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Jacksonville's City Rescue Mission's new, sweet way to raise money for homeless, addicts

By Courtney Cole, Action News Jax and Action News Jax
By Courtney Cole, Action News Jax and Action News Jax

A group of people are getting a second chance at life thanks to the City Rescue Mission.

Action News Jax was there Wednesday as some recovering from alcohol and drug addiction made chocolate to sell, locally.

Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole reports on the major donation that made it possible and the life-changing impact it's having.

"We are pouring chocolate to help people, what better job could you ask for?" Cheryl Clark asked.

Clark takes pride in every sweet treat she creates.

The trained savory chef has a passion for food, but says one thing almost took that all away.

"Alcoholism enraged me, it took over my life. I was in a position where I either get help — or I lose everything for good,” Clark said.

But Clark’s aunt stepped in and encouraged her to go to the City Rescue Mission.

The nonprofit was founded in 1946 to help homeless men in the Jacksonville area.

Since then, the mission has advanced into a three-pronged organization that helps the homeless, provides long-term addiction and recovery programs and helps people return to independent living through education, life skills and workforce development.

“I wish every person that's struggling out there - they need to know this place is here and that there's help,” Clark said.

Clark graduated from their Lifebuilders Drug and Alcohol Recovery Program.

Penny Kievet, the Executive Director at the City Rescue Mission, says there are 135 men and women in their Lifebuilders program now.

"We want to help our city and we're going to do that one person at a time and watch that evolution, that transformation. It's amazing!” Kievet exclaimed.

The mission says more than 70 percent of the adults who complete their program remain clean, sober and employed six months later.

The mission recently received chocolate-making equipment from an anonymous donor -- and Charis Chocolates was born.

Charis means "grace" in Greek — something Clark says this mission has shown her and dozens of others like her.

In the last two weeks, they've filled nearly 3,000 orders of all of the sweet treats. And the best part is that all of the money, every single dollar, comes back to help the City Rescue Mission.

Donations to the privately funded organization have allowed the City Rescue Mission to:
  • provide 475 people with case management to help them exit homelessness
  • serve more than 230,000 meals
  • provide more than 70,000 Nights of Safe Shelter
  • help 162 students get full-time or part-time jobs AND 19 students earn their Florida Ready to Work certificates
Now Kievet and Clark hope continued donations will allow them to help even more people here in Jacksonville.
"It helps get people off the streets. It's a gift, it's a true gift,” Clark said 
It's not too late for you last minute Valentine’s Day shoppers!
Charis Chocolates is still accepting orders online -- or you can stop by the mission in-person to place your order.

Cox Media Group

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