Sunshine Rescue Mission & Hope Cottage

SRM provides a path out of homelessness by addressing its root causes, such as trauma, addiction and extreme poverty in a life transforming environment. In this relational-community approach, people who were once hopeless and destitute find support, healing, dignity and restoration.

Testimonials

SRM supppeople like Carrie and her daughter, Serenity. 

Carrie’s own biological mother first gave her methamphetamine when she was 12 years old. Carrie was facing prison for drug convictions and the possibility of losing her daughter when they arrived at Hope Cottage. At that time, she had no idea how to move forward in life. We helped see that her life could be different than anything she had ever known. To her credit, Carrie chose to fight to keep her own daughter. SRM staff told her she wouldn’t be alone and that we would support her every step of the way. At Hope Cottage, Carrie discovered a new way of coping and navigating life. She is free of all addiction today and is a loving mom to little Serenity. Despite the abuse she received, when Carrie learned that her own mother was dying of cancer, Carrie stepped in. She and Serenity spent countless hours visiting her mom in hospice care, changing the memories into something loving and kind. Real transformation is truly a beautiful thing.  Carrie now works as a co-manager at our thrift store and she is often heard telling her life-changing story at Hope Cottage.  

 SRM supports people like Hoss.  

 Then there are these incredible people like Hoss.   Hoss was found living outside on the streets of Flagstaff by a member of our staff.  Hoss would sit crumpled on the ground in the pouring rain, often bruised and beaten for his meager income of $450.  There is no place where Hoss could live with dignity on so little.  He was no longer physically strong enough to defend himself. Hoss would not speak to anyone or make eye-contact.   His gaze was hollow, and his skin so dry it split and bled. Any passerby seeing him on the sidewalk would assume he had a major mental illness. He would not go to other shelters trying to avoid substance abuse.  

Eventually we coaxed Hoss into The Rescue Mission.  His fear and mistrust were overcome when we promised that he could stay living at The Mission for the rest of his life if need be. With a safe place to call home, proper nutrition and a community of love and support, Hoss began to heal. He was not mentally ill at all and had never used drugs or alcohol. Along with a harsh childhood, Hoss had been in the military for a foreign country and had witnessed war and all that goes with it.   Although he was granted US citizenship, the emotional pain inside overshadowed any hope of holding down a job.   Trauma, isolation and un-processed grief left him suffering on the street.  

 Once Hoss started trusting people again and talking, we discovered a life so full of tragedy and trauma that it wasn’t clear how he had survived at all.   Gratefully, we also met a man with a tremendous sense of humor, a gift of story-telling and a deep compassion for others.  He was a man of honor and integrity, and he could accurately determine the character of those around him.  Through ACHSS and our partnership with North Country Health Care, Hoss was able to receive medical care for his heart condition, but his emotional and mental healing came from the community of love and support he found at The Rescue Mission. Eventually Hoss became a committed volunteer and re-engaged with the greater Flagstaff community, built friendships and found purpose.  He became a friend to many and showed our staff  how the gift and healing found through human companionship goes both ways.