Homeless in Tucson share their journey off the streets

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TODAY AT 5:00 & 6:00 0N KGUN 9

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) – Thousands of people in Pima County are homeless and all in need of shelter and food. An organization in Tucson is working to not only provide for these emergencies, but also hope for a better future.

The Gospel Rescue Mission stands out for its work with the homeless in Tucson and has changed thousands of lives.

“I was injured and introduced to opiate pain relievers, the addictive nature that I had just experienced,” said Norm Englund, a former homeless man.

He had an opiate addiction for 30 years and says he swallowed almost 300 tablets a month. He ended up alone on the street.

“When I got here, I was almost disjointed,” said Englund.

A family member told him to go to the Gospel Rescue Mission for help. Only a year later he is sober and moves into a new apartment.

“It means everything, because sometimes you come here and you are in a position where you don’t know if you will live or die,” said Englund.

There are thousands with similar stories and not-so-lucky endings in southern Arizona. According to the State Department of Economic Security, there are more than 6,400 homeless people in Pima County alone.

“I just consider it a privilege every day to be a part of people’s journeys and their experiences,” said Lisa Chastain, CEO of Gospel Rescue Mission.

Lisa Chastain’s grandfather founded the Gospel Rescue Mission in 1953. She took over the management in 2018 and shortly afterwards received a call from the great developer Humberto S. Lopez.

“He called us and said, ‘I’m thinking about buying this old hotel and using it for the homeless,'” Chastain said.

With Lopez’s help, Gospel Rescue Mission and 33 other nonprofits have created a Center of Opportunity in South Tucson.

“Whatever the case when people become homeless, we have the answers here,” said Chastain.

The center offers food, shelter, counseling, addiction support programs, and much more.

“It really made me more motivated, happier, and more confident,” said Nathanael Holliker, a guest on Gospel Rescue Mission. “It just likes to do the better side of you.”

“When you’re out there, you can make yourself comfortable, I’ve seen people waste years on the streets with dope,” said Daniel Ramirez, a guest at the Gospel Rescue Mission. “You come here, especially one Christian place like this have content that is helpful and healthy. “

This year the center has served more than 100,000 meals to the homeless. It has provided sleep for thousands and helped 320 people find jobs. Norm Englund is one of them. At the age of 65, he says he’s taking another chance in life.

“Probably one of the most important things for me to come back here and volunteer and give back to a program that I always say saved my life,” said Englund.

The motto of the Gospel Rescue Mission is: “Where homelessness ends and life is restored”.

• You can find information on how to get help here.
• For information on how to give back or volunteer, click here.

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