Allentown Rescue Mission

Charles T. was working two jobs and living on his own when he began to get sick. The sickness resulted in a hospital stay that caused him to lose his income and place of residence. Charles turned to a friend for help and a place to stay. He lived with his friend for two months and then came to the Allentown Rescue Mission.

While in the Emergency Shelter, a staff member recounted his experience in the Transformation program and recommended it to Charles. This recommendation, along with the fact that Charles wanted to change his life, motivated him to give the program a chance. He admitted he didn’t know if he would complete the program, but his mindset changed as the weeks progressed and he graduated from the program. Charles said, “I now see life differently.”

Today, Charles is working for the Clean Team Workforce. He would like to find a permanent job, begin a family one day, and hopefully return to New York. His long-term plans include one day owning his own pressure washing and landscape business.

🙏 Thank You Thursday🙏

Like most of us, Joe and Pat Ditalia routinely make trips to the grocery store and fill the back of their car with bags of groceries. What sets the Ditalia’s apart is that despite the seemingly always-rising prices of groceries, they make routine trips to the grocery store to shop specifically for the Allentown Rescue Mission.

Their most recent drop-off included a large selection of some of the Mission’s biggest needs; breakfast cereal, single-serve beverages, and more.

When asked why they donate to the Allentown Rescue Mission, they revealed that it is to honor their son, Phil, who tragically passed away. They want men in their community to receive the help they need.

Thank you, Joe and Pat, for honoring Phil by helping the Allentown Rescue Mission Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Restore men experiencing homelessness in the Greater Lehigh Valley!

After being released from jail and then the hospital for diabetes, Scott L. came to the Allentown Rescue Mission to get back on his feet. He needed time to get a job and pay off a fine to reinstate his CDL license. Scott applied for jobs daily but couldn’t find work. He decided to go a different route and join the Mission’s Transformation Program, the first step in regaining his independence. After he graduates, he can be employed by the Clean Team Workforce and start saving money for his future.

🚨 ⏩ Our busiest season is just around the corner! We need YOUR help to stock our shelves and transform lives this fall! ❤️‍🩹 🍁 As summer ends, so many struggling men in our community face the looming fear of longer, colder nights, when hope and comfort feel further away than ever.

🙏 💛 You can help provide warm meals throughout the season - and each one can lead to safe shelter and life-changing programs and support for our weariest neighbors. Please give today! >> https://buff.ly/3ZizdV0

🚨 We Still Need Your Help!🚨

Back in July, we posted about a need to purchase new Storage Cabinets in our 3rd-floor dorm rooms that would be more durable, easier to clean and sanitize, and give the men more space to safely store clothing and personal items.

Through your generosity, we have been able to purchase 7 Storage Cabinets! We want to thank EVERYONE who has contributed to this campaign so far!

You can still make a difference in the lives of men experiencing homelessness in a very practical way by making a donation to help us purchase more new Storage Cabinets for hard-working men looking towards a brighter future.

Every gift matters and helps to ensure the men at the Allentown Rescue Mission, like Matthew, have a safe, clean living space while they reside here.

You can scan the QR code in the image below, mail your check today, or donate online at:
https://buff.ly/3Zh42tb

Thank you in advance for supporting the Allentown Rescue Mission!

🙏Thank You Thursday🙏

The Allentown Rescue Mission gives our heartfelt thanks to East Allen EMS for their nearly 45 years of dedicated service to the community and a recent donation of $10,110 to the Allentown Rescue Mission.

East Allen EMS was forced to close its doors for the final time in July 2023. As part of their dissolution process, they felt the best way to honor the organization’s legacy was by continuing its core beliefs in giving back to the community. As a result, the Allentown Rescue Mission was selected as one of several local nonprofits to receive a financial donation, which may be used to purchase and maintain first aid supplies, AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators), and replacement pads.

Michele and Kenneth Morrow, representing East Allen EMS, delivered this donation last week and the Allentown Rescue Mission thanks them and East Allen EMS for this donation and the years of service provided to East Allen Township and its surrounding communities.

Brixton Pinelli, a third grader at Holland Township Elementary School in Milford,
NJ dedicated the proceeds of his summertime lemonade stand to the Allentown Rescue Mission. The eight-year-old raised nearly $800 to help men experiencing homelessness in the Greater Lehigh Valley.

The Pinelli family sets summer goals every year. This year, Brixton decided to adopt an organization that he believed in and make a difference for it. The family researched different charities online and he selected the Allentown Rescue Mission.

Brixton devoted a weekend in July and one in August to running his lemonade stand. He created signs, advertised on Facebook, and made a lot of lemonade. With the community’s support, the endeavor exceeded his expectations.

Brixton shared that in addition to feeling good about raising the money, “I liked sitting outside, near the fire station, and meeting all the people.” He also added a special touch by handing out lollipops to anyone who bought lemonade or made a flat donation.

The Allentown Rescue Mission thanks Brixton and the Pinelli family for having a heart to help others and taking action on behalf of the Mission so it can continue to Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Restore men experiencing homelessness.

A two-man Clean Team Workforce crew recently spent the day trimming weeds around monuments and gravestones at a large local cemetery. Between the two of them, Dwight and Matt trimmed approximately 2,700 gravesites that day.

W**d trimming and other light landscaping projects are only a few examples of what the Clean Team Workforce could do for you. The Clean Team Workforce is available for Commercial/Residential Cleanouts, Junk Removal, Event Setup/Teardown, Grounds cleanup, or General Labor and Light Demolition jobs.

By hiring the Clean Team Workforce, you are helping formerly homeless men get back to work and save money to regain their independence.

To learn more please visit https://buff.ly/3XyvYYc

Michael D. came to the Allentown Rescue Mission the same day he lost his apartment. For fifteen years, he had a stable job. Toward the end of his fifteen years, Michael’s supervisor moved on from the company and Michael had to take on additional responsibilities. He began experiencing dizzy spells and psoriasis outbreaks due to the stress of his new duties. Michael decided to quit his job and live off his savings until he found another job. Unfortunately, his money ran out before he found a job.

After Michael arrived at the Emergency Shelter, he heard about the Transformation Program. He thought it was a good option because he was raised Roman Catholic and always found religious studies interesting. Joining the program would also give him more time to search for work.

Michael ended up enjoying the program and the structure that was associated with it. He recently graduated and took a job on the Clean Team Workforce. Michael wants to attain stability in his life. His goal is to own a little house and to keep things simple like he was living before the events that led to his coming to the Mission.

Sante G. lost his apartment and his job after he was hospitalized for 3 months following his second stroke. He was unable to work at his previous jobs as a construction worker and food truck cleaner and needed safe shelter. That is when he found the Allentown Rescue Mission.

Sante enrolled in the Transformation Program and is getting stronger every day. He is not used to being out of work and having to ask for help. He is looking forward to getting a job on the Clean Team Workforce and feeling “normal” again.

🙏 Thank You Thursday! 🙏

Thank you to our friends at New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ in East Greenville, PA, which is one of the oldest German Reformed congregations in the country, for being a partner and supporter of the Allentown Rescue Mission over the last several years!

We are blessed to be one of a number of organizations that "New Gosh" supports and we are thankful for their service to the community and to the men at the Allentown Rescue Mission!

It was a pleasure to welcome City of Allentown Mayor, Matt Tuerk to the Allentown Rescue Mission recently as he stopped by to share a meal and some motivational words with our guests! His visit was in conjunction with the Rose Garden Neighborhood Association, which prepared and served a wonderful Italian feast to our guests!

Thank you, Mayor Tuerk for taking the time to listen to the needs of men experiencing homelessness and for sharing encouraging words with them as they look to regain their independence in the community.

🚨 URGENT SUPPLY NEEDS! 🚨

The Allentown Rescue Mission is running CRITICALLY LOW on toilet paper and paper towels.

While prices of many items, including paper products, continue to rise, our need for them is ongoing. The Allentown Rescue Mission needs to maintain an ample supply of these items in order to serve the needs of about 1,000 men who come through our doors each year. We know we can count on our loyal donors and community supporters who always seem to come through in times of need and your help is needed NOW more than ever.

Our Drop-Off address is:
355 Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101

Our office hours are:
Mon-Thu: 8:30am-5:00pm
Fri: 8:30am-4:00pm

For any donations after hours or on weekends, please call (610)740-5500 ext. 313 for assistance.

Thank you in advance for your loyal support of the Allentown Rescue Mission, even in challenging economic times, as we Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Restore struggling men in the Greater Lehigh Valley.

From our staff and the men in our care, Happy Labor Day! Our administrative offices are closed, but our emergency shelter is open. If you or someone you know requires our services, please call 610-740-5500 ext 313.

Every art class at the Allentown Rescue Mission is a reminder that each painting created in these classes is as unique as the man who painted it. Each man brings his own talents, life experience, and perspective into each stroke of the brush and that is more than enough to create a masterpiece!

Please help us let these men know what a great job they did and feel free to share this post to brighten someone's day!

🙏 Thank You Thursday! 🙏

The Allentown Rescue Mission would like to give a shout-out to all our amazing business partners who work with us to Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Restore men experiencing homelessness and go above and beyond to make an impact in our community.

One of these great partners is WilliamSIGNS in Allentown, which supplies us with a variety of signs, banners, and posters for occasions in and around the Allentown Rescue Mission and the community! They help us share our message of hope and help for men in need and have donated their time and services numerous times, so THANK YOU, WilliamSigns for partnering with us to help make a difference in the lives of struggling men in the Greater Lehigh Valley!

Clean Team Workforce congratulates its Employee of the Month for July, Greg L.

Greg struggled with alcoholism, and it destroyed his life. After he lost everything, he realized he needed to make a change and checked himself into the hospital. Eventually, he was transferred to a rehabilitation facility for a few weeks, and then he came to the Allentown Rescue Mission.

After learning that the Mission’s Transformation Program offered life skills classes, bible classes, and workforce development training, Greg knew that the program could help change the course of his life. He joined in February 2024.

Greg enjoyed all the classes in the Transformation Program. He developed new skills and said, “his eyes had been opened and he understands more about himself now.” He sees how the program helped him and how it has helped others. He believes the most beneficial aspect of the program for him was the counseling he received.

Today, Greg works in the Mission’s kitchen for the Clean Team Workforce. He has a culinary degree and has worked in the food service industry most of his life. So, he was the perfect candidate when a position opened in the kitchen. Greg works hard to keep the kitchen clean and organized and to prepare nutritious and good-tasting food for the men. One staff member commented, “When Greg sees a need or sees someone who needs help, he always helps.”

Greg is grateful for the kitchen job. He feels like he is giving back to other men at the shelter. His plan is to work full-time until he is able to retire and collect his pension. Afterward, he wants to keep busy and continue to work part-time.

Clean Team Workforce considers Greg an asset to the kitchen and to other men experiencing homelessness. Thank you, Greg.

August is National Make a Will Month so we’re highlighting 5 questions to ask before making a will. Today’s question: What people and organizations embody your values?

In this series, we’ve explored several questions to ask yourself before you make a will. Take a minute to consider your answers, then make a list of the people and places that align with your answers. The names you identify are a natural place to find your executor, the guardian of your children, and beneficiaries of your estate, including organizations that matter to you like the Allentown Rescue Mission.

Congratulations! You’re now well on your way to creating your will.

Our Wills Guide will help you take the next step in your legacy planning journey. Comment below to request your free copy.

The Clean Team Workforce men recently finished a large property cleanout that took several days to complete. The job was difficult and had several floors with many rooms loaded with junk to be removed for disposal or recycling, but the men persevered and got the job done.

JP and Javon are all smiles as they finish up the final tasks on the project. Javon is doing final sweeping and JP is getting ready to remove a few signs that are attached to the wall inside.

The men never know what they will find when doing property cleanouts. Here, the men are holding some interesting street signs that were found inside the house.

The Clean Team Workforce, which helps formerly homeless men get back to work and save money to regain their independence, can do a variety of projects for commercial and residential clients. Please visit our website to see how they can help you: https://buff.ly/2ZFXo31

🙏 THANK YOU THURSDAY! 🙏

We would like to give a huge shout-out and THANK YOU to our friends, Debbie and Dean!

For the last four years, Debbie and Dean have been bringing donations of food and supplies to the Allentown Rescue Mission. They have been working hand-in-hand with Betty Lou's Pantry in Coopersburg and when there is an overflow of food and supplies, Debbie and Dean load up their red pick-up truck and bring it to the Allentown Rescue Mission to benefit the men we serve.

THANK YOU, Debbie and Dean for supporting the Allentown Rescue Mission and the work we do to Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Restore men experiencing homelessness in the Greater Lehigh Valley!

Patrick L. left home after having problems with his family. He was in and out of homelessness, sometimes living with friends and other times living on the streets. Then one day, his car broke down. He didn’t have money to fix it, so he lost his job working for Instacart. Without any income, Patrick had to reevaluate his life. That’s when he came to the Allentown Rescue Mission.

While in the Transformation Program, Patrick showed a sincere desire to change his life. He was reliable and applied himself to his responsibilities in the program. He learned to forgive his family and to have more empathy towards others. He revealed, “I got understanding from the Bible on what is right and what is wrong.”

Patrick’s goals were to be proactive in his job search and become self-sufficient. He diligently searched for jobs in his free time and landed a job with a local company which he started immediately after graduating from the Transformation Program. He is well on his way!

August is National Make a Will Month so we’re highlighting 5 questions to ask before making a will. Today’s question: What stories do you want to share?

Have you ever considered that your stories are a beautiful treasure to pass on to future generations?

Your family wants to know about your childhood, challenges you faced, obstacles you’ve overcome, your first job, a favorite trip you took. You’ll encourage your loved ones and preserve some family history at the same time.

For more, please visit: https://buff.ly/3YagaLN

When released from prison, Todd S. was given a home plan. Unfortunately, the home where he was living had alcohol present and he knew he needed to leave. That is when he found the Allentown Rescue Mission.

Todd is currently seeking full-time employment and working with his caseworker to find housing. “The staff have been great help in assisting me with my needs,” stated Todd.

We want to take a moment to extend our heartfelt thanks to our amazing donors for their unwavering support of the Allentown Rescue Mission. Your donations have been critical in helping us continue our mission to provide food, shelter, and services to men in need, even amidst economic hardships. Your generosity and compassion have given hope and comfort to our guests, and for that, we are forever grateful. Thank you for standing with us and helping us Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Restore homeless men in our community.

https://buff.ly/3YOn8GF

The Allentown Rescue Mission recently received two brand-new chest freezers through the Program, which is locally coordinated by Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania! Through partnerships with companies like Starbucks and organizations like Second Harvest, the Allentown Rescue Mission is better able to Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Restore men experiencing homelessness in the Greater Lehigh Valley!

These new freezers increase our capacity to store food for our guests. The freezers also allow us to accept more donations and reduce food costs for the Allentown Rescue Mission. With the rise in homelessness and increased demand for our services, donations like this are extremely helpful and important, so thank you to Second Harvest Food Bank and the Starbucks FoodShare Program for coordinating the donation of these freezers!

🙏 THANK YOU THURSDAY 🙏

The Allentown Rescue Mission is blessed to be a recent recipient of a $15,000 Community Grant from Wingstop Charities! This grant enabled the Mission to replace our commercial stove, steamer, and food warmer in the kitchen.

The new kitchen equipment will allow the Allentown Rescue Mission to better serve and feed the 1,000 men in need who come through our doors each year.

THANK YOU, Wingstop Charities, for your generosity to the Allentown Rescue Mission and your commitment to helping people in the local community!

🙏 Wednesday Word 🙏
Life is a series of seasons, none of which last forever. In the complex times of change from one season to another, we can be encouraged that our loving God is in control even when we are not and that He guides us through the good and bad times alike. ✝️

The Allentown Rescue Mission is thrilled to announce Jose P. as the winner of its Christmas in July holiday card contest. Jose’s winter barn scene prevailed over five competing paintings, collecting 51 percent of the votes. All the paintings were created in the Mission’s Therapeutic Art Class by men experiencing homelessness and residing at the Mission.

As the winner, Jose’s painting will become the Allentown Rescue Mission’s 2024 Christmas card. Jose will be honored on the card and receive a gift card to a local eatery for his achievement.

“If it wasn’t for the Allentown Rescue Mission and the therapeutic art class, I would never have known that I was an artist! Thank you to everyone who voted. Merry Christmas and God Bless,” gushed Jose when he learned that his picture was chosen.

Jose never imagined that he would end up in a homeless shelter. He worked hard before he came to the Mission but lost everything trying to help a family member save their home. In the end, there were too many bills and the house he was trying to save was lost, along with his own home.

After graduating from the Allentown Rescue Mission’s Transformation Program, Jose began working for the Clean Team Workforce. He continues to be a reliable, hard worker for the Clean Team Workforce and is excited to reunite with his family as soon as he has saved enough money for a place for them to live.

The Allentown Rescue Mission thanks all the men who participated in the contest. The contest and subsequent Christmas card would not have been possible without their willingness to take a risk and put their talents in the public eye.

August is National Make a Will Month so we’re highlighting 5 questions to ask before making a will. Today’s question: What values are important to you?

The beliefs and principles that guide your life are some of the most valuable gifts you can hand down to your loved ones. Your will is an ideal place to shine a light on your values, your family, and the causes and organizations close to your heart, including the Allentown Rescue Mission.

Learn more at: https://buff.ly/3YagaLN

Alex R. came to the United States from Puerto Rico and lived with his sister. An argument with her escalated out of control and he was charged with simple assault. While serving his jail sentence, Alex heard about the Allentown Rescue Mission and after his release, he decided to give it a try.

While staying in the Emergency Shelter, Alex enrolled in the Mission’s eight-week Transformation Program. He heard that the program helped men “connect with God.” And although Alex didn’t speak any English, he committed himself to learn all that he could. In the end, Alex said he “experienced the love of God.”

Alex’s focus and determination, despite the language barrier, enabled him to graduate from the program. He now works for the Clean Team Workforce where he has begun to save money so that he can eventually move back to Puerto Rico.