4
ACRescueMission.org
Celebrating 50 years of faithful service
A slight misunderstanding Driving down a country road, a man notices a farmer standing in a field staring blankly. The man gets out of his car and says, “Excuse me, but what are you doing?” The farmer replies, “I’m trying to win a Nobel Prize...I heard they give ’em out to people who are out standing in their field.” We know it takes much more than this to win a Nobel Prize! You must make a lasting difference. The same is true about leaving a legacy for those you love. What kind of legacy will you leave behind for your children and grandchildren? And how can you be sure it’s a “noble” one? Leaving love letters for your family and giving to God’s work through ministries like Atlantic City Rescue Mission in your Will are wonderful ways to demonstrate what is most important to you— and create a legacy that changes lives for generations to come. Psalm 78:4 encourages us to share “...God’s fame, fortune and the marvelous things He has done.” A legacy gift can do just that.
50th Anniversary Gala
In 1964, when John Fink founded Atlantic City Rescue Mission—providing hot food and safe shelter to a few homeless men from a storefront in Atlantic City—no one imagined that 50 years later ACRM would be providing 262,800 meals and 109,608 nights of shelter every year to the homeless and hurting in Atlantic City. As we celebrate God’s faithfulness these 50 years, we also honor our friends and supporters who have prayed unceasingly, given generously and volunteered compassionately to serve this community. 1964—John Fink opens the first storefront. 1970— Mission moves to a larger facility on Bacharach Blvd., providing shelter and a 90-day work program. 1975— Our first single women’s shelter opens in a separate facility. 1978— Casino gambling comes to Atlantic City, increasing clientele and bringing more complex problems. 1990— Our Bacharach Blvd. facility expands to accommodate 312 people, and the women’s shelter is relocated to this site. We also begin our Overcomers Program to address drug, alcohol and gambling issues. 1996— Preschool opens in the Family Life Center for homeless children residing with their mothers. 2003— We expand our Work Readiness Program and begin three new collaborative programs: Mission Healthcare, the Crisis Diversion Unit, and Partial Care Day Program for homeless people who are mentally ill.
For the full version of this article, ask for a FREE copy of “How to Earn a ‘Noble’ Prize” by simply checking the box on the enclosed reply card or by contacting the Development team at 609-345-5517, ext. 116 or hollyjennings@ACRescueMission.org— or bless your family today with a God-honoring Will at christianwill.org/acrescue
Today ACRM helps over 3,300 homeless and working-poor people per year, and is the largest provider of comprehensive services to 20% of New Jersey’s homeless population.
Please join us on August 14 for our 50th Anniversary Gala celebrating 50 years of serving this community! This year our special guest is Dr. Bernice King, the youngest daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and CEO of The King Center. Not only is Ms. King an accomplished author, lawyer and pastor, but she also carries on her parents’ legacy in championing the rights and dignity of those who are marginalized. To be part of this special event by becoming a sponsor or purchasing tickets, please visit ACRescueMission.org/ 50thAnniversaryGala or call 609-345-5517, ext. 116.
MISSION UPDATE News of hope and healing from Atlantic City Rescue Mission
Freedom in Christ Chris’ drug addiction alienated him from his daughters and left him homeless and emaciated. But God had better plans for him. Today Chris says the best part of every day is “waking up every morning clean.” Find out how Chris found freedom in Christ on page 2.
Get connected.
“ I t is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again...”
Yes, I want to help make this a summer of hope. Enclosed is my gift of: m $15
June/July 2014
— G ALATIANS 5:1
m $30 m $50 m $150 m $__________
m I would like to give monthly. My first gift of $____________ is enclosed. m Please send me a FREE copy of “How to Earn a ‘Noble’ Prize.”
ATLANTIC CITY RESCUE MISSION 2009 Bacharach Blvd. Atlantic City, NJ 08401
To give a gift by credit card, visit us online at ACRescueMission.org or call 609-345-5517, ext. 116.
inside
NAME
THANK YOU!
ADDRESS APT CITY
STATE ZIP
24532-8 NL714
Your gift is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. We will send a receipt for your records. Please make your check payable to: ATLANTIC CITY RESCUE MISSION
Message from Dan Brown:
Jeff’s story:
50th Anniversary Gala:
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
50 years of freedom in Christ
Learning to see God’s leading
Special guest Dr. Bernice King
2
MISSION UPDATE
Message from our President and CEO
Set free in Christ Fireworks. Barbeques. A day spent with friends and family. On July 4 all over Dan Brown President and CEO America people came together celebrating the freedoms we enjoy, living in this great country. What a heritage we have been given! As I reflect on the blessings of freedom I am reminded of Jesus’ words proclaiming, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). So many people in our community have been caught in the bondage of despair, and desperately need to know how Christ can set them free. And that’s at the heart of our Mission. We want to walk alongside men like Chris and Jeff who come into our program trapped under the burden of failure and regret, so they can experience the amazing transformation that Christ’s love brings. This summer we’re excited to celebrate 50 years of bringing that life-transforming freedom in Christ to those who are homeless and hurting in our community. As one of our valued friends, I hope you’ll join us on August 14 as we reflect on and celebrate God’s faithfulness to our Mission. We know this ongoing, daily work simply could not happen without the commitment of friends like you who continue to extended compassion and support to this community. As we work to make this a summer of hope, to provide an opportunity for spiritual freedom for our hurting neighbors, we thank God for your caring friendship. God bless you! With gratitude,
Dan Brown, President and CEO
Waking up clean
(continued from page 1)
Chris has happy memories of his early childhood, but at twelve years old his life started to change. Chris’ parents divorced, and one of Chris’ friends, a pot dealer, gave Chris access to free weed. Chris remembers smoking it because, “we were being cool.” He swore he would never go any further than that. It was the same promise he made every step of the way...from pot to ecstasy, to coke and finally heroin. In his twenties, Chris became a father to two girls and was involved in their young lives. But his drug habit was getting the best of him. He lost his apartment and began living on Photo has been changed to protect the identity of the client. friends’ couches. The crowd he hung out with wasn’t safe, and he began making excuses about why he couldn’t keep the girls over the weekend. As his excuses mounted, so did the distance between himself and his daughters.
Ready to make a change After a felony arrest, Chris served six months in jail, but while on probation he fell further into heroin addiction. All he could think about was how and when he would get his next fix. He knew no one would hire a felon, and he thought his girls would be better off without him. In his despair, Chris remembers, “looking for a bad bag to end it all.” The night Chris ended up at Atlantic City Rescue Mission, he had been kicked out of a friend’s house for stealing. Using up to 30 bags of heroin a day, Chris was strung out and emaciated. He’d finally hit rock bottom. He was ready to make a change.
Trusting in God’s timing Chaplain John Douglas walked alongside Chris to help him find his way back. While participating in our Work Readiness Program, Chris attended recovery meetings. Chaplain Douglas went to court with Chris to help get his monetary fines replaced with community service, which he is now working off. Chris then joined the Overcomers Program, and “finally got God back,” he says. “Without God, I’d be back on the streets.” Now the best part of every day is “waking up every morning clean.” Chris has been clean for almost a year now. He is at a healthy weight and takes pride in his contribution to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission community. With God in his life he is focused on getting back to work and rebuilding a relationship with his daughters. Today, Chris has hope. “Everything else will fall into place when God sees fit,” he says.
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ACRescueMission.org
Learning to see God’s leading Jeff was a hard worker. He had his own apartment, owned a car and worked hard at a retail job seven days a week. “I had all those things you normally have,” Jeff recalls. But everything changed when he lost his job. Money ran out and he had to stay with a friend.
The first chaplain Jeff met was the late Billy McCullough, with whom he formed a strong bond. It was Chaplain Billy who encouraged Jeff to enter the Overcomers Program. Chaplain Billy told Jeff, “You have a ministry in you and a story to tell.”
Finding the right job
Jeff constantly applied for jobs, After completing the program but nothing worked out. At a friend’s in October 2013, Jeff was assigned suggestion, Jeff came to the Mission a job coach. It was hard for him to and joined the Work keep at it, and there were Readiness Program. times Jeff despaired about “ I can do all He worked on the farm work. He asked things through finding and continued to look people to pray for him for other work without Christ.”—JEFF and reached out through success. Looking back, his social connections. Jeff now sees that In February 2014 Jeff was hired for God was really directing him to the a part-time job he’s proud of! Overcomers Program.
Jeff thought he would never find another job.*
Although he still needs full-time work, Jeff is happy with where his life is going. He has learned to open himself up to new experiences, and he trusts that God will open the doors in His timing. For now, Jeff has hope knowing “I can do all things through Christ.” *Photo has been changed to protect the identity of the client.
Make this a summer of hope!
Join the Battle Against Hunger Bike Tour to support ACRM
Go and do likewise
This summer we are expecting an unprecedented 1,840 people to walk through our doors seeking food, shelter and the lifetransforming programs that help those who are in despair find hope and a future. We need your help to make this a summer of hope for these hurting men and women in our community. Would you consider making a commitment to help stop suffering and change lives this summer? To send in your gift, please return the enclosed response slip. Thank you!
Over the last six years Dr. Harry Chaikin has ridden 1,200 miles to support the Atlantic City Rescue Mission and fight hunger in our community. This year he is putting together a team of riders to join him in training and riding the 12th annual Battle Against Hunger Bike Tour to support our Mission. The bike tour crosses 200 miles beginning on September 5 in Gettysburg, PA, and arriving in Washington Crossing Park, PA on September 7. Participants must raise a minimum of $750 in pledges, all of which go directly to ACRM to feed the homeless. A $200 registration fee covers accommodations for two nights and meals. To join our team, please contact the tour committee at 732-274-9514. Let them know you would like to ride for Team AC Rescue Mission, and they will put you in contact with Dr. Harry, our team captain.
Are you giving to the Mission but thinking about making it a larger part of your spiritual commitment? Consider joining the Samaritan Club. The consistent, monthly giving of these special donors helps provide a predictable income so we can always be ready to help those who come to us for assistance. For details on how you can join our Samaritan Club go to ACRescueMission.org/ samaritanclub
SUMMER OF
This year will be Dr. Harry’s seventh 200-mile ride to support the Mission.
4
ACRescueMission.org
Celebrating 50 years of faithful service
A slight misunderstanding Driving down a country road, a man notices a farmer standing in a field staring blankly. The man gets out of his car and says, “Excuse me, but what are you doing?” The farmer replies, “I’m trying to win a Nobel Prize...I heard they give ’em out to people who are out standing in their field.” We know it takes much more than this to win a Nobel Prize! You must make a lasting difference. The same is true about leaving a legacy for those you love. What kind of legacy will you leave behind for your children and grandchildren? And how can you be sure it’s a “noble” one? Leaving love letters for your family and giving to God’s work through ministries like Atlantic City Rescue Mission in your Will are wonderful ways to demonstrate what is most important to you— and create a legacy that changes lives for generations to come. Psalm 78:4 encourages us to share “...God’s fame, fortune and the marvelous things He has done.” A legacy gift can do just that.
50th Anniversary Gala
In 1964, when John Fink founded Atlantic City Rescue Mission—providing hot food and safe shelter to a few homeless men from a storefront in Atlantic City—no one imagined that 50 years later ACRM would be providing 262,800 meals and 109,608 nights of shelter every year to the homeless and hurting in Atlantic City. As we celebrate God’s faithfulness these 50 years, we also honor our friends and supporters who have prayed unceasingly, given generously and volunteered compassionately to serve this community. 1964—John Fink opens the first storefront. 1970— Mission moves to a larger facility on Bacharach Blvd., providing shelter and a 90-day work program. 1975— Our first single women’s shelter opens in a separate facility. 1978— Casino gambling comes to Atlantic City, increasing clientele and bringing more complex problems. 1990— Our Bacharach Blvd. facility expands to accommodate 312 people, and the women’s shelter is relocated to this site. We also begin our Overcomers Program to address drug, alcohol and gambling issues. 1996— Preschool opens in the Family Life Center for homeless children residing with their mothers. 2003— We expand our Work Readiness Program and begin three new collaborative programs: Mission Healthcare, the Crisis Diversion Unit, and Partial Care Day Program for homeless people who are mentally ill.
For the full version of this article, ask for a FREE copy of “How to Earn a ‘Noble’ Prize” by simply checking the box on the enclosed reply card or by contacting the Development team at 609-345-5517, ext. 116 or hollyjennings@ACRescueMission.org— or bless your family today with a God-honoring Will at christianwill.org/acrescue
Today ACRM helps over 3,300 homeless and working-poor people per year, and is the largest provider of comprehensive services to 20% of New Jersey’s homeless population.
Please join us on August 14 for our 50th Anniversary Gala celebrating 50 years of serving this community! This year our special guest is Dr. Bernice King, the youngest daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and CEO of The King Center. Not only is Ms. King an accomplished author, lawyer and pastor, but she also carries on her parents’ legacy in championing the rights and dignity of those who are marginalized. To be part of this special event by becoming a sponsor or purchasing tickets, please visit ACRescueMission.org/ 50thAnniversaryGala or call 609-345-5517, ext. 116.
MISSION UPDATE News of hope and healing from Atlantic City Rescue Mission
Freedom in Christ Chris’ drug addiction alienated him from his daughters and left him homeless and emaciated. But God had better plans for him. Today Chris says the best part of every day is “waking up every morning clean.” Find out how Chris found freedom in Christ on page 2.
Get connected.
“ I t is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again...”
Yes, I want to help make this a summer of hope. Enclosed is my gift of: m $15
June/July 2014
— G ALATIANS 5:1
m $30 m $50 m $150 m $__________
m I would like to give monthly. My first gift of $____________ is enclosed. m Please send me a FREE copy of “How to Earn a ‘Noble’ Prize.”
ATLANTIC CITY RESCUE MISSION 2009 Bacharach Blvd. Atlantic City, NJ 08401
To give a gift by credit card, visit us online at ACRescueMission.org or call 609-345-5517, ext. 116.
inside
NAME
THANK YOU!
ADDRESS APT CITY
STATE ZIP
24532-8 NL714
Your gift is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. We will send a receipt for your records. Please make your check payable to: ATLANTIC CITY RESCUE MISSION
Message from Dan Brown:
Jeff’s story:
50th Anniversary Gala:
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
50 years of freedom in Christ
Learning to see God’s leading
Special guest Dr. Bernice King