Fort Collins Rescue Mission Changing Lives

FortCollinsRescueMission.org

August 2013

D I sco v er i ng a N e w L if e …Take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.

Ephesians 4:22 (The Message)

“I love the work therapy because it's helping me find out who I am and what I can do. I don't think I realized before how much I loved cooking,” says Betty.

D I sco v er i ng a Ne w L if e

“April is going to sit down and help me create a budget. It will help me not spend money in the wrong ways. I used to buy stuff that I really didn't need but that I wanted. Now, I only buy what I absolutely need,” explains Betty.

Betty was addicted to spending money. It was as simple as that. “I made some bad choices as far as my finances were concerned. I was living on disability checks and got behind on my rent.

When I was down on myself or lonely, I would fill that void by spending money,” she says.

Betty learned she had more to work through. When arthritis in her knees and ankles kept her restricted to home, she felt bored and lonely. She tried to keep busy, which often led to shopping online. “No one ever taught me how to budget money, and if I had it, I spent it,” Betty says. When she couldn’t afford her rent and her adult children were no longer speaking to her, she came to Fort Collins Rescue Mission.

The void began for Betty at a young age. She grew up in an abusive home and lost her mother as a young child.

“I came here and said, “I came here and said, ‘I’m going to fix It wasn’t until she ‘I’m going to fix this. this. Things are going to get better,’” spent time with Things are going to Betty recalling her determination. another family that get better,’” Betty she realized how much her childhood affected her says recalling her determination. She was happy to life. “I grew up thinking that abuse happened in all move into the Mission because of the Christ-based homes. Living with my friend, I realized what a real program. “I'm 51 years old, and I came here starting family was, and I started dealing with the abuse,” over. I also started over with the Lord. I rededicated Betty remembers. my life,” she says.

Through lots of therapy, she was able to gain enough independence to move into her own place. But then

Part of the process of starting over for Betty has continued...

Fr om t he C EO Dear Friends, I love that we offer hope at Fort Collins Rescue Mission. Hope that results in a second chance, in a new life. We believe that no one is ever too old to change. Why do we believe that? Because we know that Jesus has the power to restore people's lives, to pull them out of addiction and poverty, to help them become productive, self-sufficient citizens. It is happening right now at our mission.

The story about 51-year-old Betty in this issue of Changing Lives is not an uncommon one. She knew she wanted to change and did not want to continue living like she was. She has started over, rededicating herself to the Lord, seeking a

new life. A new life filled with hope and guidance from staff members like April. Thanks to friends like you, we have been able to offer this opportunity to her. This is her chance at a new beginning. Thank you for coming alongside us in this great work. There are a lot of “Bettys” out there looking for hope, and we want to invite them in.

God Bless,

Brad Meuli, President/CEO Denver Rescue Mission/Fort Collins Rescue Mission

Discovering a New Life continued been discovering her passions. Through work therapy at the Mission, she’s been spending time in the kitchen. “I thought I couldn’t do anything because of my arthritis. But after coming here, I realized that the more I'm on my feet, the better I feel. I love cooking. They love my scrambled eggs here—I'm getting famous for them!” Betty chuckles.

She delights in kitchen work so much that she’s planning to attend culinary school. In the meantime, Betty enjoys having her kids back in her life, taking classes on Wednesday nights at the Mission and attending chapel services every evening. “I enjoy those because it’s helped me have a closer walk with the Lord and learn more about him,” says Betty.

To post a note of encouragement for Betty on the Mission's Facebook page, visit Facebook.com/FortCollinsRescue.

Greatest Needs:

“As soon as I finish this program, I want to find a full-time job working in a kitchen,” Betty declares with excitement.

Statistics: How You Help Change Lives

• • • • •

Paper Towels Toilet Paper Soap Razors Bath Towels

JUNE

Please consider donating any of the following items:

Meals Served

Beds

Chapel Attendance

Churches Involved

5,139

1,984

700

23

Please contact Heather Pulley for exact descriptions of “big item” needs or for other questions at HPulley@FortCollinsRescue.org.

Changing Lives is a news publication of Fort Collins Rescue Mission.

Director: Jim Carmack Director of Communications: Christine Gallamore Designer: Rachel Vigil Writer: Rachel Greiman | 316 Jefferson Street • Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 • 970.224.4302

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DI sco v er i n g a N e w L if e When we think of addiction, alcohol and drugs may be the first things that come to mind. But addiction can take many forms—all equally pervasive. Betty knew that addiction could take over her life—alcohol had consumed her father’s. So she avoided alcohol at all costs. She was blindsided when she realized another addiction had taken root....

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