Pensacola, Fla. September 2, 2008 - The Waterfront Rescue Mission, a Christian non-profit that caters directly to helping the homeless and those who have substance abuse problems, launched a brand new customer-focused, interactive website today. The new website allows visitors to review detailed information about each program offered by the Mission, submit volunteer applications on-line, and, because of the intuitive design, more easily find what they need. When asked why the new website was created, Bob Ham, Chief Development Officer for the Waterfront Rescue Mission, said, "By providing things like video testimonials our visitors can get a real grasp on what the Waterfront Rescue Mission is doing. Many of our loyal supporters prefer on-line interaction, such as the ability to make a donation and sign up for our newsletter on-line, so we made sure to incorporate these features into our new site."
The Waterfront Rescue Mission is known for the Mission shelter located in downtown Pensacola, where meals and beds are provided for the local homeless. It's also known for its five Bargain Centers, where low-income members of the community can purchase affordable, second-hand items such as clothing, furniture and electronics. But the Waterfront Rescue Mission is involved in so much more, continued Ham. He goes on to say, "Most of the community isn't aware that we provide recovery and career development programs that include residential living to the homeless for free."
According to the Florida Department of Children & Families 2008 Homeless Conditions in Florida Report, the number of homeless is expected to increase in 2008 and 2009 based on demands for services and other housing and economic trends. "The Waterfront Rescue Mission fulfills a real need in the area; not only by providing the daily necessities for the homeless community, but by offering them the opportunity to leave their life of homelessness and substance abuse behind them for good. We feel that this new website will better enable us to complete our mission in the community, while increasing communication with our supporters," said Ham.
Included on the new website is information about different ways individuals, churches, businesses and groups can help the Waterfront Rescue Mission. "There are so many different approaches that a group or an individual can take when it comes to helping the Waterfront Rescue Mission. The new site makes it easy for the community to find out the best way for them to contribute," said Ham. Some of the ways an individual or a group can contribute is to organize an item drive, volunteer at one of the shelters or bargain centers, or join the Waterfront Rescue Mission's convenient giving club, Friends with a Mission. Visit the new website at http://www.waterfrontmission.org/ to learn more.
About the Waterfront Rescue Mission:
The Waterfront Rescue Mission is a Christian organization that has provided food, shelter and clothing to the homeless in the greater Pensacola area for over 59 years. During this time the Mission has grown to minister to those in need from Mobile, Alabama to Fort Walton Beach, Florida and Crestview, Florida. The scope of services offered has also stretched to include recovery and career development programs for homeless men and women with drug and alcohol addictions. The programs are supported through donations from generous supporters in the community and the proceeds from the five Bargain Centers that the Waterfront Rescue Mission operates. Call 1-888-853-8655 or visit http://www.waterfrontmission.org/ to learn more.