In 1995, God filled Paul and Marilynn Vyzourek with uncommon compassion to serve their poor, hungry, and homeless neighbors in Colorado Springs. At first, they simply served meals in a park and shared the Gospel — but a year later, Springs Rescue Mission was born.

The Heart of the Founder

Here’s what Marilynn had to say:“When I look back over the past 20 years, since Paul and I started Springs Rescue Mission, I am so in awe at how God has used us — and so many wonderful, generous, and gifted people all over Colorado Springs — to make a difference in the lives of men and women experiencing homelessness here.But we always felt God called us to do it. We had such a heart to serve and to share the love of Jesus with people. So we started picking up homeless people and bringing them to church, preaching the gospel to them, and feeding them. And it all just grew from there.It breaks my heart to see how many more people are homeless today. They aren’t just alcoholic men anymore: they’re women and children, displaced families who’ve lost jobs or can’t find one, and even mentally ill people.But the Christians here in Colorado Springs are so caring, and God has faithfully used them to help build the Kingdom of God, through this Mission, for 20 years, and if we keep God first, I know we’ll continue to make a difference. God opened the windows of heaven when we first started in 1996 and I pray His blessing continues for another 20 years.”

Making a Difference in Colorado Springs

Today, 20 years later, Springs Rescue Mission continues to reflect that same compassion for those experiencing homelessness, addiction and poverty — all because caring men and women like you make it possible for men to overcome addictions, for chronically homeless people to escape the streets, for hungry people to eat and for struggling families to get the food and clothing they need.In fact, this year alone, we’ll serve more than 150,000 meals, house 50 men in our drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, support more than 700 struggling families a week, and help dozens of homeless men and women find housing.

Springs Rescue Mission is a Miracle

In other words, the story of Springs Rescue Mission is a miracle — and that miracle is you. You truly reflect the very heart of Jesus, because you care about broken and lost neighbors. And with your help, we’re making a real difference — especially now that we’ve opened our new shelter, providing up to 200 beds a night to homeless men and women.Springs Rescue Mission is about to celebrate our 20th anniversary. But it’s not to celebrate history or an institution. It’s to celebrate a community of caring people like you, who have risen to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness in Colorado Springs since 1996. And we want to celebrate the hope that together, with God’s help, we will continue to offer a helping hand to precious men and women experiencing homelessness, until every one of them gets back on their feet.