FortCollinsRescueMission.org
April 2014
Th a nk Y ou! Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
St eppi n g U p
It’s because of people like you that Fort Collins Rescue Mission can serve the homeless this Easter season!
How Y ou Help
The staff and volunteers at Fort Collins Rescue Mission have been working hard for over a year to meet the needs of the homeless. They have made crucial connections with members of the Fort Collins community to raise awareness and better serve the city as a whole. This Easter season, we want to thank those of you who support the Mission: financially, by donating food or by giving your time. There is no formula or special attribute that qualifies someone to serve or help the homeless. The Mission has been blessed by hundreds of people like you! Nikki, Frank and Shelby support Fort Collins Rescue Mission with their time, financial gifts and donations. Go to FortCollinsRescueMission.org/donate to find out how to donate.
Nikki and her team from the Fort Collins Target started volunteering together at the end of last year. She thought it would not only be a great way to boost morale, but also give back to the community. “Compared to other volunteer opportunities, this is more hands-on. We see the effects right in front of us and the Mission gives us a feeling of contributing,” explains Nikki.
Frank has been a long-time supporter and volunteer of the Mission. He owns the Human Bean coffee shops in Northern Colorado, and to show his support he invited Mission staff to be guest baristas for a day this fall. Ten percent of proceeds went to the Mission, and every person that got coffee also heard about how to help the homeless that day.
But there is more than the contribution of time and effort. Nikki, and many others, have had a drastic shift in mindset after serving at the Mission: “I used to be afraid of homeless people. I wouldn’t make eye contact if I saw someone on the street and would sometimes cross the street. I had an actual fear. But after serving at the Mission, I realized that these are normal people. Some of them look just like me and are my age or even younger. I feel empowered by my time there. I find myself looking at people and asking them how they are.” Nikki and her Target team will continue to serve throughout the year, transforming their own stereotypes and investing in our community’s hungry and hurting population.
Frank says, “The homeless community is invisible to a lot of people in Fort Collins. I think that one of Fort Collins Rescue Mission’s biggest jobs is to raise awareness.” He watched the transition from Open Door to Fort Collins Rescue Mission last year and is excited about the changes. “Now there is 122 years of experience there! The fact that there’s a focus on salvation but also plugging people back into society through established programs is extremely important,” he explains. Frank and his wife drop off food for the Mission’s kitchen each week, and they will continue to support the Mission this year. Staff can look forward to another guest barista day this spring.
Fr om t he C EO Dear Friends, It seems only fitting during this Easter season, when we are reminded of the sacrifice that Jesus made for each of us, that we take a moment to say thank you. Over this past year, volunteers have given freely of their time, donors have given generously from their financial resources and the community as a whole has openly embraced Fort Collins Rescue Mission as providing critical services to the poor and needy. Frankly, this outpouring of love and servant-like behavior has been remarkable. I can tell that you believe as I do— that no one should ever go hungry, no one should have
to sleep outside at night, and everyone deserves a second chance to change their life. Our donors, our volunteers and this community inspire us to stay after it, to try just a little harder. We believe this work has only just begun; we are tightening up the straps on our backpacks for the journey ahead. We look forward to walking beside you!
Brad Meuli, President/CEO Denver Rescue Mission/Fort Collins Rescue Mission
Shelby is studying International Studies and Spanish at Colorado State University. She has been volunteering at the Mission for the past year with her fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. She likes the camaraderie of serving with her friends; it gives them a chance to learn together about homelessness. “I like the Mission because of the diversity and I get to connect with people from all different walks of life. There is a stigma about homeless people: that they are crazy or dumb or lazy or dirty. But that’s not the case. A lot of these people have been put in these situations and are temporarily unable to do anything about it. They are doing what they can with what they have,” she explains. She continues, “Before I started volunteering at the Mission or at all, I had no idea how homeless shelters worked. I almost feel humbled to be able to experience it. If you don’t understand it, you think it’s below you. It’s really not—we are all the same.”
Please make a donation today to help the homeless this Easter season.
FEBRUARY
Statistics: How You Help Change Lives Meals Served
Beds
Chapel Attendance
Churches Involved
8,615
3,923
815
13
Changing Lives is a news publication of Fort Collins Rescue Mission. Director: Jim Carmack Director of Communications: Christine Gallamore Designer: Rachel Vigil Writer: Rachel Greiman | 316 Jefferson Street • Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 • 970.224.4302
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Fort Collins Rescue Mission 316 Jefferson Street Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
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Th a n k Y ou !
FortCollinsRescueMission.org
Fort Collins Rescue Mission is an important part of our community in more ways than just serving the homeless. Though providing resources and the love of Christ to our city’s most needy is our number one goal, we also strive to break down stereotypes about the homeless and connect all members of our community. We are so grateful for how you support the Mission.
Look Inside t o see how y ou h elp