Rescue Mission celebrates new leadership and 125th anniversary

SYRACUSE — The Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse has had a lot to celebrate lately — its 125-year anniversary, new executive leadership, and its plans for moving forward.

As part of the 125th anniversary, the mission celebrated in September with a series of events. And throughout the year, the Rescue Mission has been working to brand the campus. Originally established on Railroad Street in 1887, the mission moved to its current location on Gifford Street in November 1976. The campus sits on 8.5 acres in downtown Syracuse, in what it known as the “mission district.” In May, banners commemorating the Rescue Mission’s presence since 1887 were placed on the utility poles throughout the district. 

Another branding initiative is painting signage on the railroad bridge as you enter the mission district. From Clinton Street facing the Rescue Mission, the bridge will read “Mission District.” From Gifford Street facing Syracuse, the bridge will say “Lives Change Here.” The project is expected to be complete this month.

Promoting the mission visibly is just one aspect of the branding initiative; another is to increase the capacity of the nonprofit’s food service and housing programs. “The campus needs to be easily accessible to those in need,” says Alan Thornton, executive director and CEO of the Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse. 

To accomplish this, the mission is working on a campus master plan. Currently in its initial planning phase and spearheaded by COO Corey Kociela, the first goal will be to open more space for those who need shelter. On average, 246 people who might have been homeless stay at the Rescue Mission nightly, according to its 2011 annual report. 

The plan involves moving the shelter and day center to the recreation center. This will simultaneously open up the shelter for more single rooms. At present, the day center has 28 single rooms and they are always full. This year, the mission added 12 beds and 20 cots to its 120 beds already in the emergency shelter due to increased demand for services. 

The mission began working on the master plan in 2011. It teamed up with SWBR Architects, which has a Syracuse office at 309 South Franklin St., to create the design details and with a consultant to work on state and federal grants. Several grants have been submitted, and the mission is waiting to hear if they are approved. Even if it receives approval now, it would still be at least six to eight months before construction can begin. The estimated cost is $11 million to $12 million for the expansion and improvements.

 

New leadership

On Aug. 2, Thornton formally assumed the role as executive director and CEO for the Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse. 

No stranger to the Rescue Mission, Thornton’s journey to Central New York and the nonprofit began with a girl. While attending Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pa., Thornton met Simone, the woman who would eventually become his wife. She was from the Syracuse area and had been heavily involved with the Rescue Mission since she was a child. She introduced Thornton to the Mission and helped him learn about its work in the community. 

After Thornton graduated with a degree in exercise science, he reached out to the Rescue Mission to inquire about job opportunities. Fortunately, there was an opening for him. On Oct. 6, 1994, he started as the program supervisor for the recreation center. This month marks his 1a8th anniversary with the Rescue Mission.

Throughout the years, Thornton meandered his way through the organization through different programs, camps, administration, and he dabbled in other departments such as human resources and IT. For the last eight years, he worked as the director of operations and chief operating officer. 

When the former executive director, Chasz Parker, voluntarily resigned in May, the board launched a search for a replacement. Even though it might have seemed that Thornton was the next logical person to fill this position, he had to go through the vetting process with all the other national candidates. “My personal professional goal is to lead at the highest level possible in my field. I always hoped that would be here in Syracuse,” says Thornton. 

Though originally from Toronto, Canada, he calls Central New York his home now. “We love this community. I am happy to call Syracuse home,” Thornton says. This summer, he completed the naturalization process to become an American citizen. He turned 40 this month and wants to spend the second half of his life as an American citizen.

Thornton’s right-hand man, Corey Kociela, followed Thornton up the executive ladder. Formerly the director of programs, Kociela stepped into Thornton’s previous role as COO in September. Like Thornton, Kociela’s first job out of college from SUNY Oswego was at the Rescue Mission. He started off as a counselor, then advanced to a team leader in the Christian community center for his first few years, and then eventually moved to the recreation center as a team leader. 

After five years at the Mission, Kociela took a brief hiatus to work in sales. He liked working in sales, but wanted to return to a nonprofit, and eventually found his way back to the Rescue Mission — this time, as the food service director. 

“I love to work with people and see people get help,” says Kociela. 

To round out its executive team, the mission is currently seeking a CFO. Even with all the executive changes and moving parts, “we haven’t skipped a beat so far,” says Kociela. “The staff is energetic and communicates well.” All are really excited about the changes that are coming under Thornton’s leadership. “Alan has big vision and great leadership,” states Kociela.

 

Changing lives for 125 years and today

The Rescue Mission mainly serves three communities in Onondaga, Broome, and Cayuga counties, but has a presence in four other counties with Thrifty Shopper stores. In addition to a Thrifty Shopper store, Broome County also has Whitney Place, a supportive residence for 32 formerly homeless men that opened in 2010. Last year, the mission launched Family Transitions in Auburn. Family Transitions is a nine-apartment pilot program for homeless families in Cayuga County. Both Whitney Place and Family Transitions were projects of Kociela’s. 

By the end of the year, the Rescue Mission will have a presence in Ithaca with a Thrifty Shopper, donation center, and case-management services. Depending on the success of the new 3fifteen store on the SU hill, the mission could possibly open one in Ithaca also, says Thornton. 

For the 2011 fiscal year, the Rescue Mission generated $16 million in total revenue. More than half of the revenue came from the stores and salvage, recyclable items that cannot be sold in the stores, such as metal, wood, and worn-out clothes. General contributions, government agencies, legacies and bequests (items, property or money left to the Rescue Mission in someone’s will), and program fees rounded out the rest of the revenue sources. More than 80 percent of the revenue is spent on program services.

The Rescue Mission is vitally needed in the community and seeing historically high demand for its services now, Thornton says. Along with increasing the number of beds in the emergency shelter, the number of meals served daily has increased since 2011, with huge increases surrounding Memorial Day and in August, upwards of 900 meals by Kociela and Thornton’s estimates. An average of 620 meals were served per day in 2011. Year to date for 2012, the mission averages 692 meals served per day. The Rescue Mission served more than 10,000 people in need in three communities in its 2011 fiscal year. 

Thornton credits the community for the mission’s ability to operate. “We are grateful for the community’s support financially, in volunteers and goods,” Thornton says. While the Mission’s goal is to help change the lives of those less fortunate, the lives of those who work or volunteer there also change. It’s just how the Mission works.                     

 

Contact Collins at ncollins@cnybj.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse

155 Gifford St.

Syracuse, NY 13202

Phone: (315) 472-6251

www.rmsyr.org

 

Key Staff

Executive Director/CEO Alan Thornton 

Former Executive Director’s compensation (2011 fiscal year) $133,872

COO Corey Kociela

Chief Human Resources Officer Joyce Dennington 

Chief Development Officer Carolyn Hendrickson 

 

Board of Directors (Officers)

Chair

Christopher Gardner FMF&E Wealth Management LLC

Vice Chair

Charles Chappell, III Genco ATC Product Lifestyles Logistics

Vice Chair

Laura Horian Consultant 

Treasurer

Jean R. Cole Firley, Moran, Freer & Eassa, PC

Secretary

Wesley Skinner Manth-Brownell, Inc.

 

Board Members

Thomas J. Wood, Jr. (Past Chair) Consultant 

Me’Shae Brooks-Rolling Syracuse University

Brian Johnson Dannible & McKee, LLP

Jeanne Korchak O’Brien & Gere

Susan Mangicaro Welch Allyn Inc.

 

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

On the Syracuse campus: emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing programs for up to 252 men a night, mobile homeless outreach, community meal program, day center, clothing outreach center, employment resource center, and workforce development programs. In Broome County: Whitney Place, a supportive residence providing permanent housing for up to 32 homeless men. In Cayuga County: Family Transitions that provides transitional and permanent housing with support services for up to 10 homeless families. Thirteen Thrifty Shopper stores located in a seven-county area of Central New York and its newest retail venture, 3fifteen on the S.U. Hill.

 

Recent Organizational Highlights

In August, it appointed a new executive director/CEO and opened 3fifteen, its newest thrift shop, in the Marshall Square Mall on the S.U. Hill. Celebrated its 125th anniversary of service to the community with several special events in September.  

 

Planning/Fundraising Outlook for 2012:

Regionalization efforts continue with the November addition of a Thrifty Shopper store, Donation Center, and Transitional Permanent Housing Program in Ithaca, and the possibility of new program development in neighboring counties. The initial phase of a 10-Year Syracuse Campus Master Plan hopes to begin in late 2013, if funding permits. With the steadily increasing need for services in all Rescue Mission programs, it will be necessary to raise additional funding in the fiscal year 2013 that begins Oct. 1.