PRM Women’s Ministry
Under Construction - Women’s Group Home Coming Soon
Expanding our Mission to Embrace Women in Need
For over five decades, Peninsula Rescue Mission has been a beacon of hope for our community, providing vital support and shelter to homeless men with unwavering dedication. As the years have passed, we have come to recognize an undeniable truth: our community is home to women who also find themselves in desperate need of emergency shelter and assistance. It is with this realization that we announce our decision to extend our services and embrace women experiencing homelessness.
As we embark on this new chapter, we recognize the unique challenges that women facing homelessness encounter. We understand that their needs are diverse and require a comprehensive and compassionate approach. With this in mind, we have devised a plan to ensure that our services cater to the specific needs of homeless women, providing them with the same level of care and support that our male clients have come to rely upon.
Expanding our mission will mean creating separate living spaces, facilities, and programs dedicated to women. We envision a warm and welcoming environment that fosters healing, restoration, and empowerment. Our aim is to not only provide emergency shelter but also to equip women with the tools and resources necessary to break the cycle of homelessness.
Our commitment to serving women will encompass a range of holistic services. We will offer access to clean, comfortable living quarters, nutritious meals, and essential personal care items. Additionally, our clients will have access to counseling services, educational opportunities, job training programs, and support in finding employment and stable housing.
Our decision to act and extend our services to women is rooted in our core values. We believe that nobody should be left behind, and we are excited to embark on this new endeavor to support and uplift women experiencing homelessness in our community.
As we move forward, we invite the support and partnership of our community to help us expand our reach and provide the necessary resources to fulfill this critical mission. Together, we can make a lasting impact, offering a lifeline to women when they need it most.
In the coming months, we will be working diligently to keep the community informed of the progress.
PRM Women’s Ministry Timeline
February 2022
We are currently exploring two possible locations. Both have great potential to meet the current need and leave room for future growth. There are some significant hurdles to overcome in order to use either of these properties as a shelter. Please pray the Lord will give us favor with our city’s leaders.
April 2022
We have found a building that would serve our purposes very well. We are communicating with the seller and are excited for this possibility. There are many more steps involved, and all of it moves more slowly than we would like. Please pray for the next steps to move quickly. Thank you all!
May 2022
March 23rd was the final day of PORT, the Newport News funded winter shelter program. Thursday, March 24th, was a sobering reminder for us that those unaccompanied women who had a safe place to seek a place to rest are now back on the streets. We feel the urgency to serve this group of women, meet their needs, and offer an opportunity for their lives to be transformed by the power of the gospel. We ask that you would pray for us to trust Him.
One other exciting update – we have signed a contract on a building! While this is very exciting, there is still much work to be done. This puts us in a 6-month due-diligence period to line up all the necessary inspections before moving on to the next step.
June 2023
We asked our supporters to pack the City Council Chambers on June 27. It would be impossible to express what it meant to us to see that room full – standing room only – with so many friendly faces. Dear friends from many different churches came to speak in support of us. Strangers (to us) showed up in support.
Before the Mayor opened the floor to the public, he announced that they were deferring the vote on our permit until the July meeting. I was so discouraged. Then he began calling names of people who had signed up to speak. Over and over, the message was the same – “I support the Peninsula Rescue Mission and ask City Council to approve their request.” After over an hour of testimony from the public, the Mayor announced that they had decided to vote that evening! When the comments from the floor ended, they closed the public hearing portion. In their comments before the vote, the council members were so kind. They were overwhelmed by the support of the community. One council member was emotional as she shared, “I have been on the council for fourteen years, and this has been one of the most inspiring meetings… to be able to know that people care. You all in the audience care about the population.” And then the vote was taken – unanimous approval of our application! God had stretched out His hand and performed wonders! There is no doubt that we witnessed a miracle that evening!
Earlier that day, when I shared with Alan what I had read in my quiet time, he shared with me from his reading in Psalm 68. Verse 6 begins, “God settles the solitary in a home.” We cannot wait to welcome the solitary women in our community to our group home. To God be the glory! Great things HE has done! -Faith DeFriese
August 2023
We have passed the 30-day appeal period! We should receive our official conditional use permit any day now! We closed on the property early August! We are so excited to move forward!
August 29, 2023
After MANY months of waiting, today we closed on the property that will become our new women's ministry! Most of our staff gathered there this afternoon to tour the building and to thank God for what He has done! We are so thankful for so many of you who have prayed for us, encouraged us, and stood beside us during this process! There is much work to be done, and we are anxious to get started!To God be the glory - great things HE has done!!
September 2023
Thankful to have our first Volunteer Group to help with the Renovation of the new building.