Your Help Provides

Free Meals, Shelter & Programs

Three full meals are served daily to the public and our guests at our Emergency Shelter located at 1300 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Youngstown. These are the meal times open to anyone who would like a meal:

  • Breakfast: 6:30 a.m.-7:00 a.m.
  • Lunch 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
  • Dinner: 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Our 186 bed facility provides a safe and clean refuge for those experiencing homelessness in the Mahoning Valley. We offer several programs ranging from short-term emergency shelter to extended stay programs with the goal of life transformation through the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley (RMMV) programming aims to culminate in securing independent housing.

Emergency Program

The Mission provides 30 nights of consecutive emergency shelter. During this time, clients are encouraged to decompress, feel safe, and tend to daily needs. The Emergency Program offers:

  • An assigned bed with antimicrobial mattress, pillow, sheets, and a blanket
  • Nutritious, well balanced hot meals three times a day
  • Bible Study and Chapel service opportunities five days a week
  • Clothing, hygiene supplies, and other items to meet basic daily needs
  • Laundry facilities
  • Access to showers and restrooms 24/7

Clients are provided with community resources for housing, employment, welfare programs, drug/alcohol treatment centers, and ID recovery. Through staff counsel, clients are encouraged to participate in applicable programs to help grow out of homelessness. 

If a client desires to engage in true life transformation and grow out of homelessness, they can apply for one of our extended stay programs. These programs include:

  • Pre-Employment Program
  • Working Program
  • Fixed Income Program
  • Homeless to Homeowner Program

Pre-Employment Program

Clients who are able to work and have no income can join our Pre-Employment Program. This program connects clients with Department Leadership to create an action plan to utilize resources needed to:

  • Secure personal documentation pertinent to obtaining housing or employment opportunities (i.e. birth certificate, driver’s license, social security card, etc.)
  • Identify appropriate sectors of employment
  • Obtain necessary education requirements (GED, High School Equivalency)
  • Apply to suitable jobs/job training programs
  • Prepare for interviews
  • Secure necessary clothing/equipment to begin work
  • Complete all other directives given by Department Leadership as assigned

Clients must meet program expectations to remain in good standing with the RMMV. Length of stay will depend on each client’s specific situation and may range from 1-3 months. Upon successfully securing employment, clients are then transferred to the Working Program.

Working Program

Clients who successfully transition from the Pre-Employment Program or already have employment prior to entering the RMMV are placed in our Working Program. To successfully meet expectations, clients must:

  • Maintain employment as much as is reasonable
  • Make regular deposits into a custodial savings account managed by the RMMV. Upon leaving the RMMV, clients will receive 100% of their deposits
  • Work towards debt elimination, credit worthiness, and developing a monthly budget plan
  • Complete all other directives given by Department Leadership as assigned

Clients must meet program expectations to remain in good standing with the RMMV. Length of stay will depend on each client’s specific situation.  Due to the lengthy process of securing housing, clients may remain in this program up to 12 months. Clients in this program may apply to the Homeless to Homeowner Program. 

Fixed Income

Clients who are unable to work due to physical or mental challenges and are pursuing or already receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), or any other fixed source of revenue are placed in our Fixed Income program. To successfully meet expectations, clients must:

  • Make regular deposits into a custodial savings account managed by the RMMV.  Upon leaving the RMMV, clients will receive 100% of their deposits.
  • Secure personal documentation pertinent to obtaining housing or other employment opportunities (i.e. birth certificate, driver’s license, social security card, etc.)
  • Connect with appropriate agencies to assist with:
    • Securing permanent housing
    • Applying for SSI/SSDI if applicable
    • Meeting long-term physical or mental health needs
    • Managing finances
    • Obtaining part-time employment if able
  • Complete all other directives given by Department Leadership as assigned

Clients must meet program expectations to remain in good standing with the RMMV.  Length of stay will depend on each client’s specific situation.  Due to the lengthy process of securing housing, clients may remain in this program up to 12 months.

Homeless to Homeowner Program

Working clients who exhibit exceptional responsibility and adherence to program expectations may be invited to participate in the Homeless to Homeowner Program. Clients in this program will meet with the RMMV President/CEO monthly to work towards financial security through debt elimination coaching, addressing credit worthiness, building an emergency savings account, and developing a monthly budget plan. To enter the program, clients must:

  • Be in good standing with Working Program expectations
  • Have steady full-time employment for at least three months
  • Have a driver’s license, automobile, and auto insurance
  • Show a willingness to be transparent with current financial situation
  • Show commitment through following a monthly budget
  • Complete all other directives given by Department Leadership as assigned

In the future, clients in the Homeless to Homeowner Program will be moved from the main facility to separate housing units on the RMMV premises. The experience of living more independently while still being within the parameters of RMMV programming promotes accountability while fostering independent responsibility.