FortCollinsRescueMission.org
A S ec o n d CH an ce
February 2013
Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! 1 Peter 1:3 (The Message)
Eddie with Kelly Ballantyne, Kitchen Supervisor of Fort Collins Rescue Mission.
A s ec o n d CH an ce
Against all odds, Eddie has kept his hope. He greets Mission guests with a warm smile and a hot plate of food. No one could guess that 2009 was not a great year women the tools they need to become independent. for Eddie. He lost his restaurant, endured a divorce Eddie attends résumé building and job training and had to file for bankruptcy. After living in Denver meetings, and benefits from the financial guidance for 37 years, he experienced offered. “This program homelessness for the first time. “It’s scary to think about made me want to stay where I would be without here,” says Eddie. Distraught, Eddie moved to the Mission. It’s cold here. Fort Collins because he wanted I could freeze to death He works three days a week in to get away from familiar out on the streets.” the Mission’s kitchen, utilizing surroundings. After months of his cooking skills and blessing job searching with little return, he moved the men and women who eat there. His hours in the to Las Vegas to seek other opportunities. kitchen count toward his work therapy as part of the “In Nevada, I felt like I was escaping my problems. program. Eddie says: “I feel so comfortable here. After a year and a half there, I felt like I needed to It’s a clean environment and there’s no violence. come back to Colorado and face them,” says Eddie. I know every person in this program is trying to make their life better, and it’s helping me.” Eddie made his way back to Fort Collins and found shelter at the Mission at the end of 2012. Thank you for helping to give Eddie a His plan was to stay for just a couple nights, but second chance. then he found out about the new Steps to Success To post a note of encouragement for Eddie on the Mission's program. The 3-9 month program provides men and Facebook page, visit Facebook.com/FortCollinsRescue.
Fr o m t h e CE O Dear Friends, As you are probably aware, in November of last year, Denver Rescue Mission assumed the ownership and operations of Open Door Mission, renaming it Fort Collins Rescue Mission. We placed two of our best leaders in charge of the Mission—Jim Carmack from our Harvest Farm in Wellington, as Director, and Tom Konstanty, one of our chaplains in Denver, as Assistant Director. Almost immediately, we went from housing 50 men and women nightly to having as many as 80 people sleeping inside when our “overflow” is open on cold winter nights. But just as important as the number of people who are being helped, we are excited by the sense of community we feel at our facility. Seventeen churches have agreed to become
chapel providers, and are committed to becoming involved with us in other ways as we serve the poor. Some of the men and women staying with us have commented about the fact that they feel like someone cares truly about them. We call this Changing Lives in the Name of Christ! Together with you, we look forward to making a positive and lasting difference in Fort Collins! God Bless,
Brad Meuli, President/CEO Denver Rescue Mission/Fort Collins Rescue Mission
Meet the Staff
Greatest Needs
Jim Carmack is the new Director of Fort Collins Rescue Mission after serving five years as a chaplain at Harvest Farm, Denver Rescue Mission's rural New Life rehabilitation program in Wellington. Jim is excited to actively engage the people of Fort Collins in the exciting changes at the Mission. His outreach extends to local churches, business leaders, other non-profits, and anyone who is passionate about Changing Lives in the Name of Christ!
We want to make Fort Collins Rescue Mission as welcoming as possible for our guests. You can help us! Please consider donating any of the following items:
Tom Konstanty has come on board as the Assistant Director. Tom started as a chaplain at The Crossing, Denver Rescue Mission's Transitional Program, in August 2005. He is working hard to help build a strong community for the needy in Fort Collins. Tom is focusing on enrolling new participants into the Steps to Success program and giving these men and women a second chance!
• • • •
Dish sanitizer Industrial drop can opener Under-shelf ice machine Heavy duty aluminum roast pan • Metal forks & spoons • Butter
• • • • • •
Ground beef Salad dressing Serving gloves Ajax scouring powder Drinks & drink mixes Mayonnaise
Please contact Kelly Ballantyne for exact descriptions of “big item” needs or for other questions at KBallantyne@FortCollinsRescue.org.
Statistics
How You Help DECEMBER Meals served
3,374
Beds
1,804
Churches Involved
17
Did You Know? Denver Rescue Mission has been working diligently in Northern Colorado for more than 20 years, helping men rebuild their lives at Harvest Farm. Our goal is that guests at Fort Collins Rescue Mission who desire to continue on their journey to self-sufficiency will do so in the New Life Program at Harvest Farm. 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
facebook.com/FortCollinsRescue
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Fort Collins Rescue Mission 316 Jefferson Street Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
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A s eco n d Ch an ce
FortCollinsRescueMission.org
In early January, Fort Collins Rescue Mission implemented a new “Steps to Success” program to help Fort Collins’ homeless find independence and self-sufficiency. The program lasts for 3-9 months and has helped build a sense of community that our guests desperately needed.
Find Eddie's Story Inside