Staff Development - Fall 2025

Along with others, Samantha, Misty, and Hannah, from our staff completed the Behavioral Health Ambassaor Training. They reported that it was an inspiring and enriching experience as they were able to learn valuable tools for promoting mental health wellness and reducing stigma. They were also able to build some meaningful connections with other dedicated professionals and community members who share the same passion for supporting others.

Twelve members of our staff traveled to the Fresno Rescue Mission conference. It was a great learning experience and an opportunity to make connections with leaders from neighboring Missions.

Hope for Men & Women - More than just classes

While Bible studies, life skill classes, and recovery classes are an integral part of this Christian recovery program, the Hope for Men and Women programs offer a new way of life. Through activities that build relationships, participants come to experience a whole new way of living. Praying together, learning together, working together, and having fun together are all parts of these recovery programs.

Hope for Men recently spent a weekend camping together at McConnel State Park. Together with staff, the men built stronger relationships as they started their days with devotions around a warm campfire, went swimming in the river during the day, and shared stories around campfires in the evening. Through opportunities like this camping trip, God works in the lives of our participants to bring them closer to Him as He prepares them to become self-sufficient, God-fearing people.

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