Denver Rescue Mission July e-newsletter

121 Years of Service

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July 2013

AK E R B theING CYCLE

Joseph and Rhonda are pictured here with three of their four children, their daughter-in-law, Joseph’s grandmother, and three grandchildren: (L to R) Joseph Jr., Joseph, Nick, Jazzmin, Jarred, Jessica, Miceala, Rhonda, Mary, Annabelle, and Trinity.

The Coronado family is enjoying life as a true unit for the first time in many years.

“It’s been a nice re-do. Everybody learned what it meant to be a family. It’s just part of the growth that brought us all together. We’re doing a lot of cycle-breaking,” says Joseph.

AK E R B theING CYCLE Joseph and Rhonda enrolled in the STAR Transitional Program at The Crossing in November 2011 after 22 years of marriage. They needed something affordable for themselves and their youngest daughter, Jazzmin. They were also seeking help for Joseph’s alcoholism and their relationship after years of growing apart.

“We raised five children together.

I ran my own business and gave the other part of my life to alcohol. Rhonda was there for the kids all the time. Too many years of that finally caught up to us. We let the problems we acquired sit on the back burner,” explains Joseph.

He continues: “Eventually, I couldn’t work anymore. I was addicted. For years, we moved each month, not being able to pay rent. My wife couldn’t pay the bills by herself. We ended up in hotels. We had nowhere to go.”

When they moved into The Crossing, they were assigned case managers they could talk to about resources.

But for Rhonda, it was much more.

She developed a close relationship

Joseph sees learning opportunities not only for himself, but for his children as well.

“What we're doing will

be a positive influence on our kids,” he says.

with Yolanda, a STAR Transitional Program case manager. Yolanda was able to speak some hard truth into Rhonda’s life when she needed it most. “She always gave support and the right words.

Whether I needed to hear ‘You can do it!’ or ‘What are you doing?,’ she would tell me,” says Rhonda.

Throughout counseling and weekly meetings, both Rhonda and Joseph realized that a lot of their problems stemmed from their childhoods.

Rhonda had an alcoholic mother who left when she was six. Joseph didn’t get along with his stepfather and he left his home at the age of 14. When they met, they buried their old lives to try to start a new one.

“It was only five months from the time we shared the first puff of a cigarette until the Justice of the Peace. We were kids,” says Joseph.

Though they had struggles, they stuck together. Both were focused on giving their children a different sense of family than they experienced. They wanted to break the cycle of separation

they saw in their own childhoods and have a family that communicates.

Jazzmin learned to do just that in the Denver Broncos Youth Center at The Crossing.

“Before we lived there, I was shy and to myself. I didn’t want anyone to talk to me. I felt ashamed. But now I’m willing to convey my experience. It’s a part of my life, so why change it?” says Jazzmin. She sees a similar change in her parents: “I can celebrate our understanding of one another. Their fights don’t escalate like they used to.”

They achieved this closeness by first working on themselves as individuals and then putting the pieces together as a family.

Rhonda says: “Being at The Crossing helped me recognize the fact that something needed to be done. I've been depressed my entire life—I started to work on that while getting counseling because of Joseph's addictions.” Joseph agrees: “I had problems stemming from my youth that were never found. The Crossing helped with identifying more personal issues than just my alcoholism.”

“I truly enjoyed working with the Coronado family. They were true to their word and purposefully implemented changes in their lives to better their future. I pray for God’s continued blessing and grace upon their lives,” says Yolanda, pictured here with the Coronado family.

And they both acknowledge that there are obstacles on the road to recovery and stability. “But if it wasn't for The Crossing, we wouldn't be this far in the process. We were trying the same pattern over and over again.

Now we are communicating. I feel hope. Two years ago, there was no hope,” says Rhonda. They also built their faith together, “I trust more in God now. I don't try to control situations anymore. I learned that at The Crossing. It’s in His hands, not ours,” she says.

Joseph is trying to get his business back, doing interior painting and muraling. “It’s going to be a family business this time,” says Joseph, who hopes to hire his older sons as he schedules more jobs. “I'm looking forward to the day that I can hand Rhonda the keys to her house. When we got married, I promised her I would help her raise her kids, I

would buy her a house, and I would always be there for her. I haven't given up on my promises,” he says.

Joseph and Rhonda graduated from the STAR Transitional Program in November 2012. They have been in their own apartment for seven months, growing closer all the time. Two of their sons and Joseph’s grandmother moved into the apartment below them, giving them even more community to thrive in.

Jazzmin is playing competitive softball, and her games double as family time with her parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews gathering on the sidelines to cheer her on. “Now we’re always together, as a family. We got closer as we were falling apart,” Jazzmin says.

To post a note of encouragement for the Coronado family on the Mission's Facebook page, visit Facebook.com/DenverRescue.

Jazzmin won MVP at a tournament on her birthday in June. Her parents cheered her on while she hit the only home run of the game.

From the CEO Dear Friends, I am so grateful! I know that many of you followed our fundraising bike ride from Denver to Phoenix for the Association of Gospel Rescue Mission’s 100th Anniversary Conference.

We called it Break the Cycle—900 Miles Against Hunger. Well, we made it! After 11 days of riding our bikes into the wind, over passes, through deserts and busy cities, hearing BIG trucks and cars alike go zooming past us, trying to race ahead of barking dogs, experiencing 17 flats and 6 blown tires, we pulled up to our hotel in Phoenix on June 10th, where the conference was just beginning. There to meet us was a small but encouraging group of supporters who had signs and cheered us on in. It’s hard to believe the adventure is over!

Someone asked me what I would remember most about Break the Cycle. My answer came easily—the men I rode with and the guys who were our support team: Brian, Ryan, Josh, Tom, Kyle, Pierce, and Tanner. I was humbled to see their sacrifice and determination to help others by riding for the hundreds of hungry folks that we serve daily at Denver Rescue Mission. But mostly, I appreciated their willingness to help me finish! Riding a bike 900 miles through three states is hard, much harder than I thought it would be. And let's face it, I am not 24 years old anymore!

Getting up early every morning to ride no matter what was made easier by these men and their determination. I am thankful to them for their courage and commitment.

I will never forget our journey together.

In the end, God reminded me that this ride was a lot like life—sometimes we ride into a head wind and up steep passes, over roads we have never seen, often plagued with fear and disappointment that leaves us wondering if we will ever make it. At other times, we ride downhill with a tail wind blowing and people cheering us on as we arrive at our destination! I hope that our efforts have given the people in our programs a chance at a tailwind!

If you followed our journey, thank you for allowing us to share it with you. If you donated money to sponsor this event and help the poor, thank you for that, too. We so appreciate each of you, and want you to know that we reached our goal of providing 20,000 meals! As I close, I cannot help but be reminded that God has given us this great adventure called life, and through the sacrifice of his son Jesus, the opportunity to live it to the fullest. I cannot imagine living life any other way!

God Bless,

Brad Meuli, President/CEO

Break the Cycle

On May 31st, five Denver Rescue Mission employees including Brad Meuli and one board member started their journey from Denver to Phoenix for Break the Cycle—900 Miles Against Hunger. The riders made it to Phoenix on June 10th. We are pleased to say they exceeded their goal of raising enough money to provide 20,000 meals for the homeless and hungry, with a grand total of $42,999! That’s 22,395 meals! Thank you for supporting their journey, and a special thanks to our sponsors FirstBank, Russ Reid Company and Venture Sports.

You made this possible!

Placement: Back/Top/Middle At Size: 10”w x 7.3”h

Congratulations, Graduates!

On Friday, May 24th, the Mission celebrated the hard-earned achievements of graduates who successfully completed various academic and program requirements.

Thanks to your faithful support, we are happy to announce there were 24 New Life Program graduates; 11 program participants who earned their GED; and 60 participants who completed their LifeSkills, Education and Career requirements. Congratulations also to the two program participants graduating from our STAR Transitional Program at The Crossing. We commend all of our graduates for their hard work and dedication, and wish them well as they embark on their new lives!

Mission Events

Statistics

Denver Rescue Mission Golf Tournament

May

YTD

Meals served

44,347

511,146

Beds

23,288

259,333

Chapel attendance

7,831

73,026

Food boxes distributed

93

2,078

Furniture (households)

2

341

Clothing (lbs.)

18,871

195,982

Chiropractic

111

728

Dental

151

1,612

Friday, September 6th 7:30 a.m. Shotgun Start Come on out and hit a hole-in-one for the hungry and homeless! The cost is only $90 per person and includes registration, a golf cart and a delicious lunch. The tournament will take place at the Broadlands Golf Course on Friday, September 6th.

(Fiscal Year)

How You Help

For more information, please contact Lisette at 303.313.2414 or LWilliams@DenRescue.org.

Medical

576

8,128

Optical

238

3,494

Our Outreaches

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

Fourth Annual Harvest Farm 5K: The Boot Scoot Harvest Farm (Wellington, CO) Saturday, September 7th 8:00 a.m. Registration 9:00 a.m. Race kick-off

Fort Collins Rescue Mission: Emergency care: meals, overnight shelter; and transitional program.

To register, please visit DenverRescueMission.org/ BootScoot5k.

For more information, please contact Ann at 303.313.2454 or ASchlesinger@DenRescue.org.

Women Who’ve Changed the Heart of the City The Brown Palace Hotel Friday, September 27th 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

To purchase tickets, please visit DenverRescueMission.org/WWCHC2013.

For more information, please contact Ann at 303.313.2454 or ASchlesinger@DenRescue.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 program for New Life graduates and homeless families, temporary housing for interns and visitors.

Ministry Outreach Center: Warehouse facilities; food, clothing and household goods distribution.

Family Services: Transitional program; 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: Rachel Vigil Writer: Rachel Greiman P.O. Box 5164 • Denver, CO 80217 • 303.297.1815

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