Denver Rescue Mission E-Newsletter January 2012

120 Years of Service

www.DenverRescueMission.org

A

January 2012

Refuge

from the

Cold

“I know the Rescue Mission is there. I can get a hot shower, hot meal and a bed.” ~ Sam, Lawrence Street Shelter guest.

January

is Colorado’s coldest month of the year, with an average overnight temperature of 15.2°.

http://www.rssweather.com/climate/Colorado/Denver

A

Refuge from the

During frigid winter days and nights, your donations help the

Cold

Mission save lives. In a month where overnight temperatures often dip well below freezing, the homeless look to us now more than ever for hot meals, warm clothes and most of all, a haven from the season’s harshest elements.

Each winter night, nearly 300 weary and exhausted homeless men sleep safely at our Lawrence Street Shelter. We also offer warm, nourishing meals to hungry individuals and families at this location.

For many of our guests, the chance to warm cold faces and hands, and satisfy gnawing hunger pains gives them the strength and courage they need to keep hope alive.

Thank you for remembering the plight of the needy during the winter months. Your support provides the homeless with a refuge from the cold, and the opportunity to experience life transformation in the warmth and safety of our outreaches.

“I hate to have them out in the snow, but I do what I can when the temperatures drop so quickly. To be able to feed my kids here is great; everyone is so nice.” ~ Ashley (above), homeless single mother to Isaiah, 16 months, and Jasmine, 3 months.

“The food is great here; it’s a relief to get a warm meal when you’ve been out in the cold. Sometimes, it’s just that half hour that you get to be indoors that’s so nice.” ~ Michael (above), daily shelter guest.

“Being out in the cold adds to the feeling of hopelessness. You’re just thinking, 'How did I get myself in this situation?'

You’ve got 500 people a night out here wanting a bed; I just thank God that this place is here." ~ Robert (right), frequent shelter guest and electrician.

“When it’s freezing and you’re outside, it feels like you’re out there for forever. But I can always come here and get a warm meal and get warm.” ~ Carol (below), chronically homeless shelter guest.

“We’ve spent a few days outside, and it was the worst experience of my life.

It means everything to be here where it’s warm with my family.” ~ Niki (above), STAR Transitional Program participant at The Crossing, and one of nearly 900 men, women and children sheltered at Mission facilities.

“[The Mission] provides a bed for me every night. It really makes life a little easier when you have a place to sleep.” ~ Michael (right), daily guest of the shelter.

The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 9:9 (NLT)

From the CEO Dear Friends, Recently, some of the Occupy Denver participants have claimed that the shelters in our city are unsafe, dirty and full of bed bugs. It seems only fitting that I address this matter in our A Refuge from the Cold issue of the Changing Lives newsletter.

Responding to these statements, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, a long-time friend of the Mission, asked all of the shelter providers if we would be willing to have a comprehensive review of our shelters conducted by a third party. I willingly agreed, not only because we have a 120-year history in this city, but because we are an “open book,” willing to be examined at any time. By saying yes to the Mayor’s request, I am also hopeful this might help both the Mayor, and our community, in further negotiations with the Occupy Denver participants.

Is our Lawrence Street Shelter unsafe, unkempt or dirty? No, of course not. Our national membership organization, The Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (AGRM), has already conducted an extensive review of our Mission and certified us as an “Excellent Rescue Mission,” their highest rating. But please do not just take their word for it; I invite you to come and see for yourself. Stop by our Lawrence Street Shelter anytime, and we will gladly show you around and answer your questions. Or, if you would like to schedule a tour with a staff member, please call my assistant, Micaiah Bender, at 303.297.1815.

On any given night, our Lawrence Street Shelter is filled to capacity with 300 men. These men are seeking a refuge not only from the cold, but from the fear and demands of street life. Many who come to the shelter choose to enter our New Life Program, leaving behind a life of alcohol and drug abuse. They find a refuge of hope, with their lives changed forever. Thanks for allowing us to make this possible!

God bless,

Brad Meuli

Turkey Drive Runneth Over!

Thanks to a remarkable community response, the Mission received an incredible 18,217 turkeys during our annual turkey drive! Because of your generosity, we were able to provide 10,849 turkeys to 103 organizations and churches in Colorado who help feed the poor and homeless. Thank you to each individual, business, church, and organization who donated!

The Great Thanksgiving Banquet Because of your support and our generous sponsor, Sheridan Ross, the Mission became family to community members in need at Thanksgiving.

On Wednesday, November 23rd, the Lawrence Street Shelter was full of life as nearly 300 men, women and children enjoyed a holiday feast. Led by Honorary Hosts Governor John Hickenlooper and Mayor Michael B. Hancock, more than 50 volunteers helped feed guests and distribute new hats, gloves and scarves.

CenturyLink also generously provided free long-distance phone calls for everyone in attendance. Thank you to all who helped make The Great Thanksgiving Banquet a success!

Thanksgiving Banquet-in-a-Box With the help of faithful volunteers, the Denver Rescue Mission distributed nearly 1,000 Thanksgiving food boxes to low-income families on Tuesday, November 22nd. Volunteers from Ponderosa High School National Honor Society filled each box with Thanksgiving treats ranging from cranberry sauce and yams to pumpkin pie filling. As always, thank you to all of the volunteers who made this Thanksgiving a celebration for the less fortunate in our community.

Mission Events

Statistics

Thursday, February 16th Lawrence Street Shelter For more information, contact Alexxa @ 303.313.2427.

November Meals served 45,434 Beds 20,595 Chapel attendance 7,555 Food boxes distributed 198 Furniture (households) 62 Clothing (lbs.)

20,934 Chiropractic 45 Dental 103 Medical 816 Optical 217

Presidents Day Event

Community Events

Making a Difference Over the Airwaves

Our gratitude goes out to the following radio stations for partnering with the Mission last fall.

98.5 KYGO—Feed the Need 106.7 KBPI—Hand That Feeds

How You Help

YTD

483,904 193,895 79,756 1,162 1,055 206,229 298 1,443 5,895 2,160

5th Annual Turkey Chase, Presented by Grandma’s Frozen Noodles

A big thank-you to our presenting sponsor, Grandmaʼs Frozen Noodles, and to the 500 runners who joined us this year at West Woods Golf Club!

Our Outreaches

Lawrence Street Shelter Emergency care: meals, overnight shelter, free health care, food box and clothing distribution.

Enhance your

Income and Legacy with a

Charitable Gift Annuity

The Mission is pleased to introduce Charitable Gift Annuities as a tool to enhance your retirement income. Why is a Denver Rescue Mission Charitable Gift Annuity a good choice?

• Secure fixed income for life—including a tax-free portion • An immediate charitable tax deduction • Higher rate of return than a CD or money market account • Provide a future legacy gift that will impact the Mission To find out whether a Charitable Gift Annuity might be right for you, simply call Alice Cavanaugh at 303.313.2487, or choose Ways to Give—Legacy Giving on our website: www.DenverRescueMission.org.

Champa House Residential facility offering long-term help toward self-sufficiency to single mothers with dependent children.

Harvest Farm Long-term New Life rehabilitation program, farming and ranching operation, food and clothing distribution, and Fall Festival.

The Crossing Long-term New Life rehabilitation program; transitional housing for program graduates and homeless families; temporary housing for interns and visitors.

Ministry Outreach Center Administrative and warehouse facilities; food, clothing, and household goods distribution.

Family Services Transitional housing; assistance for permanent housing; mentoring for homeless working families, seniors and refugee families.

Global Ministry Outreach Consultation, resources and support to city/rescue missions around the world.

Changing Lives is the monthly news publication of Denver Rescue Mission

Director of Communications: Christine Gallamore • Designer: Kirstin Hamrick • Writer: Nicole Vaiana

P.O. Box 5164 • Denver, CO 80217 • 303.297.1815 www.DenverRescueMission.org

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