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S tep pi n g U p “Dave is a great team player. He has a heart for God, and he has a deep connection with the community and the people that we serve,� says Director Jim Carmack, pictured at left with other staff.
May 2013
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (NIV)
S tep pi n g U p
“My favorite part about working here is watching a homeless person step up and into life again.” Dave started drinking as a way to socialize and who did everything from weekend cooking to connect with his co-workers. He worked and lived in overnight supervision. the warehouse at a dairy farm where everyone drank. “Just a month after coming to Open Door, I knew It was a normal, accepted way to spend evenings. I had found my new passion: helping the homeless. But for Dave, the drinking became a problem. My heart just blew up. I found my faith again. The For the next 15 years, he drank himself to sleep Holy Spirit said, ‘Guess what? You’re home,’” each night. One morning after another night of remembers Dave. drinking, he awoke outside in zero “Our Steps to Success degree weather. “That was a real program gives them When Denver Rescue Mission wake-up call for me. I could have opportunities to acquired Open Door in November died,” says Dave. take the little steps 2012, Dave made the transition that addicts need easy for the new staff. “Dave He quit his job, and he quit to take.” says Dave. knew all kinds of things about the drinking in the same day. He knew community, the people and the building,” says Jim that his work environment was toxic and that he Carmack, Director of Fort Collins Rescue Mission. needed a change, but he didn’t have anywhere to go. He continues: “Keeping Dave was one of the wisest He stayed with friends for three months, and watched things we did. He was our bridge into relationships his savings account dwindle to nothing. “Like a lot with the people we were going to be working with.” of homeless people, I was looking for the job Dave’s enthusiasm for his work and for the instead of a job,” explains Dave. homeless in Fort Collins made him the perfect He came to the former Open Door Mission in person to fulfill the role of Facility Assistant March 2011, seeking a warm bed and food. He at Fort Collins Rescue Mission. He supervises started helping out by doing housekeeping chores, program participants in their work therapy, and brings and in August of that year, he was hired as staff. a peaceful presence to the Mission. In January 2013, He still lived at the Mission, but as a paid employee Dave found an apartment of his own and a new
Fr om t he C EO Dear Friends, If you are like me, you like familiar things. Change is hard. But what if the familiar is unhealthy or dangerous, like an addiction? Then change can be even harder. I know it should not be, but it is. The folks who come to us at Fort Collins Rescue Mission are taking that first step to change, that first step to a new life, and it is a big step. When you can admit—I need help. I cannot do it. And say, will you please help me?—that is a big step to a changed life. The staff you see on the front page of this newsletter are the people who get to hear these words. They are the ones who respond, We will come alongside you. Let us guide you through this change. We call this "Changing Lives in the Name of Christ." It is “loving up” on people and helping them realize that God loves them and has a plan for their life.
For many, it has been a long time since someone has cared, or since they have been willing to share in an open and honest way. We have a great team at Fort Collins Rescue Mission that goes to work every day believing they are making a difference in people’s lives. Thank you for supporting our staff and volunteers in this important work! God Bless,
Brad Meuli, President/CEO Denver Rescue Mission/Fort Collins Rescue Mission
Stepping Up ...continued sense of accomplishment. “I got a full-time job, I got a place to live, I got my driver's license back—the first thought that went through my mind was, ‘Wow, I'm a human being again!’” exclaims Dave.
Dave decided to be baptized in September 2012. He bought a necklace a week later to commemorate the occasion. “It has the dove of the Holy Spirit on it, and reminds me that my gift is to help these people get a better life. It reminds me every day of where I could have ended up,” says Dave.
Dave is excited about the new energy at the Mission: “There is so much more available to the people that stay here now. We have focus and direction.” His passion is as obvious as his smile. He can’t finish a sentence without referencing his faith or his love for his work. “My favorite part about working here is watching a homeless person step up and into life again.” To post a note of encouragement for Dave on the Mission's Facebook page, visit Facebook.com/FortCollinsRescue.
Open House
Thursday, June 20th 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. President/CEO Brad Meuli and Director Jim Carmack welcome you to an open house at FCRM. Please join us for a tour of the facility, and learn more about our work with the homeless in the community. 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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Dave Collins, former shelter guest and current staff member
Taking the next step in life can often be difficult. Sometimes it requires abandoning the routine we’ve grown accustomed to and diving into the unknown. In order to grow, we may need to step up into the opportunities we’re given. Then we can help others step into their own success!
F in d Dav e ' s Sto r y In side