This is my story, one of hope and gratitude. I have so much I wish to share, and I hope I am eloquent in doing so and I hope it reaches large groups of people to help create awareness about the importance of the Fairbanks Rescue Mission shelter and the services they offer. Thank you so much for the donations, contributions and voluntary work to help people like me and my daughter in such difficult times. These contributions made a significant impact on my life and my daughter’s life. Thanks to these efforts my daughter and I are safe, have food and shelter in this frigid unforgiving winter.

I never thought I would be at “the Mission”.  However, once my daughter and I were there I felt as if a big weight had lifted off my shoulders. I was in a divorce situation and was escaping from domestic violence.  We were able to stay as long as needed. The caseworkers provided individualized services and connected me to other local resources to help me in my situation, all while I was working on building back my confidence. I was greeted by kind and compassionate staff members and given a warm welcome from the ladies staying at the shelter. The staff said the mission would provide 3 meals, a room with beds for me and my daughter, warm showers and a safe place to stay. Deep down I was hoping this was true, mainly for my daughter so she could feel good and safe. I didn’t really know what to expect.

A Hand Up for the Jones’s

I had to admit I had some pre-conceived ideas regarding “the mission.” I thought the shelter would be chaotic and anxiety provoking place, but surprisingly it housed a calm, steady and safe environment. Instead, I found myself very comfortable since they have practical rules that are easy to follow and a chore system to keep conditions clean and sanitary, while helping their “clients” engage in productive activities. Which in my opinion it’s a good way to cope with the difficult feelings and uncertainty that I encountered when I became displaced. I noticed that much like me; people do chores to pay it forward for the wholistic services received.

The Rescue Mission in my opinion is an encompassing program. It takes into consideration the different areas of potential needs that all humans need to meet to feel well. For example, it meets the physiological needs of individuals and families by providing shelter, a warm bed to rest the body, and quality nutritious meals. It also provides safety and security. The door remains locked 24 hours and can only be accessed by current clients and staff members.

 They screen clients to ensure sober living conditions. The shelter fosters love and belonging; everybody is welcomed regardless of their nationality, sex, gender, cultural background, age and life experiences. They offer church, community meals for everyone, encourage spirituality and equality for all. Regarding the need for self-esteem, the shelter creates opportunities to do chores and volunteer work to help boost morale, a precursor to self-actualization. Finally, I feel that because of such wholistic experience I developed a renewed sense of purpose in my life that ultimately transformed my heart. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me a chance that continues to empower me to live in the moment in gratitude, grace and love, one day at a time.

November 2024

Brenda Jones showed up with her son Donny and daughter Nicky.

Due to an unfortunate series of events, they, along with their pets, had been abruptly evicted without notification.

Brenda and her children had nowhere else to turn. She was not originally from Fairbanks. She had come up with her husband and children to Alaska, and because of a pattern of domestic violence and abuse, she and her spouse had separated.

So she was alone, frightened and without friends or family to help.

Because of the eviction the Jones’s arrived with more than the normal amount of baggage. Due to space, the mission only allows 2 bags per person. She found storage and we gave her time to sort out their things. A temporary shelter was found for her pets.

Normally adult males and adult females from the same family are assigned beds on opposite sides of the Mission. (Families share meals together) Donny was a sweet child in a young man’s body and Brenda would not be separated from him.

We realized it would not be appropriate to try and force our normal rules in this instance. So we worked with their unique situation and gave them their own space on the women’s side.

Quickly the Jones family became a favorite here at the Mission. Pleasant and willing to help in the kitchen or wherever needed, Nicky was a joy. Brenda was able to find temporary work and the kids went to school.

We helped connect Brenda with resources for Donny and his special needs.

After a couple months we were able to find housing for them, and it was time to let go.

Happily, they were able to take their pets along with them and they left us with hugs to remember them by.

Tears and fear turned to smiles, sadness to hope.

You made this possible. Thank You.

September 2023

Boomer’s Story

Grant Per Diem Veterans Program

“I’m in a dark and deep cold cave, Is it hopeless to think I’ll get out, I’m lonely, lost and afraid for myself.”

These were my words in the dark times before I found the SSVF program. My home was sold out from under me and I was a physical and emotional wreck. My sister told me about the SSVF program at the Rescue Mission and I made an appointment to learn more. My case manager gave me direction and helped me find an apartment perfect for me. Through the program, I had a safe place to sleep and a stable place to start over. I found joy and hope through the SSVF program. It quite literally saved my life.

2023

Kathleen’s Story

Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program

Can you imagine being homeless with two young kids? Kathleen never thought it would happen to her, but in an instant she was spending her days searching for a safe place for her kids to sleep and the cold, dark nights trying to stay alive. 

“I was afraid and exhausted. My kids went to live with their grandmother and I only saw them once in a while.” 

Just when Kathleen was about to give up, someone told her about the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program and she made an appointment to learn more.

She was immediately enrolled and found an apartment perfect for her family’s needs. The SSVF program covered the rental and electric deposits, but the help didn't stop there.

Through the program, Kathleen applied for her GI bill and went back to school. A few weeks later she found a job and eventually bought a home where her kids are now happy and healthy.

“I never thought I’d find myself in this situation, but thanks to the SSVF program, I was able to get back on my feet.”

2022

Molly’s Story

On the night of December 20, 2021 a woman walked through the doors of The Fairbanks Rescue Mission. It was almost 20 below zero and she had nowhere else to go.

The woman was trembling from fear and uncertainty. Her life had been shattered in an instant. She had been a prisoner in her own home for 8 long years, trapped in an abusive marriage.  She was forbidden to have friends, forbidden to work, forbidden to drive.

She had been driven to the Rescue Mission and dropped off by police.  It was just a few days before Christmas, and her husband had kicked her out of their home. She had no one. She was alone in the world and now homeless.

A staff member named Serena, took the heartbroken client into her office. The first thing she said to the sobbing, shaking woman was, "It will be ok.  Jesus will help you. Let's pray." The caseworker held her hands and prayed. This was the first gentle touch the woman had felt in years.

After the woman completed her intake, she was given a bedroll, toiletries and shown to a room. When the 4 days of covid quarantine were over, the woman started to volunteer in the kitchen.  She was happy to help.  She was grateful for The Mission. She would have frozen to death if not for the Mission.

That first Sunday, the woman attended church service in the Mission’s chapel room. Pete, the CEO of the Mission, was speaking at the service that day.  He was kind to her.  They played worship songs and all sang along.  Something broke loose inside the woman. She wept.

He spoke to the small group about Jesus. He spoke about Eternity. He spoke about Salvation. That Sunday morning, the woman turned her life over to God.

Little by little that woman came out of her shell. The compassionate staff at the Mission prayed with her. They comforted her and God helped her heal.  As time passed she got a good job, learned how to drive and bought a used car. Through the help of the Mission and their housing program, she was finally able to get a place of her own.

Once upon a time, on a cold winter night, a woman came to the Fairbanks Rescue Mission broken in mind and spirit.

But thanks to God and The Mission,

She left with a brand new… better life.

That women was me. 

Molly Hawes

Kitchen Manager, FRM - 2022

Cassie’s Story

The Long Hard Road

Cassie had been a resident at the Mission before and she knew the people.

She had a history of addiction and had gotten clean there, but after several months away she fell again, hard.

This time when she arrived at the Mission, her eyes were blackened from a recent brutal rape by two men. She was also addicted to heroin. As she dealt with the pain of the assault, she began the mental and physical torment of detox. Her friend at the Mission, who over the years had witnessed the many false starts of her addiction, looked into her eyes and asked a simple question…

“Are you ready now Cassie”?

She replied… “Please help me”.

A call was made to the drug abuse therapy clinic and within minutes, help was on the way. By mid-morning Cassie was taken to the Hospital for medical detox and she began the difficult path of recovery.

After using daily for years it was going to be a hard road, but Cassie knew if she needed help and was willing to change - her friends at the Fairbanks Rescue Mission would be there to help her with the first steps.

Your donations make this possible. Thank You.

2022

The Story of “J”

Old man “J” shuffled into the mission on a cold September day in 2021, mumbling to himself.  His grey hair and beard askew, it soon became obvious he was hungry and needed a warm shower and clean clothes.

When asked his name, he gave three names and claimed to be near a hundred years old.

He had no Identification and refused (or didn’t know) his birthdate and seemed quite confused.

We did a COVID test and made him feel comfortable the best we could.

Soon, it became clear to the staff of the mission that he had some mental health issues but he was cooperative with mission procedures.  He muttered to himself and shuffled a bit, but seemed to get along with other residents just fine.

After months of trying to get an ID with no progress, we asked Behavioral Health for help… which languished and soon ground to a standstill.

Then one day, “J” was asked to leave for 24 hours because of an angry outburst with another resident.

We prayed for his safety and hoped he would find his way back.

 A few days later, the police picked him up and brought him back, producing an identification based on fingerprints and an old photo.  Now we had a real name.  With his accent, we had an area in the U.S. which to start the investigation.

After some diligent research by one of our case workers, we were able to locate his mom, get his story and a copy of his birth certificate.  She had been faithfully saving his social security check, so now he had a bank account.

But he still denied his name, and preferred to be called “J”. 

When questioned he’d say that he is not “that person” even though we have the police and his mother giving positive identification.

With gentle convincing one of our caseworkers finally secured him a State ID.  It was a first step in getting him needed medical services.

Because “J” was in his late 60’s with some mental challenges and mild memory loss we were able to convince a judge to pursue state guardianship with the hope that they would then take over his care and find proper housing for him.  “J” has been added to a housing list.  We wait in hope.

 It has been 2 years now, since “J” shuffled into the Fairbanks Rescue Mission. That caseworker who found his identity, checks on him still, though she is now at home - a caregiver for her mom. 

Spring comes again, and with it the hope that a place will be found for him.

Until then, the staff and residents of the mission will continue to love and care for “Old man J”.

2021/ 2024 Update, Old man J is now on medication and is staying in a local care center - he plans to return home and live with his mother.