Changing Lives September 2013

121 Years of Service

DenverRescueMission.org

September 2013

Finding Normal commands; I believe in your d now teach me goo owledge. judgment and kn Psalm 119:66 (NLV)

LOOK inside to see how your donations make a difference!

Chelsea tragically lost her mother to cancer when she was only 9 months old.

Though growing up with a single parent presents challenges, Chelsea and her dad have formed an unbreakable bond. “Sometimes he doubts himself and his parenting. But he's doing a good job. A lot of people compliment me on my personality and he should know that's because of him,� says Chelsea with a smile.

Paul explains, “I think The Crossing and this experience have added to my faith. I don't feel as isolated. When we became homeless, it was a very lonely moment. I love Chelsea, but she's not an adult. It helped a lot to be able to sit down and talk to people who were in a similar situation. I got that sense of belonging when we came here."

Chelsea has at least two meals each day in The Crossing Café. She wakes up each morning to have a nutritious breakfast with her dad before school starts. “We eat less fast food now. Because we have a meal plan here, I can eat even when my dad is still at work."

Each day Chelsea comes to Reading and Writing Club to get help with her homework. She sometimes helps other younger kids when they need it or she simply reads. “Reading and Writing Club helps me with math a lot. It makes school easier. When I don't know how to do something I feel lost, but the tutors walk me through problems. They don't do it for me; they help me with it.”

Finding Normal

Chelsea is a typical teenager. She loves to sing, hang out with her friends, play piano, and listen to country music. But for the last nine months, her life has been less than normal.

“In January, my dad was working for this guy, and he never got paid,” says Chelsea.

When the expected checks didn’t come in the mail, Chelsea’s dad Paul began to worry.

“We got an eviction notice,” remembers Chelsea. Paul found an organization that would give them shelter in different churches each week, but they both knew that wasn’t a permanent solution. It was the first time in Chelsea’s life that she didn’t have stability, and she was scared.

The stigma that follows homelessness isn’t exclusive to middle-aged men with substance abuse issues. As a 14-year-old, Chelsea was very aware of what the word “homeless” meant and all the implications that came with it: “I was pretty sad. I didn't want to tell anyone, and felt like I was keeping a secret from everyone,” she says.

On Saturdays, Dan donates his time and talent to provide free music lessons for any of the kids that live at The Crossing.

Chelsea has been taking piano lessons throughout the summer and is excited to be able to play and sing at the same time. “I want to do something in the talent show at school this year!”

Chelsea’s favorite part of the Youth Center is the Wednesday night Bible study, Remix. All the kids over the age of 12 are welcome to attend. They read stories from the Bible and try to find practical ways to apply it to their everyday lives. “I like the lessons they teach because I learn about God, and I get answers to a lot of my questions.”

Once a week Chelsea meets with her mentor, Jenny. “I wanted a mentor because I felt like I needed somebody that I could hang out with to get away from all the stuff that pushes me down mentally. It’s like having a big sister. The biggest thing for me here is the people. I'm doing things I probably wouldn't do if we hadn't ended up here. I'm really shy.

But I've opened up a lot since being here.”

Chelsea recalls when they first came to The Crossing: “I felt like I was far away from everyone. I felt cut off from my friends and family.” But that changed when she discovered all the Denver Broncos Youth Center had to offer: “When I'm in the Youth Room, I feel happy. I feel like these people are nice, and I can have a normal time as a kid. I feel like my burdens are off when I'm in there.”

She spends most of her time at The Crossing in the Youth Center now. She's taken advantage of all the programs and activities and says she finds herself thriving.

Chelsea’s dad has a goal to be in their own housing by October, just in time for her birthday. “I’m sure I’m going to miss this place when we leave, but I’m excited to have my own room. We’ll have a new start and a new chance. Life will be normal again,” Chelsea sighs with a smile. Chelsea and Paul will be in our prayers as they transition into life away from The Crossing next month!

It's Only because of your support that we are able to serve children and families in need. Please use the enclosed Coupon to help families like chelsea and Paul overcome struggles and find normal!

From the CEO Dear Friends,

There is one statistic that haunts me when it comes to the youth we work with: Children who have lived in poverty and are not reading proficiently in third grade are about three times more likely to dropout or fail to graduate from high school than those who have never been poor.* This does not help break the cycle of poverty; it is a recipe for disaster. This is why programs like our Reading and Writing Club and the tutors who assist our youth in the Bronco Youth Center at The Crossing are so important.

It is not lost on our staff and volunteers that we are battling for the futures of these kids—their very lives are at stake. I think about my own life and how much positive role models like adult youth leaders, teachers, coaches, and others who took the time to care meant to me. Our youth staff and volunteers ask questions like, "How are you doing?” and “How can I help you?" They encourage kids with: "I am so proud of you,” and “You can do it,” or “You are awesome!”

They let them know that God loves them and that he has a plan for their lives.

There is a thin line between success and failure, between a life of poverty or "living the dream."

Our kids are straddling that line, and what we do right now is critical if they are going to go in the right direction. You can make a difference in the lives of these young people today. Please consider a financial gift or volunteering as a tutor to give our kids a chance…to partner with us in breaking the cycle of poverty.

Thank you in advance for your help!

God Bless,

Brad Meuli, President/CEO

*Double Jeopardy, Professor Donald Hernandez, Hunter College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York and Senior Advisor, Foundation for Child Development. Published by The Annie E. Casey Foundation.

BBQ at The Crossing On September 7th, Cherry Hills Community Church served up food and fun at The Crossing for Denver Rescue Mission’s program participants and their families. Thank you to Cisco Foods and Good Times Frozen Custard for providing the delicious meal! And thank you to Cherry Hills for diligently serving Denver’s homeless community!

7th Annual Turkey Chase 5K Join us on Thanksgiving Day, November 28th, for the 2013 Turkey Chase 5K benefiting Denver Rescue Mission! Your participation in this fun-filled family event will help provide holiday meals to men, women and children in need. The Turkey Chase is open to all ages and abilities.

For more information or to register, please visit DenverRescueMission.org/TurkeyChase2013.

An Evening of Exploration Denver Rescue Mission invites you to an Evening of Exploration, an event that is dedicated to discovering beauty in unexpected places.

The Wildlife Experience Friday, November 1st 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Silent Auction & Social Hour 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Dinner, Program & Testimonies This year’s event will feature testimonies from Don Fulbright, Harvest Farm graduate; Krystol Swank, Champa House graduate; David Bloom, long-time friend and volunteer of the Mission; and a few words from special guest and Denver Bronco, David Bruton!

To purchase tickets and for more information, please visit DenverRescueMission.org/EveningOfExploration2013.

Mission Events

Statistics

An Evening of Exploration

How You Help

The Wildlife Experience 10035 Peoria Street Parker, CO 80134 Friday, November 1st 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Silent Auction & Social Hour 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Dinner, Program & Testimonies

JULY

YTD

Meals served

37,855

37,855

Beds

18,081

18,081

Chapel attendance

5,003

5,003

Food boxes distributed

89

89

Furniture (households)

37

37

Clothing (lbs.)

18,979

18,979

Chiropractic

64

64

Dental

169

169

Medical

578

578

Optical

322

322

To purchase tickets and for more information, please visit DenverRescueMission.org/EveningOfExploration2013.

11th Annual Harvest Farm Fall Festival & Corn Maze Harvest Farm 4240 E. County Road 66 Wellington, CO 80549 October 4th through 27th Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

(Fiscal Year)

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

For more information, please visit HarvestFarm.net.

New Legacy Brochure Ask for a free copy of our new brochure: “Becoming the Person God Made You To Be”  Check the box on the enclosed reply card to receive your copy.

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

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

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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