Capital City Rescue Mission began 74 years ago when God called a group of men to provide "soup, soap, and salvation" to the homeless and hungry in downtown Albany.
Over the years, the Mission has continued and expanded its efforts to feed both the body and the soul, giving hope and new life to individuals and families.
YOUR IMPACT IN 2024
Equivalent to selling out a medium-sized hotel for three years in a row
About $3,000,000 worth of meals at an average restaurant
Approximately $1,000,000 of thrift store clothing given to the needy for free
Equivalent to about $45,000 worth of medical co-pays a year
Our free 9-month program would cost about $162,000 at a standard rehab
Almost 100 unchurched people are hearing the Gospel daily
We are helping homeless and hurting men, women and children in Albany, NY find the help and support they need to change their lives.
Testimonies
My name is Steve and I am 66 years old. I grew up in South Carolina with my grandmother who was the only mother I knew for years.
She sent me to church where I learned God was great, but that’s all I knew. My mother moved to New York to find work, but didn’t return until I was old enough to spend the summers with her. My home was with my grandmother until one morning I found her. She had passed away. I was just 11. I was always shy so moving to Queens to live with my mother was hard. New York had a faster pace than the south. And peer pressure began early. Beer, wine and marijuana helped me feel relaxed and able to fit in. Somewhere along the line I began using drugs, drinking frequently and experimenting with cocaine. Soon I was addicted. I married at 20 and had a son, Steve Jr., but my wife and I separated. I wasn’t willing to settle down. I lived a sin-filled life and moved from one relationship to another. In 1990 I learned my wife had been shot and killed by her boyfriend. She was found on the street; wrapped in a blanket. It was horrible and overwhelming. My life went downhill. I spent time incarcerated on drug charges and for violating parole. It took me 20 more years to finally humble myself and seek help. After spending time in various rehab programs and in a Rescue Mission in New Jersey I learned more about God. I understood Jesus loves me and died for me. I thought I was okay; but I stumbled back into my old ways. I had been successfully driving cabs – even owned my own. But my pride made me think life was all about me and i didn’t need God. Overnight it seemed like I lost my job, lost all my money and had nowhere to live. My life was in turmoil and despair. Then, I heard God speak to my heart, “Have you had enough?” I remember getting on my knees with a repentant heart. I had learned about Capital City Rescue Mission so I took the bus to Albany and entered the New Life Program. I felt like part of the family right away. Studying God’s Word every day has me realize my God and Savior can be trusted. And He has given me His Holy Spirit to help me obey Him. My favorite verse is 2 Cor. 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. God is shaping me into the man he created me to be. When I completed the New Life Program I was hired on staff at the Rescue Mission as a van driver. I enjoy driving to support the work of the Mission. My mentor, Pastor Reggie, and my church family at Riverview Baptist Church also support me. I have reconciled with my son, my daughter and my grandchildren. I love to visit with them in Queens. My faith is growing stronger every day. Your support has enabled me to be still and know God and to live His way. I am so grateful for Capital City Rescue Mission. Thank you for a new life in Christ.
My name is Beverly. It was bitterly cold in Albany when I got off the bus last January. I felt hopeless. My fiancé had been shot in the head and died.
It seemed like I couldn’t stop crying. I wanted to die too. I came to Albany to stay with my daughter, but after a short time I had to leave. Now, I was homeless and scared of everything, even walking outside. Social Services sent me to the Rescue Mission. At the women’s shelter Miss Mary greeted me warmly and answered my questions. I felt safe. The next night I sat in the Mission’s chapel service and enjoyed a hot meal. I could tell the staff and volunteers cared about me. I began to have hope that God did not want me to die. Because I had been struggling with drug and alcohol addiction for 22 years, I knew I needed a long term recovery program. I desperately wanted to stop. I began the Mission’s New Faith program for women in February 2018. I had my own apartment and everything I needed. Gradually, I began to realize I could not remain sober in my own strength. I needed to surrender to Christ, the Son of God who gave His life for me. The Word of God became real and I began reading on my own. I was reminded of my grandmother who years ago gave me a children’s Bible and would tell me to call on Jesus. I also began to recognize the anger in my heart that I needed to surrender if I wanted God in my life. I started learning to trust God with my loneliness and my weaknesses. I asked Him to satisfy me. Today, I know that Christ lives in me. I know I am loved and God has a plan for me. I’ve been clean 23 months. I’m working on my GED in the Learning Center, have graduated from the New Faith program and am in transition. As an assistant RA, I’m giving back. I’m so thankful for the Rescue Mission and thank you for making it possible for me to have a new life. I have hope now because I have the light of Jesus.
My name is Robbie. I grew up as a shy kid in Long Island. My parents were hard workers, but every night they drank.
At age 14 when my parents moved to upstate New York I felt out of place and wanted to fit in. My new friends and I began drinking. By the time I graduated from high school my parents divorced and my drinking increased. By age 25 I had five DWI convictions. My drivers license was revoked and the judge required I leave the state for 5 years, saying I was a menace to his community. I was. In Arizona I went to several rehabs and a half way house. I began working, was sober for 7 years, and bought a home. Outwardly I was doing well. When my marriage broke up it left me depressed and stuck in a cycle of drinking and drugging, which consumed my life. I wanted to numb the pain. Today I realize I was trying to fill the hole in my soul that only Jesus himself can satisfy. A friend from high school brought me to the Capital City Rescue Mission because he had found hope and sobriety through Christ and the New Life program. So, in 2013, I entered the New Life Program. One night, in chapel I opened my heart to trust in Jesus. He entered my life. After graduation I faced 2 years of county jail, which I completed. Afterwards, I knew what I should do, but I ran away from God. I turned back to my old ways. I thought I would be an addict for the rest of my life and I didn’t care if I died. Many of my friends were dying around me. My high school friend reached out to me again. I confessed my fears. Would the Rescue Mission take me back? The answer was yes. I was embarrassed, but humbly I returned to the New Life program. This time I dug into the program, did my homework and gave it my all. My counselors poured into me. I prayed. I listened. And God began to show me that He is real. He loves me. At first I resisted learning how to use the computer and write a resume. But I was no match for my teacher in the Learning Center. I learned! I’m also learning true joy comes in the presence of Jesus, who gave His life for me and is risen from the dead. I want to know Him better. Now I am gainfully employed and part of the Mission’s Transitional Living program. This program is helping me to grow in my faith and have accountability in life. I have a nice apartment and fellowship with the family of believers, which is a real blessing. My goals are to discover my purpose in life, to use my gifts to serve God while I prepare for independent living in this world. I want to live as a wise man and turn away from foolishness. The Holy Spirit reminds me to be honest when I’m tempted to be otherwise. He reminds me not to swear because Jesus lives in me. My salvation is a gift, but living a life that honors Christ takes determination and work. I am far from perfect, but I am listening to my counselor and praying throughout the day asking God for opportunities and help. Thank you for giving me hope. I know now that I don’t need drugs to escape hardships, I can turn to Jesus to help me through them. He is my best friend.
My name is Willie. I grew up in New Haven, CT with my siblings and our parents. Dad was the pastor of our church. I was profoundly affected by being continually molested between the ages of 5 and 7 by my dad’s co-pastor.
My name is Willie. I grew up in New Haven, CT with my siblings and our parents. Dad was the pastor of our church. I was profoundly affected by being continually molested between the ages of 5 and 7 by my dad’s co-pastor. It was a secret hidden for years because my dad was so busy. I didn’t know or trust him as a dad. As a young person I felt lost and isolated. I was an angry kid who became an angry adult. I believed the lie that the abuse I endured was all my fault. At age 14, when my dad told me I had to attend school, all I heard was, “get out”. I left home and began “couch surfing”. Drinking allowed me to forget the deep pain in my heart. My struggle with addiction spanned years. I could maintain sobriety up to a point, then would relapse. In 15 years I went through nine rehab programs, but could not put together 12 months of sobriety. When I relapsed from the Rescue Mission near my home in Connecticut, my wife wouldn’t let me return home. She insisted I had to do something. A staff member drove me to Albany, to Capital City Rescue Mission. Right away I knew it was the place for me. The classes and counseling were exactly what I needed. I began addressing my anger. But, one night, when I was alone and ready to give up, God met me personally. Suddenly God’s words were not in head alone. They penetrated my soul. Jeremiah 1:5 echoed: “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;” And words from Romans 5:8: “But God commedeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” I knew then that God loved me and by faith I accepted His love and forgiveness in Christ. Jesus healed my heart. I could look in the mirror and say, “You are somebody.” I belong to Him. The Capital City Rescue Mission has been the bridge to connect me to Christ in the New Life Program and to stay focused in the Transitional Living Program. Men are helping me accept responsibility and they provide accountability, helping me navigate my decisions. My parents and siblings have become my biggest cheerleaders. My dad wanted to give me his truck when he knew he was going to pass away recently. It meant so much to me. I’ve been able to work two jobs, even during COVID, pay my bills, and maintain sobriety for a year and half. God has made me flourish. Now I’m ready to move into the community and have signed a rental lease. I am also being sworn in as a deacon in my church. God has blessed me and has turned the hurt around for my good and to bring glory to Christ. Thank you for your impact on my life. I’ve been redeemed!
My name is Paige. I am 25 and grew up in a small town in southwest Colorado near hot springs and ski areas. I believe my parents loved me, yet they worked many hours as chefs and our home was one of addiction. Smoking pot and drinking was an every day affair. Because of this, as a child I had a lot anxiety about my parents’ health and well-being.
At nine years old, my grandma took me to church and I clearly remember inviting Jesus into my life as my Savior. But, I stopped going to youth group as a young teenager. My grandma moved and did not stay in touch. As I grew older the way I coped was to join my parents, older sisters and brothers in drinking and substance abuse. My dad’s addiction got worse. At 14, I quit school and began working full time as a dishwasher at Wolf Creek Ski Area. I stayed there for eight years, working my way up to assistant supervisor. During those years I would come home and often stay up all night drinking, sniffing cocaine, then go to work in the morning. At times I would even drive with my knees while sniffing coke. It is nothing short of a miracle that I’m alive. I got my GED at age 18. At 20, I started a relationship with an opiate addict, and I started using heroin because I didn’t want to lose him. I was in and out of jail on different levels of theft, related to drug use. I never tried to stop using until I found out I was pregnant and 5 months along. I was so skinny and such a mess I knew I needed help. I went to a detox center and my son, Ronan was born healthy April 17, 2017. But he had to be detoxed off methadone with morphine. It is a miracle of God’s grace that he is happy and healthy. And today he is developmentally above average for kids his age in most areas. I was on probation, but was non-compliant and ended up in jail again when Ronan was 5 months old. My attorney was a godly woman who knew about Capital City Rescue Mission’s New Life Program for men because of another client. She learned about the Mission’s New Faith Program for women and fought to have me allowed to leave the state and enter the program. At 6AM Saturday, March 24, I left jail with my attorney, was joined by my son and the three of us flew into Albany that night. God has made a tremendous change in my life. He has strengthened me in my recovery from addictions. He has opened up a whole new world of possibilities to break the cycle of addiction that’s been in my family for such a long time. I’ve learned I had serious codependency on my parents – my best friends who then required my support for their addiction. I’m understanding and putting into practice what a healthy life means. My desire now is for more of Jesus in my life, not drugs. I want to embody the love of Christ, the best I can. He has changed the desires of my heart. I was baptized recently at Legacy Church, confessing my personal faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection. My church family has embraced me. Being at the Rescue Mission, I get to explore what His plan is for me. I am learning how to raise up a believer in God’s family. I never thought about furthering my education until I came here. Now I am working on cooperating with God and his plan. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all thigs work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his purpose.” Thank you for a place to heal and grow and learn. Today, I know in all things in my life, God is working for the good. Praise God.