Bridgeport Rescue Mission

What Bridgeport Rescue Mission does

Bridgeport Rescue Mission is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 725 Park Avenue in Bridgeport, Connecticut, founded in 1993. It serves individuals and families facing hunger, homelessness, and addiction across coastal Connecticut, with service reach spanning Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, South Norwalk, Ansonia, Waterbury, and New Haven. Its beneficiary population is large and diverse: the Great ThanksGiving Project alone serves over 5,000 families annually with turkeys and full holiday food packages.

The organization's core service lines are the Food Outreach Program (community pantry, hot meals, mobile kitchens), the New Life faith-based addiction recovery program, and a tiered Safe Housing portfolio comprising four distinct residential programs (New Life, Abundant Life 90-day program, Transitional Living, and Supportive Housing) plus the Guest House for Women and Children. Since 2022, clinical care has been delivered through a strategic partnership with Sage Healthcare, which operates a free on-site clinic supported by BRM-employed nursing, social work, and administrative staff. A Workforce Development Program and a Professional Development Training Academy offering CEU-compliant courses have extended the organization's scope beyond direct service delivery. There is no proprietary technology platform; the Mission's "product" is integrated human services delivered in person.

The business model is donation-funded. Revenue streams include individual one-time and recurring donations, event sponsorships (notably the Rescuing Lives gala with tiers from $1,000 to $25,000), legacy/planned giving via wills and trusts, donor-advised fund grants, stock and property gifts, in-kind donations of clothing and food, and likely grants and church/corporate contributions. All services to beneficiaries are provided free of charge. The organization operates with 101–250 employees, holds a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, Candid Platinum Transparency, GuideStar Gold Seal, and ECFA accreditation, and is governed by a Board chaired by Albert P. Carey (Executive Chairman of Unifi Inc.) with a CFO-track leadership team including CEO Rhonda Neal (joined 2024) and Director of Development Laurie Molner (joined 2025).

Name

Bridgeport Rescue Mission

Legal name

Bridgeport Rescue Mission

Website

https://bridgeportrescuemission.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Bridgeport Rescue Mission is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free food, residential addiction recovery, safe housing, and healthcare to individuals and families facing hunger, homelessness, and addiction across coastal Connecticut.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Addiction Recovery Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Food Services (62421), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food Assistance & Nutrition Relief (Emergency Feeding) (BPAGAAAD), Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO), Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN)

Keywords

• Homeless services
• Addiction recovery
• Food assistance
• Emergency shelter
• Faith-based social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bridgeport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute financial support through online donations, mail-in checks, and various giving methods. Donors can give one-time or recurring gifts, and the organization offers monthly giving partnership programs.
2. Event Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors and individuals sponsor events such as Rescuing Lives 2026 and Inspiring Hope Luncheon. Sponsorship packages range from $1,000 to $25,000, providing brand visibility while supporting critical programs.
3. Legacy/Planned Giving: Donors can include Bridgeport Rescue Mission in their estate plans through wills, trusts, or beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and donor-advised funds. This creates long-term sustainable support.
4. Stock and Property Gifts: Donors can contribute appreciated assets such as stocks or real estate, which may offer tax advantages while providing impactful support for the mission's programs.
5. Donor Advised Funds: Donors with DAFs can recommend grants to Bridgeport Rescue Mission, offering flexibility and tax advantages while directing generosity toward the mission's cause.
6. In-Kind Donations: The organization accepts gifts of clothing, food, hygiene items, and household essentials to support guests and community members in need.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Bridgeport Rescue Mission provides free, faith-based residential and community services to people facing hunger, homelessness, and addiction in coastal Connecticut. Core offerings include food outreach (pantry, hot meals, mobile kitchens), multi-tier safe housing, long-term addiction recovery programs, and free healthcare delivered through a partner clinic. All services are provided at no cost to beneficiaries and funded entirely through charitable donations, grants, and event sponsorships.

Product overview

Bridgeport Rescue Mission operates as a unified nonprofit service organization offering integrated programs addressing hunger, homelessness, addiction, and healthcare. The core offerings include the Food Outreach Program (food pantry, hot meals, mobile kitchens), New Life Program (faith-based addiction recovery), and Safe Housing Programs (four residential tiers). Healthcare services are delivered through the Sage Healthcare partnership. The organization also provides Professional Development Training for community leaders, volunteer engagement opportunities, Legacy Giving for planned donors, and annual events including Rescuing Lives and the Great ThanksGiving Project. Services are provided free of charge to those in need across Coastal Connecticut.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Food Outreach Program Comprehensive food distribution service providing food pantry access, hot meals, mobile kitchens, and seasonal outreach to neighbors facing food insecurity across Connecticut. Services are free to beneficiaries and include fresh produce, dry goods, dairy, meat, toiletries, and hygiene products.
• New Life Program Long-term residential faith-based addiction recovery program for men and women, combining spiritual formation with practical recovery tools including counseling, work therapy, life skills education, and Genesis Process-based Bible-centered programming. Designed for individuals ready to overcome substance abuse.
• Safe Housing Programs Four distinct residential housing programs for individuals at different stages of recovery: New Life Program (long-term recovery for men and women), Abundant Life Program (90-day for individuals not in addiction recovery), Transitional Living (for graduates), and Supportive Housing (preparing for independence). Includes the Guest House for Women and Children and Mommy & Me track.
• Free Healthcare Clinic (Sage Healthcare Partnership) Free medical and behavioral health services for uninsured and underserved residents and community members of the Greater Bridgeport area. The clinic is staffed by a nurse practitioner, certified nursing assistant, licensed clinical social worker, and administrative support, and serves as a key access point for primary care, behavioral health, and wellness services.
• Professional Development Training Academy CEU-compliant training and community engagement programs offered to human services professionals, covering recovery, trauma-informed care, leadership, and professional development. Led by MaryAnn Gardner with over 45 years of experience in human services, education, and recovery support.
• Great ThanksGiving Project Annual holiday food outreach serving over 5,000 families across Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, Ansonia, Waterbury, and New Haven with turkeys and full holiday food packages, addressing seasonal food insecurity for low-income families.
• Volunteer Engagement Program Organized volunteer opportunities across Community Pantry & Café, Meal Service/Kitchen, Donation Center, Life Change Programs, and Help from Home initiatives. Engages hundreds of community volunteers annually across multiple programs.
• Legacy Giving Program Planned giving program allowing donors to include Bridgeport Rescue Mission in wills, trusts, or beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and donor-advised funds to create lasting impact for future generations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,000 families served annually through Great ThanksGiving Project
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sage HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSage Healthcare provides all medical and behavioral health services at no cost to patients at Bridgeport Rescue Mission's clinic location. BRM supplies clinic space rent-free, keeps the lights on, and employs essential staff including a nurse practitioner, CNA, LCSW, and office support. Sage Healthcare brings the clinical care delivery expertise, making free healthcare accessible to residents and community members.
• Diaper Bank of ConnecticutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to operate a diaper distribution program providing 50-100 diapers per child each month. The program operates every Tuesday from 10 AM to 1 PM, supporting families with young children by addressing a critical need that can strain family budgets.
• CityGate NetworkminorOthersMember of CityGate Network, an association of gospel rescue missions. This membership connects BRM with a network of similar organizations for shared learning, best practices, and collaborative opportunities.
• Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (AGRM)minorOthersBRM is a member in good standing of AGRM, connecting with a network of gospel rescue missions across North America for resource sharing, advocacy, and professional development.
• Christian Leadership Alliance (CLA)minorOthersBRM holds membership in CLA, an alliance of Christian organizations providing leadership development and networking opportunities for ministry leaders.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Covenant House: Faith-based nonprofit providing shelter, recovery support, and workforce development primarily to homeless and trafficked youth. Comparable residential recovery model and faith-rooted approach, focused on a narrower age segment.
• Catholic Charities USA: Federated nonprofit network delivering food, housing, and recovery services across the US through diocesan agencies. Overlaps with BRM on multi-program integrated services, but operates on a much larger geographic and structural scale.
• Feeding America: National network of 200+ food banks distributing meals and groceries across the US. BRM's food outreach runs at a meaningfully smaller scale but tackles the same hunger-relief mission through food pantries and mobile distribution.
• The Salvation Army USA: Largest faith-based social services network in the US, operating food, shelter, and addiction recovery programs nationwide at massive scale. Comparable service mix but vastly larger footprint and capacity.
• Volunteers of America: National faith-rooted nonprofit operating housing, recovery, behavioral health, and workforce programs for vulnerable populations. Comparable in serving the same client mix as BRM but at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• City Harvest (NYC): New York City food rescue and hunger-relief nonprofit distributing groceries and meals to food-insecure neighbors through mobile pantries and partner agencies. Closest comparable to BRM's Community Pantry, mobile kitchens, and Great ThanksGiving Project food distribution model.
• The Bowery Mission: Faith-based New York City rescue mission providing meals, shelter, and residential addiction recovery programs. Closest comparable to BRM in model, faith-based approach, and integrated service continuum; BRM board member Edward Morgan is Bowery Mission's President Emeritus.

Others

• Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (AGRM): Trade association of faith-based rescue missions across North America, of which BRM is a member. Comparable because peer rescue missions (e.g., Denver Rescue Mission, Nashville Rescue Mission) operate nearly identical programs to BRM and connect through this network.

Regional players

• Connecticut Foodshare: Statewide food bank distributing food to a network of pantries and meal programs across Connecticut, including partners in cities BRM serves (Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, New Haven, Waterbury). Closest comparable within CT on statewide food distribution scale.
• Open Door Shelter (Norwalk, CT): Faith-rooted emergency shelter and supportive housing provider serving greater Norwalk in coastal Connecticut. Directly overlapping service area with BRM's Norwalk outreach and provides emergency shelter and housing navigation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BptMission
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSkFZsX5mGG8vxcbRNHnNFQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/BridgeportRescueMission
• Instagraminstagram.com/bptrescuemission

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bridgeport Rescue Mission