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Rescue Outreach Mission Receives Coveted VyStar Foundation Grant

Sanford, Fla. (January 16, 2024) – Rescue Outreach Mission is honored to be a recipient of a $20,000 VyStar Foundation Youth Grant. Rescue Outreach Mission is one of 10 organizations to receive funding from the Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Jacksonville-based credit union.
The money will be used for funding its Youth Shelter and Support Program which provides housing to youth experiencing homelessness.
“I firmly believe that not one child should ever experience homelessness, but unfortunately that is not the reality facing us in Seminole County,” says Chris Ham, executive director, Rescue Outreach Mission. “We’re very thankful to VyStar Foundation for understanding how great the need is in this issue.”
VyStar Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in Georgia, North and Central Florida. Since its inception, the foundation has had a total impact of nearly $1 million in 2023.
Grants through VyStar Foundation are available to 501(c)(3) organizations whose purpose and mission align with the Foundation’s strategic giving pillars:

  • Military: Ensuring military members, veterans and their families receive the social services they need and the recognition they deserve
  • Youth: Empowering youth by providing equitable access to creative learning environments
  • Community Building: Cultivating financially strong, culturally vibrant, and interconnected communities.
“VyStar Foundation is committed to empowering youth, and we are thrilled to be able to support these remarkable organizations that are changing lives within our community,” said Patricia McElroy, President VyStar Foundation. “The recipient organizations were chosen based on their innovative and impactful approaches to engaging youth in creative learning environments.”
Families and children are always a top priority at Rescue Outreach Mission. The organization has a building specifically designed to house families and keep parents with children. In addition, the organization works closely with Seminole County Public Schools to ensure the child experiencing homelessness can stay on track with their education.
Recently, the staff of Rescue Outreach Mission gave up their offices to build more family rooms to help lower the waiting list of families needing services.
“Unfortunately, we have 32 children sleeping in our shelter tonight and another 69 on the waiting list for a room,” Ham says. “Our team works every day to help these families find safe and permanent housing as that is vital to a child’s upbringing.”
If you would like to make a donation to help a family or a child, please click here.
If your company would like to find unique ways to help our community, please reach out to Chris Ham by clicking here.
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For more information, please reach out to Alan Byrd, Alan Byrd & Associates, 407-415-8470, Alan@ByrdConnections.com
About Rescue Outreach Mission:  In 1986, Mother Blanche Bell Weaver, Pastor of the Rescue Church of God, saw desperate people in her community living without basic essentials. With the support of her church and members, she was determined to help those in need. She founded the Rescue Outreach Mission to provide safety, support and a healing environment for her community.
Located across from the Rescue Church of God in Sanford, Rescue Outreach Mission remains true to her mission by serving disadvantaged people throughout Central Florida by providing resources that help prevent homelessness and assisting those who are homeless to become self-sufficient.
To learn more about Rescue Outreach Mission, please visit our website

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