Long Beach Rescue Mission

Long Beach Rescue Mission (LBRM) is a faith-based nonprofit organization founded in 1972 by Wayne and Janet Teuerle, who felt a direct calling to start a rescue mission and share the gospel with people experiencing homelessness. It began in a former Navy Locker Club building of about 5,000 square feet that housed a chapel, kitchen, dining room and showers. Over more than five decades it has grown into a multi-facility ministry serving the greater Long Beach community in California. The Mission provides food, clothing, shelter and spiritual guidance to homeless and less fortunate people. Its work combines immediate relief with long-term life change: hot meals, emergency shelter, case management, addiction recovery and life-skills training. According to its own reporting, it serves nearly 650 meals each day, provides over 160 shelter stays daily across shelters for men, women and children, supports about 70 men and women in life-change programs on average, and delivers over 50,000 hours of life-skills and career training through its learning centers. It also holds regular chapel services and evening and Sunday meals and worship for senior citizens and neighborhood families. LBRM operates four facilities: Samaritan House for men, the John and Helen Apostle House for men with disabilities, Lydia House for women and their children, and Timothy House for young men ages 18–24. Participants work with a case manager in either a 90-day Case Management Program or a one-year New Life Program aimed at overcoming substance abuse, addictions and deeper life challenges. A Search and Rescue mobile outreach team drives throughout the city offering life-saving supplies and compassionate care. The organization is funded by donations from the community, including a Safe Harbor monthly giving group, planned giving, and volunteer support. It describes its mission as a place of healing and hope, helping people be reconciled to God, self, family and society. It is a private nonprofit rather than a commercial company, and its stated vision centers on transforming lives through God's love.

Long Beach Rescue Mission traces its origins to 1972, when founders Wayne and Janet Teuerle acted on what they described as a direct vision and call from God to begin a rescue mission and share the gospel message with people experiencing homelessness. They gathered support in the early 1970s and opened the Mission in a former Navy Locker Club. That first building was about 5,000 square feet and included a chapel, kitchen, dining room and showers. From those humble beginnings, the organization grew over more than 50 years into a multi-facility ministry. Its own history notes that through challenging times and the work of dedicated founders, staff, donors, volunteers and community partners, it has helped thousands of at-risk individuals and transformed many lives. The Mission expanded its services beyond immediate relief to include structured recovery and life-change programs. Today LBRM operates four facilities. Samaritan House serves as a home for men. The John and Helen Apostle House provides shelter for men with disabilities. Lydia House offers a safe haven for women and their children. Timothy House is a shelter for young men ages 18–24. Participants work with a case manager in either a 90-day Case Management Program or a one-year New Life Program, which helps men and women overcome substance abuse, addictions and deeper life challenges. The Mission's daily operations include hot meals, emergency shelter, clothing, spiritual guidance and other critical needs. It reports serving nearly 650 meals each day and providing over 160 shelter stays daily. Its learning centers deliver more than 50,000 hours of life-skills and career training, and about 70 men and women on average are transforming and rebuilding their lives through its programs. Chapel services are regularly scheduled, and the Mission also provides meals and worship services in the evenings and on Sundays to senior citizens and neighborhood families. A Search and Rescue mobile outreach team drives throughout the city engaging people on the streets with life-saving supplies and compassionate care. The organization is supported by community donations, including the Safe Harbor monthly giving group, planned giving and volunteers. Its stated mission is to be a place of healing and hope, improving the quality of life of the hurting and homeless by loving and equipping them to be reconciled to God, self, family and society.

• 1972

  Wayne and Janet Teuerle found Long Beach Rescue Mission in a former Navy Locker Club building.

• The Mission grows into four facilities: Samaritan House, John and Helen Apostle House, Lydia House and Timothy House.

• The 90-day Case Management Program and one-year New Life Program are established for recovery and life change.

• A Search and Rescue mobile outreach team is deployed throughout the city.

Faith-based nonprofit rescue mission providing immediate relief and long-term life change for people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach.

• Hot Meals

  Nearly 650 meals served each day to those in immediate need.

• Safe Shelter

  Over 160 stays each day in emergency shelters for men, women and children.

• Life Change Programs

  About 70 men and women transforming and rebuilding their lives on average.

• Learning Centers

  Over 50,000 hours of life-skills and career training.

• Chapel Services

  Regularly scheduled worship services that give people a solid foundation for stable lives.

• Search and Rescue Outreach Team

  Mobile outreach team driving throughout the city offering life-saving supplies and compassionate care.

1. 1Home - Long Beach Rescue Missionlbrm.org
2. 2Who We Are - Long Beach Rescue Missionlbrm.org
3. 3About Our Mission - Long Beach Rescue Missionlbrm.org
4. 4What We Do - Long Beach Rescue Missionlbrm.org
5. 5Long Beach Rescue Mission - Wikidatawikidata.org