Mission serves the hungry at annual Easter Dinner
Lexington Rescue Mission served 116 meals to hungry men, women and children at the annual Easter Dinner, held Saturday, March 22 at the Outreach Center. In addition to a traditional ham dinner, each guest received a gift bag with candy, toiletries and a note of encouragement. Many also joined us for an Easter service before the meal. The service featured special music performed by a local family. The mission serves free, hot meals year-round on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at noon at the Outreach Center, located at 444 Glen Arvin Avenue.
Mission undergoes Extreme Makeover
The men who live at the mission received a special gift from volunteers at WTVQ 36 and S&S Tire. They remodeled the living room at the mission's residential facility, located at 649 North Limestone St., giving it a whole new look and feel. The project was a part of United Way of the Bluegrass' Extreme Community Makeover, which pairs local businesses and civic groups with non-profit agencies for a room makeover. The volunteer team had two days and a budget of $500, although they received in-kind donations worth thousands of dollars for the project. The team won the "Best in Show" award at the Extreme Community Makeover Awards Breakfast work. To see the room from start to finish, watch the Extreme Community Makeover story on our homepage.
Health clinic serving uninsured men, women and children
The Lexington Rescue Mission Health Clinic opened its doors on February 26, 2008. The clinic is open on Tuesday evenings, from 6 to 9 p.m., and provides free medical care to uninsured mission clients and their dependents as well as clients of other half-way houses and transitional homes and those referred by social workers. The clinic is located at the mission's Outreach Center, at 444 Glen Arvin Avenue, and is staffed by a nurse practitioner as well as volunteer nurses and medical professionals. If you are interested in volunteering, please call (859) 381-9600 or e-mail volunteer@lexingtonrescue.org.
Walk for Warmth raises more than $9,000 for homeless prevention
The First Annual Walk for Warmth raised more than $9,000 for the Lexington Rescue Mission's Homeless Prevention Program. This program helps individuals and families in crisis by providing them with emergency financial assistance for rent and utility bills as well as budget counseling, resource referral and case management. The money raised from the event increased the budget for the Homeless Prevention Program by 80%, enabling the mission to help 91 more families this year. Thanks to everyone who came out on a cold February morning to walk and to all who supported the event. Please mark your calendars for the Second Annual Walk for Warmth, which will be held Saturday, February 28, 2009.
Mission opens Employment Services to help those looking for work
Lexington Rescue Mission launched Employment Services in February. This program provides 0ne-on-one coaching for men and women looking for a job, helping them learn how to prepare a resume, fill out a job application and present themselves in an interview. The mission also provides bus passes, computer access for online job searches and resume preparation, phone and voice mail access to make and return job-related calls, and lockers for the homeless to store their belongings while looking for work. Volunteer opportunities are available a the mission thrift store, giving clients an opportunity to learn how to become better employees and to build positive work references. For more information, please contact Vince Meccariello at (859) 381-9600, ext. 231 or by e-mail at vince@lexingtonrescue.org.
Thrift store expands hours to meet increased need
The Lexington Rescue Mission Thrift Store is now open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Located at 720 Bryan Avenue, the thrift store provides men in our residential recovery program vocational training while proceeds support the work of the mission. The thrift store accepts donations of clothing, furniture, appliances, household items, tools and electronics. All donatinos are appreciated and may be dropped off during store hours. If you have larger items to donate, you can arrange a pick-up by calling (859) 254-1712.
Free computer classes now offered on Saturday mornings
Free computer classes are now held on Saturday mornings, from 10 a.m. to noon. The classes are open to the public and teach computer basics, including e-mail, Internet and the operating system. Classes in Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint will begin on Tuesday nights this spring. The classes are held at The Outreach Center, located at 444 Glen Arvin Avenue. For more information or to register for a class, please call (859) 381-9600.