MISSION UPDATE
Homeless can happen to anyone. Hope happens here.
News of hope and healing from Atlantic City Rescue Mission
A Newfound
HOPE Charlie’s life has been redeemed by GOD’S GRACE.
Because of YOU,
THERE IS HELP & HOPE FOR PEOPLE LIKE CHARLIE – AT EASTER AND ALWAYS.
Don’t miss...
from 2 ADanMessage Brown
grace and for 3 “Christ’s 4 Easter mercy delivered me.” Everyone!
Easter 2018
Christ’s grace and mercy delivered me.
Charlie lay awake on the cold, cement floor of the abandoned building, the pain of his past washing over him. He’d been just 14 when his mother died and, though his faith-filled grandmother had taken him in, he’d turned to drugs and gangs to cope with his loss. “I just wanted to be a part of something, just wanted to be accepted,” he says. Five years later, his grandmother died and Charlie found himself homeless – the beginning of 10 tough years living on the streets of Newark, using and selling drugs, in and out of jail. Then, last year, Charlie was shot and his girlfriend was murdered. It shook him to his core. “I wanted a way out of the street life, but I couldn’t do it in Newark,” he says.
I began seeking GOD. Charlie made his way south to Manahawkin, where he met a pastor who helped him find the Mission and our
Overcomers Program. “It’s a blessing to be here, to hear the Word of God every day and have food and shelter,” he says. Charlie’s been clean for five months now, the first time in 14 years. “Christ’s grace and mercy delivered me,” he says. He’s also been healing from the shame and trauma of his past through our intensive, Christ-centered group and individual counseling. “The Lord makes all things new,” he says. “He comforts and heals.” Charlie, who has earned his Safe Serve certification in food handling, plans to graduate from the program, find work and continue following hard after Christ. Now, when he goes to sleep at night, he’s in a safe, warm bed, and gratitude for his new life washes over him. Because of your support, Charlie, and others like him, find help and hope when they walk through the doors of Atlantic City Rescue Mission – at Easter and always. “I thank the Rescue Mission for helping me see how Christ can change a person, how He can make a message out of a mess.”
3
A Message from Dan Brown
YOUR GENEROSITY AT WORK FEBRUARY 2018 16,160 MEALS SERVED 5,130 NIGHTS OF SHELTER 105 MEN & WOMEN IN OUR RECOVERY PROGRAMS 9,900 EMERGENCY FOOD BASKETS FROM OUR FOOD PANTRY DOZENS OF HOURS OF EDUCATION & COUNSELING
CELEBRATING EASTER HOPE It’s terrible to feel like you’re out of chances in life. And that’s exactly why it’s so frightening for men, women and children to come to Atlantic City Rescue Mission. All other options are gone. There’s no one and nowhere to turn for help. They come here with heavy hearts… and often without hope that a new life is possible. Praise God for the good news of Easter – that a new life is possible through Jesus! It’s an Easter message of hope that we share all year long: Because He lives, there are no last chances. Christ loves us through second, third and all the extra chances we need. Your support helps share that grace-filled approach with those who are homeless, hungry, abused and addicted: Loving them where
they’re at so they feel safe. Giving them grace so they feel valued. Restoring their dignity so they can hold their heads high. That’s what new life in Christ looks like here! Thank you for creating a refuge of help and hope this Easter and beyond for men like Charlie (his story is on page 3) who found another chance for a new life at the Mission. Dan Brown President & CEO
Easter HOPE
STARTS WITH $2.72
SHARE THE HOPE OF NEW LIFE THIS EASTER SEASON! HOT MEALS. SAFE SHELTER. COUNSELING & JOB TRAINING. A new life… and new hope at Easter! It starts with your gift today. Give now using the enclosed reply card & envelope. Give securely online at acrescuemission.org.
THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING HELP & HOPE AT EASTER! 2
APRIL
1
ST
Sunday, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. EASTER CELEBRATION
EASTER FOR EVERYONE!
HOMEMADE DESSERTS (cookies, brownies, pies, etc.)
SALAD
This Easter season, we’ll provide
21,250 meals
DINNER ROLLS
for men, women & children! With your donation of any of these items,YOU will make Easter special for our local homeless and hungry.
Drop off donations by Monday, March 26 at the Mission, 2009 Bacharach Blvd., Atlantic City, 7 days a week. Thank you!
SNACKS
BAGGED POTATOES
HAMS
Don’t have time to shop? Donate now! (609) 345-5517 • acrescuemission.org Volunteer: Please sign up to help serve others this Easter season! Contact Shelby Boggs: (609) 345-5517, ext. 165 volunteer@acrescuemission.org
CANNED GREEN BEANS
VISIT US ONLINE to read stories of hope,
get involved in our ministry & securely donate anytime.
LET’S BE FRIENDS!
acrescuemission.org
Dan, here’s my gift to share meals, care &Easter hope with people in need: m $21.76 to feed and care for 8 people m $51.68 to feed and care for 19 people m $76.16 to feed and care for 28 people m $89.76 to feed and care for 33 people m $______ to help as much as possible _________________________________________________________________ NAME
_________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS
FRUIT
ASSORTED CANDY
m CHECK ENCLOSED m BILL MY CREDIT CARD m
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NAME CREDIT CARD # EXP. DATE
PHONE #
Donate now! (609) 345-5517, ext. 116 acrescuemission.org Atlantic City Rescue Mission P.O. Box 5358 Atlantic City, NJ 08404-5358
_________________________________________________________________ CITY / STATE / ZIP
EAS18