About Us

Transforming one life at a time… since 1946

Some say it takes someone special to help people experiencing homelessness, hunger and addiction. We don’t see it that way. It’s a blessing to do the work we do. We’re a blessing to the people we serve, and they’re a blessing to us. We’re inspired every single day by their resilience and dedication to turning their life around.

And standing alongside the people we serve are the individuals, churches, businesses, civic organizations and foundations who support the Mission so generously.

We’ve come a long way. In 1946, we started with a vision to offer “soup, soap and salvation.” Today, we offer so much more…

homeless shelter, homeless shelter near me
homeless shelter, homeless shelter near me
homeless shelter, homeless shelter near me

City Rescue Mission exists so that homeless and needy men, women and families, have their lives transformed spiritually, physically, and mentally for productive lifestyles.

City Rescue Mission will be a model for transforming lives of the homeless through the healing power of the Holy Spirit, changing the way the community views homelessness.

Loving God: We worship and honor God in all we do and rely on Him to give us strength through prayer and His word.

Loving & protecting others: We acknowledge the image of God in all people by showing them dignity and respect and by providing a safe physical and emotional environment.

Integrity above reproach: We are honest, genuine and authentic, maintaining godly character in all we do.

Excellence in stewardship: We will use and invest the time, talent and treasure entrusted to us in the most effective and efficient way possible.

Each staff member embraces the following Statement of Faith:

I believe the Holy Bible to be fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and inerrant in the original written documents. The Holy Bible is the authoritative Word of God and infallible for both faith and practice as we embrace the historic orthodox Christian understanding of Scripture and its teachings and is the final authority in all matters on which it speaks.

I believe there is one God, eternally existing in three persons as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death though His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of God the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.

I believe that men and women are saved by grace through faith. The salvation of man is wholly a work of God’s free grace and is not the work, in whole or in part, of human works or goodness or religious ceremony. God imputes His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, and thereby justifies them in His sight through a direct, personal relationship with the risen Lord.

I believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whom Christ indwells each believer enabling him or her to live a godly life of obedience as they reach for maturity.

I believe in the spiritual unity of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why we do what we do

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, release from darkness for the prisoners. To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor; to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve. To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

– Isaiah 61:1-3

A Note From Our CEO &
Executive Director, Paul Stasi

Thank you for being here. Whether you’re reading this as a supporter or as someone who just recently learned about us, I’m grateful for your interest in helping our most vulnerable neighbors.

If you remember one thing from our website, I hope it’s this: lives are being transformed every day at City Rescue Mission. Men and women from across Northeast Florida who are experiencing homelessness, hunger and addiction come to us hurting… and leave hopeful.

We’ve been serving our community for years – since 1946. And we have no plans to slow down. Our services have increased exponentially over time. What started as “soup, soap and salvation” has grown to include addiction recovery, workforce training, housing assistance and more.

If you’re one of the many people who has contributed to the incredible work and growth of the Mission, thank you. It is possible only because of generous friends like you.

If you’re new to this page, welcome! Thanks for your interest in this ministry and the work we do on behalf of our community. I invite you to spend some time on our website, read stories of lives that have been changed, and get to know us better.

Again, I’m glad you’re here.

In His Service,

city rescue mission

Paul Stasi, LCSW
CEO & Executive Director

You make life transformation possible.

Support from friends like you gives hurting men and women access to the Mission’s life-changing programs and services. Give a gift that can transform a life.