For Immediate Release

September 3, 2008

Contact:           Scott Richards

                        765-649-4264

Christian Center Rescue Ministries closes Mustin Shelter

Anderson, Ind. – The Board of Directors for Christian Center Rescue

Ministries (CCRM) announced that it will be closing the Mustin Women’s Shelter on October 1. The decision was based on the

growing duplication of services with similar—and more established—

agencies in the community.  Created in 1955, the central mission of CCRM is to serve as an emergency shelter for men in Anderson and Madison County. 

“Our core ministry is to men who are recovering from a variety of difficulties: drugs, alcohol, incarceration, joblessness, as well as physical and mental illness,” said Scott Richards, executive director

of CCRM.  “Over time, we realized that the services of the Mustin Shelter were being provided by other organizations in the community with a more developed support structure.  It is vital that we continue to be good stewards of our founding purpose and support those services that are central to this ministry.”

Established in 2000 by Christian Center Rescue Ministries (CCRM), the Mustin Women’s Shelter was created to be an emergency shelter for women and children in the City of Anderson.

Alternatives in Anderson will accept all women and children from the Mustin Women’s Shelter who meet the agencies criteria for emergency support.  The Mustin Shelter currently houses approximately 20 women and children.  CCRM is working with other

agencies in the community to arrange opportunities for the few residents who are not transferred to Women’s Alternatives.

“I have tremendous respect for the Christian Center, their mission and their leadership” said Mary Jo Lee, chief executive officer of Alternatives.  “We are partners in the important work of serving the homeless.  The Christian Center’s core services are critical for the health of this community.”

“Like most organizations working to meet the needs of families in

this economic downturn, we are facing challenges ourselves and

have also had to make program adjustments,” added Lee.  “Although the priority for Alternatives is serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, we will make a great effort to ensure women and their children receive services from our agency.”

Christian Center Rescue Ministries (CCRM) was formed in 1955 and

has provided hope and help to the most desperate men in the City of Anderson and Madison County.  With the love of Christ and the support of donors, CCRM advances the gospel of Jesus Christ in the lives of those who might not otherwise hear the gospel in a meaningful way.

The CCRM men’s emergency shelter and recovery program supports approximately 250-300 different individual men each calendar year.  In addition, CCRM supports a community dining room serving approximately 250 meals a day (70,000 annually).