Why are people homeless?

Why are there so many homeless people in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah? It's a question people often pose to us here at the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake, where we have 35 years experience "Restoring Broken Lives" of homeless street addicts

The answer: it's because of addiction. Meth, crack, alcohol and heroin - these are the "gods" of the homeless.

How can society cure homelessness?

Here at the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake we offer hope to homeless street addicts through a unique three-fold approach - by 1) meeting physical needs, 2) meeting spiritual needs and 3) addiction recovery and counseling. Only by lovingly meeting the physical, spiritual and addictive needs of the homeless can this problem be cured and lives be restored.

Be part of the solution

We absolutely could not offer these services for free without the generous support of our donors. Our operating costs are covered 100 percent from private donations. Since we are a faith-based program we are not able to gain many government grants that are available to other homeless service providers. You can also Donate to the Mission and find out more information about Volunteering or Organizing a Clothing or Food Drive for the underprivileged men and women the Mission serves 365 days a year.

Meeting physical needs - food, shelter, clothing and hygiene

Everyday the Mission shows God's love by meeting both the spiritual and physical needs of homeless street addicts. The Mission serves free breakfast and free dinner 365 days a year. Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday the homeless can shower, shave, brush their teeth and receive new clothing at the Mission, all free. Our dorm holds 50 men every night and our women's facility, Rescue Haven, has shelter for 11 women.

Meeting spiritual needs - bible studies, chapel services and prayer

Spiritually the homeless are often broken and many are contemplating suicide. We offer two Bible studies and an evening Chapel service - 365 days a year. Again it's all free. As the great theologian Ravi Zacharius once said "a bowl of rice is no substitute for the Holy Spirit." At the Mission we offer both - food for the belly and food for the spirit. Our prayer room is always open for those in need.

Free addiction recovery - one-on-one counseling, group recovery and discipleship

In addition to all this, we also offer a free addiction recovery program - the New Life Program. This program is unlike any other in Utah because it is 1) totally free 2) is Bible-based 3) employs the latest cognitive and developmental recovery models and 4) is totally dependent on the power of God's love. We have met countless street addicts who have been through secular treatment centers and have relapsed the very day they left treatment. Without God, true recovery cannot happen.

Seriously - be part of the solution!

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