Our Story
Mission House was a dream of the faith community of the Beaches area for many years. Members and volunteers of Christ Episcopal, Palms Presbyterian, St. Paul’s Catholic and St. Paul’s Episcopal churches (then known as St. Francis Seaside Ministry) were feeding and clothing people from their halls, gymnasiums, and even the backs of their station wagons for more than 10 years. In February 1997, these four churches along with over 162 donors purchased the property at 800 Shetter Ave. in Jacksonville Beach that is now known as “Mission House.”
“Today, our number one goal is to assist the people who are homeless off the streets and back to productive and self-sufficient lives.”
Mission House is the only day facility to help meet the needs of people who are homeless at the Beaches through compassion, faith, and programs designed to provide assistance at an individual level. Today, our number one goal is to assist people affected by homelessness off the streets and back to productive and self-sufficient lives. Clients enrolled in our Crisis Care Program have access to meals, showers, clean clothing and case management. The time spent with case managers is imperative as it is the only way that we can learn how they arrived at this point in their lives. Each case is as unique as the person themselves. The face of homelessness has changed dramatically over the years. Due to economic conditions, family background, and life situations, each one of our clients has faced a trial in their life that they may not have expected. We are here to assist them in planning a way back to an independent and positive way of life.
Mission House serves adult women and men experiencing homelessness. However, many families with children find their way to Mission House. When a family comes to Mission House, we meet with them to assess their needs, and work with our community partners to immediately address family homelessness, finding immediate temporary shelter or housing for families with children.
“Every doctor, nurse, pharmacist and intake person gives of their time and talent to provide medical care to hundreds of people who would otherwise have nowhere else to turn.”
One of the critical issues facing people who are homeless is the lack of medical care. Working in partnership with the Baptist Beaches Medical Center, the First Annual Beach Ball was held in May of 1998. Proceeds from the ball funded the design and construction of a medical facility, which opened in October of 1998. As a part of the WeCareJax Referral Agency, Mission House Clinic assists people who are homeless and uninsured low-income adults every Tuesday evening and Friday morning. The clinic is staffed by a full-time PA-C, Clinic Director and part-time Medical Assistant, and otherwise ran by volunteer medical professionals. Every doctor, nurse, pharmacist and intake person gives their time and talent to provide medical care to hundreds of people who would otherwise have nowhere else to turn. For more information on eligibility to be a patient, see WeCareJax Patient Eligibility Guidelines.
Mission House has been sustained and supported by the generosity of our community. That is people like you, churches, foundations, corporations, and more than 500 volunteers. We cannot exist without your assistance. Please review our needs list, contact us, or click our donate now button below if you are able to help. We thank you in advance for your generosity.