Eyes Wide Open

12 6 Y E A R S O F S E R V I C E

DenverRescueMission.org

August 2018

EYES WIDE OPEN a story about acceptance & grace

Letter from the CEO

special thanks to For treating more than 100 of our Program Participants and Staff to whitewater rafting!

Dear Friends, When I first arrived at Denver Rescue Mission over 19 years

ago, people asked me, “What is your vision for the Mission?”

After some careful thought, my response was, “I think that is the wrong question. I think the question should be: What is

God’s vision for the Mission? And how do we get on board

with what God is doing?”

To help us discern God’s vision, this past year we engaged

consultant Jim Galvin to aid us with strategic planning. Our

purpose in this planning was to figure out how to go from good

Participants in our programs spend most of their days in classrooms and hard at work, investing in becoming sober and self-sufficient. The opportunity to get away for a day and enjoy Colorado's beauty is much appreciated. Thanks, Wilderness Aware!

to great, asking God to guide us at all times. Because of this

planning we have been evaluating our programs and facilities and seeking to improve everything we do.

One of the key strategic initiatives (there are 15 of them!) is

prioritizing our clients' next steps out of shelter and better

understanding how we utilize our shelter system.

It’s a new day at the Mission, a new time with different challenges, and we are changing to more effectively and compassionately meet

the needs of all of the people who come to us. One of the changes

you will read about in this edition of Changing Lives is called

Next Step. Next Step is a different way of doing shelter that is

e iH t A H o m

R u n A g a i n s t H u n g e r Wa s

huge success!

In June and July, we partnered with the Colorado Rockies and King Soopers to hit a home run against hunger in Colorado.

having a great impact on men like Michael, featured this month.

By donating at the register of participating King

Our eyes are wide open to how we can best serve people like

Soopers locations, you made it possible for

Michael, without changing in any way our focus on Jesus. We

continue to change lives in the name of Christ and appreciate

your support financially and through your prayers.

Denver Rescue Mission to help those people who need it the most. Way to go team!

YOU, DONORS! THANKTHANK YOU, DONORS! Brad Meuli

President/CEO

A

We appreciate your support!

"I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do" Ephesians 1:17-18 (The Message)

FROM PRISON TO GRACE this is Michael's story

Nearly every Sunday morning at 10:30 A.M. you can find

The guys opened their eyes and sat up. Michael walked to his seat

Michael sitting in chapel service at the Lawrence Street Shelter.

in the second row, he opened his worn Bible and followed along

It’s not required, he chooses to go, and he sits in the same seat

with the pastor for the rest of the service.

every week—the one on the second row, two chairs from the left.

On this Sunday, with about 15 minutes remaining in the service, Michael, for no particular reason, turned around and looked behind him. There were 14 other people in the service; the usual crowd—Tim, Terry, John (who usually shows up a few minutes

After chapel was over, Michael sat down with us and we asked him about why it was important to wake the men up.

“You know, before I became homeless, I used to drive by here,” he said. “I kind of looked down on the homeless, but since I’ve become homeless … I’ve learned to see people, no matter their

"Whether or not it looks like it, God is working, He is moving in this place." late), and Larry (who occasionally leaves a tad early so he can get

situation, for who they are. When I saw those guys, I saw me.

a good spot in line for lunch). There were three guys in the very

There was a time when I turned my back on God, when I was

back, not strangers, but also not a part of the regular crowd. They

asleep, so to speak. It wasn’t that long ago. I … I messed up;

were young guys, probably no more than 28 years old. They were

I stopped being obedient to God and I got into a little trouble.

laying against the wall, sleeping.

That’s what sent me to jail for six months and, after they released

Michael, noticing that these three young men were not awake, got

me, the first place they told me to go was to the Mission.”

up out of his seat and walked to the back of the room. He walks

When Michael first arrived here, he was nervous. He’d never been

with a gentle confidence, and that’s how one might describe his

homeless before, never stayed in a shelter. “This was a brand new

personality as well; his presence is soothing and calm. For many

world for me, a brand new world,” he said. “I didn’t know where

of the guys in Next Step, he’s a role model and a mentor. He

I was going to go. I didn’t know what I was going to do, but they

knelt down beside one of the sleeping guys, “Excuse me, sir,” he

told me about this place and there’s not a day that goes by where

whispered. “There’s no sleeping in here during worship time.”

I don’t have three meals to eat and a roof over my head. Whether or not it looks like it, God is working, He is moving in this place.”

Michael talks about God often; every other word that he speaks

bit different. When he went to apply for jobs, the employer would

is about how Jesus is moving in his life or what God is teaching

see that he’d been sentenced to prison, and that he’d only recently

him. His faith is remarkable, not mundane or passionless. He

been released.

really believes that God is working, and his recent experiences have affirmed that to him. “The moment I experienced hope was in jail,” he said. “That’s where God first started answering my prayers. Then, he brought me here, the Lawrence Street Shelter.

For a while, I lost sight of who God is, but He’s opened my eyes.

“I was in a state of depression after jail,” he said. “I guess I was afraid.

I was afraid at how people would look at me, and I was afraid of getting turned down for a job because of what people might think. I was just scared of being rejected. I just wanted acceptance.”

I’ve found grace at the Mission. It’s my opinion that grace is the

Austin and Michael worked together, sending his resume out to

opportunity to come together and pick back up where I failed; I

different businesses that had job postings. It was Monday morning

feel like I’m doing that here.”

when he got his first call back. They scheduled an interview with

Michael’s first day at the Mission was the same day he learned about Next Step. He expressed interest to a staff member about

him and a week later, Michael was sitting in an office, answering questions and talking to the interviewer about his story.

this transitional service and that same day he was enrolled in Next

“I went in right away and told them I was a felon,” he said, “and you

Step and given a bed at the Lawrence Street Shelter. Next Step is a

know what? They accepted me, they gave me the job! You know,

community in which each member is assigned a case worker and a

people often look at situations like mine as an ending, but this is

Left: Michael with Next Step friends; Right: Michael with Mission staff members, Austin and Tamela

community involvement supervisor. Michael talked about his first

just a start for me. I know it sounds strange, but I really am blessed.

interaction with his case worker.

God has opened my eyes here.”

“The guy who did my intake was named Austin. I told him my

Michael is currently working toward saving money and locating

story; I was just feeling a bit down, and you know what that man

housing. He hopes to be moved out and renting an apartment by

said? One of the first things he said to me was ‘can we pray?’ That

the end of the year. “I know my time at Denver Rescue Mission

was the most uplifting thing I could have heard. I even called my

is nearly up,” he said, “but this place has been such a blessing to

family members and told them that. That’s just not something I’m

me. I see the love that they have for people and the services they

used to, it’s uncommon for someone to want to pray with you,

give; it’s truly a blessing. That’s why I tell people I’m a blessed

you know?”

man, because this has been such a great help.”

Soon after their first meeting, Austin and Michael sat down again and worked on building a resume. Looking for a job was something Michael had reservations about, not because he didn’t want to work; Michael has worked nearly his entire life. But now, things were a

HOPE STARTS WITH YOU. GIVE TODAY AND IMPACT LIVES FOREVER! Visit DenverRescueMission.org/Donate

emergency Services

Jeremy Hubbard on Why Denver Rescue Mission Matters

Statistics How You Help

Lawrence Street Shelter, waiting for a bed. It must be hard not knowing where the next meal is coming from or the next shower or the next pair of clean clothes.

I often find myself thinking about where I came from. I grew up poor; we lived in a mobile home in Leadville—those times set the foundation for the rest of my life.

Aside from growing up in a mobile home, we always went to church when I was younger, three times a week. When you’re in church that much, a lot of the Bible sticks with you.

I always go back to that verse in Matthew, “Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

When I drive by the Mission and see the shelter and the cross and the people standing outside, I think of that verse, and I’m always convinced that Denver Rescue Mission is doing good work.

I’ve experienced what it’s like to be poor, but I’ve never been homeless. I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to stand outside the

Often, there is a perception of what a homeless person looks like—grungy, middle-aged guy, long beard and dirty clothes who is addicted to drugs. But when you go the Mission and volunteer, you see kids, you see parents, single moms, and grandparents. You see people from different backgrounds, good people with good hearts. It’s eye-opening, and it shows how complicated the issue of homelessness is in this city. I think that’s what makes Denver Rescue Mission vital: they serve people from all walks of life.

I don’t think anyone knows the solution or the magic formula to ending homelessness, but I do think it’s incumbent on all of us to help fix it. We can all do that in a small way; if everybody tried to find a small role in the solution, if everyone found their niche, then we’d see a solution, and we’d be one step closer to ending homelessness in Denver.

Jeremy co-anchors FOX31 News at 5 P.M. and 9 P.M. He’s a 15-time Emmy award winner and a Colorado enthusiast. Hubbard likes to spend time volunteering in the community. He serves on the Denver Metro Advisory Board of the Salvation Army and the advisory board of Shimmering Wings.

our Core Strategies emergency services Guests have their immediate needs met, and we build relationships with them. Once trust is established, our invitation to consider longterm solutions, like the life-changing programs we offer, is more readily accepted.

June

YTD (fiscal year)

Meals provided

58,453

907,125

Nights of shelter provided

31,716

400,550

Chapel attendance

35,137

2,169

Clothing distributed (lbs.)

32,377

369,062

Clinic services provided

390

4,966

Locations REHABILITATION Individuals who graduate our rehabilitation program learn to overcome destructive habits, maintain healthy and supportive community, obtain full-time employment, and provide for their own sustainable housing.

Lawrence Street Community Center: Meals, restrooms, showers, washing machines and dryers, clean drinking water, and access to Mission staff for encouragement and guidance Lawrence Street Shelter: Overnight shelter for men assigned daily, chapel and health clinic Holly Center: Overnight shelter for men assigned weekly and lockers for storage The Crossing: Transitional program for families and rehabilitation program for men

transitional programs Families and individuals develop and practice important life skills, save money, gain the tools they need to provide for their own housing, and transition into a self-sufficient lifestyle when they graduate.

IS A PROUD MEMBER OF:

COMMUNITY OUTREACH People at risk of becoming homeless or transitioning out of poverty find assistance with basic needs like food, clothing, furniture, and other household items, while interns and other missions around the world learn how to alleviate poverty through a Christ-centered response.

Harvest Farm: Rural rehabilitation program near Fort Collins Fort Collins Rescue Mission: Meals, shelter and transitional programs Ministry Outreach Center: Central warehouse facility including food, clothing and furniture distribution Administration & Education: Entry point for Mission transitional programs and home to the Mission’s administrative and development staff

P.O. Box 5164 | Denver, CO 80217 | 303.297.1815