Allentown Rescue Mission

Allentown Rescue Mission The goal of the Allentown Rescue Mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and restore men experiencing homelessness.

The Allentown Rescue Mission is more than a shelter. We offer three distinct programs to address the needs of all the men who seek our help: the Emergency Shelter, Transformation Program, and the Clean Team Workforce. Additionally, we've partnered with DeSales University to provide health services to the men in our care. Our Emergency Shelter provides safe housing, nutritionally balanced meals, cl

othing and connects the men to various social service and support organizations. We offer our services to all men over 18 regardless of race, color, creed, political affiliation, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation. The Transformation Program is a residential rehabilitation program that tackles the root causes of homelessness. Through individual assessment and one-on-one guidance, we help the men in our care make and execute plans to improve their lives. This nondenominational, faith-based program is designed to teach homeless men life skills and job literacy skills. The Clean Team Workforce is a development program offered to graduates of the Transformation Program. In the Clean Team Workforce, the men gain work experience, connect with outside employers, and accumulate enough savings to fund their transition back into the community. Thus completing the transformation from homelessness to employed, independent living. In 2007, the Allentown Rescue Mission partnered with DeSales University to create the DeSales Free Medical Clinic. The clinic is staffed by volunteer doctors, physician assistants, DeSales faculty, and physician assistants students. The clinic is free of charge for all the guests of the Allentown Rescue Mission.

Meet Tom, a recent client of our Transformation Program.Tom and his three brothers had a chaotic childhood. The constant...
05/29/2026

Meet Tom, a recent client of our Transformation Program.

Tom and his three brothers had a chaotic childhood. The constant cycle of his parents separating and reconciling left the household unstable and tense. At 17 years old, Tom got his first delivery job, which finally gave him a sense of freedom. He spent his early career driving, moving, and staying busy, grateful to be independent and away from the chaos at home.

At 35, Tom was introduced to hard drugs by a family member. It didn’t seem like a problem at first; just something to take the edge off. But over time, his addiction took hold and soon became dangerous. After realizing he couldn’t quit by himself, Tom decided to reach out for help.

After completing rehab, Tom was discharged to the Allentown Rescue Mission. He was discouraged and ready to give up. But Tom’s brother, who had been through the Transformation Program, reached out and encouraged him to continue. With newfound confidence, Tom enrolled in the program.

For the first time in years, Tom felt like he belonged. The program was more than a place to stay; it was a community. He found himself drawn to the Christian foundation of the program, to the sense of purpose and grace woven into daily life. He appreciated the group dynamic; the way everyone encouraged each other.

One day Tom met a stranger at a local store who asked him for a dollar. Tom sat down with the man and told him about the Transformation Program—about the place that had begun to change his life. Instead of a single dollar, Tom offered his new friend hope and resources.

Today, Tom is looking forward to completing the program and joining the Clean Team Workforce. He is excited to find a place of his own to continue working on his recovery from addiction. Good luck, Tom!

Meet Cleteon, a recent guest of our Emergency Shelter.Cleteon dedicated most of his life to caring for others. For ten y...
05/27/2026

Meet Cleteon, a recent guest of our Emergency Shelter.

Cleteon dedicated most of his life to caring for others. For ten years, his career took a backseat as he cared for his aging parents until they passed away. Through that experience, he discovered how thankful he was for the time God had given him. He decided to build a more stable life and seek a career he loved.

Cleteon worked full-time in hardware and home improvement while pursuing his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). After earning his CDL, he began driving professionally and fell in love with the trucking industry. Unfortunately, a motorcycle accident left Cleteon in need of surgery and unable to work.

After his health issues and various complications with his CDL reduced his license to a standard one, Cleteon came face-to-face with homelessness. Asking around for help, a friend recommended the Allentown Rescue Mission. When Cleteon arrived, he was relieved to find safe shelter and men who welcomed him with open arms.

Today, Cleteon is focused on building a stable future. He plans to apply for housing and food support while searching for new job opportunities. Good luck, Cleteon!

We hope you have a blessed Memorial Day. Our offices are closed today, however our Emergency Shelter is still open durin...
05/25/2026

We hope you have a blessed Memorial Day. Our offices are closed today, however our Emergency Shelter is still open during its regular hours.

The Clean Team Workforce would like to thank Tom, one of our most senior lead employees, for his many years of service. ...
05/23/2026

The Clean Team Workforce would like to thank Tom, one of our most senior lead employees, for his many years of service. Tom plans on retiring in a couple months and the Clean Team will greatly miss him!

Tom has been instrumental in the development of the Clean Team Workforce. A mentor and role model to new employees, he has conducted employee training as well as led crew transport, litter cleanup, and equipment maintenance.

Thank you Tom!

10 days left for our May Match Challenge! We are so grateful for all participating donors so far, and are excited to ann...
05/21/2026

10 days left for our May Match Challenge! We are so grateful for all participating donors so far, and are excited to announce that we are only $5,000 away from our goal of $50K!

Make your donation before 5/31 and your gift will be automatically doubled thanks to our generous matching donors.

We are so grateful to our community partner Union and Finch for conducting a fundraiser for us! Union and Finch designed...
05/20/2026

We are so grateful to our community partner Union and Finch for conducting a fundraiser for us! Union and Finch designed T-Shirts with our building's image, featuring our iconic "God Is Love" rooftop sign. All of the proceeds from the shirt sales were gifted to us yesterday by the restaurant's caring staff.

Union and Finch is an American-style bistro local to Allentown. Be sure to stop by for the best comfort food!

We are currently critically low on bottled water, salad dressing, and toilet bowl cleaner! As the weather grows warmer, ...
05/18/2026

We are currently critically low on bottled water, salad dressing, and toilet bowl cleaner! As the weather grows warmer, our men naturally reach for more water and salad. We love offering healthy food options!

Donations can be dropped off at our front office at 355 Hamilton St. during our normal business hours:

Monday-Thursday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Friday: 8:30am - 4:00pm

If you would prefer to drop off outside of business hours or on a weekend, simply press the call button by the front door upon your arrival. We are so grateful for your support!

Our therapeutic art class can be something of a lighthouse itself. It's comforting to have a light in the darkness, a br...
05/16/2026

Our therapeutic art class can be something of a lighthouse itself. It's comforting to have a light in the darkness, a break in the stormy seas of life that encourage us to keep fighting. Join us in congratulating our featured artists: Khaleem, Lemuel, Steven, and Timothy!

This past week, our Clean Team Workforce finished another job for their community: mulching, hedge/bush trimming, and ge...
05/14/2026

This past week, our Clean Team Workforce finished another job for their community: mulching, hedge/bush trimming, and general outdoor maintenance for the Allentown Public Library Jose, David, and John worked hard to create a beautiful, inviting atmosphere for spring.

Meet Mark, a recent guest of our Emergency Shelter.At 64 years old, Mark was leading a full and successful life. With 35...
05/12/2026

Meet Mark, a recent guest of our Emergency Shelter.

At 64 years old, Mark was leading a full and successful life. With 35 years of experience as a truck driver, and nearly a decade spent running his own trucking company, Mark was happy to live out the rest of his life doing the work he loves. Unfortunately, everything changed when he was struck with sudden debilitating health issues.

Mark was afflicted with four herniated discs in his lower back, a condition that brought extreme pain and the inability to perform physical labor or drive. After being out of the workforce for a long time he ultimately came face-to-face with homelessness.

Reaching out to his community, Mark found the Allentown Rescue Mission, a safe place to stay while researching housing and healthcare. He is grateful to have access to comfort, shelter, and healthy food while scheduling and preparing for the back surgery he needs to help him regain independence.

With the support of the mission, he can focus on his long-term goals:

“My goal is to regain my health and, step by step, return to the workforce, ideally getting back into trucking, which has always been my passion. I bring decades of experience, a strong work ethic, and a determination to overcome obstacles. I’m focused on moving forward and getting back to doing what I do best.” Good luck, Mark!

Address

355 Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA
18101

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+16107405500

Alerts

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