The Durham Rescue Mission held a groundbreaking ceremony February 2, 2016 for the first of three new academic residence halls for Victory Program students at the Durham Rescue Mission. These academic residence halls housing homeless men will be located at 1203 E Main Street.

Sir Walter Wally, NC’s weather-prognosticating groundhog, was our VIP guest and attended this groundbreaking ceremony continuing his celebration of Groundhog Day this year. He made a “prediction” that the first residence hall will be completed by Groundhog Day next year!

CEO Ernie Mills said, “We were so thrilled to have many of our friends who came to this event. What an honor to have Sir Walter Wally, too. Just as Sir Walter Wally came out of the ground looking for his shadow, the New Life Building will help us bring those that are in the shadows of addiction and homelessness into the bright Son-shine of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are excited to be moving forward with this project that will provide additional sleeping quarters for homeless men, as well as bathrooms, showers, study areas, and laundry facilities. We have been working and planning for this expansion for several years. Now with the groundbreaking, our dream is coming true!”

Dignitaries that attended included Durham Mayor Bill Bell, three City Council members, four County Commissioners, Kevin Dick of the Workforce Development Board as well as the Durham Rescue Mission board members, staff, clients, neighbors, volunteers, and other community leaders.