Rescue Mission numbers rise as Roy’s closure nears

Summer is usually a busy time at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, but administrators say their plate is now more full than usual.

“We’re kind of actually scrambling now,” CVRM Program Director Tom Cox said. “It’s getting really hot out. This is usually high capacity. Right now, we’re at capacity.”

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Along with the heat, Cox said the closure of Roy’s Desert Resource Center in Palm Springs is prompting more clients to head to the mission for help.

The rescue mission has 250 beds overall, versus Roy’s which had 90 beds. However, Cox said the mission has experienced turning away five to seven people a day, with 90 less beds now in the Valley.

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“Things that we provide if we can’t give someone a bed for the night, we can give them a shower, a meal, some clothing, some water, those are things that we go through a lot,” he said.

Cox said the mission is even focusing their 90 Days of Summer Relief program towards helping homeless in the East Valley.

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“I think, with where we’re at right now at capacity, we’re trying to help the ones that are right around in our backyard,” he said. “A lot of water, a lot of sunscreen, hats, we try to get people to come in out of the heat for our cooling centers.”

But he also said collaboration and expansion will be key to addressing the issue moving forward.

“City involvement, (Coachella Valley Association of Governments) CVAG’s continued support of coming up with solutions to problems, and I really believe a CVRM west-end shelter is what we really need right now.”

The mission is in need of supplies, including shampoo, toiletries, underwear, and socks.

If you’d like to donate to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission you can click here.