2016 February Caringplace Newsletter

the

CARING PLACE

Formerly Homeless Men and Women Graduate in Cap and Gown at Marlins Stadium.

Your Support Makes this Possible!

MIAMI RESCUE MISSION BROWARD OUTREACH CENTERS Mission Hope - pg. 3 >> Graduation - pg. 4 >> Youth Fair - pg. 7 >> Lisa’s Story - pg. 8 SERVING SOUTH FLORIDA SINCE 1922

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

MIAMI

RESCUE MISSION

&

BROWARD OUTREACH

CENTE RS

our vision our mission No One is Homeless

Transform the lives of homeless men, women, and children through comprehensive residential programs to effect lasting change and empower them to be productive members of society. We provide food, clothing, shelter, substance abuse treatment, education, computer literacy, job placement, healthcare, spiritual development and housing with Christian love, compassion, and encouragement.

NO SUCH THING AS IMPOSSIBLE I’m very thankful for everyone who has donated financially, volunteered, donated personal items, and prayed for this ministry of reaching the least, the last, and the lost. I value your compassion and generosity to help the homeless, hungry, and needy. January’s graduation celebration was a very special time of honoring men and women who have experienced transformed lives and have learned to reach for the impossible.

We serve thousands of people in great need each year, but we never lose focus on the single individual or family who comes to our Centers in Miami, Hollwood, or Pompano Beach. Each person that comes for help is experiencing a major crisis in their life. Some want to escape the trap of addiction, some are war veterans, some have come because of abuse or neglect, some have lost homes, and others just don’t have anywhere else to turn for help. Many believe that it is impossible to change. What tremendous joy to see 170 formerly homeless men and women walk the stage at Marlins Stadium in cap and gown!

Your continued support helps us help hopeless people reach for the impossible.

Together, we will help even more people experience transformed lives in 2016!

God’s Best to you and your loved ones in 2016,

Rev. Ronald Brummitt President Miami Rescue Mission Broward Outreach Centers

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Fill A Purple Bag With Hope A Mission Hope bag is a purple bag that can be filled with inexpensive, unused hygiene items.

MISSION HOPE ITEMS

Help collect basic hygiene products that people in need can use to feel better about themselves.

We know that when someone feels better, they are in a better position to make other changes in their lives such as getting involved with the education, work training, recovery, and spiritual guidance we offer at Miami Rescue Mission & Broward Outreach Centers.

Contact us and let us know how many bags you, your organization, or business will fill and we will send them out to you. For larger donations, we can arrange a pick up.

“I got our school involved and we donated over 200 Mission Hope Bags.” — Stephen, age 12

• Toothbrush/ Toothpaste • Soap/Body Wash • Shampoo • Deodorant • Wash cloth/ Towels • Brush/Comb • Toilet tissue / Wipes • Large body lotion • Disposable razors • Dress/White socks • Underwear • Mouthwash • Body/Foot powder • Baby powder

For more information, contact: Miami: MELISSA - 305.572.2002 Broward: NINA - 954.935.3048 Visit Our Websites to Order Online caringplace.org browardoutreachcenter.org miamirescuemission.org

The Miami Rescue Mission & Broward Outreach Centers are founded on Christian principles - to love God and to love others. We are also known as the Caring Place. In 2016, we want the Caring Place to also be a Praying Place. Our staff and volunteers pray for the homeless, our communities, our country, our service men and women, and so much more. If you have a prayer request please visit caringplace.org/prayer to submit your prayer or find out how you can speak to one of our staff. We are also seeking faith groups to come to one of our centers to pray for our residents and facilities.

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No Such Thing as Impossible!

On Saturday, January 23rd, 170 formerly homeless men and women graduated from the Miami Rescue Mission | Broward Outreach Centers in a cap and gown ceremony held at the Marlins Baseball Park. Hundreds of family members and friends were in the stands. The graduation marks a milestone in what has become a miraculous redemption for so many formerly homeless individuals.

The theme of this graduation was “No Such Thing as Impossible” and the graduates of 2015 have proved that to be true. These brave men and women have been through truly challenging experiences in their formerly homeless lives and despite this, have come out on top — transformed and ready to take on the world. Marlins Park served as a fun and festive backdrop to a day of moving testimonies, celebration of achievement, and words of encouragement for what lies ahead. The ceremony was opened in prayer

by Pastor David Roman of Metro Life Church.

Miami Center Director Tony Villasuso, President and CEO, Reverend Ron Brummitt, presented

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“ I can’t believe that a year ago I was living on

the streets and today I am in the Marlins Stadium. I feel so special. My family is here and they are so proud of the change in my life. This is a day I will never forget.” — Richard Claude Delorme of the Marlins with a Miami City Commissioned Proclamation plaque for their tremendous support of MRM | BOC and their involvement in the community. The Marlins have been faithful volunteers for many years and their support has been a significant blessing to the homeless and hungry of South Florida.

There was also a dance number by MAS QUE VENCEDORES (MQV) Dancers who had the crowd on their feet with hands raised by a story told through dance and mime. Priscilla Peña of Metro Life church performed a beautiful song, “No Longer Slaves”, by Bethel during which the crowd joined along in praise and celebration.

The challenge message was given by the President, Rev. Ronald Brummitt, who encouraged the

graduates to reach for their stars and that they had permission to do the impossible. The final blessing and prayer was given by Pastor Rich Wilkerson, senior Pastor of Trinity Church.

Following the ceremony graduates, staff, volunteers, donors, and loved ones mingled at a lovely reception featuring the fun and funky musical group, “Deep Fried Funk Band�. It was truly a joyous time full of laughter and celebration.

The graduates of Miami Rescue Mission and Broward Outreach Centers are looking forward to the next chapters of their lives. Many have already moved on to safe and affordable housing and have jobs. The most recent graduates are now looking for those next steps.

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Give A Meal, Get A Deal

The Miami-Dade County Youth Fair & Exposition, together with Miami Rescue Mission, have joined forces to help feed the hungry of South Florida, while offering Youth Fair guests an opportunity to support the cause and earn a special discount.

The Give a Meal, Get a Deal offer runs from Fri., March 18th through Sun., April 10th. Fairgoers who bring two cans of food per person to the designated tent area in the front gate area, will receive a coupon to receive a $4 discount off admission.

“The Youth Fair is proud to once again support the Miami Rescue Mission and the incredible work they perform in our community,” said Bob Hohenstein, president and CEO of The Youth Fair. “This is an outstanding opportunity for fairgoers to say thank you to Miami Rescue Mission for all its hard work and dedication.”

For more information about the fair and days of operation visit: www.FairExpo.com or our websites.

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Blessing Thousands Each Year Thousands of individuals who are homeless, hungry, and in need are blessed and helped during our community outreaches throughout the year. They receive a meal, a gift, a prayer, and so much more. Our last two outreaches, Thanksgiving and Christmas, were a huge success. There was good food, inspirational performances, Mission Hope Bags, toys and more. The best part was that many men and women decided to get off the streets and join our life changing programs.

Our next outreach will take place Friday, March 25th for Thanksgiving on Good Friday, where we expect to serve thousands more as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. Visit our websites to learn more about volunteering and sponsorship.

Help provide meals for those who are homeless and hungry. Join our Meals-AMonth Club. For as little as $2 a month or more, you can provide a healthy meal to a hungry and hurting member of our community.

For more information, please visit: caringplace.org miamirescuemission.org browardoutreachcenter.org Or Call: Donor Services 305•571•2206

Superstar Volunteers & Supporters Our supporters are the greatest people in the world.

Beth Tobin, second from right, is the President of the Friends of Broward Homeless. The Friends have done so much for the Hollywood Center for nearly 20 years. They have raised funds for special needs, volunteered at outreach events, and have raised awareness of the plight of the homeless. The Friends have helped provide a playground and just recently was able to provide 15 new benches for the residents to enjoy. The Friends are also involved in helping other organizations in Broward. A very special thanks for all that they do. To find out more, visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/thefriendsobh.

We could not do what we do without our volunteers!

LOOK WHAT YOU DID IN 2016!

995,000

nutritious meals were provided to those in need

386,000

nights of safe shelter

Nearly 9,500

volunteers served in our Miami, Hollywood, and Pompano Centers

Over 95,000

hours of service by our volunteers

250,000

hours of education, life skills, & job training

Over 400

“at-risk” youth were helped in our Out-of-School Programs

Over 190,000

pieces of clothing & furnishings distributed to those in need.

Over 700

men and women found employment

Over 1500

families were assisted with food, furnishings, toys, & other necessities

You Are Invited!

After homeless/abused single women or women with children complete their residential program at the Center for Women & Children and they are ready to move out to be productive citizens — that move is not always so simple. Safe and affordable housing is an enormous barrier to living successful lives for themselves and their children.

Girlfriends 4 Girlfriends goal is to establish affordable housing for these women. There is a multi plex unit that needs a total transformation and to be prepared for our women. On March 5th, there will be a special meeting at the complex (see above) to get people involved in the project.

Find out more — visit caringplace.org/g4g or call 305.571.2200.

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A FRESH START

DONATE CLOTHES, CARS, APPLIANCES, FURNITURE The Bargain Barn and Bargain Barn Plus, our very own thrift stores, welcome your donations of clothing, furniture, appliances and cars. Your gently used items will be used in our Centers. Items we can’t use will be sold in our thrift stores which provides training for men and women, as well as funding for our programs. For more information or a pick up, visit miamirescuemission.org/thrift or browardoutreachcenter.org/thrift.

GET YOUR WEEKLY INSPIRATION FROM ONE OF OUR RADIO SHOWS

LIFE CHANGERS SATURDAYS 9:30AM

MISSION POSSIBLE: THE GOOD NEWS PROGRAM SUNDAYS 8:00AM

CAMBIANDOS VIDAS DOMINGOS 8:30AM

Lisa came to the Broward Outreach Center in Hollywood after a string of failed relationships ending in despair. Shortly after graduating high school, Lisa’s boyfriend introduced her to something she had never heard of before, Oxycontin, a highly addictive prescription pain medicine. Lisa’s life began to spin out of control quicker than she could have imagined and things got a lot worse.

She had three children in her second failed relationship and she felt so ashamed that she could not be the mom she wanted to be.

Lisa continued to support her addiction by stealing, which led to going to prison for petty theft. After prison, Lisa was hopeless, depressed and homeless. Then one night the unthinkable happened, Lisa was almost beaten to death by her boyfriend at the time while he was in a drug induced state. She knew something had to change; the next day she came to the Broward Outreach Center in Hollywood.

Since becoming a resident, Lisa has been able to mend the broken relationships with her children and family, obtain the help she needed from her time being abused and is now working full time in hospitality.

The best part of her journey is that Lisa was able to spend Christmas with her daughter, for the first time in 10 years.

“Just a year ago, I would have thought I’d be homeless, stealing for drugs or probably dead by now. Because of your support, my family is becoming united again and I have a great career.”

MIAMI RESCUE MISSION ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES 2159 NW 1st Court | Miami, FL 33127 Mail: PO Box 420620 | Miami, FL 33242-0620 305 • 571 • CARE (2273) BROWARD OUTREACH CENTER HOLLYWOOD 2056 Scott Street | Hollywood, FL 33020 954 • 926 • 7417 BROWARD OUTREACH CENTER POMPANO BEACH 1700 Blount Road | Pompano Beach, FL 33069 954 • 979 • 6365

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STAY CONNECTED! miamirescuemission.org browardoutreachcenter.org Miami Rescue Mission @No1isHomeless miamirescuemission