The Rescue Mission to hold formal naming ceremony of its women and children’s shelter

At 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 22, 2021, The Rescue Mission’s Charis House will formally dedicate the naming of the building, in perpetuity, as The Gladys & Carolyn C. Wolf Charis House.

The Rescue Mission’s Charis House dedication follows the official naming of the men’s shelter, located at 404 E. Washington Blvd., as The W. Paul Wolf Rescue Mission building in June 2020. Mr. Wolf’s late mother, Gladys Wolf, and his wife of 32 years, Carolyn C. Wolf, will be honored in the naming of the women’s shelter.

“Gladys and Carolyn Wolf, both strong, Christian women and distinguished former teachers, represent the quality and character of Charis House,” said Donovan Coley, The Rescue Mission’s President and CEO. “We are pleased that Mr. Wolf chose to honor his wife and mother in the naming of the building that has given hope and restored the lives of so many women and children in our community.”

The naming of both buildings was inspired by W. Paul and Carolyn Wolf’s significant financial gift to The Rescue Mission’s City on a Hill Capital Campaign. Coley stated, “Mr. and Mrs. Wolf’s generous gift, in addition to another recent, sizeable gift of assets, have given us a major boost to finalizing a comprehensive $23.1 million capital campaign that began in 2015.”

Pandemic restrictions delayed the target completion date of the campaign beyond June 2020, and naming rights are still available at both locations. About $3 million is needed to close out the campaign.

For more information regarding the formal naming ceremony, contact Blake Douglas at bdouglas@fwrm.org or at 260-426-7357 ext. 151.

About The Rescue Mission’s Charis House

The Rescue Mission’s Charis House ministry began serving the community’s homeless women and children in 1985 with 16 beds and was located at 710 West Superior Street. In December 1996, the division relocated to 533 West Washington Blvd. The expansion increased the housing capacity for women and children from 16 to 42 beds and offered crisis housing, plus a short and long-term rehabilitation program. In 2010, a newly constructed shelter was built at 431 Fairmount, which sits north of the St. Mary’s River off Wells Street. The Rescue Mission is a Christ-centered ministry, which addresses the root causes of homelessness.