Merced Rescue Mission

For over 25 years, the MCRM (Merced County Rescue Mission) has served as a beacon of hope and a safe haven for the homeless and working poor. MCRM was founded in 1991 by Tommy and Letitia Miller whose hearts were touched by the plight of homeless living on the streets. They established a faith-based organization to reach out with compassion by providing food, water, shelter, clothing and hope. This kind of gesture was the foundation for what has become one of the largest providers of assistance to the homeless in Merced County.

When the Miller’s retired in 2004, Dr. Herbert Opalek was called to both lead and expand the Mission’s outreach. Under his direction, the New Life Transformation program was established for both men and women, which are now known as our Hope for Men and Hope for Women programs. An Outreach Meals program was also established. He led the Mission until April of 2011.

In 2011, Dr. Bruce Metcalf was called to become the new C.E.O. of the Merced County Rescue Mission. Under his leadership, he continued to implement innovative programs designed to offer the greatest long-term benefit to those who take advantage of them. Transition to Hope, our sober living programs for men and women, Hope Medical Respite Care, Hope for Families and our seasonal Winter Warming Shelter.

From our humble beginnings, a rising tide of community support has enlarged the Merced Rescue Mission through several temporary buildings and residential homes throughout Merced. Since losing our main building, we continue our search for land in which we can build a campus where we can have all of our services centrally located.

Throughout the years, people saw the needs which the Merced County Rescue Mission was able to meet through their help, that support has grown. We are now recognized as a community benefit organization that serves those in need throughout Merced County. Thank you for being a part of our growing vision. We hope you will continue to see the value in what we are doing and join us in this great work!

Where Are We???
You may be aware that we recently lost our building that was located at 1921 Canal Street. That building housed our men’s program, a place to provide nightly shelter for 20 men, a place for showers and allowed us a place to serve daily nutritious meals for those in need. Now we are “everywhere”, but that’s ok because so is God. We are currently operating out of 10 facilities around Merced.

1. 527 W 20th Street: Office & Donation Drop Off Center, & the location where individuals fill out applications to our programs.
2. An office space generously provided by Golden Valley Engineering
3. Hope for Women – A house for 10 participants
4. Hope for Men – A house for 10 participants
5. Women’s Sober Living Home – A house for 8 participants
6. Men’s Sober Living Home – A house for 10 participants
7. Men’s Sober Living Home – A house for 10 participants
8. Men’s Sober Living Home – A house for 3 participants
9. Hope Medical Respite Care – A house for 10 participants
10. Hope for Families – A house for one family
11. And Dec. 1st – March 31st – Winter Warming Shelter

Please pray that we will find a location where we can once again provide shelter, showers and meals.

God Bless!