Merced County Rescue Mission

What Merced County Rescue Mission does

Merced County Rescue Mission is a 501(c)(3) faith-based nonprofit organization headquartered in Merced, California, providing comprehensive life-transformation services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, addiction, and instability across Merced County. The organization operates a multi-program platform anchored by the nine-to-twelve-month Hope for Men and Women residential program, supplemented by Hope Respite Care (post-hospitalization recuperative care), Bridge to Hope (transitional bridging), Transition to Hope (sober living), Navigation Center (service coordination), Hope for Families, Hope for Veterans, Senior Meals/Living Well Cafe, Enhanced Care Management, and a Homeless Court program. The Mission owns and operates 17 transitional group homes in Merced and two in Los Banos, serves over 900 meals daily at 30+ locations, and serves approximately 1,240 people annually — with 81 in its core residential program and a waiting list for enrollment. The Village of Hope campus on Cone Avenue opened in March 2022 as Phase 1, with Phase 2 groundbreaking in February 2026 adding approximately 100 beds (a 32-bed Respite Care facility and 40 studio apartments) targeted for completion in December 2026.

The underlying service model combines faith-based Christ-centered curriculum (delivered in partnership with Celebrate Recovery and ACE Overcomers) with practical life-skills training, addiction counseling, GED preparation, job placement, and case management. Notably, over 90% of the 140-person staff are alumni of the Mission's own programs, including the COO (David Carr), the Navigation Center Director, and the Senior Meals Director, which functions as a powerful differentiator in participant trust and outcomes. The Mission is led by CEO Dr. Bruce Metcalf (Executive Director since April 2011, with 38 prior years as an Evangelical Covenant Church pastor) and CFO Bettie Stephens (49 years of accounting experience), with a board chaired by Mark Mayo.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model: individual donations (one-time and recurring), annual fundraising events (the Oasis Dinner targets $100,000), in-kind contributions from corporate partners (Costco, Lowes, Richwood Meat Co., West America Bank, Central Valley Community Bank), and government contracts with Merced County, City of Merced, and managed-care plans including Central California Alliance for Health under California's CalAIM Enhanced Care Management program. The go-to-market is community-led, relying on referrals from 25+ church partners, county agencies, probation, healthcare providers, and self-referrals, with no traditional paid acquisition. The Mission reports 25 graduates and 84 spiritual commitments in 2025, and has stated a goal of achieving net-zero homelessness in Merced County within three to four years through collaborative partnership.

Name

Merced County Rescue Mission

Legal name

Merced County Rescue Mission

Website

https://mercedcountyrescuemission.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Merced County Rescue Mission is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Merced, California operating residential recovery, transitional housing, and supportive service programs that served 1,240 homeless and addicted individuals across Merced County in the past year.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless Services and Addiction Recovery

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

Keywords

• Homeless services
• Addiction recovery
• Transitional housing
• Faith-based programs
• Residential rehabilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Merced

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations, both one-time and monthly recurring contributions from supporters, donors, and community members
2. Government Grants and Contracts: Partnerships with Merced County, City of Merced, and other government agencies for program funding and contracts
3. Annual Fundraising Events: Annual Oasis Dinner fundraiser with ticket sales ($50 advance, table of 8 for $400) and direct donations targeting $100,000 goal
4. In-Kind Donations: Food, clothing, hygiene products, appliances, and other material donations from community partners

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Merced County Rescue Mission operates a multi-program faith-based platform addressing homelessness in Merced County, California. Its central offering is the nine-to-twelve-month Hope for Men and Women residential program, which combines spiritual growth, addiction recovery, life-skills training, and case management at no cost to participants. Surrounding programs include Hope Respite Care, Bridge to Hope, Transition to Hope, Navigation Center, Hope for Families, Hope for Veterans, Senior Meals, and the Homeless Court program, all delivered through 17 transitional group homes in Merced, two in Los Banos, and the Village of Hope campus.

Product overview

Merced County Rescue Mission operates a comprehensive, multi-program platform addressing homelessness through faith-based residential programs, transitional housing, recuperative care, and supportive services. The core offering is the Hope for Men and Women program, a 9-12 month residential life transformation program that serves as the foundation. This core program connects to multiple supportive programs including: Hope Respite Care (post-hospitalization recuperative care), Bridge to Hope and Transition to Hope (transitional and sober living environments), Navigation Center (service coordination hub), Hope for Families and Hope for Veterans (specialized population programs), Homeless Court Program (legal resolution), Enhanced Care Management (ongoing support), and the Village of Hope Campus (facilities housing multiple programs). The organization serves approximately 1,240 people annually across 17 transitional group homes in Merced and 2 in Los Banos.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hope for Men and Women: Nine-to-twelve-month structured, Christian, residential program providing spiritual growth, life skills training, Bible Studies, and community service.
• Village of Hope
• Navigation Center
• Bridge to Hope
• Transition to Hope
• Hope Respite Care
• Oasis Dinner

Products and services

• Hope for Men and Women Nine-to-twelve-month structured, Christian residential program providing spiritual growth, life-skills training, Bible studies, and community service. Designed for adults experiencing homelessness and addiction to work through defining issues and become contributing members of the community. Provided free of charge to participants.
• Hope Respite Care Recuperative care program providing post-hospitalization support for individuals transitioning from hospital care, helping them recover while receiving case management and assistance finding permanent housing. Referred by hospital partners including Dignity Health Mercy Medical Center Merced, Sutter Health, Golden Valley Health Centers, and Livingston Community Health.
• Bridge to Hope Transitional housing program that helps participants rebuild their lives through structured support, community service, and faith-based guidance after initial recovery programs.
• Transition to Hope Sober Living Environment (SLE) for graduates of the Hope for Men and Women program, providing continued support as participants work toward employment, education, and self-sufficiency. The Phase 2 Village of Hope expansion (anticipated December 2026) will add 40 studio apartments for this program.
• Navigation Center Central hub connecting individuals experiencing homelessness to services, providing case management, service coordination, and pathways to housing and Mission programs. Works closely with the County and City of Merced.
• Senior Meals Program / Living Well Cafe Nutrition program providing meals to seniors in the community, operated through the Senior Living Well Cafe Program at 30+ locations throughout Merced County, serving over 900 meals daily.
• Homeless Court Program Program allowing individuals to have court fines dismissed and records expunged through community service and programming participation, helping participants resolve legal issues and move toward stability.
• Village of Hope Campus Multi-phase campus development on Cone Avenue providing facilities for Hope Respite Care, Transition to Hope apartments, and expansion of Hope for Men and Women programs. Phase 1 opened March 2022; Phase 2 (anticipated December 2026) adds a second 32-bed Respite Care facility and 40 studio apartments, approximately 100 beds total.
• Hope for Families Program supporting families experiencing homelessness or instability, providing resources and support for family reunification and stability.
• Hope for Veterans Specialized program providing housing and support services for veterans experiencing homelessness or hardship.
• Enhanced Care Management (ECM) Care management services providing ongoing support to individuals after they are housed, helping maintain stability and connect to ongoing services.
• Circle of Hope Program offering services and support for individuals in need within the Merced County community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,240 people served in past year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Central California Alliance for HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing health services and support for Mission participants
• Dignity Health Mercy Medical Center MercedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider partner referring patients to Hope Respite Care program for post-hospital recovery
• Sutter HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing medical services and referrals for participants
• Merced County and City of MercedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partners providing funding, referrals, and collaborative programs including Homeless Court
• Merced County ProbationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCourt referral partner sending probationers to Mission programs for treatment and supervision
• Gateway Community ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for annual Oasis fundraiser and church partner providing spiritual support
• Golden Valley Health CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing health services for participants
• Livingston Community HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing services to Mission participants
• Restore MercedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployment partner providing job opportunities for program graduates in community restoration work
• Celebrate Recovery MercedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecovery program partner integrated into Hope for Men and Women curriculum
• Merced County Human Services AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing services and referrals for participants
• Merced bhrs (Behavioral Health & Recovery Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health services partner providing counseling and behavioral health support
• ACE OvercomerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurriculum partner providing trauma and addiction recovery curriculum for programs
• Sierra Saving Grace Homeless ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomeless services partner collaborating on housing solutions
• Central Valley Opportunity Fund - Community FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity foundation partner providing funding and resources
• Stanislaus State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing educational opportunities for participants
• LOVE INCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch network partner connecting churches with community needs
• COSTCOminorOthersCorporate donor providing in-kind donations
• LowesminorOthersCorporate donor providing building materials and supplies
• Richwood Meat CominorOthersLocal meat supplier providing food donations
• Young Farmers & Ranchers / Merced Mariposa FFA SectionminorOthersDonated 3,100 pounds of food in collaboration with FFA
• Church of the Latter-Day SaintsminorOthersDonated 24 pallets of food through Mercy Medical Center partnership
• West America BankminorOthersFinancial institution partner providing banking services and support
• Central Valley Community BankminorOthersFinancial institution partner providing support
• Church Partners (25+ churches)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of churches including: First Baptist Merced, Yosemite Church, Central Presbyterian Church, Cornerstone Community Church Chowchilla, Hilmar Covenant Church, Grace Community Church, Bear Creek Community Church, Christian Church of the Valley, St Patricks Catholic Church, St Matthews Baptist Church, Calvary Chapel Merced, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran, St Paul Lutheran Church Merced, Ponderosa Basin Chapel Mariposa, and others providing spiritual support, volunteers, and referrals

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• San Diego Rescue Mission: Faith-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, recovery programs, and transitional housing in San Diego. Operates a comparable continuum of services from emergency beds through transitional and sober living programs.
• Fresno Rescue Mission: Faith-based nonprofit serving the Central Valley with emergency shelter, residential recovery programs, and meals service. Closest geographic and operational peer given similar size, scope, and Central Valley county-level government contracting environment.
• Bakersfield Rescue Mission: Faith-based homeless services provider serving Kern County with residential recovery, meals, and transitional housing. Strong peer for a Central Valley county-level rescue mission of similar scope and donor-dependent revenue model.
• Los Angeles Mission: Faith-based rescue mission providing emergency shelter, residential recovery, meals, and case management in Skid Row, Los Angeles. Directly comparable faith-based operating model and program continuum.
• CityTeam: National faith-based nonprofit operating shelters, residential recovery programs, and community services across multiple U.S. cities including California. Comparable Christ-centered model and similar mix of residential programs, meals, and transitional housing.
• Sacramento Rescue Mission: Faith-based rescue mission operating shelter, residential recovery, and transitional housing in Sacramento. Comparable scope of programs including faith-based life transformation curriculum and similar reliance on donations plus county contracts.
• Seattle's Union Gospel Mission: Faith-based nonprofit operating shelter, addiction recovery, and transitional programs with similar integration of meals, residential programming, and post-program reintegration. Comparable staffing model that recruits program graduates.
• Union Rescue Mission (Los Angeles): Largest faith-based rescue mission in the U.S., operating a similar continuum of emergency shelter, residential recovery, transitional housing, and workforce development programs in Skid Row, Los Angeles. Directly comparable operating model and funding mix (donations, in-kind, government contracts).

Emerging players

• Glide Foundation (San Francisco): Nonprofit serving homeless and low-income populations with meals, housing, and supportive services. Comparable in scale of daily meals served and integrated service model, though more secular in approach.

Others

• Shelter Partnership: Los Angeles-based nonprofit that supports homeless service providers with goods, training, and consulting rather than direct service. Relevant adjacent peer because it acts as an intermediary funder of small rescue missions and could be a model for capacity-building partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/merced-county-rescue-mission

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Merced County Rescue Mission