“A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food
Proverbs 22:9.
Since 1971, Coachella Valley Rescue Mission has been an oasis, a place of refuge for the homeless and needy in our valley. We are a safe haven, a place of rest for the weary and a place where daily physical and spiritual needs may be met.
Over the years the mission has continued to meet the ever growing needs of individuals, who for a variety of reasons, have found themselves without the basic necessities of life.
A dedicated staff and volunteers serve more than 340,000 meals annually and provide shelter to thousands of men and women with children. Food, clothing, and showers are also provided for those who choose not to shelter with us.
Get to know…
our mission
“To serve those in need by sharing the saving grace of Jesus Christ through the provision of food, shelter, clothing and spiritual recovery.”
Get to know…
our vision
As ministers of reconciliation, we are to facilitate the reconciliation of men and women to God, to themselves and to society.
Those in need of recovery due to loss of job, home, health, emotional, mental or spiritual support or physical or substance abuse find themselves drawn to our ministry. We are to facilitate that reconciliation through the available means of this Mission, i.e. food, clothing, shelter, counseling and discipleship. Through these modalities we pave the way for them to be reconciled.
Get to know…
our mission
“To serve those in need by sharing the saving grace of Jesus Christ through the provision of food, shelter, clothing and spiritual recovery.”
Get to know…
our vision
As ministers of reconciliation, we are to facilitate the reconciliation of men and women to God, to themselves and to society.
Those in need of recovery due to loss of job, home, health, emotional, mental or spiritual support or physical or substance abuse find themselves drawn to our ministry. We are to facilitate that reconciliation through the available means of this Mission, i.e. food, clothing, shelter, counseling and discipleship. Through these modalities we pave the way for them to be reconciled.
Get to know…
Darla Burkett,
our Executive Director
Welcome to Coachella Valley Rescue Mission! Since our founding in 1971, we’ve been dedicated to serving the most vulnerable in our community. What started as a humble soup kitchen has grown into a comprehensive resource for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, offering life-changing programs that address immediate needs and long-term challenges.
Every day, we witness extraordinary stories of resilience and transformation. From the mother fleeing domestic violence to the veteran overcoming addiction, the impact of our work is evident in the lives of those we serve. These outcomes are made possible by the unwavering support of donors, volunteers, and community partners who believe in the power of second chances.
At CVRM, we believe that no one should have to face homelessness alone. Through programs like our Street Outreach, Emergency Shelter, and Long-Term Residential Programs, we provide more than just a place to stay — we offer hope, dignity, and a path to independence. In 2022 alone, we provided over 27,000 bed nights, engaged with 1,245 individuals through our outreach teams, and celebrated 119 graduates who moved on to self-sufficient living.
As you explore our website, I invite you to learn more about our history, programs, and the lives we’ve touched. Whether you’re here to find help, volunteer, or support our mission, know that your involvement makes a lasting difference. Together, we can continue to create opportunities for those seeking a fresh start and a brighter future.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
Sincerely,
Darla Burkett, Executive Director
Get to know…
Darla Burkett,
our Executive Director
I’m grateful summer is closing out and the beauty of Autumn is here.
On September 26, we will have graduation in our multi-purpose room. We celebrate the blessing of lives changed in our programs. All have moved on (or are very near) to being independently employed and living independently.
As quickly as beds become available, they are filled. As of today, all of our family rooms and single beds are full again. At CV Rescue Mission we consider these new people and children blessings!
Summer at CVRM was extra busy in 2019. Partnering with the County of Riverside, we opened three new Cooling Centers in Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City and Palm Springs. This allowed us to care for 190 hurting people in need. Many of these people chose to come to CVRM for full programs, and we are grateful to be here for them.
These past several months, we have helped an unusually high amount of seniors in need who lost housing due to high rental costs, this is a very real and heartbreaking issue in our valley. We do have an onsite Housing Department and are doing all we can to get them rehoused in affordable housing.
In all things, we know Christ Jesus is with us in our daily work, we seek joy in all things through Him. Food, shelter and clothing are just the beginning. Our programs are strong, structured and vital. The fellowship within our team of volunteers, residents and staff leads to strong, forever friendships.
Because of you, our doors are open, our plates and hearts are filled with faith and hope.
I would be honored to meet every person reading this. Please contact me for a visit, a tour or just to talk.
Darla Burkett, Executive Director
Get to know… our faith
- We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, and the authoritative rule of faith and practice.
- We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
- We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit; in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings; in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, and ascension into heaven to the right hand of the Father; and in His personal, visible return to this earth.
- We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher and Guide.
- We believe in the universal Church, the living spiritual body of which Christ is the Head and all regenerated persons are members.
- We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost: they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
Get to know…
our history
In 1971, a group of concerned businessmen and churches came together to form the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission.
Assistance was provided by the Union Rescue Mission of Los Angeles, which seeded the endeavor with funds to purchase property on Van Buren Blvd. in what was then known as the Carver Tract. A soup kitchen and overnight shelter served the growing homeless and migrant worker population. The addition of the men’s dorm and shower facilities were added onto the original WWII era meeting hall, kitchen and dining room.
In the mid-1980’s the Mission saw a growth in the number of homeless women and families, and purchased the adjacent club, “Hot Spot” which was remodeled into the Women and Family Shelter. A new dining room, kitchen, walk-in cooler and freezer, and the second story administration and program offices were constructed at the same time.
