On Thursday, October 9th City Rescue Mission will facilitate a 24-hour conversation between CEO, Paul Stasi and city officials, Mission guests and residents, as well as the community at large. Conversations on a Bench, a national event sponsored by Citygate Network and City Rescue Mission, will take place on a bench at 234 W State St Jacksonville, FL 32202. Stasi invites anyone who has questions or wants to talk to him about the critical issues of homelessness, addiction and mental health to stop by the bench anytime during the 24-hour livestream, which starts at 3pm. Participants can also submit questions through the livestream via YouTube, allowing the community to engage at their convenience, day or night. Initially launched as a 24-hour event for one Rescue Mission in Fresno, CA, “Conversations on a Bench” has now expanded to City Rescue Mission and over 100 other Rescue Missions across the United States and Canada. The goal is a national movement that sparks transformative conversations about homelessness, addiction, food insecurities, and related challenges. “People often shy away from or don’t know where to start when it comes to addressing these critical issues. I challenge the community to come talk to me – let’s have real conversations, especially if you feel frustrated or hopeless about these issues. Talking it out is the first step toward finding solutions. Anything is on the table for discussion… and I welcome you to come and test me on that,” said Stasi. Through authentic, live-streamed interactions, Conversations on a Bench sets out to break down barriers, inspire collective responsibility and elevate the role of Rescue Missions and their life-transforming ministries to beacons of hope and change in Jacksonville and other communities across the country. “Solving the issues of homelessness, addiction, mental health and related challenges can feel overwhelming. So, let’s talk about it. Ask the questions others are asking – especially the tough ones. I hope that my conversations with people can inspire new ways to work together as a community and garner more support for City Rescue Mission’s life- changing programs, said Stasi. It is only when we have a holistic understanding can we effectively address the issues and feel empowered and compelled to help.” To join the livestream and submit questions, visit City Rescue Mission’s YouTube @CRMJAX1946. You will also find links to the livestream on our Facebook page @ City Rescue Mission and our Instagram @Cityrescuemissionjax.
About City Rescue Mission
City Rescue Mission began in 1946 and is a Christ-centered ministry providing homeless men, women and families with shelter, meals, clothing, spiritual guidance and case management in a safe and caring environment. City Rescue Mission is a model for transforming lives of the homeless through the healing power of the Holy Spirit, changing the way the community views homelessness.
About Citygate Network
As North America’s largest association of independent, faith-based ministries, Citygate Network represents a unified movement of rescue missions, addiction recovery centers, prison outreach programs, and lifetransformation initiatives working to address homelessness and its root causes. The network equips ministry leaders and frontline teams with community, resources, advocacy, and best practices—empowering them to respond with excellence and compassion. By connecting shelters, recovery programs, and outreach efforts, the organization fosters shared strategies that guide individuals from crisis to stability and lasting flourishing