Local Shelter Breaks Ground On New Facility

People at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission say they are excited about the future — being able to serve more of the valley’s homeless in a new facility.

Shelter and county officials took part in a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new building, across the street from the current mission.

“This new shelter and future redevelopment will be the start of great things, not just for those who will use the shelter, but for the entire eastern Coachella Valley,” Benoit said. “I am excited for the future of this area and applaud the efforts of county staff and supporters of the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission to make this happen.”

The 43,500-square-foot building will house 150 men, women and children and serve more than 600 meals a day.

“Our needs over the last year have increased 45 percent. People in need due to foreclosures, job loss. We just don’t see that number going down,” said Darla Burkett, the rescue mission’s executive director.

The new building will dwarf the current 9,700-square-foot structure built in the 1930s and only housing 80 people right now.

“The building just isn’t safe and adequate for the needs that we have anymore,” said Burkett.

The total cost of the project is just over $10 million with nearly $7.5 million in funding already secured.

The entire project is expected to take 54 months to complete.