1946
CRM was established by a group of Christian businessmen who saw a need to help alcoholics in the Jacksonville area. Their goal was to offer “soup, soap and salvation.” The original mission has evolved into a privately-funded organization whose mission is to serve the homeless and needy through the love
1953
The Mission was incorporated. Mr. George Sage was named Superintendent and remained until 1964. CRM was located at 801½ Main Street in a little storefront building. The two-story building was host to an upstairs dorm and a chapel below. CRM was only able to provide care to homeless men. Christian
1963
CRM moved to its second location, the Ritz Woller Apartments, located at 700 Laura Street. The building was erected around 1907, after the Great Fire of 1901 in downtown Jacksonville. Although it was in great disrepair, the three-story building had more space, which allowed CRM to help more homeless men.
1964
CRM’s Board of Directors elected Don Moody to the position of Superintendent. Mr. Sage continued working at CRM by running the Mission’s Bargain Store, which was also located at the 700 Laura Street shelter facility. CRM was in debt, and the facility was close to being totally dilapidated. Mr. Moody
1965
Donations increased to $14,000.
1966
Donations totaled $28,000.
1970
CRM began assisting women in need. Lanida Bryant started the women’s program in a nearby two-story building that CRM rented to house about 10 – 12 women.
1972
In December, Mr. Moody left the position of Superintendent, and the Rev. Kaleel Ellison became the Interim Superintendent. Rev. Ellison had served on the CRM Board of Directors and was Chairman for four years.
1975
The Rev. Hampton Eggerton left the position of Superintendent and returned to the pastorate mid-year. Rev. Kaleel Ellison was again asked by the Board of Directors to act as Interim Superintendent.
1976
In January, Rev. Ellison was appointed Executive Director of CRM. He remained in this role until June 1993. The number of beds at the Laura Street location was increased to 86. During the years of his directorship, Rev. Ellison raised money to pay off a $12,000 mortgage, and CRM become
1980
The Mission thrift store was leased. It was located on Main Street between 7th & 8th Streets.
1981
On March 8th, someone threw a fire bomb through CRM’s second-story back window. The facility was almost completely destroyed. The building was “gutted” and not habitable. The office, kitchen and laundry equipment were preserved along with CRM records and the piano. The first large, outdoor Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday meals
1983
Temperatures plummeted to 13 degrees in Jacksonville. A large outdoor holiday meal was hosted in Confederate Park for approximately 300 homeless and needy people. Because of the cold, Rev. Ellison decided to host future holiday meals in the Civic Auditorium. Holiday events grew to 1,000 meals that included Easter baskets,
1984
A foundation granted CRM the remaining $60,000 needed to finish construction. On January 2nd, Mr. Douglas B. Milne, Sr. contacted Rev. Ellison and informed him that his son, Douglas J. Milne, also on the board, sat on a foundation board and asked if foundation representatives could tour the facility. On
1988
The LifeBuilders addiction recovery and job training program was established. Shelter capacity was increased to 170 beds when the Mission bought an adjacent building dubbed “the annex.” Bunk beds were used in both facilities. The CRM Thrift Store was relocated to 5343 Normandy Blvd.
1993
The first female members were elected to the CRM Board: Dr. Ruth Y. Cox, Ed.D. and Professor Tina Daniels, R.D.H., B.S.
1994
A medical clinic for the homeless opened at the Mission. Drs. Dennis and Karen McCarthy approached CRM Board member Charles Winge to indicate their interest in opening a medical clinic for the homeless. The “McCarthy Medical Clinic” was initially housed at the State Street facility. The clinic expanded to include
1995
Life skills, job training and placement assistance for students expanded, and 112 students got jobs. In December, the city of Jacksonville opened a city-funded shelter, the I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless. The City Rescue Mission created a change in the Mission’s name to clarify the difference between the Sulzbacher
1996
Dr. McCarthy was selected to carry the Olympic Torch. More than 1,090 people volunteered at the Mission. Special events were expanded to include monthly open houses, luncheons and tours; monthly volunteer orientations; bi-annual soup-line camp meetings for clients; and an annual “Klothes 4 Kids” back-to-school project, created by Rev. and
1997
The first LifeBuilders class graduated in a ceremony held in September at the FCCJ Auditorium. The cap-and-gown event recognized 28 students for successful completion of the program.
1998
The campus at 426 S. McDuff Avenue was purchased. The women’s program was expanded, and the LifeBuilders program was extended to six months.
1999
The LifeBuilders program was extended to 12 months.
2000
A significant grant from the Woodbury estate led to an expansion from 170 to 260 beds.
2003
The LifeBuilders program was extended to 15 months. A new mentoring program was established. In September, R. Patrick Hayle began serving as Interim Executive Director.
2005
As a result of the strategic planning process, Executive Director Patrick Hayle’s focus turned to finances and leadership. Goals identified included a media campaign, staffing, job descriptions, organization charts and a development plan.
2006
CSX conducted a facilities study. The CRM Board asked for a transformation plan.
2007
In January, the staff was trained on the grace-based counseling model. The grace-based model creates a safe environment where grace flows freely. The program was implemented in October. The mission statement changed to “Serving the homeless and needy, rebuilding their lives through the love and compassion of Jesus Christ.”
2013
The Board of Directors asked Penny Kievet to serve as Interim Executive Director, the first woman to fill this position.
2021
Paul Stasi becomes Executive Director of the Mission.