiatives, divided into four focus areas:

  1. Staff Support
  2. Program Improvement
  3. Resource Planning
  4. Potential Northern Colorado Expansion

We praise God for this year, we look forward to this next chapter at the Mission and we are grateful that because of you, we continue to be able to do this important work.

God Bless,

Brad Meuli

Brad Meuli
President/CEO

Leadership Team: Brad Meuli

BRAD MEULI

PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Because of you…

“… lives are being changed in the name of Christ, families are being restored and people experiencing homelessness and poverty have another chance at life.”

TRACY BROOKS

VICE PRESIDENT OF HOMELESSNESS RESOLUTION

Because of you…

“… we don’t stand alone in working towards meeting the needs of those we serve.”

Leadership Team 7
Leadership Team: Griff Freyschlag

GRIFF FREYSCHLAG

VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT

Because of you…

“… men, women and families find hope, health and happiness while being reunited with the love of Jesus.”

JOSH GEPPELT

VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS

Because of you…

“… Denver Rescue Mission is able to continue meeting those we serve with the hope of the Gospel, emergency care and opportunities to pursue more stable housing.”

Leadership Team: Josh Geppelt
Leadership Team: Sherri Heronema

SHERRI HERONEMA

VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Because of you…

“… we’ve been able to hire amazing people who love the Lord and are using their God-given talents every day to change lives in the name of Christ.”

CHRIS JORGENSEN

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Because of you…

“… thousands of people experience Christ’s love 24/7.”

Leadership Team 8
Leadership Team: John Morarie

JOHN MORARIE

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

Because of you…

“… our food service team served a million meals to guests who came through our doors.”

Board of Directors

Don Manuell, Chairman

Scott Adams, Vice Chairman

Scott Harris, Treasurer

Stuart Pattison, Secretary

Reverend Frank Davis

Joseph Fortna

Cathy Goss

Mark Huang

Teresa Stewart 

Because of you, we are

STRONGER TOGETHER.
PREPARED FOR TOMORROW.
ALWAYS FAITHFUL TO CHRIST.

This is the focus of our new three-year strategic plan. It was launched last year by a task force made up of Mission leaders who will work on 15 key initiatives in four focus areas:

  • Staff Support
  • Program Improvement
  • Resource Planning
  • Potential Northern Colorado Expansion

We will continually pray that this plan is a reflection of God’s vision for His work. We are investing resources into our employees while at the same time evaluating programs and practices to better serve our guests and participants. But your support is what makes this work possible. Just as we have over the last 130 years, together, we will continue to work to change lives in the name of Christ today, tomorrow and for many years to come.

Because of you, we are

STRONGER TOGETHER.
PREPARED FOR TOMORROW.
ALWAYS FAITHFUL TO CHRIST.

This is the focus of our new three-year strategic plan. It was launched last year by a task force made up of Mission leaders who will work on 15 key initiatives in four focus areas:

  • Staff Support
  • Program Improvement
  • Resource Planning
  • Potential Northern Colorado Expansion

We will continually pray that this plan is a reflection of God’s vision for His work. We are investing resources into our employees while at the same time evaluating programs and practices to better serve our guests and participants. But your support is what makes this work possible. Just as we have over the last 130 years, together, we will continue to work to change lives in the name of Christ today, tomorrow and for many years to come.

Because of You

Lives Are Changed Throughout 9 Locations

  1. Lawrence Street Shelter
    1. 1130 Park Avenue West
  2. Lawrence Street Community Center
    1. 2222 Lawrence Street
  3. The Crossing
    1. 6090 Smith Road
  4. Ministry Outreach Center
    1. 5725 E. 39th Avenue
  5. Holly Center
    1. 5725 E. 39th Avenue
  6. Administration & Education Building
    1. 6100 Smith Road
  7. 48th Avenue Center
    1. 4600 E. 48th Ave. (Operated in partnership with the City of Denver)
  8. Harvest Farm
    1. 4240 E. County Road 66, Wellington, CO
  9. Fort Collins Rescue Mission
    1. 316 Jefferson Street, Fort Collins, CO

Learn More About All Our Locations