The Jersey Shore Rescue Mission's Emergency Services Program fulfills immediate basic needs (food, shelter, clothing & other items of charity), gives appropriate referrals, and allows for identification of potential candidates for Mission programs.

This part of the overall Jersey Shore Rescue Mission Program is merely a first aid approach, with relatively little time, personnel and finances devoted to it. Here, the Mission staff addresses a person's problem based upon the perception of the person in need. The goal is to establish a relationship, to show people that the Jersey Shore Rescue Mission cares about them, wants to help, and that the staff and volunteers at the Mission can be trusted. The Jersey Shore Rescue Mission's Emergency Services play an important role in the community of Asbury Park.

We provide approximately 50 meals per night to men, women and children - to the homeless and to the working poor.

The Jersey Shore Rescue Mission has the capacity to sleep 37 overnight guests. Under the Homeless Shelter Emergency Program, a man with transient status may stay at the Mission and sleep overnight for up to ten nights. The Mission takes in almost any man -- there must be a good reason for a man to be turned away. The sleeping area is under constant supervision for the men's safety and well being. Men can shower, have their clothes laundered, and enjoy a safe, clean, drug-free environment. Attendance at chapel services is encouraged but not required.

Some of the people referred to the Mission cannot be helped here. If the staff of the Mission cannot help an individual directly, then they do their best to help him/her by giving a referral to a more appropriate agency or group. The Mission staff gives referrals to detox centers for alcohol and substance abuse, the local emergency room or public health clinic for medical assistance, or to a crisis intervention center for mental health disorders. Women with or without children are referred to appropriate agencies. A new program brings in visiting nurses who perform ambulatory physicals every Tuesday afternoon to whoever wishes to receive that service. Whatever the need, the Mission staff tries to meet it, such as providing applications for food stamps, social security cards, and birth certificates.

Another emergency type program takes place through the Mission's Thrift Store. The store gives clothing, furniture and other household items to needy families or individuals. A pastor or social worker might refer someone to the store for some needed items, and the Mission always tries to meet their need.

In the fall of 2006 we started an annual Coat Giveaway where we give out approximately 1500 free coats to those in need.

In 2007 we are also planning on bringing the Angel Food program to the community where people in need can get a $50 box of groceries for $25.

The emphasis of the Emergency Services Program is on bearing an individual's burden. These services are offered and delivered with nothing demanded in return. Although the daily chapel services are open to all, attendance is not required. Most of the people coming to the Mission for emergency shelter are suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, which makes these programs ideal feeders for the Christ Centered Life change program.