Anyone following the Billings news lately knows the Montana Rescue Mission has been through a challenging few weeks. We’ve made some very tough decisions, terminating employment for several staff members, including our Executive Director, and placing others on administrative leave. I understand this has raised questions and concerns, and I want to address them directly and share where we’re headed.
First and foremost, the Mission is financially stable. Every dollar entrusted to us is used carefully and effectively to support our guests and fulfill our purpose to feed, shelter, and guide those in need toward stability and hope.
We moved quickly to stabilize leadership. Max French has been appointed Interim Executive Director, bringing proven integrity, structure, and compassion to this transition. Joanna King will continue as Program Director and will play a key leadership role alongside Max. Together, they’re already providing the kind of calm, competent guidance that our staff and guests need most right now.
These changes give the Board time to carefully evaluate which leadership structure best supports MRM’s mission moving forward. Over the coming months, we will gather input, refine a new position description, and begin the search for a permanent Executive Director who embodies our renewed dedication to compassionately upholding our vision and values.
Meanwhile, the Board is conducting an internal investigation and comprehensive policy review. When that process concludes, we’ll be as transparent as possible in sharing what we’ve learned—within the limits of privacy laws and personnel protections.
This period of transition, while difficult, is also an opportunity. It’s a moment to reevaluate our systems, rebuild trust, and make overdue improvements to benefit our staff and the people we serve.
Already, we’re seeing positive momentum:
- We’ve rehired a former training coordinator to reenergize our education and life-skills programs.
- We’ve welcomed a new shelter manager with 15 years of experience, who’s bringing a much-needed balance of grace and accountability to daily operations.
- We’re upgrading basic comforts; new mattresses and pillows are on the way, because dignity begins with something as simple as a good night’s rest.
- We’ve created additional opportunities for shelter guests to gain work experience with six new paid internships in kitchen services, front desk/hospitality, and security. We recognize that some of our shelter guests come with life experiences and skills that uniquely equip them to be part of our service team.
- We will soon begin a weekend feeding program for the public to fill a community need.
We’re also reengaging with our community partners. True transformation doesn’t happen in isolation—it takes churches, service agencies, healthcare providers, donors, and neighbors working hand-in-hand. We’re rebuilding those bridges and forging new ones, determined to make collaboration, not competition, the heart of our work.
In the coming months, we’ll be sharing more frequent updates and stories of progress on our website at montanarescuemission.org. I encourage you to follow along and stay connected with us.
We all face hard seasons, but our challenges are nothing compared to the daily struggles of those we serve: families fleeing domestic violence, people trying to rebuild after addiction or loss, and neighbors facing hunger and homelessness.
Please know that the Mission is alive, accountable, and moving forward. If you hear something that concerns you, reach out. Ask questions. We’ll give you the facts directly.
The Montana Rescue Mission has been part of Billings for more than 75 years. Together, with humility, accountability, and a shared purpose, we’ll continue to serve those in need and help make Billings a community we can all be proud to call home.
Tim Mascarena
Board Chair, Montana Rescue Mission
