Blake W. Barrow, CEO of the Rescue Mission of El Paso, feels that the recent donation of tables from Western Precast has allowed the creation of a more welcoming environment where people who have been homeless can receive proper medical care and guidance to be able to return to being productive members of society.
The Rescue Mission provides food, shelter, and rehabilitation programs for persons who are homeless and a 13-week drug and alcohol rehabilitation program which is Bible-based and has counselors to assist persons to obtain education and employment.
A little history explains Barrow’s dedication to El Paso’s homeless challenges. Barrow feels that God called him to work at the Mission in 1997 when he had been working as a trial lawyer. In January of 2014, the Texas Department of Transportation informed the Mission that they were taking the Mission’s property at 1949 W. Paisano through eminent domain for the completion of Loop 375. At that point, the Mission purchased two city blocks, totaling 4.9 acres between Cotton, Magoffin, Lee, and Olive. The first phase of the redevelopment has been to construct a new shelter at 221 N. Lee which has 195 beds. Planning has begun for phase 2 which includes a separate family shelter at 130 N. Cotton. Phase 2 will allow the Mission to offer a more protective and nurturing environment for homeless children.
Donations are important for the day to day functions at the Mission. Items which are always in need are water bottles, paper towels, toilet paper, twin sheets, towels, and food. The largest categories of expense are for the salaries of counselors, maintenance workers, and cooks. To put things into perspective, the need is great when you have 195 beds, utilities, and overhead amounts to more than $100,000.00 per year.
Grateful for all donations that are received at the Rescue Mission, specifically Barrow says, “Western Precast kindness is a blessing to help the poorest citizens who are our neighbors in El Paso, and has contributed to helping the entire community become a better place to live.”
