San Diego Rescue Mission

San Diego Rescue Mission San Diego Rescue Mission is a non-profit homeless shelter and recovery center serving thousands
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San Diego Rescue Mission exists to spread the good news of salvation through Christ by serving the needs of the poor, addicted, abused, and homeless, thus improving the quality of their lives. We believe in the inherent worth of every homeless man, woman, and child, and provide rehabilitation and discipleship programs that lead to permanent change and independent living.

Cassie has a gift for bringing energy and joy to everything she does. As the person who trains our entire staff, she mak...
09/03/2026

Cassie has a gift for bringing energy and joy to everything she does. As the person who trains our entire staff, she makes even the most important topics engaging through her humor, hilarity, and grace. She makes learning fun, creates an environment where people feel comfortable, and somehow leaves everyone laughing while still learning something valuable.

Cassie genuinely lives out our core values every day. She is sacrificial, deeply caring, and fiercely committed to the people around her. She is faithful and persistent in every situation, always willing to fight for connection, support others, and do what’s right.

Cassie leads with humility, dependability, and so much heart. She cares deeply about people and our Mission, and we are incredibly grateful for the way she consistently shows up for our team with grace, compassion, and unwavering commitment.

Congratulations, Cassie! Thank you for being a leader who leads by example and loves people so well.
📷 Cassie, center with glasses and our HR team.

✨ Looking for work that truly matters?
Join a team that leads with compassion, inspires hope, and makes a difference every day. 💙
Explore our open positions and discover an opportunity to grow your career while making an impact.
https://bit.ly/46hRSTl

09/01/2026

What Will Escondido’s Next Mayor Do About Homelessness?🏠 Homelessness is a regional issue, and it takes all of us to be part of the solution.

San Diego Rescue Mission CEO Donnie Dee joined Escondido Mayoral Candidates Dane White and Elias Velazquez on K**I this morning to discuss regional solutions to homelessness in Escondido and San Diego County ahead of tonight’s Meet the Candidates event.

The conversation focuses on practical solutions, community partnerships, outreach, recovery services, and creating real pathways from homelessness to stability.

🎥 Watch the short news clip from this morning to hear more about the conversation and the work happening to address homelessness in our region.

📅 There are still a few spots open for tonight’s event. Reserve your spot or check out more upcoming events: www.sdrescue.org/get-involved/upcoming-events/

“The donors are the ones God used to allow me to still be alive today.”Dwight had reached a point of hopelessness. Addic...
09/01/2026

“The donors are the ones God used to allow me to still be alive today.”

Dwight had reached a point of hopelessness. Addiction had taken his career, his marriage, his focus—and nearly his life.

Just hours before he planned to send a final email to his loved ones, a friend called and said, “Don’t give up. You have to keep fighting.”

Dwight heard God in those words. He closed the email and called the San Diego Rescue Mission.

Today, Dwight is completing Mission Academy, rebuilding his life and faith, earning certifications, and preparing for a future he once thought he’d never have.

And his dream? “I can’t wait to be a donor myself one day.”

Your generosity helped give Dwight another chance. You helped restore his hope, faith, and future.

Learn more about what we do, www.sdrescue.org/what-we-do/

“I haven’t had many good experiences with police officers before, but now my children are having good experiences with o...
08/27/2026

“I haven’t had many good experiences with police officers before, but now my children are having good experiences with officers. This has changed my perspective. Thank you for breaking generational chains, this is amazing.”

A huge thank you to the San Diego Police Department and Vans for an incredible Shop with a Cop Back-to-School event on August 23!

Sixty children from the San Diego Rescue Mission, Mission Academy, and South County Lighthouse received brand-new VANS shoes, backpacks filled with school supplies, and a wonderful brunch. 👟🎒

But this day was about so much more than gifts, it was about building trust, creating positive experiences, and changing perspectives across generations.
Thank you, SDPD, for investing in our children and families and showing what compassionate community partnership looks like. We are deeply grateful! 🙏

💙 Want to learn more about how San Diego Rescue Mission serves children and families in our community? Discover what we do and how you can be part of creating brighter futures.
👉 Learn more about our mission and impact: www.sdrescue.org/what-we-do/


San Diego Police Department Vans

08/20/2026

Two years ago, we opened the doors to our South County Lighthouse—restoring hope, dignity, and lives. Because of your support, hundreds have experienced lasting transformation, and we’re just getting started! ❤️

🎥 Watch last year’s recap and see your impact firsthand.

Then, join us for our Anniversary Huddle Lunch next week at South County Lighthouse in National City. Hear a Mission Academy graduate’s inspiring story, and celebrate with tacos and cake!

🗓️ August 26 @ 12:00PM
📍 2400 Euclid Ave., National City
💵 $15 meal fee
👉 RSVP today and save your spot! www.sdrescue.org/huddle-luncheons/

08/19/2026

What if the places we’re most tempted to look away are exactly where we’re called to show up?

On World Humanitarian Day, we’re reminded that compassion means stepping into hard places and seeing people who are often overlooked.

For Mario, outreach is personal. He’s been there. He’s seen it all. He once experienced homelessness himself. Now, God is using his story to bring hope, dignity, and practical help to others.

Through our outreach team, people are finding shelter, support, and a path forward.

Watch the short video to see outreach in action.

Learn more and read about our “Hope Dealers” on our blog: www.sdrescue.org/hope-dealers-in-action/

Most of us hope to leave behind more than possessions. We hope our lives tell a story of faith, compassion, generosity, ...
08/17/2026

Most of us hope to leave behind more than possessions. We hope our lives tell a story of faith, compassion, generosity, and love.

Gabriel’s story is a beautiful example of that. Growing up surrounded by addiction, abuse, and homelessness, he once believed his circumstances defined him. Through healing and the hope he found in Christ, his life was transformed.
What a beautiful legacy.

A Will isn’t just about what we leave behind, it’s about the values we lived, the faith we shared, and the lives we helped change.

This National Make-A-Will Month, discover 7 Questions That Matter More Than What’s in Your Will with our free guide. Because before anyone reads what you leave behind, they’ll remember the story your life told.

Download the free guide www.sdrescue.org/whatmatters/. Together, we can help more neighbors like Gabriel discover who God created them to be.

Carla was ready, but she didn’t know where to go. For seven years, Carla lived on the streets, doing whatever she had to...
08/14/2026

Carla was ready, but she didn’t know where to go.

For seven years, Carla lived on the streets, doing whatever she had to do to survive. Even while pregnant. Even while raising a child. “I had to make money every day just to keep a hotel room so my daughter wouldn’t be on the street,” she says. She didn’t want to admit she was also battling addiction shaped by years of trauma and instability.

Then came the moment when Carla finally opened herself up to accepting help. With a baby in her stroller and another on the way, Carla remembers her first moments here. “I was tired, exhausted, carrying a backpack. And when I walked up, a woman said, ‘Welcome to the house of God.’... And I knew I was in the right place.”

Before Carla could rebuild her life, she needed a safe place to begin. At the Lighthouse, Carla found more than a place to stay. She found stability... guidance... and caring people who helped her find the path forward. During her time at the Lighthouse, and then in our Mission Academy Program, Carla found her faith again. She rebuilt her life. She strengthened her family.

Today, Carla is our Outreach Director – helping other men and women take the same first step she once did. The support of people like you gave her the safe place she needed to transform her life. “I came in with nothing… and I left with everything.”

Because of kind supporters like you, our Lighthouse Shelter will always be there for someone like Carla. www.sdrescue.org/ready

08/13/2026

For decades, the San Diego Rescue Mission has believed that lasting solutions to homelessness must address the whole person, with treatment, recovery, housing, and faith at the center.

On Wednesday, we welcomed federal officials to our South County Lighthouse for the unveiling of the new Treatment First Toolkit, a five-phase strategy focused on addiction treatment, recovery, and housing. Our Outreach Director, Carla Vanegas, shared her own journey from addiction and homelessness to recovery and how we meet people where they are while offering a path toward rehabilitation.

HUD Senior Adviser Dr. Robert G. Marbut Jr. called SDRM a model in action, encouraging federal officials to visit because it “literally showcased everything we're trying to do.”

🎥 Watch ABC10’s Dani Miskell report featuring Carla, then visit our Regional Approach page to learn more. www.sdrescue.org/what-we-do/regional-approach/

Address

120 Elm Street
San Diego, CA
92101

Telephone

+16196873720

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