Changing Lives Newsletter July 2014

122 Years of Service

DenverRescueMission.org

July 2014

GIVING AND RECEIVING

OME ELP C MY H

THE LORD, S FROM

E AV E ADE H M O WH

N A N D E A RT H .

PSALM

121:2 (E SV)

WHEN CINDY ADOPTED PJ,

HE HAD JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ANGELMAN SYNDROME, A GENETIC DISORDER THAT IS OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED AS CEREBRAL PALSY. CINDY HAS HUMBLY SERVED DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED PEOPLE FOR AS LONG AS SHE CAN REMEMBER. BUT SHE NEVER THOUGHT THAT SHE WOULD BE THE ONE ASKING FOR HELP.

The water is PJ’s favorite place to be. It’s the only place in the world where he can walk on his own.

GIVING AND RECEIVING

A L FA M I LY, BE A TYPIC Y NOT A M J P AND CREDIBLE ONE. CINDY ETTY IN

HEY BUT T

PR ARE A

Cindy adopted PJ when he was just eight years old.

He was one of her students back then, and when she found out he was in foster care and available for adoption, she instantly knew she wanted him to be her son. “I never got married and never had my own kids, and had given up on the fact that I would. I was 36, and felt like I was running out of time. My mom warned me that I was making a lifetime commitment, but I was just ready. I wanted to be a mother,” Cindy remembers.

After much skepticism and caution from friends and family, Cindy officially adopted PJ on April 14th, 1995. They were a team from day one, doing everything together and living life as mother and son. Cindy continued substitute teaching while PJ attended public school. Until he turned 21. “Our allocated money from the government dropped significantly when PJ turned 21. He was only in a day program three days a week,” she explains.

Cindy continues: “I was paying more in childcare than I was bringing home, so I stopped substitute teaching. We slowly, for six years, used our savings up and got further into debt. At that point, we moved into a three bedroom apartment so I could become a host for other adults with special needs to make money.

I planned to provide respite care to parents who wanted a weekend away, or have an adult come live with us and become their care provider.”

When those plans fell through, they began living out of their van, relying on the kindness of friends for a place to sleep and shower. “It was really frustrating for me. I never regretted my decision to adopt PJ, but I had no idea why it was so rough. Everything was financial. I don’t have addiction issues or anything like that. But through it all, PJ remained stable, and I was so thankful that he found stability in me rather than in our circumstances,” Cindy says.

This wasn’t the life she pictured for herself when she adopted PJ. And it certainly wasn’t the life she thought he deserved. So Cindy began to look at supported housing options. After being turned away from countless facilities, she found the STAR program at The Crossing. She got on the waitlist and moved in less than a month later.

“My expenses were one third of what they were before we moved there. I could take a deep breath and finally save money. I concentrated on getting my debt paid off, and that really helped us,” explains Cindy.

She leaned on the staff and into the community, learning how to budget her finances and build necessary relationships. “I’m grateful for the friendships that I’ve made there. I even have a mentor now, and we will continue our relationship as PJ and I transition back into the real world. I loved the volunteers there, too. What really blessed me is the families that came down­—it’s incredible that they would devote their lives to others,” Cindy says gratefully.

One of the most difficult challenges of living at The Crossing for Cindy was learning how to ask for help.

She says: “God has really taken care of us. It’s been really humbling. I was always the one who had it together. I was a caregiver. But I came to a place where I realized, ‘I don’t have it together.’”

It was through that realization that Cindy learned how to truly depend on God and His provision in their lives.

“God did and continues to open doors. I don’t have to be in control. I’ve learned that He is here, and He is faithful,” she says.

Cindy and PJ graduated from the program in July and have already moved into their own apartment!

Cindy is equipped with new budgeting knowledge and a stronger faith in the Lord’s provision. She is looking for jobs she can do from home so she can continue to provide the care that PJ needs. She feels ready for this step into their new life and is happy to have their own space again!

To post a note of encouragement for Cindy and PJ on the Mission’s Facebook page, visit Facebook.com/DenverRescue.

THANKYOU...

FOR STANDING IN THE GAP FOR FAMILIES WHO NEED TIME TO TRANSITION FROM HOMELESSNESS TO PERMANENT HOUSING. WE COULDN’T DO WHAT WE DO WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT!

From the CEO

Denver Rescue Mission Golf Tournament

Dear Friends,

Friday, September 12th

There are all kinds of reasons for people to be homeless. Of the thousands of men, women and children who are homeless in Metro Denver, the annual Point in Time Survey taken by the city of Denver indicated these reasons for people being homeless (multiple reasons are allowed):

Come on out and hit a hole-in-one for the homeless! The cost is only $90 per person and includes registration, golf cart and a delicious lunch. The tournament will take place at the Broadlands Golf Course on Friday, September 12th.

• Lost job (43.9%)

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

• High housing costs (rent or mortgage) (31.9%) • Relationship or family breakup (28.2%) • Alcohol or substance abuse (18.9%) • Problems with landlord (5.8%) • Mental Illness (21.3%) • Illness (17.8%) • Domestic violence (11.3%) • Discharged from jail (8.9 %) • Utility costs too high (13.7%) Most people, we are told, are just two paychecks away from being homeless, or one disaster, such as a lost job, the high cost of housing, a medical emergency, or another family issue. Cindy and PJ, featured in this month’s Changing Lives, are an example of a family with very unique circumstances, and thanks to you, we were able to help them. I know that your heart will be touched by their story—mine was.

Thank you for your financial support and prayers during these summer months when people continue to need our help!

God Bless,

Brad Meuli President/CEO

Graduation The Mission celebrated the hard work of 93 individuals on Friday, May 30th, at our spring graduation ceremony!

Because of your financial investment, the dedication of our staff and the determination of these program participants, we celebrated 38 New Life Program graduates; 4 program participants who earned their GED; and 44 participants who completed their LifeSkills, Education and Career requirements. Congratulations also to the 7 STAR Transitional Program graduates. We commend all of our program participants for these accomplishments and wish them well as they embark on their new lives!

Statistics

(Fiscal Year) How You Help MAY

YTD

Meals served

39,334

545,115

Beds

23,205

234,941

Chapel attendance

2,836

21,129

Clothing (lbs.)

16,025

181,504

744

12,090

Medical

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

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

Thank you Bimbo Bakeries

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

Bimbo Bakeries USA presented a check to the Mission at a luncheon celebrating top-performing King Soopers employees from a recent in-store promotion. A special thank you to Mark Schlereth, ESPN analyst and Mission supporter, who spoke to the crowd and signed autographs.

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.

Did you know that you can make every dollar of your donations to the Mission go further by signing up for our Community Table monthly giving program? By joining, you enable us to be more efficient with your gifts and allow us to better plan for the future, providing long-term solutions for the homeless and hurting in Denver. You’ll receive limited mailings each year, including a copy of Changing Lives accompanied by a letter of sincerest thanks from key staff members. Want to learn more?

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.

Visit DenverRescueMission.org/monthlygiving.

Your support truly humbles us as we help provide vital services for those who need it most!

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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