The Rescue Mission is an incredibly important Merced institution. It is on the front lines of the often lonely struggle against some of our state’s most difficult problems, especially homelessness and drug addiction. When people in our community want someone to stand up and do something about these issues, most frequently it is the Rescue Mission that does it. In response to the needs of our community, the Rescue Mission is responding, using creative ways to rapidly expand their capacity. We are only as good as our people, and the Rescue Mission helps make better Mercedians every day.

As a District Attorney, I have worked closely with the Rescue Mission for many years. As DAs, we don’t get a lot of happy news, but there is nothing more gratifying than taking a chance on someone, giving them a chance at rehabilitation, and seeing them transform themselves and their lives. I have seen the Rescue Mission do this many, many times – it is a beautiful sight to behold, seeing a drug addict who cares only of themselves and does damage to society grow into a caring adult who wants to give back, be productive, and make the world a better place. So many of us who fail in life have it in us to be wonderful people but are simply products of poor environments. The Rescue Mission provides that good environment that allows the better angels of our nature to emerge.

I support the Rescue Mission because it supports Merced. All too often our options are limited when it comes to finding drug treatment programs to help address the root causes of someone’s criminal behavior, but it’s the Rescue Mission that steps up and provides the primary path to help people get clean. It’s hard to imagine where we would be without them. They lead the way when it comes to addressing some of our toughest issues.