Coachella Valley Rescue Mission opens doors to new annex
The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is the only emergency shelter of its kind in the valley.
On Wednesday, its new annex opened its doors and is ready for those who need it.
With the dog days of summer right around the corner, there couldn’t be a better time for the shelter to be up and running.
Mark Redmond was one of the first people to take advantage of the new shelter.
“So it cleans up the streets, gives them a purpose and a reason to live because they do offer good programs, if you’re willing to get involved in that, and it’s better than doing nothing,” Redmond said.
He said he never could have imagined the situation he’s currently in, but he’s lucky to have CRVM.
“They’re very caring and understanding about the situation. Because it’s a homeless situation, it’s not really happy but you can make it as happy if you’re willing to put that effort and mindset into it,” Redmond said.
The new building is directly adjacent to the rescue mission and will provide 24-hour services for up to 75 men, women and children.
“We will give them a shower, a fresh set of clothes, give them a hot meal for dinner, they’ll come and sleep here for the night. And then when they get up in the morning they’ll have a nice, hot breakfast and then they’ll be able to stay behind and take advantage of our other case management services that are offered here at the mission,” CVRM community relations manager Scott Wolf said.
Wolf said during the summer they expect to fill every bed each night.
Once funding comes through the annex will also be home to the new Health to Hope clinic.
The clinic will provide basic dental and health care needs, along with a pharmacy, and serve the community at large.
With the help of CVRM Redmond is working to get back on his feet.
“You gotta have a positive mindset, you gotta have goals and doing whatever you can to reach those goals, regardless of what it takes to reach those goals,” Redmond said.
CVRM depends on private donations to keep its doors open.
They are asking for donations of clothes, toiletries, canned food and towels.
