Summit City Climbing Co. launches winter coat drive with Rescue Mission
Posted: 12/9/2025
FORT WAYNE Ind. (WFFT) -- Summit City Climbing Co. is calling on the Fort Wayne community to help keep families warm this winter through a fundraiser and coat drive benefitting The Rescue Mission.
On Monday, December 8, all proceeds from day passes purchased between 12 p.m. and 11 p.m. at Summit City Climbing Co. will be donated directly to The Rescue Mission.
Founder Edwin Chow says the company wanted to give back at a time when many families are struggling.
“Winter hits hard for vulnerable families,” Chow said. “Our community shows up when people need help most, and we’re honored to support The Rescue Mission as they care for our neighbors.”
The fundraiser also marks the start of the company’s Winter Coat Drive, which runs December 8 through December 19.
Warming centers offer refuge as temperatures drop
Posted: 12/8/2025
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT)-- With temperatures dipping, warming centers across Fort Wayne are serving more people seeking shelter from the dangerously cold weather.
At the Rescue Mission, the cafeteria space operates as a daytime warming center where anyone can come inside for warmth and support.
President and CEO Thomas McArthur says people are able to get out of the harsh conditions and receive basic care, including three warm meals per day.
“We can have anywhere from 100 to 150 folks that are here taking advantage of this opportunity to stay warm and receive those services,” McArthur said.
The Rescue Mission prepares for annual Thanksgiving Dinner
Posted: 11/25/2025
Tuesday was a big day at the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission as volunteers prepared thousands of Thanksgiving meals.
Louise Ray has volunteered with the mission for a little over two years. She says she cherishes the work.
New 24/7 winter shelter for women, families in Fort Wayne
Posted: 11/25/2025
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) — Several local nonprofit agencies, in collaboration with the City of Fort Wayne’s Office of Housing & Neighborhood Services, are launching a winter shelter plan to support unhoused individuals and families from December 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026.
For the first time, the Winter Contingency Emergency Shelter will operate 24/7, a change made possible by Blue Jacket's staffing support. The Rescue Mission is also contributing to pay and train these staff members.
The Rescue Mission raising money for Thanksgiving meals
Posted: 11/18/2025
The Rescue Mission in Fort Wayne is raising money for Thanksgiving meals this holiday season.
Every $2.59 provides a meal and a seat at the table for families and individuals who have nowhere else to turn. If one cannot donate but still wants to help, the Rescue Mission is also looking for volunteers.
Fort Wayne Rescue Mission, Sweetwater partner for music program
Posted: 11/10/2025
The Fort Wayne Rescue Mission is partnering with Sweetwater to launch a music program that helps residents work through life’s challenges by jamming together.
The “Jamming as Motivation” program brings residents together to play donated instruments, write music and connect with others facing similar struggles. Sweetwater provided the instrument donations that made the program possible.
“It’s really good. I like it, puts me kind of in a better head space for the day,” said Jonathan Ramer, a program participant who reconnected with guitar playing after losing his instruments years ago.
Rescue Mission, parter businesses, raise awareness of homelessness
Posted: 11/6/2025
In partnership with eight area coffee shops and four local businesses, The Rescue Mission leads an awareness campaign this month about homelessness in our community to direct individuals toward ways to help and to counter false perspectives of those experiencing homelessness as other or less than.
“Who do you see when you see an individual experiencing homelessness? Often, we jump straight to the what or how (do you feel) and miss the who,” says Thomas McArthur, President and CEO of The Rescue Mission. “Especially this month, we implore individuals to pause and ponder this, talk about it, and take action.”
Norfolk Southern grant $20,000 to Fort Wayne's REscueMission
Posted: 11/4/2025
The Rescue Mission is proud to announce it has received a $20,000 grant from Norfolk Southern through its Thriving Communities Grant Program. The funding will support residential programming and services focused upon mental, physical, and spiritual health stabilization, helping to restore dignity, self-worth, and independence for many of our community neighbors with the greatest needs.
Fort Wayne businesses help out local non-profit
Posted: 11/3/2025
This month, five different businesses are asking for donations to help the Rescue Mission and Charis House continue to help others this holiday season.
Thomas Hire, president of Hires Automotive Center, has lived in Fort Wayne his entire life and has spent his career working for his family’s business.
“It’s been great for me and great for my family,” he said. “We have fourth-generation Hires working with us now.”
He said since people in Fort Wayne have supported his business for almost a century, he decided he wanted to give back.
“Our community is only as strong as our most vulnerable people, so we need to help them,” he said. “We need to give them a hand up.”
Fort Wayne businesses showing support to The Rescue Mission, Charis House with month-long donation drive
Posted: 10/29/2025
November is National Homeless Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of homelessness and engage communities in efforts to end it.
In 21Country, four Fort Wayne businesses are showing their support with a month-long donation drive for The Rescue Mission and Charis House.
This November, ACE Radiator, Fort Wayne Rod & Custom Show, Hires Automotive Center, and Klotz Synthetic Lubricants will be collecting items for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and hardship in our community.
Alliance Health Centers opens on-site clinic at Charis House
Posted: 10/22/2025
On Monday, Alliance Health Centers (AHC) brings on-site behavioral health services to women and children served through The Rescue Mission’s Charis House program.
Located at 5920 Decatur Rd., Fort Wayne, the new clinic is designed to meet residents where they are. The clinic offers mental health counseling and psychiatry for women and children living at Charis House.
Alliance Health Centers, Rescue Mission's Charis House opens mental health clinic for homeless
Posted: 10/20/2025
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place today for a new mental health clinic for the homeless.
It comes as the result of a partnership between Alliance Health Centers and the Rescue Mission’s Charis House, a shelter for women and children facing homelessness.
The clinic is located inside the shelter, at 5920 Decatur Road.
Nikki King, CEO of Alliance Health Centers, says the partnership made sense because it aligns with their mission.