San Diego CA— The San Diego Rescue Mission (Rescue Mission) has received $95,000 from UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of California to support the Mission Academy program, a 12-month residential program for men, women and single parents 18 years and older who are experiencing homelessness. Finding a sustainable living wage job and long-term housing are intricately linked, and the Rescue Mission’s goal is to heal students through emotional, mental, and physical health so they can thrive and look forward for living on their own with long-term employment.
“The grant is truly a blessing that will help the Rescue Mission meet its goal of getting those experiencing homelessness, abuse, poverty and addiction off the streets permanently,” said Donnie Dee, CEO of the San Diego Rescue Mission. “The grant from United Healthcare will be used to help these vulnerable, economically-disadvantaged San Diegans free themselves from homelessness by acquiring the skills necessary to find gainful employment and become self-sufficient.”
The program helps individuals attain self-sufficiency and sustainable, permanent change by confronting and overcoming the problems contributing to their homelessness, helping them acquire the education and skills needed to get a job, and assisting with job placement.
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of California provided support as part of a $1.5 million investment in community-based programs aimed to reduce health disparities and improve health equity in San Diego. The Rescue Mission is one of 17 San Diego organizations to receive funding to enhance initiatives to address specific health needs of underserved members of the community and address gaps in access to health care.
“We are building relationships with community organizations to remove barriers to care and improve health equity among underserved San Diegans, and nearly three-quarters of people experiencing homelessness have at least one unmet health need. Additionally, they face a daily struggle to access basic needs including food, clean water and safe shelter to help them get back on their feet,” said Kevin Kandalaft, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of California. “We are proud to support the San Diego Rescue Mission and our shared mission to provide sustainable solutions for homelessness and the expansion and delivery of accessible health care and resources.”