Utica, NY
The Challenge
Utica might have more nicknames than any other American city. From the 1930s through 1950s, corrupt leadership led to the nickname “Sin City.” When industry and employment collapsed during the post-WWII years, we were known as “The City that God Forgot.” As our population plummeted in the late 20th century, residents put bumper stickers on their cars declaring, “Last One Out of Utica, Please Turn Out The Lights.”
Well, the lights are still on, but we’ve still got some problems. Almost 1 in 3 people (30.1%) in Utica live below the poverty level (compared to 14.9% overall in New York state). Our per capita income is a measly $17,775 — barely more than half the state average of $32,104. And the number of homeless people in Utica and Oneida County is on the rise — about a 15% jump from last year to now. About 30,000 people in Oneida struggle with hunger on a daily basis.
Our Calling
God calls us to reach out to these neighbors in need. At the Rescue Mission of Utica, our calling comes straight from Scripture:
Utica has a couple of newer nicknames that we’re proud of. Because more and more immigrants have settled into our community in recent decades, the United Nations called us “The Town that Loves Refugees.” That’s nice, but we’ve really embraced the nickname that came from Reader’s Digest: “The Second Chance City.” That’s a great description of the Rescue Mission of Utica, too. We’re a source of second chances, a place where people can come to start over and find new beginnings.
Transforming Lives
Our Solution
Your support of the Rescue Mission equips us to reach out to men, women, children, and families with the Good News while meeting physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and practical needs. Your support results in transformed lives and hope for the future.
We Do This Through Our
2023 Statistics
Through the generous support of our community, God blessed the Rescue Mission with the opportunity to serve:
Hot Meals
Homeless & Underprivileged Individuals Served
Food Boxes
Boxes Distributes to Underprivileged Families
Meals That Is Equal To
Financial Management
Individuals Assisted in our Representative-Payee Program
Volunteers
Individuals Volunteers
Hours of Service to the Mission
Nights of Care Provided
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
Housing
Total Units at our West Street Apartments
Apartments Features
- Beautiful
- Affordable
- 1 & 2 Bedroom Units
- Strategically Located at 1013 West Street in Utica
