Our History

Transforming lives since 1938.

Learn more about our journey and how we have come to be the Mission that you know and love.

1938

Charlotte Rescue Mission was founded in 1938 by a group of Christian business people who wanted to serve those facing homelessness. Because many people who came to the Mission for help during those early years were struggling with addiction, the Mission decided to pivot to focus on addiction recovery.

1990

In 1990, the Mission committed to hiring Christian staff trained in professional substance abuse recovery services. With this, Charlotte Rescue Mission launched a 90-day residential program empowering individuals to move beyond cycles of homelessness and addiction to become productive citizens in the community. Today, this program is known as Rebound and has helped thousands of men over the years.

1992

Despite a staggering community need, Charlotte Rescue Mission’s leadership realized that there was no similar program for women. In 1992, Charlotte Rescue Mission launched the Dove’s Nest for women based out of a 12-bed facility in Dilworth.

1995

In 1995, Rebound’s Recovery Residence opened its doors, marking the beginning of an ongoing focus on supporting graduates as they transition out of the core program. The Recovery Residence provides opportunities for Rebound graduates to maintain long-term sobriety as they transition out of dependency on community programs and transition into self-sufficiency.

2008 - 2012

In 2008, the Dove’s Nest Capital Campaign was launched to expand Dove’s Nest’s women’s addiction recovery program to a 120-bed facility in West Charlotte that would also allow mothers to bring their children to the program with them. The doors of this new facility opened in July 2012.

2016

In 2016, both the Rebound and Dove’s Nest programs were expanded to 120-day programs.

2019

In 2019, the Mission opened Community Matters Café, a full-service restaurant and coffee shop adjacent to the Rebound campus. Community Matters Café provides a six-month life skills training program that teaches Charlotte Rescue Mission recovery program graduates a variety of essential life and job skills that prepare them for a successful transition back into the workplace. All profits from the restaurant are used to support the programs of Charlotte Rescue Mission.

2021

In 2021, Charlotte Rescue Mission launched Recovery Living, a new program to provide transitional housing and support for up to two years after graduates complete the core 120-day program.