BRIDGEPORT – The Bridgeport Rescue Mission has named Rhonda Neal, former executive director of St. Joseph Parenting Center in Stamford, as its new CEO. She replaced Frank Williams, who led the charity since 2019.
“I wanted this role because I had volunteered with Bridgeport Rescue Mission (BRM) in the past and was impressed by their comprehensive services to the community,” said Neal, a Danbury resident. “Both of my parents grew up poor and knew what it was like to live with food and housing insecurities. And then I lost my husband to alcohol addiction.”
She believes leading this “amazing organization” is like honoring my family for all of their love, sacrifices and support which has enabled me to get to where I am today,” Neal added.
Neal, who led St. Joseph since 2019, was first acclimated to Bridgeport Rescue Mission when she was manager of outreach services at Guideposts in Danbury where she worked for 15 years. While working at Guideposts, an inspirational publication nonprofit, she led a team of staff to donate coats, set up prayer stations and distribute Christian booklets at the Great Thanksgiving.
Once she landed at SJPC, Neal called on the Rescue Mission to provide turkeys and fixings for Stamford families during the height of COVID-19 in 2021.
In five years she grew SJPC from an organization with $600,000 in funds to $2 million. Key notables include securing a $3.3 million federal grant for the Fatherhood program and $1.1 million in city and state grants, according to the Rescue Mission website.
Her affinity for the Rescue Mission was a main driver for her making the move. That, and the advice of a former supervisor.
“My former boss of 15 years Rev. Dr. Pablo R. Diaz recommended that I apply for the job,” she said. “I am not sure how I got selected over other candidates, however it may have something to do with my prior experience.
“During my five-year stint at SJPC, we remained opened during covid-19, expanded our fatherhood program, doubled staff, grew revenue by 300%, and opened 2 more centers. It is hard to bring something to the table if one hasn’t been through challenging times and made it to the other side.”
As for what plans she has for the Mission? She is quite positive.
“As the new CEO of Bridgeport Rescue Mission, I am confident that our future is bright as we strengthen our foundation, expand programs, and develop social enterprise initiatives to serve even more people in need,” Neal said.
Neal earned an MBA from the University of Bridgeport followed by a master’s degree in Biblical Studies from Clark Summit University.
The Bridgeport Rescue Mission is a nonprofit that provides vital services to men, women, and children facing hunger, homelessness, and addiction, offering help to heal and return to the community whole. For more information about the Mission, visit bridgeportrescuemission.org/
