Coachella Valley Rescue Mission — Local services in Indio

Hi everyone, I am writing this review out of deep concern and disappointment after my experience with CVRM, a facility that is supposed to offer safety and support to individuals facing homelessness. Unfortunately, what I encountered was the exact opposite: an environment that felt more like punishment and hatred than refuge.

Uninhabitable Conditions

From the moment I entered the shelter, it was clear the facility was in no condition to house human beings. The air inside was heavy with HEAT and a STINCH, and the bathrooms were unsanitary and frequently non-functional. Several of the sleeping areas were infested with bed bugs and other pests, (BLACK WIDOWS) making rest nearly impossible. Basic hygiene supplies were scarce or entirely absent, and the lack of ventilation and clean air filter created a suffocating and unhealthy atmosphere. These conditions are not just uncomfortable—they are dangerous, especially for individuals with existing health issues. The meals are either undercooked, old, stale, very limited or contaminated with an army of flies.

Discrimination and Prejudice

Even more troubling was the behavior of the case workers. What should have been a source of guidance and compassion became a source of emotional harm. I witnessed and personally experienced discriminatory attitudes based on race, gender identity, and appearance. Certain individuals were spoken to with contempt, dismissed without proper support, or denied services for unclear reasons. Instead of being treated with dignity, many residents were subjected to power-tripping, bias, and a lack of empathy from staff whose job is to Help—Not Harm.

One case worker in particular (Michelle) made several inappropriate remarks about residents’ backgrounds and assumed the worst of people simply based on appearance. Complaints went ignored or were brushed off as “misunderstandings,” and retaliation against those who spoke up was not uncommon.

In Conclusion, A shelter should be a place of hope and recovery, not a last-resort nightmare. The conditions at CVRM are not just unacceptable—they are dehumanizing. The facility needs urgent oversight, structural repairs, staff retraining, and a complete overhaul of its policies to ensure accountability and equitable treatment for all. No one seeking help should have to choose between the streets and a toxic environment like this.

Until serious reforms are made, I cannot in good conscience recommend this shelter to...

I have to say that the mission is a very positive place for people who are ready for change and are ready to do the foot work to achive their goals to the best of there ability . I myself have attended the blessing of becoming a part of the mission so much that i was Baptist by the. CVRM MISSION & 212 CHURCH * THAT WAS A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER . THAT WAS A WAKE UP IN ME THAT I THOUGHT THAT I HAD LOST MANY YEARS AGO . SO ANYONE WHO IS TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED . REMEMBER THAT THERE IS HELP OUT THERE AND THAT OUR FATHER , HIGHER POWER , IS ALWAYS THERE FOR US HE NEVER LEAVES US A STRAY . FOR WE ARE THE ONES WHO FORGET ABOUT HIM AND WE LEAVE HIM . NOT KNOWING WE ARE DOING SO , WE JUST GET COUGHT UP IN THIS PLACE. THAT SOME OF US LOSE TRACK OF WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE R HERE FOR . I PRAY THAT EVERYONE AT THE MISSION IS THERE CUZ THEY WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM AND THEY ARE THERE FOR THEMSELVES BECAUSE THEY LOVE THEMSELVES ENOUGH TO GIVE THEMSELF A SECOND CHANCE AT DOING RIGHT THIS TIME ... AND BY DOING SO THEY ARE WILLING TO SURRENDER THEIR MIND BODY AND SPIRIT TO THEIR HIGHER POWER BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THERE WAY GOT THEM NOTHING AND NOTHING CHANGED . SO NOW THEY HAVE COME TO A CONCLUSION THEY NEED TO WILLINGLY SURRENDER AND KNOW THAT EVERYTHING THAT COME AFTER WILL BE BLESSINGS BECAUSE OF THEIR WORK THAT THEY HAVE DONE TO GET ANYTHING OUT OF THIS WORLD U MUST KNOW THAT U WILL ONLY GET OUT OF IT WHAT U PUT INTO IT .... MAY MY FATHER BE UR EYES AND MAY U DRESS IN UR SHEILD. AND ARMER FOR THE WAR THAT IS INFRONT OF U . AND BE PREPARED CUZ UT ALWAYS GETS HARDER BEFORE IT GETS BETTER . JUST DONT QUIT FIGHTING BEFORE UR BLESSING CUZ U WILL HAVE TO REPEAT THIS PART OF UR LIFE AGAIN IN TIME . SO JUST NEVER GIVE UP ON UR SELF OR UR FATHER ACCEPT ACCEPT ACCEPT ACCEPT URSELF AS HE ACCEPTS U AS HIS OWN KING & QUEENS THAT WE ARE SO Y NOT JUST ACCEPT WHO WE REALLY ARE . .... I LOVE U CHARLES AND IM COMING TO FIGHT THIS WAR WITH U AND BESIDE U . CHARLES TRIBBLE JR. I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH AND I AM WILLING TO MAKE THIS CHANGE SO THAT WE MAY BE A SURVIVING COUPLE THAT MADE IT BABE ... IM COMING HOPE U STILL LOVE ME ... LOVE. LUCY P. RIVAS & CHARLES...

I’m a graduate of CVRM from 2013. I have 10 years clean now thanks to the time I spent here and what they helped teach me about having a relationship with God and loving myself as well as forgiving myself and others who have wronged me whether or not they deserve forgiveness so that I can heal. This may be lengthy but it’s worth it. I see people give negative reviews but they just don’t understand what this place has done for so many lives. People who give negative reviews I have found also give negative reviews on other sites and sound very entitled. Those people have very likely never struggled and hit their rock-bottom. It is usually the ones who hit their rock-bottom that are very grateful for a place like this that helps so many get their life together in their most desperate time of need. I was homeless living on the streets, addicted and could have been killed with the people I was hanging around and I would have continued that sick cycle had it not of been for this place helping get my head and my heart together. I basically just wanted to die at one point and was almost a feral human being it was sad. But today I’m married to the most caring amazing man of 9 wonderful years. We have our beautiful children. We own our home both have new cars. He’s a Foreman. I’m a stay at home mom but also work from home. This is the life I never thought I would have because I didn’t think someone like me was capable of being loved but CVRM taught me that I am worthy of being loved and that God loves me so much He went to the cross and died for me. I kept telling myself that everyday and after awhile it finally stuck with me, that I was worthy of love and then I met my wonderful husband at just the right time when I was taking a college class at COD. I waited patiently for my husband through my recovery because I knew that God had the perfect person for me and I couldn’t be more grateful to CVRM for helping me get my children back and helping to create my new family and healthier me ❤️...