ORLANDO UNION RESCUE MISSION INC

FOR A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF ALL PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.THE ORLANDO UNION RESCUE MISSION IS A CHRISTIAN MINISTRY THAT CONDUCTS LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS THAT EQUIP ITS GUESTS - THE HOMELESS MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN WHO LIVE AT THE MISSION - TO ESCAPE HOMELESSNESS PERMANENTLY. IN ADDITION TO THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF HOUSING, FOOD, AND CLOTHING, THE MISSION PROVIDES THE EDUCATION, TRAINING, ADDICTION RECOVERY, AND COUNSELING THOSE GUESTS NEED SO DESPERATELY. IT OFFERS ALL THOSE SERVICES IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT FOSTERS KNOWLEDGE OF AND A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST. THE MISSION PROVIDES ALL GOODS AND SERVICES TO GUESTS FOR FREE; THEY PAY NOTHING FOR ALL ESSENTIAL LIVING EXPENSES WHILE THEY ARE AT THE MISSION.THE MISSION OPERATES TWO RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES. THE FAMILY HOME HOUSES SINGLE WOMEN, SINGLE MOTHERS WITH CHILDREN, SINGLE FATHERS WITH CHILDREN, AND INTACT MARRIED COUPLES WITH CHILDREN. THE NUMBER OF GUESTS LIVING AT THE FAMILY HOME VARIES, DEPENDING ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE FAMILIES AND THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN. THE FAMILY HOME HAS A MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF 194 GUESTS, BUT AT ANY TIME, THE POPULATION OF GUESTS TYPICALLY VARIES BETWEEN 140 AND 180.THE SECOND RESIDENTIAL FACILITY IS PROJECT HOPE, WHERE THE MISISON SERVES 158 SINGLE, HOMELESS MEN. THE CENTERPIECE OF THE MISSION'S PROGRAMS AT BOTH THE FAMILY HOME AND PROJECT HOPE IS THE DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM, IN WHICH THE GUESTS LIVE AT THE MISSION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD WHILE THEY RECOGNIZE WHY THEY ARE HOMELESS AND DEVELOP THE HABITS AND BEHAVIORS THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO OVERCOME HOMELESSNESS FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. PROJECT HOPE ALSO INCLUDES AN EMERGENCY OVERNIGHT SHELTER THAT PROVIDES A SAFE, COMFORTABLE PLACE FOR HOMELESS MEN TO SLEEP, EAT, SHOWER, AND ATTEND CHAPEL WITHOUT THE LONG-TERM COMMITMENTS THE DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM ENTAILS. THE EMERGENCY SHELTER NOT ONLY TAKES FORTY-EIGHT MEN OFF THE STREETS EACH NIGHT, BUT IT ALSO SERVES AS THE PRIMARY RECRUITING TOOL FOR THE MISSION'S LONG-TERM PROGRAM FOR MEN.THE MISSION ALSO INCLUDES A FAMILY LIFE CENTER, WHICH HOUSES THE MISSION'S PRESCHOOL, THE PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL-AGE GUESTS, AND EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES FOR ADULT GUESTS. THE EARLY LEARNING CENTER (ELC) IS THE MISSION'S PRESCHOOL FOR THE YOUNGEST CHILDREN OF ITS FAMILY HOME GUESTS. THE ELC CARES FOR CHILDREN FROM 6:30 A.M. TO 8:30 P.M. WEEKDAYS, IS STAFFED BY CERTIFIED PRESCHOOL TEACHERS, AND OFFERS AGE-APPROPRIATE CURRICULA FOR THE MISSION'S YOUNGEST GUESTS. FOR SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN, THE MISSION PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE, TUTORING, SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION IN READING COMPREHENSION AND MEMORY TRAINING, PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, AND SOCIAL TIME.THE MISSION OPERATES AN ACCREDITED HIGH SCHOOL, THE CAREER LEARNING CENTER (CLC), FOR ADULT GUESTS. THE CLC ISSUES HIGH-SCHOOL DIPLOMAS, NOT GED CERTIFICATES, AND EVERY ADULT WHO ENTERS THE MISSION WITHOUT A DIPLOMA MUST GET ONE. ADULT GUESTS ALSO TAKE COURSES ON PERSONAL FINANCE, PARENTING, TIME MANAGEMENT, AND OTHER SIMILAR TOPICS. ADDITIONALLY, MISSION GUESTS HAVE TUITION-FREE ACCESS TO SIXTY-THREE VOCATIONAL TRAINING CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS THROUGH VALENCIA COLLEGE. GUESTS HAVE USED THAT OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME CERTIFIED IN MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, WELDING, CNC MACHINING, ELECTRONIC BOARD ASSEMBLY, AND A WIDE RANGE OF OTHER SKILLS. THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS, BOTH INSIDE THE MISSION AND THROUGH OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS, PREPARE GUESTS TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT THAT LEADS TO PRODUCTIVE, PROSPEROUS CAREERS, WHICH WILL SUSTAIN THEM FINANCIALLY AND ENABLE THEM TO AVOID A RELAPSE INTO HOMELESSNESS.BECAUSE OF THE PREVALENCE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG THE HOMELESS, ESPECIALLY MEN, THE MISSION CONDUCTS AN ACTIVE, SUCCESSFUL ADDICTION RECOVERY PROGRAM. IT INCLUDES AN INTERNAL COMPONENT, CONQUERING CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY, WHICH OCCURS ON MISSION PROPERTY, AND MANDATORY PARTICIPATION IN CELEBRATE RECOVERY, A PUBLIC, FAITH-BASED PROGRAM. ALL GUESTS UNDERGO DRUG TESTS WHEN THEY ENTER THE MISSION AND ALSO DURING THEIR TENURE IN THE PROGRAMS, EITHER THROUGH RANDOM SELECTION OR BECAUSE OF REASONABLE SUSPICION BASED ON BEHAVIOR.THE MISSION RECOGNIZES THAT LEARNING ABOUT AND GETTING TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST IS AN ESSENTIAL ASPECT OF ITS GUESTS' RECOVERY FROM HOMELESSNESS. CONSEQUENTLY, EVERY GUEST IS IMMERSED IN THE GOSPEL DURING HIS OR HER STAY AT THE MISSION. ALL GUESTS ATTEND CHAPEL, INITIALLY AT THE MISSION, BUT AFTER GUESTS ADJUST TO THE MISSION'S PROGRAM, THEY MAY ATTEND AN OUTSIDE CHURCH. ALL GUESTS PARTICIPATE IN BIBLE STUDIES AND RECEIVE REGULAR COUNSELING, WHICH ADDRESSES FUNCTIONAL ISSUES LIKE TIMELINESS, DISCIPLINE, AND ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT DOES SO WITH A BIBLICAL BASIS. THE MISSION HELPS GUESTS INTEGRATE INTO LOCAL CHURCHES AS THEY PREPARE TO GRADUATE FROM THE MISSION'S PROGRAMS AND LEAVE ITS FACILITIES. AS A MINISTRY OF CHRIST, THE MISSION RESTS ALL ITS SERVICES, ACTIVITIES, AND PROGRAMS ON THE OBLIGATION AND PRIVILEGE OF SHARING THE LOVE OF CHRIST AND SPREADING HIS KINGDOM.ALL GUESTS LIVING AT THE MISSION RECEIVE MINISTRY ASSIGNMENTS DUTIES THEY PERFORM AS PART OF THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE MISSION'S PROGRAMS AND CONSEQUENTLY RECEIVING ALL THE ACCOMPANYING BENEFITS. THOSE ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDE WORKING IN THE KITCHENS, HOUSEKEEPING, FACILITIES MAINTENANCE, LANDSCAPING, AND OTHER SIMILAR EFFORTS THAT HELP OPERATE THE MISSION. THE MINISTRY ASSIGNMENTS ARE WORK THERAPY, DURING WHICH THE GUESTS DEVELOP THREE ESSENTIAL HABITS: (1) BEING ON TIME FOR WORK EVERY DAY; (2) FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS; AND (3) GETTING ALONG AND COOPERATING WITH EVERYBODY AT WORK. IF GUESTS CAN LEARN AND APPLY THOSE LESSONS, THEY WILL SUCCEED IN FINDING AND MAINTAINING REGULAR EMPLOYMENT AFTER GRADUATING FROM THE MISSION'S PROGRAMS.ONE PLACE GUESTS MAY SERVE THEIR MINISTRY ASSIGNMENT IS THE MISSION'S BARGAIN STORE, A THRIFT SHOP. THE SHOP IS LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN ORLANDO, AND IT SERVES FOUR IMPORTANT PURPOSES. FIRST, IT OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF QUALITY USED MERCHANDISE, PRIMARILY CLOTHES AND HOME FURNISHINGS, AT VERY REASONABLE PRICES. NEIGHBORS ON LIMITED INCOMES ARE BLESSED BY FINDING THEY CAN CLOTHE THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES AND OBTAIN FURNISHINGS FOR THEIR HOMES AT AFFORDABLE PRICES.SECOND, THE STORE IS AN EFFECTIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR MISSION GUESTS TO LEARN AND DEVELOP GOOD JOB SKILLS AND HABITS. SIX TO TEN GUESTS SERVE THEIR MINISTRY ASSIGNMENTS AT THE STORE AT ANY TIME, LEARNING THE THREE ESSENTIAL LESSONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, AND THEY ALSO CULTIVATE CUSTOMER-SERVICE SKILLS AND THE ABILITY TO WORK WITH THE BROAD RANGE OF PERSONALITIES THEY AMONG THE CUSTOMERS.THE THIRD ASPECT OF THE BARGAIN STORE IS SERVING AS AN INFORMAL COMMUNITY CENTER. THE STORE OFFERS ITS NEIGHBORS A SAFE, COMFORTABLE, AND FRIENDLY PLACE TO "HANG OUT AND TALK WITH FRIENDS. RECOGNIZING THAT NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRY, THE MISSION DOES NOT DISCOURAGE SUCH LOITERING BY ITS PATRONS. THE LOCAL RESIDENTS HAVE VERY LIMITED INCOMES, AND THEIR ACCESS TO OTHER WELCOMING, SECURE VENUES IS RESTRICTED. THE STAFF AT THE STORE, INCLUDING THE MISSION GUESTS, MINISTER TO AND BEFRIEND THOSE NEIGHBORS DAILY.FINALLY, THE BARGAIN STORE ACCEPTS DONATIONS OF CLOTHING, FURNITURE AND HOME ACCESSORIES. HUNDREDS OF LOCAL DONORS RECEIVE THE BENEFIT OF HAVING A PLACE TO GIVE THEIR GENTLY USED CLOTHES AND OTHER ITEMS KNOWING THAT THOSE ITEMS WILL BLESS SOMEONE WHO NEEDS THEM. THOSE DONORS ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT THEIR GIFTS HELP SUPPORT THE TRANSFORMATION OF LIVES THROUGH THE MISSION'S RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS. THOUSANDS OF ARTICLES OF CLOTHING AND PIECES OF FURNITURE FIND SECOND HOMES WHERE THEY ARE APPRECIATED AND LOVED, AND THE REVENUES FROM THE SALE OF THOSE MATERIALS HELP FUND THE MISSION'S PROGRAMS.DURING 2025, THE MISSION PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 89,172 NIGHTS OF SHELTER TO HOMELESS MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN. IT SERVED 580,608 MEALS TO THE HOMELESS, AN AVERAGE OF 1,590 FREE MEALS DAILY. THE MISSION DISTRIBUTED 201,966 PERSONAL CARE ITEMS HYGIENE PRODUCTS, SOCKS, UNDERWEAR, AND SIMILAR MATERIALS FOR FREE TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS. VOLUNTEERS SERVED A TOTAL OF 21,764 HOURS IN MINISTRY TO THE HOMELESS AT THE MISISON IN 2025, AN AVERAGE OF 1,813 HOURS EACH MONTH. THE TOTAL VALUE OF ITEMS DONATED AND RECORDED AS NON-CASH CONTRIBUTION REVENUE FOR MEALS, CLOTHING, FURNITURE, SHOES, PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS, SUPPLIES, TOYS AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS WAS $2,113,863, OF WHICH, $1,715,324 WAS REDISTRIBUTED TO NEEDY FAMILIES AND RECORDED AS PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSE WHEN DISTRIBUTED.