Who We Are

Who We Are

Bread of Life Mission helps people experiencing homelessness in the Seattle area. Bread of life Mission is a non-denominational, Christian, social services organization, which provides critically needed goods and services to the homeless, poor, and needy of Washington State without regard to race, color, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, or religion.

Our Vision

To see God transform the lives of those experiencing homelessness, impacting Seattle one life at a time.

Our Mission

Bringing hope, healing and recovery to Seattle’s homeless through a Christ-Centered approach.

Core Values

Faith

Grace

Compassion

Integrity

Relationship

Excellence

Our History

Towards the end of The Great Depression, Mavel Sherman started Bread of Life in a building on the corner of Washington and Occidental Street in downtown Seattle. The first year was filled with challenges, including a week-long closure due to shortage of funds and problems with Mavel Sherman’s health.

January 1939

After nine months of starting Bread of Life, Mavel Sherman asked Jennie Conrad to take over as the Director. Jennie agreed and accepted the position in October 1939. She served in that position for the next 35 years. Ms. Conrad began her social work with the Salvation Army and worked throughout the United States before she came to Seattle. During her time at Bread of Life, she met and married Jack O’Hara, a new Christian who came to the BOLM looking for assistance. He was eventually ordained as a minister and served as Bread of Life’s co-Director for eighteen years.

October 1939

Jennie and Rev. Jack O’Hara purchased a home in 1942 that was a subsidiary of the Bread of Life and a place for participants in the program to live during in their rehabilitation. A building committee was appointed in 1944. The committee stepped out in faith by making a payment of $1,000 for the building on the corner of 1st Ave and South Main, which remains the present home of the Bread of Life. Bread of Life drew financial support from three principal sources–rent from the hotel rooms in the building, offerings at Bread of Life’s services, and donations from sponsors.

1942-1945

While building and maintaining Bread of Life’s programs, the first recorded board meeting was March 15th, 1945 and began with three board members.

1945-2009

Bread of Life continues to be a beacon of hope, providing a bed, food, clothing, and a safe environment for those who are in need. Bread of Life reaches beyond the physical needs by offering an opportunity to make a life-changing decision to accept Jesus Christ. Bread of Life is interdenominational and is supported entirely by individuals, churches, businesses, and foundations that believe in giving hope to Seattle’s homeless. The mission is an integral part of the historic Pioneer Square district in downtown Seattle and partners with many local organizations to bring improvements to the whole community.

Present Day

Bread of Life recently established a new Life Path Program. We provide an opportunity for those we serve to find life transformation through 8 steps which are undergirded by Discipleship and Christian community.

  1. Safe - provide a warm bed, a hot meal, shower, and a safe place. We continue that by helping to see a doctor and getting ID.

  2. Sober - many who come to us are battling addiction and need time and tools to get clean and sober.

  3. Stable - this is about mental and emotional wellbeing. Boundaries, anger management, emotional intelligence, counseling, etc.

  4. Schooled - this might mean help with literacy, getting a GED, or finishing the last few classes to earn a college degree.

  5. Skilled - we partner with local organizations who offer skills building so our program participants can find living wage jobs.

  6. Secure - when our program participants find a living wage job, they receive help in budgeting while saving for housing.

  7. Settled - we help residents find and secure housing that is right for them and their particular needs.

  8. Serving - we provide after-care for those who move out, knowing that bumps are a part of life. If they are volunteering in a church or the community, we know they have support and are no longer fixed on daily emergencies. Helping yourself is often achieved by helping others.

The Bread of Life has a dedicated staff and Board of Directors who are committed to living according to the Gospel and being actively involved in the Pioneer Square community. We believe the character of a community comes out in the way it responds to those in need, Pioneer Square residents and businesses have shown their deep commitment to all of their residents in the way they have supported Bread of Life over the last 85+ years. It is only by caring for the most vulnerable in our society that we can be a strong community.

The mission walks a line of caring for the homeless without enabling. We evaluate our programs and policies through three lenses:

  1. Is it good for those we serve? Does it help and not harm them?

  2. Is it good for the organization?

  3. Is it good for our community?

Bread of Life Mission’s future goals are to:

  1. Bring our current building up-to-date so it better meets the needs of the mission.

  2. Expand our program to a larger facility so the current building can be used for emergency shelter.

  3. We are looking at the growing needs in Seattle and watching for opportunities to meet them.

A Look at Tomorrow

Join us in bringing hope, healing and recovery to Seattle’s homeless.