By Rebekah Sherman
The Springfield Rescue Mission may be unknown to some, but it has changed other people’s lives exponentially, an experience they will never forget. The Springfield Rescue Mission has impacted numerous people through the organization’s dedication to helping people of homelessness in Springfield.
The Springfield Rescue Mission (SRM) is a non-profit organization, a homeless shelter for people in Greater Springfield, a Transitional Living Facility and Rehabilitation and Transformation Center, and a Mobile Feeding Program. The SMR advocates for those who are homeless while providing the opportunity for people to learn literacy skills and receive medical care, food, clothing, Christian counseling, and shelter. The SRM seeks to help people in need without requiring monetary compensation. Instead, the SRM gladly accepts money, clothing, and other necessities from people willing to contribute to the organization.
“[O]ur program… [has] a whole holistic approach to rehab and we have up to sixty men that can stay here on any given time frame,” said Kevin Ramsdell, CEO and Executive Director of SRM. “…everybody has an individual treatment plan…and [they] can get their GED if they haven’t got one. We hook them up with MassHire, so if they’re looking for employment or maybe they have a degree that they need to finish, we can help them get some of the monies that can help with that.”
The SRM’s central location is 10 Mill Street, Springfield, where its business offices, Rehabilitation Center, and Give-Away Center are located and where donations are received. However, the emergency shelter is located at 148 Taylor Street, Springfield. The SRM is approximately 0.7 miles from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The non-profit organization is also 4.5 miles from Western New England University via Plumtree Road, roughly a twelve-minute drive.
Notable staff and board members of the SRM include Kevin Ramsdell, Chairman Jody Hart, Vice Chairman and Treasurer Harold C. King, CFP, Secretary Daniel Kirschner, and Volunteer Program Coordinator Lenore Masciotra. Also, the SRM provided 10,000 meals to people who are homeless through Operation SONshine and 77,800 in-dining meals in 2023.
When asked, Masciotra revealed the origins of the SRM. “The Springfield Rescue Mission was founded in 1892 by a former Salvation Army captain, Julius Cummings; along with his wife, they ministered to the transient, broken, and homeless men of that era,” said Masciotra. “Having a heart for the lost and lonely, this was their new ministry. It was not called ‘Springfield Rescue Mission’ until many decades later. SRM is the fifth-oldest Rescue Mission in the country.”
Masciotra described the current programs that SRM is doing to help people in need. Masciotra said, “SRM currently has 5 core programs: a Residential 12-month+ program for men, called Men’s New Life [MNL]; Transitional Living Program once the men graduate from MNL and may be eligible to continue- that is one to 3 years; Men’s Emergency Shelter (an overnight shelter that provides 2 meals, shower, clothing and a bed); GiveAway Center – by appointment for individuals and families to provide clothing, shoes, bedding, coats/jackets, seasons clothing, small household goods and more; Operation SONshine, SRM’s street-feeding ministry.”
SRM held a special banquet this past Saturday, March 30, to allow men, women, and children in need to eat a free Easter meal.
Ramsdell addressed the SRM’s Easter Banquet in a live video. “Easter is a time of joy and spending it with family and friends. For us here at the Mission, it’s about sharing the gift of hope to our community through our Easter banquet,” said Ramsdell. “This year, we’re expecting to feed over twelve-hundred people.”
According to Masciotra, the SRM is prepared with different options to ensure people receive their Easter meals, which may depend on people’s health limitations. Masciotra explained, “This event is 3 parts: In-house Banquet sit-down- from 1-3pm; To-Go meals – walk or drive up – 1-3pm; Meal Deliveries to the elderly, ill and disabled and housebound- 11-1pm.”
Two people who have been positively impacted by the Springfield Rescue Mission are named Jared and Johnny. Each has written about their experiences in testimonials on the SRM’s website.
Before Jared came to the SRM, he used drugs and spent five months in jail. Jared said, “After my time in jail, I came to the Springfield Rescue Mission. I truly believe what I’m learning here has renewed my faith and has strengthened my relationship with God. I’m learning how to trust without ceasing during hard times.”
Like Jared’s testimony, Johnny’s life has changed because of the SRM. Johnny suffered from heart disease, anxiety, PTSD, and increased pain from using cocaine. However, after receiving help from SRM, Johnny’s mental health has improved, and he is sober.
Johnny said, “Landing here recently at the Rescue Mission is what brought me back to the Lord.” Johnny continued, “serving the community—that’s one of the biggest things I enjoy doing here now because I’m on the front lines, even in the middle of the whole COVID situation!”
The impact of the SRM involves people contributing to the non-profit organization, including Dr. Heather Salazar, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Western New England University, to help people like Jared and Johnny. “I’ve donated to them for years,” said Salazar.
Another Western New England University faculty member, Dr Dongxiao Qin, Professor of Psychology, thinks highly of the SRM. “I’ve heard about the organization from a local Chinese Christian church,” said Qin. “I think that donations of food, clothes and volunteer for helping on sites during special holidays (such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, or other needed events) will be good.”
There are different options for concerned members of the Western New England University community to help the SRM continue their efforts to help people in Springfield, such as volunteering or donating money, clothing, shoes, food, or other items to the SRM. Students, faculty, and staff members at Western New England University may choose to volunteer by preparing meals for the residents in the Men’s New Life Rehabilitation Program or Emergency Men’s Shelter, or volunteer in SRM’s Operation SONshine. If you or anyone you know would like to volunteer at SRM, feel free to email Masciotra directly with any questions or concerns at [email protected].
My family and I have helped out the SRM since I was a small child. We have donated clothing, food, and other necessities over the years, and I have contributed small amounts of money over the last five years, including $20 toward the recent Easter banquet.
If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about the SRM, feel free to log on to https://springfieldrescuemission.org to find out, or email the SRM at [email protected].
