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Homelessness
They arrive beaten, hungry, down on their luck. They come in the
middle of the night, during the day. For some, the river's edge has
been home for days, weeks. Others are fresh on the street and don't
know where to turn.
About 90 percent are men, although women and children are not immune
from the ravages of street life. Many are veterans. Most are in their
mid- to late-30s. They are brothers, sisters. Husbands, wives. Mothers,
fathers. Sons, daughters.
Almost all are affected by alcohol, drugs, gambling, employment
layoffs or other financial disasters.
These are the homeless and hurting of the Reno-Sparks area.
These also are the clients of the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission, the
largest provider of beds to the homeless in Northern Nevada. Founded
in 1963, RSGM is a non-denominational Christian organization funded solely through
private donations – we receive no money from city, state or
federal governments.
The Mission exists to minister to the homeless and needy in all
areas, including spiritually, physically, emotionally and socially.
RSGM accomplishes this through a variety or programs that provide
shelter and lodging, food, clothing, counseling, addiction recovery,
educational opportunities, job training and medical care.
In addition, the Mission has outreach programs to senior citizens,
the Hispanic community, churches of all denominations and other charitable
agencies.
Men, women and children at the Mission initially receive up to
five free nights of lodging plus two meals per day. Additional nights
and meals are available at a nominal fee. People who wish to enter
the Christian Addiction and Recovery (C.A.R.E.) program – an
intensive residential addiction treatment program – receive
up to one year of free lodging and meals.
In exchange, the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission asks clients to remain
sober and committed to RSGM's strong work ethics focus. Clients also
attend morning chapel services at the downtown building, located
at 355 Record St.
Program clients reside either at the Victory Center (a 52-bed shelter
for men) or the Prayer House (a home for women). Clients work at
one of RSGM's facilities:
- Victory Center or Prayer House
- Downtown mission
- Reno, Sparks or North Valley thrift stores
- New Life Training Center (RSGM’s warehouse)
- Reno Assistance Center/Men’s Drop In Center (190-bed homeless
shelter for men)
Clients do not receive wages for their efforts, but are compensated
through lodging, meals, job training, education and counseling. Many
former program workers are hired by the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission
after they graduate from the C.A.R.E. program.
Throughout the year, the Mission holds special events for the homeless
and poor of Reno, including Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, picnics,
special chapel services and other events.
In addition, the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission provides the following
services:
- Free clothing for men, women and children
- Free in-house counseling
- Free emergency grocery orders to local needy families (through
churches and schools)
- Free surplus bread and perishable to senior citizen and charitable
agencies
- Free shampoo, shaves, showers and haircuts for program clients
The Mission also operates the Reno Assistance Center, a joint venture
with the City of Reno and Washoe County to provide about 190 beds
and services for homeless men. In 2006, the Mission will begin similar
operations when a 50-bed facility opens for the area’s homeless
women.
Rick Redding, executive director, leads the Reno-Sparks Gospel
Mission. He brings more than a dozen years of pastoral leadership,
counseling and management to the Gospel Mission.
Redding says he wants everyone – regardless of skin color,
religion, ethnicity or social status – to feel welcomed at
the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission and its affiliated services.
“No one gets turned away. No one,” Redding says. “We
follow Jesus, a man who continuously set the example in how to deal
with the poor and needy.
“I want us to reach out to everyone. We’re not trying
to hold people down and ‘convert’ them to some religion.
That’s not my job. My job is to reach out, offer help and see
what I can do to meet their needs.
“Now, if they join our program they’ll hear about God
and the Bible. That’s their choice. But I’m not into
forcing God down anyone’s throat or making people sit through
a church service before we feed them.
“I just want everyone to know we’re here to help. And
if I can do something for you, I will.”
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