Denver Rescue Mission E-newsletter June 2011

119 Years of Service

www.DenverRescueMission.org

June 2011

The average length of a typical job search is 24.9 weeks.*

How long does it take when you’re homeless?

Homelessness and unemployment thrive off one another.

Thank you for helping the Mission provide the less fortunate with ob and life skills that will get them off the streets and on the path to career success.

From

Work Therapy to the Real World I

nterviewing for a job or clocking in for work is often the furthest thing from the minds of homeless men and women entering our New Life Program. For some, drugs and alcohol have left them broken, unable to hold down a job for more than a few months. Others have simply never developed the skills to carve out a career path and become self-sufficient.

When they come to us for help, we see more than people caught in the cycle of poverty and unemployment—we

see potential. How do we bring out this potential? By involving them in Work Therapy, an integral part of the New Life Program. Work Therapy gives participants the opportunity to experience healthy work environments, form a good work ethic and obtain marketable job skills they can use in the real world. Daily tasks, such as working the front desk at The Crossing or taking care of livestock at Harvest Farm, help instill discipline, structure and confidence in residents as they look toward obtaining future employment.

Donald

A dimly lit bathroom in the middle of a farm is an unlikely place to start a new life, let alone a career, but that’s exactly where Donald’s story begins. After 35 years of drug abuse, the 52-year-old was looking to make amends at the Mission’s Harvest Farm outreach.

When his severe allergies limited his work therapy duties, he found purpose giving fellow residents haircuts atop milk crates in a tiny Farm bathroom.

Soon, he decided to pursue his newfound passion, and was transferred to The Crossing to be closer to barber school. In between classes at Emily Griffith Opportunity School and his program duties, Donald set up a “miniature barber shop” in a rest room at The Crossing, polishing the looks of program participants as they went on job interviews or attended church. He was soon granted permission to substitute his flourishing “business” as his work therapy, and is now a licensed barber at the same neighborhood shop he went to growing up.

“My work therapy allowed me to provide a service to other guys in the program and helped me with what I was going to school for at the same time,” Donald says happily. “I’m just so thankful I’ve been able to use the talent God gave me in a positive way; my chaplain (Danny Major) has even been in my chair a few times!” ~ Donald

...hard work brings rewards.

Proverbs 12:14 NLT

Casey

When Casey began her work therapy at the Mission’s Ministry Outreach Center (MOC) three years ago, it was like stepping into another world. Instead of days that began with drugs and ended in domestic abuse, the Champa House graduate refined her accounting skills with the help of employees who saw potential in the bright young mother.

“The Mission paid for me to go to the Accounting and Business School of the Rockies, and my work study was in the Mission’s accounting department,” Casey explains. “Just seeing what real business people do with their life everyday—showing up to work on time, what they wear, how they act—it was all new to me.”

Casey quickly adjusted to her role at MOC, reconciling bank statements for the Mission’s outreaches and learning the role diligence plays in the workplace. “The people I worked with were so patient and taught me to have determination even if I’m struggling,” Casey says. “It was amazing.”

“Harvest Farm gave me so much. I’m thankful for my blessings each day and to have a job where I can serve others.” ~ James

James

For better or worse, James’ life has always revolved around food. Cooking lessons with his father sparked his desire to be a chef. His addiction to drugs and Now employed as a default specialist at a local law firm, alcohol began while working in the food industry, Casey is thankful for the fulfillment and responsibilities and his healing came through serving hundreds of meals to fellow recovering addicts at Harvest Farm. associated with her new position.

Ironically, it was while receiving a food box that James finally felt the need to turn his life around. “I remember “My son has always counted on me, but having getting a food box at this church in Lubbock, and this people count on me at work is something I’ve deacon looked at me and said, ‘You don’t belong here,’” never experienced before. It feels really good, James recalls.

and I can apply everything I learned in work therapy to my actual workplace!” ~ Casey

After enrolling at Harvest Farm, James found himself back in the kitchen, fulfilling his work therapy duties as a cook for the Farm’s staff and residents. Somewhere between the 120 meals he prepared each day, Bible study and the support of Chaplain Art Herrera, James rediscovered his love of cooking, and of life. “My work therapy reawakened my passion for cooking and really made me realize what a talent I had for it,” James says proudly. Not long after graduating from the program, James found employment at the Rocky Mountain Inn in Estes Park, where he is now the head banquet chef.

Thank you for giving program participants the resources to nurture untapped talents and dreams, and become productive and valued members of the work force.

From the CEO Dear Friends, One of the things we talk a lot about at the Denver Rescue Mission is our goal of changing lives in the name of Christ. You never really know whose life might be changed, just who it is that you might impact. Many of our volunteers tell me they believe their own lives and hearts have been impacted more by volunteering at the Mission than the people they were serving!

This got me thinking about some of our former staff, who trained with us and have left the Denver Rescue Mission to impact people all over the world. Just a small list of these former staff include: • Shawn Cox, Bread of Life African Ministries, an orphanage in Uganda • Eunice Kariuki, Tumaini Ministries, an orphanage in Kenya • Tom Matushka and LeAnn DeRemer, Asian Hope, an orphanage and school in Cambodia • Jon Gettings, Denver Community Church, Denver • De Ann Acosta, Colorado Oral-Deaf Pre-School, Denver • Kevin Mann, American Water Works Association, Denver • Adrian Davis, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, Denver • Sara Maier (Alonzo), The Bowery Mission, New York, NY It is humbling to see how God is using these people. I am reminded that our work is not just about helping the poor and needy in Denver; God has allowed our people to go to many different organizations all over the world, where they will undoubtedly have the opportunity to impact people from many walks of life.

Even though it may be difficult when a staff member leaves, our plan is to keep training and encouraging our employees to touch the world with the love of Jesus wherever they may be!

God bless,

Brad Meuli

Thanks for a Great Easter Banquet!

On Good Friday, April 22nd, the Mission offered a hot Easter meal to 650 hungry men, women and children at our annual Easter Banquet. Volunteers of America conducted the worship service, as well as graciously provided 700 pairs of socks to complement the 650 pairs of shoes donated by Runners Roost and New Balance. More than 60 guests enjoyed having tired feet washed by volunteers and checked by on-site doctors from Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center, who also sponsored the event and donated foot-washing supplies. Thank you to our wonderful sponsors and volunteers who helped make Easter special for the hurting in our community!

Hit a Home Run Against Hunger!

Join the Colorado Rockies, King Soopers and the Denver Rescue Mission for the “Hit a Home Run Against Hunger” campaign. Please bring non-perishable canned food items to the Rockies vs. Dodgers game on Thursday, June 9th to help feed the poor and hungry in our community.

You can also make a monetary donation when you check out at any King Soopers store in the Denver Metro Area from June 1st through June 30th.

Thank you for helping the Mission “Hit a Home Run Against Hunger!”

For more information, please call Lisette at 303.313.2414, or email her at lwilliams@denrescue.org.

Summer of Hope

Summer can be a very discouraging time of year for the hungry and homeless, but you can help! Participate in this year’s Summer of Hope campaign now through August, and help the Mission provide shelter, meals and life-changing programs all summer long! For more information, please visit www.DenverRescueMission.org/soh.

* http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2009/09/average_job_hunt_ gets_shorter.html

Statistics

Mission Events Denver Rescue Mission Golf Tournament Friday, September 9th Broadlands Golf Course 7:30 a.m. Shotgun Start Come out and hit a hole-in-one for the hungry and homeless! The cost is only $90 per person and includes registration, golf cart and a delicious lunch. Player spots are still available! For more information, please call Lisette at 303.313.2414, or email her at lwilliams@denrescue.org.

How You Help

April

YTD 171,889 61,058 28,129 414 396 70,047 93 598 1,272 208 760

Meals served 43,411 Beds 15,274 Chapel attendance 6,645 Food boxes distributed 152 Furniture (households) 112 Clothing (lbs.)

31,523 Chiropractic 21 Dental 149 Medical 352 Optical

Outreaches Where in Kansas is Brad Meuli? Our Lawrence Street Shelter Help support Mission President and CEO Brad Meuli as he participates in the Bike Across Kansas ride June 3rd– June11th. His goal throughout the 475 mile ride is to raise $19,200—the cost of serving 10,000 meals at the Mission. To track Brad’s progress and make a contribution, please visit www.DenverRescueMission.org/bike now and throughout the race!

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

Champa House

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

Harvest Farm

Community Support Non-Profit of the Match! Show your support for the Mission and cheer on the Colorado Rapids Sunday, July 3rd, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park! Tickets for the 7 p.m. game and Colorado’s largest fireworks show afterward are available for $25, exclusively for Mission supporters. Five dollars from every ticket purchased at www.pepsicenter.com/groups/rapids/ DenverRescueMission will help end hunger and homelessness in our community!

Your Lucky Deals selected the Denver Rescue Mission as one of four charities to support over the next two months through its daily deals service. Your Lucky Deals is strongly committed to supporting local charities. When you purchase a deal, choose the Denver Rescue Mission upon checkout, and Your Lucky Deals will personally donate 10% of the daily deal proceeds. Please visit www.yourluckydeals.com to learn more and sign up for email updates for deals at great local businesses.

To learn more about community events and partnerships benefiting the Denver Rescue Mission, please visit DenverRescueMission.org/community-partners.

Go to http://on.fb.me/b3v4bf to post a note of encouragement for Donald, Casey or James on the Mission's Facebook fan page.

Long-term New Life rehabilitation program, farming and ranching operation, food and clothing distribution, youth camp and maze.

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

Publications Manager: 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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