User:Denvermission

The Denver Mission, more commonly known as the Denver Rescue Mission, is located in Denver, Colorado. It is the oldest, full service, [|Christian] based,in the state of Colorado. As a [|City Mission], it is dedicated to meeting those who seek services at a physical and spiritual point of need, which will integrate them, mostly [|homeless], to [|society] in a way which allows for a [|self-sustainability] throughout the remainder of their life.

History
The Denver Rescue Mission began in 1892 however, during this time, it was exclusively a rescue home for women who were leaving [|prostitution].It's founder, Reverend Joshua Gravett, also served as the Pastor for Galilee Baptist Church in the Denver area.

This home was located in downtown Denver at 31st and Lawrence Street. In late 1892, the rescue home merged with another organization, the Florence Crittendon Mission and Home for Women. Reverend Gravett and his [|congregation], in addition to current services, believed a need existed to expand by providing homeless services to men. Soon afterwards, Galilee Baptist Church opened Living Waters Mission, dedicated to meeting the needs of all men who entered.

20 years later, a formerly homeless man, who had received assistance at Living Water and now led the faith based ministry, Jim Goodheart, changed it to Sunshine Rescue Mission. It had now expanded to three, separate buildings and a [|dormitory] for transients was opened,Sunshine House. Sunshine House was sold to Jim Goodheart in 1927, however, the on-set of the [|Great Depression] forced its' sale to pay debts in 1930. Soon after the closing of Sunshine, Reverend Gravett and his congregation founded the Denver Rescue Mission. In 1970, the organization opened its' first [|hospital services] and [|dental] [|clinic] dedicated to medical care of the homeless and needy through [|outpatient care].

Later City Mission Expansion
In 1988, the Denver Rescue Mission purchased the former Mercy Farm in [|Wellington, Colorado] and renaming it Harvest Farm. This 209 [|acre] [|agricultural farm] grows [|livestock] and food crops, maintained by homeless men who participate in the [|drug rehabilitation] program.

Funding Sources
As a registered [|501c (3)] organization, this charity depends on both public donations as well as [|government grants] and [|loan subsidies]. In 2010, the Denver City Mission published total financial support at approximately $23,000,000.

Global Missions
The Denver Rescue Mission serves homeless needs in various countries around the world such as; Port Moresby City Mission in [|Pau Pau, New Guinea], Cape Town City Mission, [|Cape Town South Africa], Nogales Crossroads Mission, [|Arizona, USA], Heart to Heart International Ministry, [|Budapest, Hungary] and Asian Hope in [|Pnomn Phemn, Cambodia].

Family and Senior Homeless Initiative
In 2005, former [|Mayor], and now [|Governor] of Colorado, [|John Hickenlooper] introduced a plan to end homelessness in Denver. Called Denver's Road Home, the plan was to place 1,000 local families in permanent housing within ten years. The Denver Mission is a participant with the City and [|County Municipal government] of Denver.