Dr. Patrick J. Clinton          

1963

• Ray Stewart, a recovered alcoholic and Christian working at Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago is challenged by a Rockford pastor to establish a similar mission in Rockford.
• Mrs. Nadine Pitney and the women at the former North Park Baptist Church become burdened with the need for a ministry to the poor and pray that God will move others about starting a rescue mission in Rockford.

1964

• Ray rents the first floor and basement of a vacant store at 116 Kishwaukee Street for $100 per month, cleans it up, and opens the Mission on May 1.
• The sign on the Mission's front door reads, "All are welcome here. The alcoholic, the addict, the stranger, the sojourner, the pilgrim, the poor. There is hope for all who enter here."
• A "Brown Bag Blessing" occurs when an anonymous donor gives fifty $20 bills in a brown bag to help overcome the Mission's debt.
• In the first six months 107 spiritual responses are recorded and thirty-five to forty men are staying nightly.

1965

• Upon Ray Stewart's recommendation, his pastor, Rev. G.O. Pitney, is appointed as the Mission's new director.
• The Mission produces a monthly newsletter to encourage churches and individuals to financially support the ministry, eventually called The Rescuer.
• The Mission budget is $585 per month.

1966

• On Thursday nights, "Gospel Portions" and candy are delivered to "love-starved" men during jail services.
• Over 100 professions of faith in Christ as Savior and Lord occur during the year.

1967

• All indebtedness is paid off.
• Rev. Pitney appeals in The Rescuer, "Won't you help us build a modern city rescue mission which any Christian would be proud of and upon which the world would look with greater respect?"

1968

• Forty to fifty churches are supporting the Mission financially.
• Rev. Pitney states in The Rescuer his vision to raise $15,000 for a building, a press to print literature, a bookstore and a recording studio for a radio program.

1969

• The Rescuer circulation has climbed to 2,000.

1970

• The Rescuer reports recieving the first gift designated for the building fund: $110 from a clothing sale.

1971

• The Board votes to buy the 11,000-square-foot Germania Club at 121 South Madison for $30,000.
• The building, built in 1892 with a ballroom, bar and Rockford's first automated bowling alley, is converted into a place of refuge, redemption and recovery.
• A new Mission motto is adopted: "Help all the people we can, in all the ways we can, as long as ever we can."
• Operations are moved in July and the building is dedicated in November.

1972

• The Mission provides 6,700 nights of lodging, 19,748 meals and records 45 decisions for Christ.
• Letters arrive at the Mission from men in the process of being paroled who are "seeking rehabilitation."
• Rev. Pitney begins Tuesday night "Through the Bible" classes for residents and guests.

1973

• The Mission's annual budget grows to $32,000.
• Rev. Pitney reflects on Acts 3:6 "Such as We Have"..."The men come here begging for material things. Often we are able to give them something not asked for; not in the least expected, but the greatest gift in life...Jesus Christ. We are here primarily to give Christ. Men think they need other things most, but it really is Him all men need first."
• The Board decides, "...we have a goal to establish a family facility."

1974

• The Mission averages twenty-eight men at supper and fourteen men overnight.
• Christian Love Acres, a 60-acre farm near South Beloit, partners with the Mission to provide work rehabilitation for the men through caring for animals, doing general chores, buying and selling hay and painting tractors.

1975

• Women and children begin to be included in scheduled outreach services.
• A literacy program begins, as well as Thursday afternoon Family Day with a Bible study, followed by distribution of free clothing to needy families.
• The annual "Mission Christmas Party" expands to include gifts for children, donated by churches and individuals.

1976

• Alcoholics Victorious starts meeting on Tuesday nights.

1977

• The November Board Minutes reports, "Rev. G. O. Pitney fights several social issues in the community, including pornography, drugs and public policies on alcohol."

1978

• The Mission hosts a children's "Good News Club" and conducts a "Christian Home Training Clinic" for women, including sewing, childcare, cooking and literacy.

1979

• The abandoned and run-down Poole Hotel at 730 West State and a house behind it on Elm Street are purchased from The Salvation Army for $10,000 to house a women and families' ministry.
• "Ye Rescue Shoppe" opens in a rented building at 309 Seventh Street to sell surplus donated goods, with proceeds used to fund the Mission's ministries.
• Mission founder Ray Stewart dies in an auto accident.
• In tribute, Rev. G.O. Pitney later writes, "If it had not been for Ray Stewart, there would not be a Rockford Rescue Mission."

1980

• A house at 723 Elm Street is purchased for $32,000 for staff housing and the “Kiddie Kare” children’s ministry.

1981

• The Rockford City Council approves the Mission’s zoning request for the former Poole Hotel to be renovated and used as a women’s Christian Care Center.

1982

• The Mission hires Perry Pitney, the oldest son of Rev. G. O. and Nadine Pitney, and his wife, Sherry, to lead youth rallies, coordinate nightly chapels, edit The Rescuer, manage the food service and donor communications and assist in "Ye Rescue Shoppe."

1983

• The original Mission at 116 Kishwaukee Street is torn down and a building at 731 Elm Street is purchased for staff housing.
• Rev. G. O. Pitney is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
• “The Pitney Family Gospel Singers” (Perry; wife, Sherry and brothers, Dan and Jay) begin concerts to raise awareness and funds for the Mission.

1984

• Perry Pitney is named associate director.
• Eastview Church at 714 Third Avenue is purchased for expanded services.

1985

• The Christian Care Center, with eighteen rooms for women and children’s recovery, is dedicated after four years of renovations at a cost over $200,000 and the dedication of many volunteers. Rev. and Mrs. Larry Jameson, son-in-law and daughter of Rev. G. O. and Nadine Pitney, lead the project.

1986

• The name is changed to “Rockford Rescue Mission Ministries.”
• The Christian Care Center is opened with sixteen women and children.
• The building next to the Mission at 125 Madison Street and the corner lot are purchased.

1987

• Perry Pitney is appointed executive director.
• Rev. G.O. Pitney becomes Board Vice President and Director of Public Relations and is known as “Senior Director.”
• “The Pitneys” are named “Contemporary Gospel Bluegrass Group of the Year” by The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America.

1988

• “The Helping Hand” at 125 Madison Street opens to distribute free food and clothing to the needy.

1989

• The "Christian Crisis Center" for homeless families opens at the former Eastview Church and closes a few months later due to renewed focus on residential recovery programs rather than shelter-only programs.
• “Ye Rescue Shoppe” suffers $28,000 in damages from a fire that starts in an adjacent building.

1990

• “Kiddie Kare” children’s ministry opens in the renovated house at 723 Elm Street.

1991

• Perry Pitney is ordained to rescue mission ministry.
• The Mission celebrates 88 spiritual responses and $567,500 in public support.

1992

• Area auto dealer donates a 46,000 sq. ft. building at 1201 Broadway, which is used rent-free for two years by the City of Rockford as a temporary City Hall.

1993

• A late-night fire at "The Helping Hand" destroys the soon to open medical and dental clinic, causing $60,000 in damages and forces an overnight evacuation of the Mission.

1994

• Nadine Pitney becomes the director of the Christian Care Center.
• The Mission receives the "Heart of Rockford" award from the River East Association.
• The Mission announces a $1.5 million project to build a 15,000 sq. ft., three story addition and to renovate part of the existing building. Later the Board learns that the Mission is an historic landmark and that the law prohibits the necessary changes.
• 1201 Broadway building's $119,000 sale proceeds are added to the building fund.
• The Mission purchases 42-acres of farmland in rural southwest Rockford.

1995

• Mission Acres Children's Day Camp opens.
• The Rockford Register Star presents the Mission its "Excelsior Award" for outstanding contribution to the community.
• A new sign hangs outside the Mission: "If you don't have a friend in the world, you'll find one here."

1996

• The six million dollar "Hope Place" and "Keepers Unlimited" project is announced, and Eugene and Eleanora Aspling donate a one million dollar lead-gift toward the project.
• The Bill Hembrough 5.5 acre property at 600 and 700 West State Street is purchased for $150,000 for the new site. This represents a gift-in-kind of $392,000.
• "Ye Rescue Shoppe" building sells and the grand opening of "Keepers Unlimited: thrift store at 1405 Kishwaukee Street takes place.
• Spiritual responses total 415 and income is $1,001,369.

1997

• The "Hope Place" groundbreaking service is held.
• Perry Pitney leads an intense fundraising effort for the new facility and the building's steel is delivered in December.

1998

• Construction of "Hope Place" continues with one miracle after another.
• The Mission kicks-off the public phase of the capital campaign with "Evening of Hope" telethon, raising $83,931 in gifts.
• Noted artist Tom Heflin unveils "The Lord of the Harvest" in commemoration of Rev. G. O. and Nadine Pitney's lifelong work and retirement from active Mission service.
• The Mission establishes a Council of Elders with retired pastors, missionaries and church lay leaders to help guard the Mission's spiritual future.
• "The Pitneys" win the Rockford Area Music Industry (RAMI) award for "Best Christian" music group.
• Nadine Pitney receives the YWCA Marcella Harris Award for Community Service.

1999

• Staff increases to 102 employees.
• "Hope Place" opens for ministry, along with Serenity House for women and children in crisis, and a second "Keepers Unlimited" thrift store opens in Rochelle.
• Hope Clinic, utilizing volunteer physicians, chiropractors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, begins ministry.

2000

• Perry Pitney resigns after nearly twenty years of service.
• Dr. Patrick Clinton is appointed interim executive director.
• The Innovative Education Center for recovery residents opens.
• The Mission receives "Certified Mission" recognition by the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions.
• "Mission Possible," a weekly radio broadcast is launched to keep the community in touch with the ministry.
• The Mission develops an outreach program for community support groups.

2001

• "Keepers Unlimited" opens another thrift store site in Southgate Shopping Center.
• The Mission adopts a new mission statement: Rockford Rescue Mission shares hope and help in Jesus' name to move people from homelessness and despair toward personal and spiritual wholeness.
• Core values are adopted.
• Sherry Pitney, chief operating officer, is appointed executive director.
• The Mission partners with St. Anthony College of Nursing students to assist with health and wellness education.

2002

• The Mission's Life Recovery programs are licensed by the Illinois Department of Human Services as State Certified Recovery Homes.
• Hope Dental Clinic opens.

2003

• "The Pitney's" Twentieth Reunion Concert is held at the Mission.
• Straight-line winds knock out power at the Mission for 88 hours. The Mission and the community work together to provide uninterrupted services to the homeless and hurting in Rockford.

2004

• "Rescuing the Raggedy Man: The History of Rockford Rescue Mission" by Perry Pitney with Jim Killam is released.
• Winnebago County purchases two acres of Mission property and its buildings to erect a new criminal justice center.
• The Mission introduces its Epiphany Award to recognize those who are in the Lord and have shone upon those in darkness with the light that consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth (Ephesians 5:8,9).

2005

• The Mission introduces The Genesis Process as an essential tool of the Life Recovery Programs.
• Former Executive Director, Perry Pitney, is killed in an auto accident -- hundreds express their respect at his funeral, which is held at the Mission and extend their love and sympathy to the family.

2006

• "Healing Place" ministry opens for women of faith who are going through difficult situations, with a 24-hour phone line and respite center.
• A water main break forces the Mission to be without water for three days. The community and local churches provide the Mission with water and there is no interruption of services to the needy.
• The Mission partners with Winnebago County Health Department to provide additional health screenings for Mission residents.

2007

• Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Mission suspends the Women's Crisis Program.
• The Mission receives the "Not-for-Profit Agency of Distinction" award from the Rockford YWCA.
• Executive Director, Sherry Pitney, celebrates twenty-five years of service with the Mission.

2008

• The Mission begins construction on a new Vocational Training Center, the Restoration Café.
• The Mission's budget increases to $3.8 million.
• The Mission's Mother of Rescue, Nadine Pitney, dies after a long battle with cancer.

2009

·          The Mission opens the new Vocational Training Center, Restoration Café, in June.