FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8, 2014
60 Years of Serving Nashville’s Homeless
Nashville Rescue Mission celebrates birthday with big bash, tours and unveils new beautification project
NASHVILLE, Tennessee—On Thursday, May 22, 2014, Nashville Rescue Mission will celebrate 60 years of serving Nashville’s homeless community with a birthday bash and the entire community is invited. Take part in the festivities from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. that includes hamburgers, hot dogs and dessert in the Mission’s beautifully transformed entrance and parking lot at 639 Lafayette Street.
“Nashville Rescue Mission has a rich history,” said Glenn Cranfield, president and CEO of Nashville Rescue Mission. “It started back in 1953, when Dr. Charles Fuller led a revival at the Ryman Auditorium. After hearing the founder of Memphis Rescue Mission speak and noticing the numerous homeless men living on the streets, Fuller incorporated the issue of homelessness into his sermon. As the revival came to a close, people in the audience gave a spontaneous love offering to be used to open an interdenominational rescue mission that would care for the city’s homeless and hurting.”
On March 15, 1954, papers of incorporation were drawn up and a charter was secured—forming what is now Nashville Rescue Mission. Within a week, two rooms were rented in an unused building at 429 McGavock Street. The night before the rooms were opened, five homeless men who had learned of the project wandered in and slept on a single bed, a pallet and the bare floor. Today, Nashville Rescue Mission shelters up to 900 guests a night between it’s Men’s and Women’s Campuses. Last year, the Mission served 625,000 meals and provided over 255,500 nights of safe shelter. All of this is provided at no cost to guests and is made possible through the generosity of donors.
In addition to the emergency services provided to the homeless in the area, the Mission also offers case management, resources and long-term treatment for those struggling with addictions and other life-debilitating problems. In 1968, the Mission expanded in order to provide services to women and
children who were also homeless and hurting. Today, the Men’s Campus is located on the corner of 7th and Lafayette Street and the Women’s Campus is on Rosa L. Parks Boulevard.
“The city of Nashville has been so kind and compassionate to those seeking help through Nashville Rescue Mission,” said Cranfield. “This 60th anniversary is really a big birthday party for the Mission to celebrate the support of this generous community we live in. We hope everyone can come out and join us, have a piece of cake, take a tour, see all the recent updates made to the Mission’s facility, as well as get a glimpse into the numerous lives that have been rescued, changed and transformed through their support.”
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About Nashville Rescue Mission
Since 1954, Nashville Rescue Mission has met the needs of the poor and homeless through emergency services and life recovery programs focusing on spiritual growth, education and employment with a goal of restoring hope and transforming lives. Nashville Rescue Mission is a 501c3 nonprofit and is located at 639 Lafayette Street, Nashville, TN 37203. Visit nashvillerescuemission.org for information.
Press Contact:
Michelle Sanders Brinson 615-312-1522
mbrinson@nashvillerescuemission.org