Media Innovation Competition Award Recipients
The 2022 Media Innovation Competition, for items produced and distributed during 2020, recognized member rescue missions and ministries that are making valuable progress in innovative print and online offerings. The awards highlight some of the most effective media created by Citygate Network members.
NEWSLETTERS/MAGAZINES
Budget category: More than $5 million
Award of Excellence: Every Transformation Journey Starts Somewhere
Vendor/Designer: Blue Dawg
The Foundry Ministries, Bessemer, AL
Judge’s Comments: Photo and title stir curiosity, impact numbers are strong and laid out well, information is organized efficiently, effective use of negative space, nice choice of color that runs throughout.
Award of Merit: The Front Lines
Vendor/Designer: Frederic Printing/Rebekah Sipe
Denver Rescue Mission
NEWSLETTERS/MAGAZINES
Budget category: Up to $5 million
Award of Excellence: Lighthouse
Vendor/Designer: Blue Dawg
City Rescue Mission (New Castle, PA)
Judge’s Comments: Strong photo, clear branding, clean layout, nice font choice that’s appropriately sized, layout breathes and leads the eye. Content is well-organized with compelling themes that engage the reader in the mission’s work.
Award of Merit: December 2021 Newsletter
Vendor/Designer: Register Graphics
United Christian Advocacy Network
GENERAL BROCHURES
Budget category: More than $5 million
Award of Excellence: Good Samaritan Sponsor
Vendor/Designer: Springs Rescue Mission
Springs Rescue Mission, Colorado Springs, CO
Judge’s Comments: Very interactive piece with an effective layout, compelling calls to action, and highly creative packaging that begs the reader to open. Its content offers multiple avenues for deeper engagement, from a unique URL, to social media, to a QR code that allows the reader to send a letter to a guest on their first night at the mission. It even comes with a magnetic token that sponsors can display to remember to pray for and support the bed’s occupant.
Award of Merit: Let There be Light
Vendor/Designer: Frederic Printing/Rebekah Sipe
Denver Rescue Mission, Denver, CO
GENERAL BROCHURES
Budget category: Up to $5 million
Award of Excellence: Grace Place
Vendor/Designer: Kristen Jones
Lexington Rescue Mission, Lexington, KY
Judge’s Comments: The gentlemen’s eyes on the cover invite the reader inside, where the brochure’s content clearly delineates the services provided by the mission. Its direct approach easily leads the reader toward opportunities to respond.
ANNUAL REPORTS
Budget category: More than $5 million
Award of Excellence: Shelter is Much More than a Roof
Vendor/Designer: Simone Beaudoin, Jack’s House of Creative
Orange County Rescue Mission, Tustin, CA
Judge’s Comments: Beautiful cover with a silky feel, clean layout, effective use of negative space, engaging photo compositions, and strong brand cohesion through the color palette. An elegant mix of fonts showcases the well-written copy, which utilizes easy-to-read narratives, as well as graphical representations to describe client journeys and the scope of the ministry. The weight and paper communicate quality.
Award of Merit: Impact
Designer: Mary Broussard
Yakima Union Gospel Mission, Yakima, WA
ANNUAL REPORTS
Budget category: Up to $5 million
Award of Excellence: 2020 Annual Report
Vendor/Designer: Kim Livesay and Kristen Jones
Lexington Rescue Mission, Lexington, KY
Judge’s Comments: The content artfully describes the problem and provides potential solutions. The story of life transformation is told through graphic elements, as well as through engaging narratives. The layout is crisp and well organized, and the photos are interesting and compelling.
Award of Merit: Marginalized to Magnified
Vendor/Designer: Jen Li Designs
Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission, Philadelphia, PA
SHORT VIDEOS
Budget category: More than $5 million
Award of Excellence: “We Don't Have a Homeless Crisis”
Vendor/Producer/Director: JSM Studios/Cale Freeland, Editor
Fresno Mission, Fresno, CA
Judge’s Comments: This is a well-constructed video that creatively communicates a ton of information without being overwhelming. Its power is in how it concisely reframes a problem, puts a face to a big issue, and humanizes people struggling on the streets.
Award of Merit: “With Your Help, We Can Achieve Immeasurably More”
Vendor/Designer: Scott Allen Creative/Mel Trotter Ministries
Mel Trotter Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI
SHORT VIDEOS
Budget category: Up to $5 million
Award of Excellence: “What If It Was Me?”
Vendor/Producer/Director: In-House
Modesto Gospel Mission, Modesto, CA
Judge’s Comments: This work communicates a strong message in a very creative way. The story told is one that every person can connect with, and it follows up with action steps.
Award of Merit: “Summer Thank You”
Vendor/Designer: Jeremy Montgomery
Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission, Philadelphia, PA
EXTENDED VIDEOS
Budget category: More than $5 million
Award of Excellence: “Every Transformation Journey Has a Beginning”
Vendor/Producer/Director: Cedar Creative
The Foundry Ministries, Bessemer, AL
Judge’s Comments: An extremely creative narrative that is emotional, impactful, and captivating, while informing the viewer about various aspects of the ministry. The video clearly defines the problem, then illustrates a solution in real-time through the journey of one person seeking help and another who has benefitted from help found at the mission.
Award of Merit: “City Center”
Vendor/Producer/Director: JSM Studios/Fresno Mission
Fresno Mission, Fresno, CA
EXTENDED VIDEOS
Budget category: Up to $5 million
Award of Excellence: “Feeling Humanized”
Vendor/Producer/Director: Epic Church
Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission, Philadelphia, PA
Judge’s Comments: The video is informative and engaging. The heart of the ministry is on display throughout this work. As the mission client tells his story, seamless cutaways illustrate the words in a concrete way.
Award of Merit: “In Their Shoes”
Vendor/Producer/Director: Peninsula Rescue Mission
Peninsula Rescue Mission, Newport News, VA
PHOTOGRAPHS
Budget category: More than $5 million
Award of Excellence: “Loving The Least Of These”
Photographer: Scott Streble
Phoenix Rescue Mission, Phoenix, AZ
Judge’s Comments: This photograph tells a compelling story of volunteers delivering useful gifts to a thankful man. The smile on the man’s face, the eye-contact between the three of them, and the physical touch between the man and the volunteer creates a dynamic warmth and shows true relationship. The hand on the man’s knee especially draws the viewer in through the composition with leading lines. The photograph has an interesting perspective, strong composition, and good lighting on the subjects.
Award of Merit: “Thanksgiving Foodline Vet”
Photographer: Keith Feher
Union Gospel Mission, Portland, OR
PHOTOGRAPHS
Budget category: Up to $5 million
Award of Excellence: “Kicks 4 Kids 2021”
Photographer: In-House
Modesto Gospel Mission, Modesto, CA
Judge’s Comments: This photograph tells an inviting story of an excited young boy getting a new pair of shoes from a helpful volunteer. The perspective draws the viewer onto the boy’s level and invites them to engage in the story. The photograph is well-lit, in focus, and well-composed with the focus on the primary subject.
Award of Merit: “Lonnie”
Photographer: Greg Schneider
Lexington Rescue Mission, Lexington, KY
WEBSITE
Budget category: More than $5 million
Website Designer: One & All
Denver Rescue Mission, Denver, CO
Judge’s Comments: Denver Rescue Mission jumped out at me from the beginning because its homepage is structured like a story, unlike the others. It’s a unique and risky way to give a first impression, but in this case, it pays off. The story doesn’t distract from the need or create challenges in navigation. I couldn’t help but go back to this site time and time again.
Website Designer: BDI
Helping Up Mission, Baltimore, MD
Visit www.helpingupmission.org
WEBSITE
Budget category: Up to $5 million
Website Designer: Griflan
Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission, Philadelphia, PA
Judge’s Comments: Sunday Breakfast Mission has an easy-to-navigate site with a strong brand and excellent photography. Their stories are easy to follow with great calls to action. If I lived in Philadelphia, I wouldn’t hesitate to get involved, and it wouldn’t take me much effort to find out how!
Visit www.sundaybreakfast.org
Website Designer: Digital Division
Shelter KC, Kansas City, MO
Visit www.shelterkc.org
SOCIAL MEDIA
Budget category: More than $5 million
Award of Excellence: @NashvilleRescue Twitter
Social Media Manager: Laura Thomson
Nashville Rescue Mission, Nashville, TN
Judge’s Comments: The imagery used by Nashville Rescue Mission stuck out to me as very compelling. Their Mother’s Day series was a unique way to honor moms while keeping their mission front and center. I love the stories and I love the opportunities to give and serve!
Award of Merit: @lightoflife Instagram
Social Media Manager: Flying Scooter Productions
Light of Life Rescue Mission, Pittsburgh, PA
SOCIAL MEDIA
Budget category: Up to $5 million
Award of Excellence: @phillyhomeless Facebook
Social Media Manager: Slice Communications
Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission, Philadelphia, PA
Judge’s Comments: Sunday Breakfast Mission does an excellent job of representing the work they do, the people they do it for, and the volunteers and donors that make it all happen. Their storytelling sticks out to me, and their branding is well-executed and consistent across profiles, which speaks to the intentionality behind what they do.
Award of Merit: @CityRescueMission Facebook
Social Media Manager: Aaron Moore
City Rescue Mission, New Castle, PA
LOGO
Budget category: More than $5 million
Award of Excellence: City Rescue Mission’s Rise Café
Designer: Salem Gullo, City Rescue Mission
City Rescue Mission, Oklahoma City, OK
Judge’s Comments: This logo does a fantastic job of visually tying into the main City Rescue Mission logo (through both color and shapes), while maintaining creativity and its own aesthetic. The typography is interesting, easy to read, and goes well with the illustrated part of the logo. This logo and its variations work well at different sizes and is flexible for a variety of uses. Great concept and flawless execution!
Award of Merit: One Mission, Many Ministries Logo Package
Designer: New Frame Creative
Knox Area Rescue Ministries, Knoxville, TN