San Diego CA— The San Diego Rescue Mission will hold a retirement celebration for long-time president and CEO, Herb Johnson. The “Blues” event will take place on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at the San Diego Natural History Museum from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The black-tie optional evening includes a rooftop reception, dinner, silent auction and live music, and will benefit the Rescue Mission’s educational programs and licensed preschool. Individual tickets are priced at $100 and valet parking is available.
The San Diego Rescue Mission announced that Johnson will retire effective June 30, 2017. He will continue for an additional six months as a part-time consultant for the organization.
Founded in 1955, the San Diego Rescue Mission, a faith-based organization, offers safe haven as well as restorative care and rehabilitation services to the poor, homeless, addicted and abused in our community. The San Diego Rescue Mission offers a wide range of on-site programs and services through its Nueva Vida Haven Emergency Shelter, Partners for Hunger Relief, Men’s Center, Women and Children’s Center, Licensed Preschool, Transitional Housing and Recuperative Care Center. It is the only major homeless shelter in San Diego that does not receive government funding for its programs.
Under Johnson’s 11-year leadership, and 15 years of service to the Rescue Mission, the organization has grown to meet the expanding needs of San Diego’s homeless population. Each month, the Rescue Mission provides nearly 12,500 nights of shelter to San Diego’s homeless, serves more than 37,000 hot, nutritious meals and provides more than 82,000 hours of education, work training, rehabilitation and Christian care to the residents through long-term care programs. In 2007, Johnson introduced the iconic Sleepless San Diego event, in collaboration with other faith-based, social service and community partners. The event that draws more than 1,000 participants, brings attention to the challenges of chronic homelessness and the ever-increasing number of people living on the streets of San Diego.
“I have been truly blessed and humbled to serve the San Diego Rescue Mission for these past 15 years,” said Johnson. “With God’s grace, I have witnessed first-hand how lives do change here. We have become a strong and determined voice for the homeless. I have had the deep honor to work with an outstanding board of directors, staff and community. We have done good work together.”
Bob Jones, chair of the San Diego Rescue Mission, said, “Herb’s leadership has inspired all of us at the Rescue Mission, and helped shape the narrative on homelessness in our community. We hope to keep Herb affiliated with the Rescue Mission as an advisor and voice for the community well beyond June 30. We have accomplished a great deal under his stewardship.”
Johnson noted, “In my tenure at the San Diego Rescue Mission, we have felt the embrace of the San Diego community for the people suffering on the streets of our beautiful city. With God’s guidance and the kindness and generosity of San Diegans, I am encouraged that the San Diego Rescue Mission will continue to provide comfort, care and salvation to the homeless, hungry, addicted and abused.”