The Providence Rescue Mission was founded in October of 1998 to offer a place where the urban poor of our community could come and hear the good news of salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ, while at the same time have their physical, emotional and rehabilitative needs met at no cost to them. This has been achieved through a total faith-based ministry that receives no government or direct taxpayer support.
The Mission was a direct result of the vision of other mission directors in the northeastern part of the country to establish a gospel rescue mission in every state in the New England area. The first of these was Bridgeport, Connecticut, which was started in 1994. In 1998, these directors approached Sean Carew and his family about starting a work in Rhode Island. After much prayer, the Carew’s accepted the call and started the process in October of 1998.
By June of 1999, the Carew’s had moved permanently to Rhode Island from upstate New York. With the help of a number of churches in the area, the Carew’s established the Mission in an old jewelry manufacturing building in the city’s most needy area, the West End of Providence. This building was converted into a facility to provide meals, clothing, shelter, rehabilitative services, education and career counseling and an opportunity to begin a new relationship with God through Jesus Christ his Son.
With the help of many churches, volunteers, business leaders and other supporters, the Mission has been continuously serving the poor and needy of Rhode Island providing critical services that many would not receive during their most desperate time of need.