Through our relationships with local shelters, ministries, and transitional housing programs such as PATH Connections Housing and the San Diego Rescue Mission, Ladle Fellowship helps support individuals who are on their way out of homelessness, in addition to those who are currently on the streets. One of the most important resources needed by individuals who are trying to change their lives is positive, healthy community. On the other hand, isolation and unhealthy relationships are often the biggest risk factors for repeated homelessness.
​Recognizing this, we’ve expanded our previous mentorship program. We are now partnering with the San Diego Rescue Mission through their new outreach initiative, Walk With Me, which trains, equips and supports volunteers to walk alongside a man or woman experiencing homelessness (or the newly housed) as a friend for an extended period. Throughout the one-on-one journey of friendship, trust is established, connections to resources are made and the two move forward together.
Ladle's previous mentoring program was successful with over 25 volunteer mentors who were matched with guests that wanted to be mentored. Our mentors were not professionals, nor did they offer monetary or material aid. Rather, they gave of their time, wisdom, care, and friendship. Being paired with a mentor has helped many of our guests join a church, find a job, avoid negative influences, experience a sense of belonging, and simply make a good friend. Our new partnership with the Rescue Mission will provide us with more volunteer friends and the opportunity to work with a steady flow Rescue Mission “students” who are in their program. We are excited to partner with the Rescue Mission to offer this friendship opportunity to our Ladle guests. Some of our Ladle guests have already been paired with volunteers from the local church through the program