What Topeka Rescue Mission does

Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries (TRM) is a Topeka, Kansas-based non-profit charitable organization founded in 1953 that delivers shelter, food, and rehabilitation services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and hunger in Northeast Kansas. Core operations include year-round 24/7 emergency shelter averaging 220-260 unique guests nightly, three daily meals serving approximately 13,560 per month, and community food distribution of 2,000 food boxes and 450 sack lunches weekly through its 401 NW Norris Distribution Center. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs including the Hope Center, Street Reach mobile outreach, Mobile Access Partnership (MAP) mobile services unit, homeless rehousing partnerships, and the CaRE job readiness program. All staff receive 8 hours of Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) trauma-informed care training at hire, supporting a differentiated service model that addresses the documented 496% elevated Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scores in the homeless population TRM serves.

TRM's business model is donation-funded with no pricing to recipients; revenue derives from individual donors, churches, businesses, and grants, supplemented by in-kind food and material donations. The organization's go-to-market is community-led, relying on 500+ volunteers, multi-agency partnerships (Valeo Behavioral Health, Stormont Vail Health, Topeka Police, FHLBank, Citygate Network), and signature events (Night of Praise, Rescue Mission Ride) for donor cultivation. Distribution channels include fixed facilities, mobile units (MAP), street outreach teams, and a planned Compassion Impact Center resource hub opening April 2026. Marketing is multi-channel: an active website, a weekly podcast (Our Community Our Mission), monthly newsletters, Facebook presence, and consistent earned media coverage from local outlets. The organization employs approximately 10 director-level staff and is led by Executive Director La Manda Broyles (7th ED, appointed 2022) following Barry Feaker's 36-year tenure.

Name

Topeka Rescue Mission

Legal name

Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries

Website

https://trmonline.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries is a 1953-founded Topeka, Kansas non-profit providing 24/7 shelter, meals, food distribution, trauma-informed care, job training, and outreach services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and hunger in Northeast Kansas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Social Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Food Services (62421), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC), Food Assistance & Nutrition Relief (Emergency Feeding) (BPAGAAAD), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Homeless shelter services
• Emergency food services
• Social services
• Homeless rehousing programs
• Trauma-informed care

Headquarters

HQ city

Topeka

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: TRM relies primarily on donations from individuals, churches, businesses, and organizations. This includes financial donations (online giving, mail-in checks), food donations from the community, and material donations (clothing, supplies).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Topeka Rescue Mission provides 24/7 emergency shelter (averaging 220-240 guests nightly), three daily meals (13,560 per month), community food distribution (2,000 food boxes and 450 sack lunches weekly), street outreach, and Mobile Access Partnership (MAP) mobile services for unsheltered individuals. The organization also delivers job-readiness training (CaRE program), trauma-informed interventions using TBRI, homeless rehousing assistance, and cold-weather warming center activation.

Product overview

Topeka Rescue Mission (TRM) is a non-profit humanitarian organization offering a portfolio of interconnected social services for individuals experiencing homelessness and hunger. The organization operates a unified service model centered on shelter, food security, outreach, and rehabilitation programs. Core offerings include year-round homeless shelter (averaging 220-240 guests nightly), prepared meal services (13,560 meals/month), and community food box distribution (2,000 boxes weekly). The Mobile Access Partnership (MAP) provides mobile facilities (baths, showers, laundry, health clinic) to unsheltered populations. Education and job readiness programming includes the CaRE program, life skills, and trauma education using Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). The Compassion Impact Center represents a new integrated resource hub launching in 2026. Additional services include Street Reach outreach, homeless rehousing support, warming centers for extreme weather, and a weekly podcast ('Our Community Our Mission'). These programs work together as a coordinated continuum of care designed to move individuals from crisis through stability to self-sufficiency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Street Reach: Outreach program locating campsites and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness to provide food, water, gear, and introduction to services.
• Mobile Access Partnership (MAP)
• Hope Center
• Compassion Impact Center
• Distribution Center

Products and services

• Homeless Shelter Services Year-round 24/7 emergency shelter providing safe, comfortable housing for individuals transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing, averaging 220-240 unique guests per night, with case management and supportive services.
• Food Services Planning, preparing, and serving approximately 13,560 meals per month in the dining room 7 days a week, with three daily hot meals or sack lunches for guests, sourced primarily from community food donations.
• Community Food Distribution
• Street Reach Mobile outreach program that locates campsites and unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness, providing food, water, seasonal gear, and introduction to TRM services; partnered with numerous agencies and churches.
• Mobile Access Partnership (MAP) Mobile services initiative providing bathrooms, showers, laundry facilities, mobile health clinic, mobile food pantry and kitchen to unsheltered individuals unable to access TRM facilities.
• Warming Centers Cold weather emergency shelter protocol activated during extreme cold events, providing additional warming space when temperatures or windchill fall below thresholds (40°F, 32°F, or 20°F).
• Homeless Rehousing Services Partnership with local housing organizations to assist guests in reclaiming life after homelessness, supporting the transition from shelter to permanent housing.
• Education and Job Readiness Programs Training programs including CaRE (Career Readiness Education), life skills classes, work detail, and spiritual development to help guests re-enter the workforce and address underlying issues leading to unemployment.
• Trauma Interventions Trauma-informed programming using Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) to address trauma-related needs of guests, including staff training, connection groups, and workforce development.
• Compassion Impact Center New resource center at the Children's Palace location providing comprehensive services to individuals experiencing homelessness.

Quantifiable outcome

• Helped 81 individuals complete programs and transition to housing in 2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and supporting.

• QDOBAminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 November 2024North Topeka QDOBA restaurant donated all opening day proceeds to TRM to support those facing homelessness and hunger.
• A.B.A.T.E. of Kansas District #4minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 October 2024Motorcycle organization that holds annual Rescue Mission Ride fundraiser, donating proceeds to TRM. Donated $3,500 from their 33rd annual event in 2024.
• Valeo Behavioral Health CarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Key partner in Mobile Access Partnership (MAP) providing behavioral health services, mental health counseling, and addiction treatment. Valeo CEO Bill D. Persinger Jr. noted MAP has become part of the culture of helping in Topeka and shaped how the community addresses homelessness.
• Stormont Vail HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Provides mobile primary care clinic as part of MAP, offering healthcare services to individuals experiencing homelessness one day per week initially, expanding to Tuesdays and Thursdays. Karla Hedquist noted MAP is a great way to address upstream social determinants of health.
• The Street Dog Coalition TopekasupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Provides pet care services for MAP clients' companion animals. Dr. Allison Crow noted the goal is for clients to come for pet care but stay for other services, meeting needs of the whole family.
• Topeka Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Mobile Access Partnership engaging with unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness in the Topeka area.
• Compassion Strategies Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization that oversees MAP program. CEO Barry Feaker (former TRM Executive Director) noted MAP exemplifies love delivered through many services of partner agencies working together.
• United Way of Kaw ValleysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in recruiting and securing volunteers for warming center sites when multiple locations are activated during extreme cold weather events.
• World VisionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerContacted TRM during 2020 pandemic to assist with feeding the hungry due to economic challenges. TRM led food distribution for over 110,000 individuals.
• Citygate NetworksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerNational network of missions that TRM actively participates in. Staff attended annual conference with 1,200 attendees from 300 missions. TRM hosted regional Heartland Huddle event.
• City ServeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerContacted TRM during 2020 pandemic regarding food distribution needs. Part of coordinated national response.
• FHLBanksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented check and recognized with TRM's Sleeves Rolled Up Award for partnership and ribbon cutting ceremony in November 2024.
• White HouseminorOthersContacted TRM during 2020 pandemic requesting they participate in feeding the hungry response due to economic challenges.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Open Door Mission: Faith-based shelter and recovery mission in Omaha, Nebraska providing shelter, food distribution, addiction recovery, and rehousing services—a closely comparable operating model and mid-size metro footprint like TRM's.
• Los Angeles Mission: Christian rescue mission in Skid Row Los Angeles offering emergency shelter, meals, recovery programs, and job training. Larger-scale, urban-intensity version of TRM's operating model serving a much higher-acuity population.
• Denver Rescue Mission: Christian nonprofit in Denver providing shelter, food, and recovery programs with a similar continuum-of-care model (Hope Centers, food services, rehousing, outreach). A larger-scale analog of TRM operating in a bigger metro.
• City Union Mission: Faith-based homeless shelter, food, and recovery services provider serving Kansas City, Missouri—the closest geographic and mission-aligned peer to TRM, operating a similar shelter + food + rehousing + discipleship model in an adjacent Kansas/Missouri metro.
• Kansas City Rescue Mission: Faith-based rescue mission in Kansas City offering emergency shelter, meals, and recovery programs under a near-identical operating model to TRM. Operates in the same Kansas-Missouri regional ecosystem with overlapping donor and volunteer pools.

Emerging players

• Harvesters Community Food Network: Regional food bank serving NE Kansas and NW Missouri including Topeka—a partial-overlap peer whose food distribution function competes for and supplies TRM's food programs, making it both a peer and a potential upstream supplier.

Broad incumbents

• Salvation Army: The largest faith-based shelter and social services provider in the US, operating emergency shelter, food, and recovery programs nationally—including in Topeka. Competes with TRM for the same donor pool, volunteer base, and government contracts at a national scale.

Regional players

• Lawrence Community Shelter: Community-based emergency shelter serving Lawrence, Kansas—the nearest comparable shelter operation in TRM's broader NE Kansas service area, with overlapping donor catchment and a smaller, secular operating model.
• Open Door (Wichita): Faith-based shelter, food, and recovery services in Wichita, Kansas—a regional peer operating TRM's exact mission model within the same state but a different metro, competing for state-level grant and donor funding.

Others

• Citygate Network: National association of 300+ faith-based rescue missions (formerly the Union Gospel Mission Association) of which TRM is a member. Comparable in mission ecosystem; not a direct service peer but a peer organization at the industry-association layer that TRM helps lead.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubepodcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-community-our-mission/id1483847501
• Facebookfacebook.com/trmministries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/topeka-rescue-mission

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Topeka Rescue Mission