Our Story

“This is a special place with a rich history— a place that provides hope and opportunity to men and women experiencing homelessness, poverty and addiction in our community.” – President & CEO Jack Briggs

It started with a meal and became a movement.

In 1995, God filled Paul and Marilyn Vyzourek with a desire to serve the poor, hungry and homeless neighbors of Colorado Springs. In 1996, their ministry grew into a small, one-room food pantry — and Springs Rescue Mission was born. 

For years, the small nonprofit focused on feeding the hungry. But in 2013, God made a way for SRM to open a small winter shelter with room for 37 men and women. It started with a meal and quickly became a movement of hope that would change how our community helps those in need. 

Building a homeless resource campus

The “Community of Hope” capital campaign was launched to fulfill a God-given dream of creating an extensive homeless resource campus in Colorado Springs. We envisioned it as a place where neighbors struggling with homelessness, hunger, poverty, addiction or food insecurity could come to address their legitimate need for housing, health and work.

In just five short years, our city and supporters have helped us raise $16 million to create a Campus of Hope. Donor support has created some of the nation’s most innovative programs and built facilities that are transforming lives.

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"Community of Hope" timeline

2015 – Fundraising begins to create a new type of campus to serve the homeless population in downtown Colorado Springs.

2016 – The shelter program begins to take shape, growing from just 37 makeshift cold-weather beds to a tiered program with 450 beds —the largest in Southern Colorado.

2017 – A new Resource Center provides guests with daytime shelter, laundry services, showers and access to life-changing medical, psychiatric, legal and spiritual assistance through our Case Management programs.

2020 – The new 185-seat Samaritan’s Kitchen and Dining Hallis completed and begins serving 15,000 meals a month, as well as host work programming and a culinary arts academy.

2021 - The new SRM Welcome Center created a singular point of entry for guests as they arrive on campus. It will serve as a starting point from which individuals can begin their journey out of poverty, homelessness, unemployment and addiction.

A beacon of light in city of Colorado Springs

Today, Springs Rescue Mission maintains a Four Star “Exceptional Charity” rating with Charity Navigator.

Thanks to the generous support of individuals and organizations in Colorado Springs the Mission has become a safe haven for those suffering with homelessness, hunger and addiction.

The mission has received awards for excellence from the El Pomar Foundation in its human services category, an award for collaboration from Pikes Peak United Way as well as recognition for invaluable community contributions in the House of Representatives from Congressman Doug Lamborn.

In the over 25 years since its birth, the Mission has grown exponentially. What started as a simple gesture of compassion — reflecting the love of Jesus to all men and women — has grown into a Community of Hope. 

Springs Rescue Mission’s unique offering of relief and rehabilitation programs is a recognized and invaluable part of the Colorado Springs community.

With the support and help of everyone in our community we are committed to meet the growing needs of our city and its most vulnerable residents.