Becky was waiting for me just inside the ReMax Real Estate office reception area, located on 7th street, where she maintains her real estate sales business. You can always tell when you’re face to face with another public relations person, but Becky is delightfully different. She is, without a doubt, one of the most non-assuming professionals I’ve ever met. I would soon experience what Mission Executive Director, Keith Heck, felt when appointing Ms. Beyer for this all important position. I was anxious to begin the interview.

REPORTER: Thank you for your time. Could you please tell us about your new position with the Gospel Rescue Mission?

BECKY BEYER: “My title is Public Relations and Development Director of the Gospel Rescue Mission of Grants Pass.” Becky lit up the room with her veridical smile, “A big title for a relatively small job, as it’s part-time, but Mr. Heck says it could grow, that it sort of depends on me?”

Beyer continues, “My task is to get the word out that the Gospel Rescue Mission is here for Josephine County, the service provided is non-denominational and that the Mission offers so much more than most people in the community are aware of.”

REPORTER: May we have a look at your resume?

BECKY BEYER: “I was born at Jo General then raised in Medford and Jacksonville until the 7th grade. My dad worked for Pacific Power and was transferred to Portland. We lived in the Beaverton area where I completed high school. I then moved South to Sacramento where I received my certificate in interior design. Though I didn’t open my own studio of interior design, my studies certainly help me in real estate sales as I’m more able to counsel my clients in preparation for the sale of their home.”

Beyer says she is not a “natural” at being a PR person, but real estate sales has opened her eyes and heart to the many needs of people. In her few off hours, she enjoys gardening and home life, cooking and taking care of her home that she shares with her 83 old mother. Ms. Beyers, who is a single lady, sees her future with the Mission as exciting and extremely rewarding. She hopes to continue with this endeavor and her real estate sales business as well, and “Make it good for everybody.”

REPORTER: Your resume certainly gives you a strong background in public relations and knowledge of the community.

BECKY BEYER: “I view this appointment more of a ministry than a job. Being a Realtor I promote myself all the time plus I’ve been involved in promotions with many different groups, such as Women’s Counsel of Realtors and the Board of Realtors. I’m used to working with promotions, people and customer relations. So, Mr. Heck said your hired, sent me out with a box of stationery, and told me go tell the folks about our work here at the Mission. I was delighted.”

REPORTER: When do you start?

BECKY BEYER: “My new business cards are being printed as we speak, as I want to meet as many people as possible within the community. The idea of course, is to keep folks informed of the Mission’s work in aiding and assisting the less fortunate, and the need for community involvement, as we operate 100% on private donations.”.

Beyer explains, “We want to reach into the community and make people more aware of what the Mission really does to help individuals in need. Our vision is to teach people how to live, not just exist. We show them that we care enough to help with their basic needs such as food, clothing, counseling, health care, education and shelter. There is no charge for our services, just requirements that must be met by the individuals.”

REPORTER: And, what specifically do you offer those in need?

BECKY BEYER: “We have facilities for both men and women, the Ray Allen Center for those individuals looking for help in drug and alcohol addiction. We offer the Thrift Store at sixth and J streets and a recycling center located at 1010 S/W Foundry.” Beyer continued, “I want folks to know, that about 98% of the people who live at the Mission are there for long term and are Josephine County residents.. They aren’t transients, they are people within our community who are in trouble. We have actual families living in the women’s center. We’ve been able to help up to 100 persons in the center at any given time.”

Beyer stressed, “We help them with education, counseling, job training and drug and alcohol addiction assistance. Just about everything is available at the center to bring them back into their own, to give them another chance in society, which is difficult for anybody during these economical trying times and an addiction makes it even more of a challenge.”

Beyers emphasized the need for promoting the men’s center, Wagner Hall, “As I understand it, the necessary funds to complete the men’s center is half way there. The women’s Center received a matching funds grant at the last minute and they were able to finish construction. So far nothing such as that has come in for the men’s facility, so we’re pushing to get that completed. It will allow for 78 men to live safely and soberly. Grants Pass badly needs this facility.

REPORTER: How does the Mission receive donations?

BEYER: “We hold various functions throughout the year.

For instance, the residents of the Fikso Family Center and the Women’s Residential Facility of the Gospel Rescue Mission of Grants Pass recently hosted a free barbecue as a “getting to know you” fund raiser. This was in celebration of five years that the community has supported the Family Center. We have an annual banquet in the spring which I’ll oversee. This is in recognition of the donors and folks that help us through the year. A lot of my work will be these kinds of events. I’m looking forward to it. And, of course, you may donate directly to the Mission”

REPORTER: How may the community assist the Mission?

Beyer explains, “I want to emphasize our need for assistance other than monetary. We need volunteers for various events and happenings. We have the recycle center where people can take their recyclables and that helps the mission as well. There is the thrift store downtown at the corner of 6th and J Streets. People can donate all kinds of useful items that can help others and everyone can find tremendous buys., there.”

Beyer adds, “We put out a monthly newsletter which tells what is in most need at that particular time.. Some items, as you can well imagine, are in constant need such as potty-paper, sugar, rice, flour, eggs, plastic-ware, powdered milk and laundry soap.

We want to get the word out how you can help the Mission and how we can help you. With the current economy the way it is, we need to help each other”, she said.

FROM THE OCTOBER NEWSLETTER: Toilet paper is needed most of all. The Mission is buying it and that takes from the many objectives they are trying to achieve. Wagner Hall, the new men’s residence, is so close to becoming a reality. We need your donations now to complete this much needed facility. Here’s a thought for those who can help us; if you make a gift of $10,000 to the Gospel Rescue Mission Foundation, from your will or trust at 5% interest, that’s $500 per year to support the work of the Mission. Your $10,000 donation is never touched. A gift that keeps on giving….. FOREVER ! Something to think about? Please call Terall Blalock to make this happen: (541) 479-2415.

REPORTER: How about the possibility initiating future events?

BEYER: “I talked with Mr. Heck about this and he brought up sponsoring a golf tournament. I have contacts to gain the needed input, so now its just further research and implementation, if we decide to go forward with it. We would have to seek sponsors for such an event, and that too is part of my job.”

REPORTER: Isn’t there something special you want all of us to know?

BEYER: “I would like to invite everyone to come and see just how we help the community. The Mission offers hosted facility tours, your chance to see first hand, up close and personal, exactly what we do for the many residents of the Mission. We’ll take you to our Community Recycling Center, the Mens’ Residence Facility, the Second Chance Thrift Store, Pregnancy Care Center and the Women’s/Children’s Residence. The tours are scheduled by appointment and take less than two hours. Bring your family, employees, club, church youth group or business associates. You’ll truly enjoy it. Here’s a comment from a recent visitor, “I thought the Rescue Mission was just a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen? Boy, was I wrong.”

All of us of the Mission want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and most Happy New Year. And, please come to see us.”

If you are in need of the Mission’s services or wish to donate to a most worthy cause, please contact Becky Beyer and the Gospel Rescue Mission at 541-476-0082.

Mailing address: P.O.Box 190, Grants Pass, OR 97528. They are located at 112 S/E J St. In Grants Pass.

-Mike Case

NOTE:* The Mission would be pleased to receive food left-overs from your organizational meetings and functions.