DenverRescueMission.org
July 2017
5 PROVEN WAYS TO CHANGE A LIFE FOC US
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Jarrod came to the Mission in October 2016. He was homeless in part because of broken and negative relationships influencing his life. But thanks to staff like Reggie (right), a Facility Assistant at the Mission, he’s grown spiritually and emotionally, developing lasting, healthy relationships to help him succeed in the future.
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THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION. THE OLD HAS PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, THE NEW HAS COME. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17
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Letter from the CEO
Dear Friends, I asked Steve Walkup, Vice President of Programs to share a few words with our readers this month: Since its inception in 1989, Denver Rescue Mission’s New Life Program has lived up to its name, helping more than one thousand participants obtain a physical “new life” and move toward becoming productive, sustainable members of society. But even if some don’t reach this goal, we help each participant understand that a new spiritual life is obtainable because Jesus saves! And what better foundation for a fully new life than knowing His gift of eternal life! Of course, the path to seeing a new life has many challenges. Overcoming destructive habits can be challenging for anyone. People stuck in poverty are no different. At the Mission, we help anyone who asks, but we know it takes courage to ask.
It’s Not Too Late to Hit a Home Run Against Hunger! Time is running out, but you can still join Denver Rescue Mission, the Colorado Rockies and King Soopers to “Hit a Home Run Against Hunger” this summer!
When you shop at King Soopers between now and July 15, show your support by making a monetary donation as you check out! Thank you for helping the Mission “Hit a Home Run Against Hunger.” For more information, please contact Lisette at 303.313.2414 or Lisette@DenRescue.org.
Helping an addict requires grace and truth. We ask our program candidates to commit to a month of onsite monitoring before officially starting the program. During this time, we offer much grace because the crisis of leaving addiction behind can be difficult and sometimes cause erratic behavior. We also speak the truth in love about the consequences of failing to overcome their destructive habits. One of the challenges for our staff is that we often don’t get to see these new lives in full bloom. Successful participants graduate and become productive contributors to society, and we may never see them again! You’ll read about one successful graduate in this issue of Changing Lives. Thanks to your faithful support, program participants are positively impacting spouses, children, grandchildren, fellow workers, and friends. And these “new lives” motivate us to offer the same opportunity for the next person who asks for help. We hope you’ll be encouraged too. Thank you for partnering with us in nurturing “new life!” God Bless,
Brad Meuli President/CEO
Summer of Hope We need your help this summer! Did you know that donations to the Mission often decrease in the summer months, and Mission expenses frequently exceed income at this time of the year?
Throughout the summer months, heat is oppressive to those living on the streets, yet simple things like food, shelter and clothing help create hope for those experiencing homeless. And hope changes everything! Join us this summer and help make it a Summer of Hope for Denver’s most needy. Donate today at DenverRescueMission.org/SummerOfHope.
REAL CHANGE IS LASTING CHANGE
86% OF OUR NEW LIFE PROGRAM GRADUATES AND 93% OF OUR STAR PROGRAM GRADUATES, LIKE LESLIE, ARE STILL SUCCESSFULLY PROVIDING FOR THEIR OWN HOUSING A YEAR AFTER GRADUATION.
5 PROVEN WAYS TO CHANGE A LIFE CHANGING LIVES ISN’T JUST THE NAME OF OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER. IT'S OUR PASSION AND CALLING.
Counseling and Spiritual Development
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- Chris and Christina, STAR Transitional Program participants
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Torress meets with his chaplain, Chris, for their first oneon-one meeting: Chaplains and Case Managers “It’s great to have When someone is facing a difficult situation, it’s someone to go to easy for them to feel alone. That’s why each New Life when I need help, Program participant is assigned a chaplain, and every need to vent, or need STAR program participant is assigned a case manager. to learn how to work Chaplains and case managers personally walk alongside on my relationship program participants, helping them stay accountable, connecting them with the resources they need to succeed with God and others,” he says. and encouraging them to strive toward accomplishing goals like saving money, acquiring a job and completing education classes. By focusing on the unique needs of each participant, we’re able to go deep into areas where they experience challenges instead of trying to apply a one-size-fits-all approach.
“Before we came to the mission, we were living in a toxic environment. It tore us apart. The counseling has helped us reconnect and build a stronger bond as a family.”
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That’s why we offer programs like the New Life Program and STAR Transitional Program. These are some of the ways we come alongside people experiencing homelessness, helping them create long-term change:
That’s why our life-changing programs involve counseling, mentorship, life-skills and financial education, and the opportunity to discover the spiritual healing Jesus can bring. By addressing the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual causes of homelessness, program graduates are more likely to see long-term changes in their lives.
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In a city like Denver, homelessness is hard to ignore, and when you see people suffering, you want to help. Although you may see someone with a sign that reads, “Anything helps,” you know spare change and handouts don’t go far to truly change someone’s life.
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The causes of homelessness vary widely from simply the loss of a job to someone struggling in a cycle of addiction and depression. But even these can just be outward symptoms of deeper problems like unresolved conflict or trauma, a lack of understanding about basic life and relationship skills, and other emotional and spiritual challenges. Trying to provide stability without addressing these root causes is like using a bandage to hide an infected wound.
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Look for more encouraging stories, news and updates on our Facebook page: Facebook.com/DenverRescue.
Education and counseling are crucial to a person’s transition out of homelessness, but like any new skill, the best way to develop healthy life skills and new patterns of behavior is to practice.
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“When you’re homeless, it’s not like you’re working every day or have a schedule. So work therapy is important because it helps you build that routine of responsibility as you become self-sufficient.”
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“Having a mentor in the program was good. It was someone that I could talk to and who offered guidance and wisdom. Going forward, I just want to keep doing what I’m doing—staying out of trouble, staying in the Word and going to church. My home church is Providence Bible Church.”
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- Johnathan
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Success After Graduation
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“The life skills classes were huge for me. I really tried to learn something new every day. This is all great stuff because it’s helped me change physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It gave me hope again.”
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In the New Life Program, participants are assigned various jobs designed to build healthy work habits and job skills. Work therapy jobs may include being a mechanic assistant for our vehicle donation program, a cook preparing meals for people in need, an assistant in our clinic, and more! Through work therapy, New Life Program participants develop the skills necessary to be successfully employed. STAR program participants often start out with some form of employment, so they are able to live in a safe, drug- and alcohol-free community while they practice important life skills, save money, gain better employment, and gain the tools they need to provide for their own housing.
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Life-Skills and Financial Education Knowledge is power, and one of the most unique and empowering aspects of the New Life Program and STAR Transitional Program is the focus on education.
Whether it’s helping someone earn their GED, discover how to maintain a budget or navigate the rental market, or simply helping them learn to read for the first time, your gifts invest in the lives of program participants through various forms of education. For many, this also includes job-skills education on topics like resume writing, interview skills and job searching. The result is a renewed confidence and the skills necessary to pursue a self-sufficient life after graduation.
YOU MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE Without you, these programs and services for people suffering in poverty and addiction wouldn’t exist. Thank you for helping change lives in our community every single day.
For many of our graduates, their success after the program is directly linked to the type of community they connect with after they leave. That’s why we use every opportunity to encourage our program participants to engage in healthy community building activities like being involved in a local church, staying connected with the Mission through regular updates, returning to the Mission as a mentor or volunteer, or sharing their story of success with others who are just starting in our programs. By helping our graduates stay engaged in healthy community, we help them avoid returning to the acquaintances and patterns of behavior that may have contributed to them becoming homeless.
CAN YOU HELP CHANGE SOMEONE’S LIFE TODAY? YES, YOU CAN! SIMPLY USE THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE OR GO ONLINE TO MAKE YOUR DONATION TODAY!
Running for a Good Cause! This year Denver Rescue Mission is honored to be the beneficiary partner of the inaugural RiNo 5k in Denver’s River North neighborhood. Join us on Saturday, July 29 for a fun summer run and support Denver Rescue Mission at the same time! Be sure to use the promo code of DENRESCUE2017 to receive 10% off of your registration! (code valid online only) Register at Rino5k.org.
Where's the Beef?
Statistics How You Help May
YTD (fiscal year)
Meals provided
70,684
758,430
It’s at Harvest Farm, that’s where!
Kick off your summer cookouts right with all-natural, grass fed beef, and support a great cause at the same time. No hormones. No antibiotics. Pasture born and pasture raised. $4.50/lb hanging weight, sold in quarters.
Nights of shelter provided
32,101
To inquire about our natural beef or CSA produce shares contact: Brad Rhoda BRhoda@DenRescue.org 970.568.9803
334,565
Chapel attendance
32,749
3,029
HarvestFarm.net
Clothing distributed (lbs.)
Give a Gift, Get Income for Life! Retirement can bring feelings of gratification and accomplishment—but also uncertainty. “How will my life look on a fixed income?” You may wonder. A Charitable Gift Annuity can provide fresh peace of mind.
26,821
Request our new brochure entitled “Experiencing God’s Certainty in Uncertain Times” to learn how.
Check the box on the enclosed reply card to receive
your copy.
Denver Rescue Mission Outreaches Lawrence Street Community Center Meals, restrooms, showers, washing machines and dryers, clean drinking water, and access to Mission staff for encouragement and guidance Lawrence Street Shelter Overnight shelter for men, chapel and health clinic Champa House Residential facility offering long-term help toward self-sufficiency to single mothers with dependent children Harvest Farm Rural rehabilitation program near Fort Collins
Fort Collins Rescue Mission Meals, shelter and transitional programs The Crossing Transitional program for families and rehabilitation program for men
350,416
Clinic services provided
464
4,383
Changing Lives is the monthly news publication of Denver Rescue Mission. Director of Communications: Christine Gallamore Designer: Rachel Titus Writer: Robert Bogan
Ministry Outreach Center Central warehouse facility including food, clothing and furniture distribution Administration & Education Entry point for Mission programs and home to the Mission’s administrative and development staff Family Services Transitional program, assistance for permanent housing, and mentoring
P.O. Box 5164 • Denver, CO 80217 • 303.297.1815