FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nicole Daniels
Office: 719.266.8300 ext.103
Email: info@citygatenetwork.org
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Nov. 13, 2012) – Twice as many veterans of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are seeking aid from rescue missions as were last year, according to the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions’ 23rd annual Snapshot Survey of about 19,000 individuals. Although on the whole, the percentage of veterans (13 percent) has remained steady during the past year, this group has jumped from 6 percent in 2011 to 12 percent of those served at North American missions.
“Gospel rescue missions are beginning to see the effects of the war and a still-fragile economy as service men and women are discharged and return home unable to find work and affordable housing,” said John Ashmen, president of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (AGRM). “These organizations play a critical role in veterans and many other individuals finding hope, healing from emotional scars, and overcoming homelessness and addiction.”
Typically, 6 to 10 years pass by after discharge before veterans might end up in the shelter system, said Anthony Love, Senior Advisor for the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans. But for those who’ve served with the military in Iraq or Afghanistan, it’s only taking six months to two years for them to seek aid.
Rescue missions offer multiple programs for veterans in need.
“As a former Marine, my heart is humbled by all of the veterans who serve our great country,” said Brad Meuli, president/CEO of Denver Rescue Mission. “Denver Rescue Mission serves thousands of veterans in various ways throughout the year. We provide meals, shelter and clothing, and offer rehabilitation programs for vets who want to change their lives.”
In Boise, Idaho, a mission involved with the Veterans Administration and the justice system provides transitional living services to homeless veterans who are participating in Veterans Court programs.
“The mission is an integral part of the Veterans Court program in two counties, providing shelter and recovery services with accountability to the participants,” said Bill Roscoe, executive director of Boise Rescue Mission Ministries. “Many veterans are able to avoid jail and get back into the mainstream as a result.”
The Snapshot Survey, completed at 115 North American gospel rescue missions in October 2012, provides a valuable snapshot of those seeking assistance from rescue missions, most (83 percent) of whom are currently homeless.
Also revealed in the 2012 data is that prior to coming to a mission, one in four people experiencing homelessness had been victims of physical violence in the previous year. This represents a 7 percent increase over the last three years.
Among the people surveyed, 81 percent were single individuals. Of those who came to a mission with a family, 51 percent were single women with children.
Eighty-four percent of the individuals daily come to the mission where they were surveyed; almost as many (81 percent) prefer to receive assistance from an agency with a spiritual emphasis.
Every year, faith-based ministries that are members of AGRM serve between 40 and 50 million meals, provide 15 to 20 million nights of lodging, distribute more than 25 million pieces of clothing, bandage the wounds of hundreds of abuse victims, and graduate close to 20,000 men and women from addiction-recovery programs and into productive living.
Founded in 1906, Colorado Springs-based Citygate Network is North America’s oldest and largest network of independent crisis shelters and rehabilitation centers, offering radical hospitality in the name of Jesus. With more than 300 member ministries, Citygate Network exists to provide the vision, education, training, resources, guidance, representation, and nexus for missions and kindred ministries that are moving people in destitute conditions or desperate situations from human suffering to human flourishing through the process of gospel-powered life transformation. For more information or to locate a Citygate Network member organization, see www.citygatenetwork.org, or call (719) 266-8300.
Individuals Surveyed: 18,776 | Participating Mission: 115 | Families with children: 2,189 | Individuals in long-term rehab: 5,306
2012 2011 2010 2009 2008
Gender (of total mission population)
Male 72% 74% 75% 75% 74%
Female 28% 26% 25% 25% 26%
Age Groups (of total mission population)
Under 18 7% 7% 9% 9% 12%
18–25 9% 9% 9% 8% 9%
26–35 18% 18% 15% 17% 18%
36–45 23% 25% 22% 25% 26%
46–65 39% 39% 40% 38% 31%
65+ 3% 3% 4% 3% 4%
Race/Ethnic Groups (of total mission population)
White/Caucasian 50% 50% - - -
Black or African American 34% 34% - - -
Hispanic, Latin, or Spanish origin 10% 9% - - -
Asian 1% 1% - - -
American Indian or Alaskan Native 2% 2% - - -
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 0% 0% - - -
Other or 2+ races 3% 3% - - -
Single individuals (of total mission population) 81% 86% - - -
Women/Children/Families (of family units identified)
Couples 23% 20% 12% 13% 15%
Women with children 51% 52% 57% 60% 66%
Men with children 11% 12% 9% 9% 5%
Intact families 16% 17% 22% 18% 14%
Veteran Status (of total mission population)
Veterans (male) 13% 13% 16% 19% 18%
Veterans (female) 2% 1% 4% 4% 3%
Of veterans identified:
Served in Korea 3% 5% - - -
Served in Vietnam 21% 25% - - -
Served in Persian Gulf 16% 13% - - -
Iraq or Afghanistan War 12% 6% - - -
Homeless Status (of total mission population)
Not currently homeless 17% 17% - - -
Currently homeless 83% 83% - - -
Of currently homeless:
Less than 3 months 30% 31% - - -
3 to 6 months 24% 21% - - -
6 months to 1 year 20% 20% - - -
More than 1 year 27% 27% - - -
Never before homeless 34% 35% 37% 37% 33%
Homeless once previously 26% 24% 25% 25% 24%
Homeless twice previously 17% 17% 16% 16% 18%
Homeless three-plus times previously 22% 24% 22% 22% 25%
Other Information (of total mission population)
Struggles with mental illness 30% 30% - - -
Victim of physical violence in last 12 months 24% 21% 15% 17% 18%
Prefer spiritual emphasis in services 81% 80% 82% 83% 76%
Comes daily to the mission 84% 82% 84% 80% 77%