History

Grant County Rescue Mission began in 1985 when a several compassionate people in the community, led by Reverend Charles Cooper, felt a passion to help hungry and homeless neighbors in need.

Together, they purchased the building at 423 S. Gallatin Street in Marion, formerly owned by the telephone company. A thrift store on the second floor funded their efforts. Within a year, they began sheltering a few men and feeding around 20 people at dinner each day.

Since those humble beginnings, the Grant County Rescue Mission has evolved into a comprehensive service organization, committed to helping individuals break free from the cycles of homelessness, addiction, and poverty. What started as a small effort to shelter a few men and serve 20 meals a day has grown into a multifaceted outreach, providing critical resources and life-changing programs to the Marion community and beyond.

Today, the Mission serves hundreds of people each month. Our kitchen prepares and serves three hot meals a day, 365 days a year, ensuring that no one in need goes hungry. In fact, we now serve thousands of meals annually, providing sustenance and hope to individuals and families experiencing hardship.

Our facilities have expanded as well. We now offer shelter to up to 36 men each night in our main building, with a separate area for up to 11 men who are employed and saving money for independent housing. For women and children, our Open Heart Women’s Shelter provides extended shelter for up to 21 individuals, offering a safe space for mothers with young children. Boys are welcome to stay with their mothers until they reach the age of 5.

But the Mission is more than just a place for a meal or a bed. We are dedicated to providing long-term solutions through our Life Change Program, a free twelve-month Christian residential addiction recovery program. This program is offered at both our men’s and women’s shelter and serves up to 19 men and 21 women at a time. Over the course of the year, residents engage in spiritual growth, vocational training, life skills development, and recovery support—allowing them to rebuild their lives from the ground up. By the end of the program, they are prepared to reintegrate into society with the spiritual, emotional, and practical tools they need to maintain sobriety and pursue independent living.

To support individuals transitioning out of the program or those in need of additional support, we offer two Transitional Housing facilities known as My Home Apartments. One is located near the main Mission, and the other by the Open Heart Shelter. These apartments provide a safe, structured environment for both men and women as they work toward financial independence and long-term stability. Importantly, these units are not limited to graduates of our programs but are available to anyone needing extra support to avoid returning to homelessness.

Our commitment to serving those in need has never wavered. Over the years, we’ve grown into a pillar of support in the community, providing meals, shelter, addiction recovery, and transitional housing—all free of charge. None of this would have been possible without the support of individuals, businesses, and churches who believe in our mission of hope and transformation.

From our modest beginnings in 1985 to where we stand today, the Grant County Rescue Mission has remained steadfast in its purpose: to offer help, hope, and healing to anyone in need, guiding them toward a new life filled with faith, dignity, and independence.