A Brief History of the Rescue Mission of Trenton

The history of the Rescue Mission is rich with examples of tough times and small victories. From the early years of storefront evangelism, to services to the armed forces and a kid's camp in the 1940's, to farming in the 1950's, to expanded formal social services programs in the past few decades, the Mission has always reached out to those least equipped to cope with the hardships of life. The City Rescue Mission was founded in 1915 by William Anderson at a time when rescue missions were springing up in urban areas throughout the United States as evangelical Christians sought to bring the Gospel to the growing urban centers. While ministering to the spiritual needs of men off the streets, it became painfully apparent that there were real material needs as well. In response to these needs, in 1918 the Board decided to purchase equipment such as beds and more meal accommodations so that men could be housed for weeks at a time until they were able to take care of themselves. It is recorded that as early as 1918, the Rescue Mission was a place of "refuge" for over 100 people per night.

Increased demand on services, rising costs of maintaining an enlarged facility, and paying off the mortgage put great financial pressure on the Rescue Mission. To make matters worse, as a result of the stock market crash in 1929 the number of men seeking shelter rose at an alarming rate, taxing the facility to its limits. During the first nine months of 1931, 12,483 men slept at the Rescue Mission and 37,625 meals were served. The creative efforts of Superintendent Joseph Keating, Jr. (1929-1947) and others in leadership at the time, helped to pull the Rescue Mission out of its dire financial predicament. Superintendent Keating had long felt that the men staying at the Mission should be engaged in some form of work that could help offset the cost of their food and shelter, so he gave the men jobs to do. Even one-nighters were expected to put in time at the woodpile, sawing and chopping wood into lengths suitable for sale as firewood. This was the early beginning of industrial salvage operations at the Rescue Mission that has been developed over the years into a comprehensive Work Therapy/Life Skills program that today produces approximately 32% of the Rescue Mission's operating budget each year.

The years from 1948 through 1957 were years of growth in the number of clients housed and the average length of stay at the Rescue Mission. In October of 1953 the Religious Life Committee of the Board recommended that a trained counselor be hired to provide individual and group counseling. By June of 1954 under the leadership of Superintendent Otto Talbert (1947-1957), several group dynamic programs were under way.

Over the next few decades, it became apparent that subtle shifts were occurring in the clientele served by the Rescue Mission. James N. Brimmer’s, Executive Director 1959-1985, respect of each individual’s dignity led to the planning and building of a residential building. One of many improvements overseen by JB – as he was known by the men – and a major milestone in the Rescue Mission's history, Vince’s Place opened on May 20, 1972.

As the resident population demonstrated an increased need for addiction treatment including closer supervision in work therapy, the Rescue Mission, under the leadership of Executive Director James N. Brimmer secured a seed grant from the New Jersey Department of Health, Division of Alcoholism. In 1985, under the Mutual Agreement Program (MAP), the Rescue Mission agreed to serve as a treatment center for men who were due to be released from jail in ninety days.

When Mary Gay Abbott-Young became the Chief Executive Officer of the Rescue Mission in 1986, she was faced with two pressing issues. The first was how to restore the industrial salvage operation to the profitability it had enjoyed in the 1950's and 1960's. As the cost of operating five outlet stores was becoming prohibitive due to rising rents, part of the solution included closing two of the five thrift stores. Secondly, the emergency shelter faced financial crisis. With considerable planning and renovations the Rescue Mission now operates only one store -- the Carroll Street Store location -- which has proven to be very positive. The Mission Store provides an outlet to the Trenton community and a work therapy/life skills resource for the residents. The Rescue Mission remains deeply committed to the community and work therapy.

Under the leadership of CEO Abbott-Young, the services provided to adult men in the residential substance abuse treatment program, commonly referred to as "Vince's Place," have been greatly expanded including the addition of substance abuse counselors, nursing staff, a consulting psychologist, and other services. While the Rescue Mission of Trenton has undergone many changes during the past nine decades, our focus has always been to help those in need to help themselves.

The belief in the intrinsic worth of each individual continues to motivate the Rescue Mission of Trenton to provide the highest quality care and to offer support, encouragement, and a sense of dignity to all who enter through the doors of the Rescue Mission of Trenton.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2005-2006

Robert Lewis, Ph.D., President

Bonnie Baker, V.P. Special Events

Thomas G. McMahon, Esquire, Secretary

Matthew Graglia, CPA, Treasurer

Mary Gay Abbott-Young, Chief Executive Officer

Directors: Delia Bass-Dandridge, Douglas Borden, Elise M Collins, Eric Fisher, James J. Freda, Susan Fuchs, M.D., Matthew Goldenberg, Dorsee Hamilton, Denise Higgins, Robert G. Johnston, Patricia Kidd, Pascal Seradarian, Niel Siekerka, Frank Tyger

Charity Navigator rated the Rescue Mission a Four Star Charity