Waterfront Rescue Mission, Inc.
Receives $102,000 Grant from
The Community Foundation of South Alabama
to Help Communities Affected by BP Oil Spill
The Community Foundation Awards More Than $1.5 Million to Assist Communities Struggling to Recover From the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Mobile, Alabama, January 10, 2012 - Waterfront Rescue Mission (WRM) has received a $102,000 grant from The Community Foundation of South Alabama to address the unmet needs of individuals, families, and children significantly affected by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and its aftermath. The grant was made possible by a contribution received from the Fund for Gulf Communities, a program of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.
The Fund for Gulf Communities was created through an anonymous donation to Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors to enhance the resiliency of diverse communities along the Gulf Coast. The Fund will achieve this goal by working with nonprofit organizations, such as The Community Foundation of South Alabama, that have strong ties to community-based organizations providing direct services to people in need.
Though the oil spill of 2010 was devastating, it offered for many the hope of possible employment and a way out of a slumping economy. Men and women arrived in the Gulf Coast region vying for "cleanup" jobs that proved to be either short term or nonexistent. Others, who had secure employment, found their jobs vanishing as the effects of the oil spill closed down once profitable businesses. Many found themselves homeless for the first time, and unsure of what to do next or where to go. Waterfront Rescue Mission was established for such a time as this and is that beacon of Hope to the homeless that can provide safe shelter, food, and clothing, while offering counsel and guidance, encouraging and enabling them to take the next step towards reestablishing themselves within the community.
Waterfront Rescue Mission's approach is to provide basic rescue services to the homeless, in order to assess and meet any emergency needs and to build trusting relationships. Through times of counseling and interaction, the Mission staff is able to evaluate and access the condition of each guest, as well as the next course of action which may involve entering into extended care rescue or WRM's recovery program.
WRM's extended care rescue provides individuals in particular situations a season of "Grace and Truth over Time" in order to make progress on specific goals and/or outcomes. This would include those with job loss from the oil spill, as well as area veterans, or those with addictions who may need recovery in order to move beyond homelessness. For those with addictions who have shown a desire for true change, they are welcome to enter the Mission's residential recovery program. This seven month program addresses the dominating issues that have led to their addiction. Upon successful completion and graduation from recovery, the client is given the option of entering the Career Development Program, which is deigned to transition the graduate back into society through employment, vocational training, or higher education.
Waterfront Rescue Mission considers each person who frequents the Mission to be of great worth, and receives them with acceptance - serving, encouraging and directing them to attain to their highest possible potential. WRM's program is designed to progress the individual from homelessness to personal responsibility, self-sufficiency, permanent housing, and a biblically based approach to life.
About Waterfront Rescue Mission
Waterfront Rescue Mission is a Christian organization that has provided rescue and recovery services for men and women along the Gulf Coast since 1949. The services offered include providing food, shelter and clothing to the homeless as well as addiction recovery and career development programs for men and women. These programs are supported through generous donations from the community and proceeds from the six Bargain Centers that Waterfront Rescue Mission operates.
Contact: William B. Bru
Phone: (251) 433-1847
E-mail: bbru@waterfrontmission.org
About The Community Foundation of South Alabama
The Community Foundation of South Alabama is a nonprofit foundation that plays a key role in meeting the needs of South Alabama through leadership and grants. More than $60 million in grants have been awarded since 1976 by the Foundation to nonprofit organizations to support programs that make life better in our community. The Community Foundation builds lasting endowments to ensure grants are available to support the community forever.
For more information visit www.CommunityEndowment.com
Contact: Stephanie Ryan
Phone: 251-438-559
E-mail: communication@communityendowment.com