The Desert Sun

Coachella Valley Rescue Mission turns 53, raises funds for expansion

- Carole Stephen-Smith

The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (CVRM) is 53 years old and continuing to grow. And during the past 20 years, an angel has been at the helm.

Since 2004, Darla Burkett, executive director of CVRM, has, according to her peers, welcomed the homeless with unconditio­nal love. No matter their state of body or mind, she has shown compassion and support to those who walk through the door, while at the same time campaignin­g for funds needed to continue providing valuable services to those in need.

Lately, she and her team have worked tirelessly to expand their facility to welcome more people — especially families, which are desperatel­y in need as many shelters won’t accept clients with children.

All this and more was celebrated at CVRM’s 53rd anniversar­y Mardi Gras masquerade ball on March 7 at the Renaissanc­e Esmeralda in Indian Wells, an event that inspired some amazing costumes and featured both a silent and live auction.

KESQ News Channel 3 Meteorolog­ist and Eye on the Desert host Patrick Evans served as emcee, and Mary Willis-Yoshioka was the gala chair.

An opening prayer was offered, followed by welcome speeches and an explanatio­n of the work CRVM does. Guests were treated to two videos and a slideshow highlighti­ng the clients, the staff and the campus. Inspiring testimonia­ls were offered from some of the people who entered the shelter while homeless and now are living their best lives, thanks to the programs offered by CVRM.

The entertainm­ent for the evening was vocalist Christine Love and her band.

On hand to watch Burkett be surprised and delighted to humbly accept a Congressio­nal Award from the office of U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz were the rescue mission’s board of directors, among them Floyd Rhoades, Diane Busch, John Hussar, Kelly Cross, Kari Middleton-Hendrix, Willis-Yoshioka, Janet Malek and Atiyana Lawson.

Dinner was a scrumptiou­s buffet with roast turkey and prime rib as well as a selection of vegetables, fruits, pastries and more.

Attendees heard some staggering statistics, including how 33% of the homeless are children. Fundraisin­g was a big part of the evening, as the mission has a goal to raise $2.2 million to build a women and children’s shelter to accommodat­e the growing number of women and children seeking safe new beginnings. The 4,000-square-foot facility will have 10 rooms with up to 60 beds, a communal kitchen, laundry and a great room.

When it came time for financial pledges, Evans started off by asking if anyone would like to give $50,000. This was followed by silence, so he asked again. More silence. “Do I have to change the amount already?” he asked the room.

A voice from the crowd shouted “$100,000!” and then another person followed with “$100,000,” and so it began.

Evans then went back to $50,000, saying he didn’t want to offend those who didn’t have a chance to give that amount. Several people put up their hands. Then came pledges of $30,000, $25,000, $20,000, $10,000, $5,000, $1,000 and $500, showing that the generosity of the people in this valley is endless.

Event sponsors included Prime Time Produce, Temalpakh Farm, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Vista Cove Rancho Mirage Memory Care, Accord Mediation, Walter Clark Legal Group, News Channel 3, 1st Bank, Horticultu­ral Sales Inc. and Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians.

CVRM’s mission is to serve those in need by sharing the saving grace of Jesus Christ through the provision of food, shelter, clothing and spiritual recovery.

Founded in 1971, the Indio-based rescue mission offers its services to anyone in need. CVRM is the only emergency shelter between Blythe and San Diego that offers more than 28,000 meals per month and 9,000 bed nights of shelter. The organizati­on helps people end their cycle of homelessne­ss with extensive counseling, job training and job placement services. The organizati­on’s success rate for those entering residentia­l programs and emerging employed and with housing is 80 percent.

To learn more about the rescue mission or to make a donation, visit cvrm.org.

Carole Stephen-Smith began writing in Scotland for a woman’s weekly at the age of 15 and then covered American celebritie­s for the London Evening Echo. Arriving in the desert, she wrote for Desert Woman in the 1990s. Carole focuses on charities that help women as well as medical causes, especially breast cancer awareness, and all aspects of child abuse.

 ?? ?? Emcee Patrick Evans poses with singer Christine Love at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s 53rd anniversar­y gala on March 7, 2024, in Indian Wells, Calif.
Emcee Patrick Evans poses with singer Christine Love at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s 53rd anniversar­y gala on March 7, 2024, in Indian Wells, Calif.
 ?? ?? Floyd Rhoades, CVRM chair, poses with Patrick Evans, emcee.
Floyd Rhoades, CVRM chair, poses with Patrick Evans, emcee.
 ?? ?? CVRM board members John Hussar and Mary Willis-Yoshioka were among the attendees.
CVRM board members John Hussar and Mary Willis-Yoshioka were among the attendees.
 ?? ?? Christine Alalouf and Steve Sanchez strike a pose at the gala.
Christine Alalouf and Steve Sanchez strike a pose at the gala.

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