Sunshine Rescue Mission Inc., (SRM), was formed in 1957 as a 501-(C)3. We re recognized by the IRS as a Christian faith-based and charitable organization. It’s unique in that it is established to not only meet the physical needs of those who seek help, but to minister to their spiritual needs in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Local Churches, businessmen and individuals joined together to develop a soup kitchen in 1957 and then a small shelter in a renovated home on San Francisco St. In 1962 after a brick by brick building campaign the Sunshine Rescue Mission opened its doors on 124 S. San Francisco Street. The Mission served as a “mom and pop” rescue mission, housing men, women and children. (24 men and 12 women and children, plus 4-5 staff).
In 1982, a generous donor gave SRM, Inc. the Riverside Court at 3 E. Cottage, and in 1995 that was transformed into a women and children’s shelter called, The Hope Cottage. For 10 years Hope Cottage grew from a small shelter serving 8 single woman and 3 women with children to 16 single women, three family rooms and an overflow of up to eight women. In 2010 this same property was used as transitional housing for men until it was sold in 2023. (The sale was emanate when both the City of Flagstaff and Fema restrictions limited it's use).
In 2005, a gift of land from a generous couple was donated, a capital fundraising campaign was facilitated and a million dollar grant funded the construction of the 11,000 sq/ft New Hope Cottage. In April of 2010, the New Hope Cottage opened its doors, housing 65 women and children. After a wonderful outpouring of support from the Flagstaff community, the New Hope Cottage was honored by the Flagstaff City, “Citizens of the Year,” and named, “The Organization of the Year for 2010.” Hope Cottage is a healing home for women and children, dedicated to seeing lives transformed.
In 2019 SRM purchased a thrift store located in downtown Flagstaff, 2 S Beaver St and named it Thrift for Goodness Sake. This is a non-profit thrift store solely dedicated to supporting the free shelter, food and clothing provided at The Mission and Hope Cottage. More importantly this small local business is a huge step forward in our effort to help people RE-ENGAGE through job training and a way to re-connect to this amazing community we call Flagstaff!
In 2022 SRM purchased a campus-type property just a few minutes walk from The Rescue Mission. The property was named Sanctuary House and is located at 221 E Phoenix Ave. This property quickly became a healing home for men, the equivalent to what Hope Cottage is for women and children. Now, men who were once living on the street, riddled with trauma and addiction are finding new life, entering college, getting jobs and re-discovering who God originally created them to be. This is transformational ministry at it's best. Sanctuary House also serves as a community outreach center and place of worship for all SRM facilities.
In 2023 SRM the Board of Directors adopted its New Mission Statement:
SRM provides a path out of homelessness by addressing its root causes, such as trauma, addiction and extreme poverty in a gospel-powered life transforming environment. In this relational-community approach, people who were once hopeless and destitute find support, healing, dignity and restoration through the love of Jesus Christ.
