Olive Branch Mission was founded in 1867 by Rachel Bradley and her band of courageous Free Methodist Women who dared to minister where most would not go. Olive Branch Mission is not only the oldest rescue mission in the City of Chicago, it is also the Nation's oldest and longest running mission.

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Historical records recount these dedicated Mission women's travels through Chicago's streets and alleyways to care for the hungry, homeless, and dying. They fought their social battles upon Christian principles and challenged the social ills of the day.

 

Rachel Bradley's initial motivation to start the Mission was to provide women with an alternative source of income in response to prostitution, as well as to address the growing crisis of the enslavement of young girls to sex trafficking. Soon the ministry grew to include support of homeless men, women, and children, including support for those addicted to alcohol living on the fringes of society.

 

Olive Branch Mission was founded none too soon in Chicago. The city was re-emerging from the Great Chicago Fire, and growing rapidly with waves of European immigrants and large numbers of emancipated African American individuals and families seeking a better life. 

 

At this very moment in history, the Mission applied an aggressive outreach emphasis, building relationships with those who were broken, cast aside, and rejected. From that time until today, we address our residents' physical and spiritual needs, affirming the dignity and value of each person. 

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Wars, economic depression and civil unrest have come and gone, as have social, political and theological theories about poverty's causes and cures. Through it all, Olive Branch Mission has endured and to this day remains steadfast, carrying on an unwavering commitment to those who have lost their way or are experiencing significant hardship with no place to call home.

 

Olive Branch Mission declares that the souls living on the streets, under bridges and in tent communities can be reclaimed and restored. In fact, for the very sake of humanity – we must. In caring for and helping someone who has lost their way, we indeed are caring for a part of ourselves.

 

Olive Branch Mission is in the business of human development, providing opportunity for recovery, restoration, reinstatement and re-entry into productive and fulfilling life.