Allentown Rescue Mission

Meet Timothy, a recent guest of our Emergency Shelter.

Timothy has dedicated his life to helping others, earning a master’s degree in nursing and ultimately switching careers to become a police officer. Sadly, he suffered serious injuries while on duty, which forced him into early retirement. Nevertheless, Timothy continued to stay hopeful and committed to his health, using regular exercise, martial arts, football, and baseball to stay positive and active.

Unfortunately, financial hardship left Timothy homeless, so he came to the Allentown Rescue Mission for help. During his time here, he has worked tirelessly to find permanent housing and employment suitable for his physical abilities.

Today, Timothy is grateful to the Mission for constant support, encouragement, and resources, and credits the program for his newfound hope as he continues to work toward independence.

Good luck, Timothy!

This past month, our Clean Team Workforce was working hard at a large planting job in a local neighborhood. Jose and Jay worked tirelessly to get over 140 new plants in the ground, and completed the entire project ahead of schedule!

The Mission's "Books To The Rescue" program made another delivery this year to Fountain Hill Elementary School! We were so excited to partner with Fountain Hill to stock some of their shelves.

We are blessed to have our men be a part of this amazing program. They work daily to sort, categorize, and number each book so it can be sent off to schools like Fountain Hill across the Lehigh Valley.

Join us in congratulating Roger, our May 2026 Clean Team Workforce Employee of the Month!

After a family tragedy led to an alcohol addiction, Roger found himself struggling both mentally and physically. Long-term illness caused Roger to lose his job and savings before ultimately leaving him homeless. Thankfully, he soon found the Allentown Rescue Mission.

After graduating from the Transformation Program, Roger began to work full-time on the Clean Team as a kitchen employee, quickly becoming a stand-out worker with his skills and work ethic. He aims to save up for his own piece of property and build a new life. We are so grateful for Roger and everything he contributes to keep the kitchens running safely and smoothly!

Check out this link for Roger's full story: https://buff.ly/5T7rfAR

Meet Tom, a recent client of our Transformation Program.

Tom and his three brothers had a chaotic childhood. The constant cycle of his parents separating and reconciling left the household unstable and tense. At 17 years old, Tom got his first delivery job, which finally gave him a sense of freedom. He spent his early career driving, moving, and staying busy, grateful to be independent and away from the chaos at home.

At 35, Tom was introduced to hard drugs by a family member. It didn’t seem like a problem at first; just something to take the edge off. But over time, his addiction took hold and soon became dangerous. After realizing he couldn’t quit by himself, Tom decided to reach out for help.

After completing rehab, Tom was discharged to the Allentown Rescue Mission. He was discouraged and ready to give up. But Tom’s brother, who had been through the Transformation Program, reached out and encouraged him to continue. With newfound confidence, Tom enrolled in the program.

For the first time in years, Tom felt like he belonged. The program was more than a place to stay; it was a community. He found himself drawn to the Christian foundation of the program, to the sense of purpose and grace woven into daily life. He appreciated the group dynamic; the way everyone encouraged each other.

One day Tom met a stranger at a local store who asked him for a dollar. Tom sat down with the man and told him about the Transformation Program—about the place that had begun to change his life. Instead of a single dollar, Tom offered his new friend hope and resources.

Today, Tom is looking forward to completing the program and joining the Clean Team Workforce. He is excited to find a place of his own to continue working on his recovery from addiction. Good luck, Tom!

Meet Cleteon, a recent guest of our Emergency Shelter.

Cleteon dedicated most of his life to caring for others. For ten years, his career took a backseat as he cared for his aging parents until they passed away. Through that experience, he discovered how thankful he was for the time God had given him. He decided to build a more stable life and seek a career he loved.

Cleteon worked full-time in hardware and home improvement while pursuing his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). After earning his CDL, he began driving professionally and fell in love with the trucking industry. Unfortunately, a motorcycle accident left Cleteon in need of surgery and unable to work.

After his health issues and various complications with his CDL reduced his license to a standard one, Cleteon came face-to-face with homelessness. Asking around for help, a friend recommended the Allentown Rescue Mission. When Cleteon arrived, he was relieved to find safe shelter and men who welcomed him with open arms.

Today, Cleteon is focused on building a stable future. He plans to apply for housing and food support while searching for new job opportunities. Good luck, Cleteon!

We hope you have a blessed Memorial Day. Our offices are closed today, however our Emergency Shelter is still open during its regular hours.

The Clean Team Workforce would like to thank Tom, one of our most senior lead employees, for his many years of service. Tom plans on retiring in a couple months and the Clean Team will greatly miss him!

Tom has been instrumental in the development of the Clean Team Workforce. A mentor and role model to new employees, he has conducted employee training as well as led crew transport, litter cleanup, and equipment maintenance.

Thank you Tom!

10 days left for our May Match Challenge! We are so grateful for all participating donors so far, and are excited to announce that we are only $5,000 away from our goal of $50K!

Make your donation before 5/31 and your gift will be automatically doubled thanks to our generous matching donors.

We are so grateful to our community partner Union and Finch for conducting a fundraiser for us! Union and Finch designed T-Shirts with our building's image, featuring our iconic "God Is Love" rooftop sign. All of the proceeds from the shirt sales were gifted to us yesterday by the restaurant's caring staff.

Union and Finch is an American-style bistro local to Allentown. Be sure to stop by for the best comfort food!