The Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse

Over 130 Years of Love in Action

Since 1887, the Rescue Mission has served people in need in Central New York. Beginning as an outreach ministry to Erie Canal workers and the community that formed around them, they have been there to help through war and peace, economic booms and recessions, the Great Depression, and now, the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In its early years, the Mission spread the Gospel Message and demonstrated it through humanitarian services such as meals and medical care.

In the 1920s, the Rescue Mission opened a Lodging House for transients, introduced children’s activities, began formalizing its social work programs, and served thousands of meals.

In 1959, Clarence Jordan came to work at the Rescue Mission, eventually working his way up to the role of Executive Director. He introduced a number of new programs during his 40 years of leadership, including employment development programs and a network of Thrifty Shopper stores.

Although the locations have changed over the years, and their capacity has expanded, the tradition of sheltering and feeding those in need has continued over the decades. 

Today, the Rescue Mission Alliance operates programs helping men, women and children in Syracuse, Auburn, and Binghamton, New York.

At the Rescue Mission, their doors are open to all. One of their original meeting invitations urged people to come as they are:

“Everybody’s Meeting
Every Night the Year Round
Don’t Fix Up. Come in Your Working Clothes
Man or Woman, Boy or Girl
Rich or Poor, Black or White
Large or Small, Short or Tall
Come One . . .  Come All.”