For Immediate Release

Monday, March 2, 2009

CONTACT: Becky Beyer

441-0620

Gospel Rescue Mission

P.O. Box 190

Grants Pass, OR 97528

MISSION CONSTRUCTION CREATING JOBS

Gospel Rescue Mission Men’s Residence Project Will Help Reduce Unemployment

Just when the community could use some good news, the resumption of the construction of Wagner Hall, the 78 bed men’s residence for the Gospel Rescue Mission, is putting people back to work.    Aaron Ausland, from Ausland Builders points out that over the entire life of the project, the construction of Wagner Hall will have employed some 260 people.    Over 60 Professional workers, such as Engineers, architects, surveyors, project managers & inspectors, will be utilized.  In addition, nearly 200 trade workers including concrete finishers, carpenters, plumbers, sheet metal workers, electricians and laborers will find employment during a time when jobs are scarce.

After a nearly two year delay, as additional funding was sought, carpenters have begun nailing plywood to framing that will become the first floor walls of the planned multistory, 78-bed men’s residence.   While a recent grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank’s Affordable Housing Program has provided the impetus go ahead and begin the next phase of construction, those funds cannot yet be touched.  “We still need to raise another $80,000 very soon,” states Pastor Keith Heck, Executive Director of the Mission.  “The grant money can’t be tapped into until we have 75% of the total cost of the project $3.2 million, in place.  We are 73 percent funded now; we’re almost there.   Currently we are operating on reserves and believing God will touch the hearts of the generous people of Josephine County to provide the rest.  Also we continue to seek funding through various Foundations as well,” says Heck.

The current men’s facility at 8th & E Streets has only 11 bunk beds with 47 men on a nightly basis.  The rest are obliged to sleep lined-up on the floor on mattresses and sleeping bags.  While we are grateful to provide a warm, dry place to stay, we believe that these men, due to their being created in God’s image, have dignity and are deserving of a better place to live.  The new building will provide a safe, comfortable and sober home and give them a place to restore their broken lives.  The facility will also allow room for men who are not able or willing to reside at the Mission but who still have health and cleanliness needs as well as postal address needs.

“The way we view it is that Josephine County has a need,” states Heck.  “The Mission exists to meet that need, working together for the common community good.”   ”We are so grateful to the many folks in our caring community who understand this need and are stepping up to help.”

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BECKY BEYER
Public Relations/Development Director  
GOSPEL RESCUE MISSION
Email: becky@gospelrescuemissiongp.org
Cell:    541-441-0620