About City Rescue Mission

Faith-based, solution-based ministry providing a path back to hope for the homeless

City Rescue Mission Mission Statement

Our mission is to lead our community by serving people experiencing and at risk of homelessness with help, hope, and healing, in the spirit of excellence, under the call of Christ.

For nearly 60 years, City Rescue Mission has been a beacon of hope to thousands in Oklahoma City and beyond.

We’re here to help. Because sometimes bad things happen in life, leading people to make choices that lead them to a dark place. Without a good support system, people can turn to drugs, alcohol and crime, landing them on the cusp of homelessness.

City Rescue Mission offers a path back to hope. Instead of indefinite shelter, we offer a clean, safe, temporary place to stay and successful programs and services to help people transform their lives for the better.

Through our Bridge to Life recovery program, we help people overcome the problems and issues that prevent them from living their best life. And we support our guests every step of the way, with job training, educational opportunities, access to Service Coordination through Case Management Services and more.

Our Core Values

Christ-Centered

Nurturing Full Potential

As followers of Christ, we are called to love others in the same way He loves us. Our approach is to meet people where they are and demonstrate Christ’s love through our actions and service. We embrace individuals from diverse backgrounds, races, and beliefs and extend to all unconditional love, respect, and compassion. We believe that everyone deserves a chance to live with dignity and purpose and we are committed to helping our clients achieve their goals and build a brighter future.

Empowerment

Nurturing Full Potential

We believe that every person has the ability to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. We strive to create an environment where our clients can access the resources, skills, and support they need to regain their independence and lead fulfilling lives. We are committed to helping our clients recognize their strengths, cultivate resilience, and achieve their full potential.

Accountability

Fostering Transparency

We hold ourselves accountable for the services we provide and our operations. We are transparent about our policies, procedures, and finances, ensuring we are meeting the needs of our clients in the most effective way possible.

Collaboration

Embracing Strength Through Togetherness

We believe that we are stronger as a collective. To this end, we encourage a feeling of togetherness amongst our clients and team, and actively collaborate with other service providers, government agencies, and community organizations.

Innovation

Pursuing Creative Solutions

We strive to find new and creative solutions to address the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness.

Statement of Faith

At CRM, we believe the Bible to be inspired by God and infallible. We believe in the Holy Trinity and in the deity of Christ. We understand that the Holy Spirit makes holy living possible in us, and, that, as believers, we will be resurrected to live again in a perfect world. Until then, we serve God and the poor as a nondenominational ministry based upon the principle that believers are united through Christ Jesus without regard to gender, religious, ethnic, or class differences.

Our History

1960

City Rescue Mission is founded by a group of businessmen concerned about helping the transient population in downtown Oklahoma City. The Mission opens a 20-bed facility serving men only.

1968

City Rescue Mission purchases property at 523 S. Robinson, doubling previous capacity to include space and services for women.

1980

A local church donates property adjacent to City Rescue Mission, giving the Mission the ability to open a dedicated women’s shelter and family shelter as well as a weekly medical clinic and educational facility.

1992

CRM serves 170,441 meals and records 37,799 shelter nights. Families with children become the fastest growing demographic.

1999

Ground breaking and renovations begin for current facility at 800 W. California Ave. The new property increases shelter space to 420 beds, and provides greater opportunities to serve the community.

2002

City Rescue Mission continues to expand its impact and scope of service, serving 280,040 meals and recording 128,568 shelter nights annually.

2007

Rev. Tom Jones joins City Rescue Mission as President and CEO. Under Jones’s leadership, City Rescue Mission develops the Bridge to Life recovery program.

2015

The Men’s Center opens directly west of the main building. This space provides 220 beds, and increases overall capacity and services for men, women and families.

2020

City Rescue Mission celebrates 60 years of providing help, hope, and healing to Oklahoma City. Clients are offered a diverse range of programs and services to meet the ever growing needs of the community.

2021

The Kitchen of Hope opens, improving our meal services, as well as providing food service skills in the vocational kitchen.

2022

Rise Cafe opens, City Rescue Missions first social enterprise. It is designed to provide a solution by equipping
individuals with real world job skills and vocational training.