About City Mission Of Findlay
Empowering Change In Hancock County, OH
We are a Christian organization, whose purpose is to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ through our actions towards others, specifically those in need.
Our Mission
To provide emergency help to the homeless and hungry through collaborative efforts to meet physical, spiritual, vocational, and mental health needs. To offer the compassion, time, and tools to help those we serve make life-changing choices.
Our Vision
As a viable and effective emergency shelter and life recovery program the City Mission of Findlay seeks to end homelessness and hunger by providing food, shelter, discipleship, and access to essential services to men, women, and children.
Core Values
Christ-Like
City Mission of Findlay reflects Christ’s love with integrity in all our actions, with ethics in all our decisions, and by helping all those who come to us in need.
Compassionate
We minister to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of all those who come to the Mission. We strive to serve with empathy, kindness, and patience in all we do.
Committed
We pledge to serve the needs of all people, regardless of race, creed, or culture.
Programs
Our goal is to help our guests move from crises to stabilization to success.
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Food Service Program
Our food service program provides three meals a day to each of our guests. We also provide two meals a day through our community outreach program that is available to anyone who needs a meal.
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From Crisis To Stabilization
When a guest arrives, they are put into our stabilization track. This allows them the opportunity to take some time to stabilize. They are offered food, shelter, hygiene, laundry services, and time to adjust. During these first seven days, our guests meet with an Advocate and decide if they are ready to begin the process of building or rebuilding a foundation and are offered access to our reSTART Program.
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Building A Foundation
When a guest chooses to enter into our reSTART Program, the first step is helping them identify their barriers to success. Whether that is addiction, mental illness, or a lack of employment and housing, our Advocates begin to help them seek out the resources they need to move forward.
Using local agencies, we assist our guests in dealing with addiction issues, mental health concerns, and securing employment and permanent housing. We also offer classes through different agencies and local businesses on a variety of topics, including financial stability, parenting, healthy choices, and trauma healing, these classes are available to all our guests.
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Work Readiness
Work readiness is a major component of all our reSTART Program tracks. There are a variety of reasons a person can have trouble getting or sustaining employment.
Everything from a lack of soft skills, like resume writing and interviewing, to not having access to appropriate clothing or the basics of knowing how and where to go to find a job all the way to education and transportation struggles can play a role. We help our guests move from where they are to a place where success is attainable.
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Discipleship
We also offer a discipleship track for those who seek a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. The discipleship track offers classes, Bible study, and additional mentorship in Christian principles.
Our History
1900
1934
Mission Founded
The City Mission Rescue Home was established in 1934 by Mary P. Carman, who directed the Mission for 39 years. Her purpose in founding the Mission was to offer temporary lodging, food, clothing, and shoes to all who were in need. Following Mary’s retirement in 1973, Rev. Robert Riker tried to re-establish the work but was not successful.
1974
Mission Re-Opened
In December of 1974, the Rev. Mabel Lee reopened the Mission and served as Director for eight years. Mabel Lee is credited with starting the first domestic violence shelter in Findlay as a part of the Mission’s outreach. She was also a part of the task force that established Findlay’s domestic violence shelter, Open Arms.
1982
One Mission: Multiple Locations
Since 1982 five different couples have served as Directors. The Mission has always had at least one ordained minister on staff. The City Mission has been housed at several locations over the years. The first Mission building, Mary Carman’s home at 200 West Hardin, is no longer in existence, but other locations remain.
1975
Moving To North Main Street
The second location at 608 Putnam Street served the Mission from the early 50s until 1975 when Church Women United sponsored a door-to-door fundraising campaign to purchase a larger property at 228 North Main Street. The North Main Street property was chosen because it had a sanctuary for worship services. It was a large, two-building facility that could accommodate many more residents, but having two separate buildings created problems.
1979
A More Secure Location
The present City Mission was acquired in 1979 because a single building facility made it easier to monitor the security of the quarters and the residents at night. To gain security, it was necessary to sacrifice size.
1989
Expansion
In 1998 a new addition was added to the City Mission which gave the Mission much-needed room for dorms, a kitchen, and a dining room.
1998
Emergency Shelter, Long-Term Housing & Three Meals A Day
Since 1998, the City Mission has seen an increase in men, women, and families seeking both emergency shelter and longer-term stays in order to establish employment and find permanent housing. The City Mission now provides three meals a day to Residents who are utilizing our Day Center, established in 2010, to seek employment and housing.
2000
2011
Serving The Community & Capital Campaign Launch
The Mission also continues to serve the needy of the community through evening meals, seven days a week, and twice weekly food box handouts. Due to the growing need for space, services, and resources, the City Mission launched its Capital Campaign in 2011 to raise much-needed funding for expansion.