The Merced County Rescue Mission was awarded a Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) grant through the Merced City/County Continuum of Care to start operating a bridge housing program in the City of Los Banos.

With the latest homeless count of 49 people in Los Banos, this will immediately take 10 homeless people off the street and help them start receiving services toward permanent supportive housing. The house will be a low barrier facility which will offer people the opportunity to come in without a large list of restrictions and requirements. The goal is to help people where they are, and to help them move forward in their lives.

It is a parallel concept to Jesus taking us as we are and helping us turn our lives around for the better. This effort will be the first extension into Los Banos to provide bridge housing for individuals who find themselves homeless.

For some years, the Mission has been working with the county to provide meals for seniors in Los Banos. It is now our privilege to further meet the needs of people in this community.