Credit: Allentown Rescue Mission
The Allentown Rescue Mission (ARM) is commemorating 125 years of service to men experiencing homelessness in the Lehigh Valley. Founded in 1900 by Obediah Becker, the ARM has grown from a small operation in Becker’s family home to a multifaceted organization serving thousands of men annually. Today, the ARM shelters nearly 1,000 men and serves over 65,000 meals yearly.
The ARM operates a 123-bed facility in downtown Allentown offering a three-pronged program to address homelessness. The Transformation Program provides shelter, instruction on biblical principles and life skills to men seeking recovery. Graduates of the Transformation Program can participate in the Clean Team Workforce program, gaining valuable work experience while saving money for housing.
The ARM’s history reflects the changing face of homelessness in America. The organization has served soldiers returning from various wars, victims of the Great Depression, drug addicts and individuals impacted by mental health challenges and economic downturns such as the 2008 recession. More recently, the ARM has provided assistance to men seeking shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Over the past 125 years, the Allentown Rescue Mission has been an essential institution addressing homelessness, re-education and re-employment for thousands of clients,” said Allentown Rescue Mission CEO Skip Smith. “With continued community support, we hope to carry on our Mission to rescue, rehabilitate and restore men for the next 125 years.”
In celebration of this milestone anniversary, the ARM is launching a year-long social media campaign highlighting its history and the individuals whose lives have been transformed by its services. The organization is also challenging the community to raise $125,000 to support its ongoing work. Donations can be made online at AllentownRescueMission.org, through Venmo or via PayPal. The Allentown Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization that operates entirely without government funding.
This local news story was reported with generative AI assistance.
Credit: Allentown Rescue Mission