Sometime before Christmas, the Victor Valley Rescue Mission will welcome a group of homeless women to their new home in Victorville.
Director Bill Edwards told the Daily Press on Tuesday that a rented house in an undisclosed neighborhood will serve as the rescue mission’s first women’s shelter.
“Renting property for an animal shelter has long been on our strategic plan, but the lack of funds has always got in the way,” said Edwards. “We noticed that our prayers were being answered when we ended our last fiscal year with a cash surplus for the first time.”
The rescue mission will use the additional $ 85,000 as a start-up cost for the six-bed property intended for unaccompanied women who live on the streets, in fields and in abandoned buildings, Edwards said.
“The shelter will cost approximately $ 150,000 to set up. So this is really a step of faith as we ask the Lord to provide the rest of the funding, ”Edwards said. “In total, we spend about $ 1.7 million a year to carry out the rescue mission.”
“It’s like moving a family into an empty house,” said Edwards, who added that start-up costs for the shelter will include furniture, a new vehicle, labor, rent, utilities, insurance and groceries.
Due to the financial hardships primarily caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rescue Mission Alliance has helped subsidize the local rescue mission in recent years, Edwards said.
The Alliance also oversees rescue missions in Oxnard and Santa Maria, with a dual rescue mission / food bank in the San Fernando Valley.
“We are working on our shelter admissions process that will allow women to stay 90 to 180 days,” said Edwards. “During this time, they have a roof over their heads and can enjoy meals while we provide them with resources and get them back on their feet.”
The shelter is staffed by a program manager and guest services agent who help with the supervision and safety of the facility.
“Our main goal is to get the shelter up and running before expanding the program with other rental homes,” said Edwards. “We take everything one day at a time, with a start-up mentality of crawl, walk, run.”
Men’s program
The Victorville Men’s Rescue Mission’s Residential Recovery Program offers transitional housing, addiction healing, Bible counseling, professional training, and a computer learning center.
The recreation program is designed for men to develop the skills and confidence needed to become independent and productive members of society, according to the nonprofit organization.
The transitional housing program helps graduates find and maintain a stable job, save money for their own permanent residence, and continue to recover.
Range
Continuous outreach services include hot meals, clothing, blankets, hygiene kits, a pantry, mobile shower and a link between hospital, clinic and other health and community services.
The rescue mission has scheduled two holiday operations this year at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville.
The Great Thanksgiving Turkey Basket Drive-Through takes place from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on November 18th. Participants must register in order to take part in the contactless event. For more information and registration, visit www.FaceBook.com/VVRescueMission.
Further details on the rescue mission’s annual “Great Christmas Toy Giveaway”, which is scheduled for December 16, are still pending.
Last year, the Desert Mountain Children’s Center and Rescue Mission distributed food boxes and Christmas toys to nearly 2,000 children and their families during the event.
The Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz can be reached at 760-951-6227 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.
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