With your help and generosity we are Serving the Homeless and Hurting in
Tacoma & Pierce County
Since 1912, the Mission has been offering God’s Help, Hope and Healing to the most impoverished members of our community. Your gift of any amount makes a difference for the men and women who are hurting and homeless in Tacoma & Pierce County. Give simply and securely by clicking any of the gifts below.
Your Gifts Provide Crucial Care & Tools to
Help Our Neighbors in Dire Need Rebuild Their LiVES
Right now, individuals and families suffering in homelessness are desperate for a new beginning. Life-changing resources, like the ones below, help to equip and empower our vulnerable neighbors to escape homelessness and step into a better future.
Daily Meals
Daily Meals
“I thought there was no love for me out there anymore, but I was wrong. There is, and I found that in a meal.”
– James
Shelter
Shelter
“If this place did not exist, our baby would have died. That’s a hard, medical fact.”
– Dave
Job Readiness
Job Readiness
“The staff at the Mission gave me a voice . . . they kept encouraging me and more.”
– Jason
Education
Education
“The Mission helped me be more than I was. Without the confidence I now have with my GED, I wouldn’t be where I am.” – Paul
Addiction Recovery
Addiction Recovery
“This program is what made the difference. It’s not a clean and sober program, it’s discipleship.”
– Morgan
Faith Formation
Faith Formation
“I felt like there were chains holding me down. I didn’t know I could ask Jesus to release me. I can breathe now. Before, I felt dead.” – Kathleen
Mental Health
Mental Health
“I learned where my behaviors came from. Why I was so angry and defensive. It helped me have goals and achieve them.” – Amanda
Veteran Services
Veteran Services
“My life was getting bleaker. Being here gave me hope. You can really see the staff’s dedication to helping veterans like me.” – Justin
Youth Services
Youth Services
“Without the Mission, I wouldn’t be graduating.”
– Tre’von,
Age 17
Accomplishments From This Past Year
336,657 Meals served
3,690 Men, women and children equipped and empowered with life-changing help
17 Men and women graduated from our New Life Recovery program
440Families and individuals left the Mission and entered stable housing
239 Men and women obtained jobs or increased income
What’s happening at Tacoma Rescue MissionSTORIES, NEWS & EVENTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
Check below to keep up on the latest news, events and stories about what is happening at Tacoma Rescue Mission. See how your involvement and partnership is changing lives and impacting our community.
maddy & ivy
Maddy & Ivy: “Client Voice, Client Choice”
What does outreach do?
Ivy: With outreach, our focus is case management and meeting people where they’re at. We go to the encampments and meet our clients where they’re at and see how we can best support them.
Maddy: We help bridge that gap between services and accessing services, working with provider organizations to make sure that the clients have everything that they need.
Sometimes we are the unofficial first responders due to maybe some barriers that they have and they’re not able to access services. We are their case managers. We are their empowerment buddies, and we walk alongside them all the way through their process.
Ivy: We really try to focus on being a thought partner and helping empower them to make the decisions that are right for them because they’re the experts on their life.
Ricardo’s Story
Ricardo’s Story: Living a Transformed Life
What does “new life” look like for you?
It’s looked like God opening my eyes. I surrendered and the Holy Spirit transformed my mentality and my character. I used to be closed minded toward people. I was angry and always running away. God gave me peace to stay in one place, follow through on what I’m doing, and let it move me forward.
It’s clear that God is at the center of your story. Can you share more about your faith journey?
I started reading the Bible when I was in jail. Every page I read, God was talking to me. I said to God, “Why are you coming to me?” I read Psalms 27, and that’s when I broke down. I cried and cried. It was a hard journey, but God is good. God changes lives. I want to demonstrate to everyone God’s power. I don’t recognize myself right now because of the miracles He’s done in my life. God’s given me victories.
tammy & barbara
Tammy & Barbara: Always There for Each Other
Sisters, Tammy and Barbara, have always been there for each other. When their own kids grew up and moved away, Tammy and Barbara moved in together to take care of each other and share living costs. But, they found themselves facing homelessness when their landlord, who was also Tammy’s son, increased their rent by several hundred dollars in attempts to push them out. They moved into their car and, since then, it’s been two years of instability. We met the sisters when they came to our women’s shelter and got to sit down with them to hear some of their experience.
TAMMY: “We can’t afford to turn around and pay a thousand dollars for rent plus light, gas, the car, and still be able to live. It’s crazy. I don’t think they were prepared for this many baby boomers. It leaves us like hitting our head against a tree because we don’t know what to do. We also both have CMT. It’s a genetic disorder. It affects nerves and balance. I was diagnosed with that then got diagnosed with bone cancer two years later. Neither one are curable, but they’re doable is the way the doctors put it.”
The Tacoma Rescue Mission legacySERVING THE HURTING & HOMELESS FOR OVER 100 YEARS
The Tacoma Rescue Mission is proud to have served Tacoma and Pierce County since 1912. For over 100 years we have continued to serve in the name of Christ, while emphasizing the dignity of each person who enters our doors. We value the needs of our immediate community, and continually adapt to the changing needs of those who come to us for help.
< Swipe left to right to explore the timeline >
A GROUP OF CARING TACOMANS START THE MISSION AS A SMALL SOUP KITCHEN ON PACIFIC AVE
Tacoma Commons Mission | 1912
THE MISSION GROWS AND PURCHASES ITS FIRST BUILDING ON 1512 PACIFIC AVE
Tacoma Rescue Mission | 1939
A SAFE HAVEN IS BUILT FOR SINGLE WOMEN & FAMILIES IN CRISIS
The Emergency Family Shelter | 1971
THE INN PROVIDES ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY FOR YOUTH SURVIVING ON THE STREETS
The Inn Youth Walk-In Center | 1988
FREE COUNSELING SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH THE MISSION’S PRISON CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM
Chaplaincy Program | 1920
HOPE HOME IS FOUNDED TO HELP WOMEN WITH EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL TRAUMA
Hope Home | 1960’s
THE DOWNTOWN TACOMA CAMPUS OPENS TO HELP REACH EVEN MORE PEOPLE IN NEED
Tacoma Rescue Mission | 2001
Need Help? Tacoma Rescue Mission Is Here
We offer meals and emergency shelter for men, women and families or guardians with children. We also provide long-term recovery and educational services to those in need in our community.
