Changing Lives Newsletter March 2015

12 3 Y E A R S O F S E R V I C E

MERCY

GooD

Restoring

Hope

IN HIS GREAT MERCY HE HAS GIVEN US NEW BIRTH ... INTO AN INHERITANCE THAT CAN NEVER PERISH, SPOIL OR FADE. 1 PETER 1:3-4

LOVE

fOUND

MERCY

COMPASSION

March 2015

LOVE HOPE

DenverRescueMission.org

(NIV)

MERCY

COMPASSION

Letter from the CEO

Groundbreaking: Lawrence Street Community Center On January 27, the Mission celebrated the groundbreaking for the Lawrence Street Community Center, scheduled for completion in late 2015. Joined by Mayor Michael B. Hancock and community leaders, we took some time to pray over the land and look toward the positive solutions this new center will provide for the homeless.

Rachel Washington joined us as a special guest and led us in singing a worship medley. Thank you for helping us better serve our city.

Join us in prayer as the Lawrence Street Community Center is built this year.

Dear Friends, I just finished reading Jeff Manion’s book, Satisfied, Discovering Contentment in a World of Consumption.

Jeff ’s book challenged me to look beyond the material things of this consumer driven world we live in to what is really important in this life—to loving God and loving my neighbor as myself. Jeff writes: Are you open to the prospect that it is possible to experience the presence and goodness of God more profoundly when our hearts are broken and our lives interrupted? What if our Father, Creator, and Healer is still there when all else is stripped away? In dark times we may learn to love God for himself and not simply for his gifts. He’s with you even when you get emptied out.

He is with you and he is enough. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you.

I can think of no one who understands more clearly what it means to have “all else stripped away” than someone who is homeless and comes to us for help.

More than once I have heard a man in our New Life Program say, “I have tried everything else and it has not worked. Now I am even willing to try Jesus.”

And here is the good news: He is enough! When all is gone—when we have been emptied of possessions and our pride—and when our lives are broken, Jesus is still there, reaching out to us with his powerful love.

Our Easter Banquet is such a great reminder of that as we feed the hungry, wash the feet of the poor and give out shoes and socks to cover their feet. Perhaps most importantly of all, volunteers are offering their time and talents to serve others and let them know how much they are loved.

Presidents’ Day Serving Event Thank you Community Partners for serving with us!

This Easter season, please join me in remembering that He is enough, and He will never leave us or forsake us. Join us in Restoring Hope!

God Bless,

Brad Meuli President/CEO

(L to R) Dave Schunk, Denver Rescue Mission; Griff Freyschlag, Denver Rescue Mission; Dick Monfort, Colorado Rockies; Matt Hutchings, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment; Deb Dowling, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment; Shaun Yancey, PCL Construction Enterprises, Inc.; Penny Larson, CenturyLink; Kelly Brough, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce; Jim Kellogg, Colorado Rockies; Brad Meuli, Denver Rescue Mission; Jeremy Stubbs, Denver Rescue Mission. Not pictured: Jeff Bacheller, Real Property Management; Greg Bacheller, Real Property Management; Jamie Whyte, Intrepid Potash

This

Easter,

WE PRAY THE LOV E OF JES US WI LL SHI NE EVE R BR IGH TER THR OU GH THE GIF TS OF A ME AL AN D HU MB LE SER VIC E TO OU R HOM ELE SS FRI EN DS AN D NE IGH BOR S.

Y C M ER

O N FRIDAY, APRIL 3, THE MISSION WILL H O LD A SPECIAL EASTER BANQUET AND CELEBRATION FOR THE HOMELESS AND NEEDY AT O UR LAWRENCE STREET SHELTER.

fOUND

Hope

M ERCY

estoring

LOVE

RESTOR E D

HO P ER

D H o Go OPE

THE EASTER BANQUET IS A WELCOME CELEBRATION for our often overlooked homeless and needy neighbors. During the meal, Volunteers of America will host a special Easter service in our chapel and offer our guests the opportunity to take communion.

At the Last Supper, Jesus gave an example of serving one another by washing his disciples' feet. At the Mission’s Easter Banquet, staff and volunteers will follow Jesus' example by washing the feet of Denver’s most needy. Social and economic barriers will wash away as each guest is served by the community through this simple act of compassion.

This year, Runners Roost is donating more than 600 new pairs of shoes.

Volunteers of America is donating socks to cover the tired feet of our Easter Banquet guests. And children joining us will receive a special Easter basket!

Richard's Story

Richard came to the Easter banquet and later joined the New Life Program in 2012, and his experience was life-changing.

When I came to the Mission, I was spiritually dead and at the end of my rope. I lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for more than 20 years before coming to Denver. In 2001, I met a girl named Carol. We hit it off right away and stayed in touch after she returned to Colorado.

About a year later we got married, and I moved to Colorado.

I found a job with an in-home consulting agency installing window treatments. I stayed with them for seven years. During that time, my wife and I had a good life together. But somewhere along the line we drifted apart and finally divorced.

That’s when things became difficult.

In frustration I turned to alcohol. I drank more and more, but things just got worse. After being convicted of driving under the influence and losing my driver’s license, I also lost my job.

Before I knew it I was out of my house and on the street.

One day, someone told me about the New Life Program at Denver Rescue Mission. I had nowhere to turn and knew I needed help, so I reached out to the Mission. On July 31, 2012,

I entered the New Life Program.

While in the Program, I realized my need for physical and spiritual restoration. I had been looking for satisfaction in my marriage. When that failed, I turned to alcohol, but that only failed as well. I needed something more.

Finally, I accepted Jesus as my Savior and began to grow closer to God. As my relationship with God was restored, other things in my life began to be restored as well. I made a list of people I had harmed and called my former employer to apologize. They were receptive and even hired me again.

God restored the job I had lost! Beyond that, I’ve worked my way up to foreman and now am a lead installer.

SEND YOUR GIFT T O DAY AND HELP MAKE THE RESTORATION OF JESUS A REALITY FOR THE PEOPLE WE SERVE EVERY DAY.

I’ve also reconciled with Carol, and our friendship has been restored.

I’m becoming the person God meant for me to be and have been sober and living successfully for nearly 3 years.

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, my life and hope are being restored. I’m so thankful to the Mission for helping change my life.

Look for Richard’s story on the Mission’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/ DenverRescue.

Share his inspirational words and life change!

Mission Event

Greatest Needs

Statistics

Champa House: 2015 day-planners (5x7 or larger), size 3 diapers, 8 oz bottles, Clorox wipes, dish and hand soap. For more information, please call Amy at 303.294.9961.

How You Help

Client Services: Mattresses (twin, full and queen), furniture, blankets, diapers of all sizes, basic hygiene items, underwear and socks, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, fruit, coffee, oatmeal (bulk), tuna and canned meat, and sugar.

For more information, please call Tanner at 303.331.2934.

Easter Celebration Lawrence Street Shelter 1130 Park Avenue West Denver, CO 80205 Friday, April 3 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

To view upcoming events, please visit DenverRescueMission.org/events.

5 Smart Things You Can Do Today to Help Your Family Tomorrow  Request a free copy of our new brochure by checking the box on the enclosed reply card.

For more information, please contact Alice at 303.313.2487 or visit our website at DenverRescueMission.org/ legacygiving.

Clinic: Urgent need for volunteer optometrists and medical doctors. Volunteer dentists with dental assistants. Over-the-counter medications (Advil, Tylenol, cough drops, etc.), new reading glasses, new eyeglass frames, and eyeglass cases.

For more information, please call Melanie at 303.294.0157 x2103.

Family Rescue Ministry: Eleven mentor teams to meet with homeless families over 6 months in Lakewood, Littleton, Thornton, and Commerce City. To mentor, please call Andrew at 303.331.2902.

JANUARY

Meals provided

43,162

Lawrence Street Shelter: Canned vegetables (corn, green beans and mixed veggies), fresh produce, ground beef, potatoes, coffee, Styrofoam cups, and coffee mugs. For more information, please email Jeremy at JStubbs@ DenRescue.org.

LifeSkills, Education and Career Center: Note pads (college rule), 3-ring binders (1 to 2 inches), pencils, pens, disposable head phones, and 2015 pocket calendars. For more information, please call Mark at 303.953.3918.

The Crossing: Fresh produce for the kitchen, socks (men’s size 9-11), underwear (men’s M, L, XL, XXL), sweat pants (men and women M, L, XL, XXL), and tops and bottoms for Respite participants. For more information, please call Lisa at 303.953.3900.

291,469

Nights of shelter provided

27,836

154,289

Chapel attendance

Family Services: Mentors for homeless men, women, youth, families, and refugees. For more information, please call Tom at 303.953.3939.

Harvest Farm: Work clothing for participants: coats, pants, heavy clothing, boots (size 10-12), and gloves. Also hay, livestock feed, books, and sturdy dressers for the dorms. For more information, please call Duncan at 970.568.9803.

YTD (fiscal year)

7,175

28,131

Clothing distributed (lbs.)

26,069

152,612

Clinic services provided

2,331

11,212

Vehicle Donations: Vehicles, running or not.

For more information, please call Pierce at 303.331.2938.

Denver Rescue Mission Outreaches Lawrence Street Shelter Meals, shelter, clothing, and medical care.

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

Harvest Farm Rural rehabilitation program near Fort Collins, Colorado.

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

The Crossing Transitional program for families and rehabilitation program for men.

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

Changing Lives is the monthly news publication of Denver Rescue Mission.

Director of Communications: Christine Gallamore Designer: Rachel Vigil Writer: Robert Bogan

blog.DenverRescueMission.com

Family Services Transitional housing, assistance for permanent housing, and mentoring.

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

P.O. Box 5164 • Denver, CO 80217 • 303.297.1815