Residence Center

Our emergency services begin with a hot, nourishing meal served by faithful community volunteers. Each and every day (including holidays), not only our homeless guests, but the general public have the opportunity to visit the Residence Center for a meal. Meal times are offered as follows:

• Monday – Friday: Breakfast 6:00 am, Lunch 11:30 am, Dinner 5:00 pm
• Saturday: Breakfast 7:00 am, Lunch 11:30, and Dinner 5:00 pm
• Sunday: Breakfast 7:00 am, Lunch 12:00 pm, and Dinner 5:00 pm

Considering our staff and volunteers do not take a day off in offering meals to the community, your Evansville Rescue Mission heavily relies on the generosity of various food distributors, grocery stores, restaurants and individuals to ensure we have enough food in our pantry.

Having enough food is important, but without the faithfulness and friendliness of our strong volunteer base, our meal services could not function. For volunteer information on serving a meal at the Residence Center, please click here.

Upon entering the Residence Center, each of our homeless guests has the opportunity to store their non-essential belongings in a 27 gallon bin. Guests can access their belongings while storing essential items in a crate that is placed at their assigned bed. Our storage area has given our guests peace of mind knowing that their possessions are secure and protected.

For any guests needing particular clothing items, an individual completes a clothing request form. Depending on what they need, a guest can receive two of any requested clothing item with the exception of shoes (one pair of shoes given per request). Any of our guests can complete up to two clothing requests a month except in the event of an emergency.

Please refer to this Immediate Needs list in the far right tab to make a clothing/hygiene/supply-related donation.

We provide laundry privileges for each of our guests where up to three sets of clothes can be washed/dried every other day. Meanwhile, bedding, linens and other miscellaneous items are washed and dried on alternate days each week.

The Rescue Mission uses a software program called Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), which is administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. We use HMIS as a database and case management system to collect and maintain information concerning the characteristics and service needs of our guests. Each guest has direct access to HMIS Notice of Privacy Practices, which can be found by clicking here.

Once the Director of Residential Services completes an initial assessment for every guest, our Case Manager meets with residents to begin intensive case management. Our Case Manager’s role as a counselor is to initially identify a guest’s potential barriers in reaching successful independence and then to develop a life plan for each of our guests. With all of our guests living at or below 80% of Vanderburgh County’s area median income, even a birth certificate fee can be expensive. Once a birth certificate is procured, our guests can take the necessary steps toward self-sufficiency by receiving counsel from our Case Manager on the following:

• Personal identification (social security card or valid state identification card)
• Eligibility for either social security, supplemental security income/disability income, or food stamps
• Medical/mental health services
• Addiction recovery support
• Employment/housing opportunities
• GED instruction
• Self-improvement

Beyond the daily provision of meals, shelter and clothing, we feel the most important component of any of our homeless service programming is spiritual development—the desired outcome of the Evansville Rescue Mission’s long-term residential program called P.A.C.E.S.–Purpose Accountability Christ Education and Service. Any individual desiring to spiritually grow and to have a relationship with Jesus Christ can voluntarily commit to enroll in our long-term residential program which lasts a little over a year, led by our Director of Programming and Lead Pastor.

During this time, residents progress through a multi-level program that includes the following levels:

OASIS:The OASIS track allows participants to focus on their primary goal of addiction recovery. In this track participants attend recovery related classes and meetings on a daily basis. They will join a local recovery fellowship, acquire a sponsor, and begin the process of working through the steps to make an everlasting change in their life.

SOUL: The SOUL track of programming takes a holistic approach while also promoting spiritual growth. Participants go through a wide array of classes such as: life skills, anger management, atomic habits, and a series of biblical studies as well. Residents in SOUL also receive individual case management services.

Health and Wellness: The Health & Wellness track of programming is well-suited for any individual experiencing ongoing struggles with any physical or mental health issues. Intensive case management and therapeutic groups are part of this programming track.

Vocational: The Vocational track of programming requires participants to be working a full-time job, saving at least 60% of their income, planning for future sustainable housing, and working on individual goals with a case manager. Most Vocational participants have graduated to another track of programming prior to joining this track.

Transitional Opportunities: After graduating from a track of programming, residents are given a few transitional opportunities best suited for them. A majority of residents often chose to go into a secondary track of programing while moving into our Transitional housing in our Centennial Center. These residents while receiving case management often work to accomplish goals to be able to eventually move away from the MRC.

Concluding, P.A.C.E.S. attendees (as well as emergency shelter guests) are highly encouraged to make time to attend My Recovery, an addiction recovery class taught every Monday afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Residence Center by ERM staff.

Meanwhile, program participants are daily given meals, shelter, & clothing, and receive case management from our Case Manager, and from ERM’s fellow collaborators.

ERM’s Work Program is a short-term, case managed residential program for men who are employed and need assistance to save money and achieve independent living. To be eligible for the Work Program, applicants must be employed and must present verification of employment from their employer. Applicants must also participate in drug screenings and test negative.  At that point, individuals can fill out an application to enter into ERM’s Work Program. Work Program guests can stay at ERM’s Residence Center for sixty days.

In order to ensure financial stability, Work Program guests are required to save 60% of their income while staying at the Residence Center and to attend a financial management class taught by Old National Bank. Concluding, Work Program guests meet at least bi-weekly with an ERM Case Manager and work on developing a plan to ultimately secure permanent housing.

Food-Related Needs

• All varieties of (frozen) meat
• Canned vegetables; particularly, #10 can size. Any canned vegetable donations are greatly appreciated.
• Canned fruit; particularly, #10 can size. Any canned fruit donations are greatly appreciated.
• Plastic ware: forks, spoons, and knives
• Styrofoam cups (8 oz.)
• Napkins
• Paper towels

*** Any and all food-related donations can be taken to ERM’s main campus (500 East Walnut Street, Evansville, IN 47713) at any time. Just follow our campus’ signage for food donations and go to the east side of our Residence Center (off of Garvin Street) for any deliveries. There will be a buzzer to ring so you can receive assistance unloading.

Supply Needs

• Bottled Water
• Deodorant
• Underclothing (socks, underwear/boxers, undershirts) For Men: Any size is greatly appreciated.
• Notebooks
• Pens
• Bus Tokens
• Flip Flops
• Sunscreen
• Chap Stick
• Mall Calendar Books
• $5 Gift Cards To Dollar General or IGA

*** Any and all non-food donations can be taken to your ERM Donation Center (421 E. Sycamore St., Evansville, IN 47713) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on Saturday between 9 a.m. and to 2 p.m.