“I had somewhere to go on a journey to get myself right.” After nearly a decade of struggling to survive on the streets, Rodney was able to pave his way back to a fruitful life. He got his CDL to drive semi-trucks, which he found fulfilling. But after a rough patch, he turned to substances…
“My main goal is finding work and being the person I want to be.” When Rebecca got married, it felt like the start of a wonderful life. She soon had beautiful young kids and what seemed like a loving relationship with her husband. But things soon changed for the worse as he began abusing drugs…
“It’s time for me to have a life.” Terri’s mom was severely bipolar, and as an only child Terri knew that the burdens and blessings of caring for her mother would fall squarely on her shoulders. For decades taking care of others was all Terri thought about. Then, Terri’s mother passed away. “I was so…
“We appreciate the blessings and opportunities you have given us.” Husband and wife Scott and Deanna know all too well the dangers of being homeless in winter. “We were living in a tent,” Scott recalls. “The wind was blowing; it was below freezing. I thought, ‘We are going to die out here if we keep…
“I’ve built and strengthened myself” As a teenager, Rebecca had a bright future — she was a world softball champion and national champion cheerleader. But without the support of her divorced parents, she floundered. “My father was out of my life,” Rebecca says. “I love my mother and she did the best that she could,…
“Thank you for giving me and others the opportunity to become who God intended us to be.” Raymond knows what it’s like to be homeless during Thanksgiving. To have no food, no water, no electricity, and no hope. He was living in a derelict house, where he wondered how it had gotten this bad. “I…
“I don’t want my daughters to ever feel that pain,” Tish says, recalling when her daughter’s father attacked Tish and left her for dead. Tish knew she had to protect her children and escape, but with no family or friends to rely on, they ended up homeless. But Tish was determined to provide for her…
At City Rescue Mission, our staff understands the importance of primary education for children. Kids experiencing homelessness are at an extreme disadvantage compared to their housed peers. Reduced vocabularies, literacy and motor-skills combine with stress and anxiety to lower academic performance, which can lead to decreased economic opportunity. The cycle of poverty and homelessness is…
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you.” When Steven moved here with his wife a few years ago he was optimistic about the future. They had wanted a change for their children, and Oklahoma City seemed like the perfect place to raise a family. But the health insurance Steven was using didn’t transfer over,…
“We feel safe now” When Blanca found herself homeless her first thought was the same as always: protect her young children. Forced to the streets after an ex-partner’s attempts to harm her, Blanca knew they needed help to survive. Blanca came to City Rescue Mission hoping for a hot meal and safe beds for herself…