Nashville Rescue Mission June 2016 Newsletter

HEART of the MISSION JUNE 2016

VACTIONLESS:

A SUMMER FOR THE HOMELESS

BECAUSE OF YOU,

THIS MOM SEES A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

NO QUICK FI X THANKS TO YOU, THERE IS HELP AND HOPE FOR THOSE IN NEED

T REV. GLENN CRANFIELD

President and CEO

“FOR I KNOW THE PL ANS I H AV E F O R Y O U,” D E C L A R E S T H E L O R D, “PL ANS TO PROSPER YOU A N D N O T T O H A R M Y O U, PL ANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE.”

JEREMIAH 29:11 NIV

HOPE LIVES HERE

hose struggling with addiction and homelessness can find hope and live happy lives if they get the right kind of help. But there is no quick fix.

Nashville Rescue Mission is committed to providing long-term help—even beyond graduation from our Life Recovery Program because that is what is needed. But, we must have your regular financial support to sustain the long-term assistance our program participants need. The Mission’s financial strength comes from thousands of regular donors giving at all levels.

As food, gas, and utility costs increase, we are committed to working harder to increase our

Meet Michael, a graduate of Nashville Rescue Mission’s Life Recovery Program. Check out his story online at: nashvillerescuemission.org/michael

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JUNE 2016

number of regular annual donors, so all who come to us receive the help they need. Over 800 men, women, and children are our guests at the Mission every day. Your gifts make it possible for us to feed, shelter, clothe, and care for them giving them hope for a better tomorrow.

I can’t thank you enough for the worthy investment you are making in the lives of those we serve. Your help is greatly needed as we enter the summer season when giving typically drops and requests for help continue to rise.

God bless you for being part of the Mission’s growing family of supporters. Because of you, we are changing Nashville one life at a time.

Caroline KOLE

MISSION IN MY WORDS

They all wore pretty outfits, and they had even prettier smiles. They enjoyed a gourmet meal. They were presented with red roses. They were treated to a private concert. Who are “they?” They are the women of Nashville Rescue Mission.

This could have been a scene at any fancy charity event going on in Nashville. But this one touched my heart like no other. All those beautiful guests of honor had one thing in common, homelessness and a broken road that got them there.

Two years ago, I had the honor of being invited by Reba to entertain the ladies of Nashville Rescue Mission at a special Valentine’s Day luncheon, called “Hearts of Hope.” At first, I thought the most exciting thing in this scenario was the opportunity to perform alongside Reba—my idol. (I was hoping I wouldn’t forget the words to a song or miss a chord on the guitar!) I soon learned that equally as exciting was meeting such women of strength and hearing their stories of survival and redemption.

Maybe I had a different idea of homelessness and those affected

by it before I met so many of them.

We took photos together; we sang together; we commented on each others cute shoes. Just a regular group of ladies, doing what we ladies like to do.

… but one thing that made us both so happy was how much the event has grown. We hope it continues to grow!

“ALL THOSE BEAUTIFUL GUESTS OF HONOR HAD ONE THING IN COMMON, HOMELESSNESS AND A BROKEN ROAD THAT GOT THEM THERE.” Hearing their stories of hitting rock bottom and how the Mission was the only constant in their life, the only place that didn’t greet them with a “NO” upon arrival, was so powerful.

Many of us in the room were moved to tears. God is Great!

Reba has been amazing to me … allowing me to open for her incredible band all across the USA, while being a true friend and mentor.

I have seen sights I would have never seen without her. And now, I have her to thank for introducing me to the work Nashville Rescue Mission does. For the second year Reba and I had a great time sharing our Valentine’s Day with everyone there

We are lucky Nashville has so many incredible things to offer as a great city—music, culture, fabulous food (HOT CHICKEN!), southern hospitality (YES MA’AM!), beautiful seasons and scenery, and after being a part of “Hearts of Hope,” I count Nashville Rescue Mission as one of its great assets.

CAROLINE KOLE is a Country Music Artist, with two top 30 albums and two #1 videos to her name. She tours the country with her band, performing with many of the top names in Country Music. Caroline moved to Music City five years ago to start high school and pursue a career in music. She recently graduated from Father Ryan High School and will attend Belmont University this fall.

JUNE 2016

HEART of the MISSION 3

VACTIONLESS: A SUMMER FOR THE HOMELESS

MIKISHA AND JAMES SPENDING TIME TOGETHER

“I never imagined I’d be spending my summer living in a homeless shelter with my son,” said Mikisha. “But when you’re running for your life, the need to be in a safe place outweighs the comfort and luxury of summer vacations.”

Every June, kids all across America are counting down the days to summer vacation. They cannot wait for the break—a time for family outings to beaches, parks, and museums, for riding bikes and going swimming.

Unfortunately, for the nation’s nearly 600,000* homeless families, summertime does not provide a break or a vacation for that matter. (*National Alliance to End Homelessness) With two degrees from Vanderbilt University, including her Masters in Cognitive Therapy, Mikisha isn’t someone you would expect to find living at a homeless shelter. She spent two months studying at Oxford and has traveled 4 HEART of the MISSION

JUNE 2016

BECAUSE OF YOU,

THIS MOM SEES A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

around the world to places such as Italy and Munich— places most people only dream about. It’s proof that homelessness does not discriminate, it can happen to anyone. Often a person may be only one or two decisions away from facing a crisis like this.

“I HAD A GREAT JOB working as a SAS clinical analyst/programmer,” said Mikisha. “At the same time, I was dealing with some mental health issues. I also loved alcohol, just a little too much. I used it as a crutch.

I lost my job, which led to more drinking, which led to legal issues.”

Mikisha bounced from place to place, job to job, always managing to make ends meet—until one day they didn’t.

“Drinking taints a person’s ability to make good choices,” said Mikisha. “It’s what led me to stay in an abusive relationship for far too long. It wasn’t safe for me, and it definitely wasn’t safe for my then four-year-old son. I had no job, no savings, and no one to turn to. I knew I had to find a safe place for us to go and get away. We left with the clothes on our back.”

WITH PLANS TO STAY at a shelter for abused women, Mikisha was caught off guard when faced with a dilemma … there was a misunderstanding and the shelter was not prepared to take in a mom with a child. “In a moment of fear and desperation, I turned to Nashville Rescue Mission.

It was the only place I knew I could go and take my son with me. I wasn’t planning to stay—just long enough to make another plan.”

“I KNEW I HAD TO FIND A SAFE PLACE FOR US TO GO AND GET AWAY. WE LEFT WITH THE CLOTHES ON OUR BACK.” In retrospect, Mikisha believes God led her to the Mission. “I believed if you asked for help, it meant you were weak. But I was at a point where I was forced to reach out. I knew the road I was on was headed nowhere, and if I didn’t make a change, I would be well on my way to losing custody of my son. I wasn’t about to let that happen.

something began to change inside of me. It was as if I could hear the voice of God say, ‘Mikisha, I’ve got something to tell you. Don’t lose hope. Things can change.

Trust me.’ For someone who wasn’t accustomed to talking to God, my ears certainly perked up.”

After learning more about the Mission’s Life Recovery Program, Mikisha knew this was the answer to her prayer, and she was more than ready to make a change. “I waited three weeks for a mom’s room to open up. I’m going to have the chance to get my life back in order. I can’t tell you how excited I am about our future,” Mikisha shared.

IN THE MISSION’S 12-month Life Recovery Program,

A STAGGERING 2.5 MILLION children are now homeless each year in America, according to The National Center on Family Homelessness. This historic high represents one in every 30 children in the United States.

Just over half are younger than six years old. Determined to not be just a statistic and to make a better life for her and her son James, Mikisha spent the next several days praying in search of answers.

“I went to church off and on as a kid,” said Mikisha. “I would describe myself as a Christian. I just wasn’t very good at it. But in the first few days of being at the Mission,

Mikisha will attend classes on how to study the Bible, addiction education, anger management, grief and loss, forgiveness, parenting, along with one-on-one counseling, work therapy, while living within a community of believers who serve as a support system. She will have the opportunity to stay in transitional housing upon completion of the educational component of the program, where she will continue to have accountability, receive counseling, and guidance. This will give Mikisha time to find a job, work, save money, and transition back into society as a productive citizen and strong mother for her son.

As Mikisha starts on this journey, she says, “I do have hope. I can see a light at the end of a long tunnel. I’m ready to put in the work. I’m thankful for those who make this program possible so that someone like me can have a roof over my head, food to eat, a safe place to sleep, and the chance for a better future for me and my son. I owe you a debt of gratitude.”

JUNE 2016

HEART of the MISSION 5

Something

CHANGED HOW VOLUNTEERING CHANGED THIS WOMAN’S HEART

Kim walked into Nashville Rescue Mission with a group from her church, and walked out a changed person. “Something happened that day,” said Kim. “We were serving lunch on Good Friday.”

After seeing the women and children in the serving line, Kim couldn’t help but wonder, ‘where do they go?’ It had such a strong impact on her heart, she sought out the answer to her question—and soon learned about the Mission’s campus for Women and Children. “I had no idea there were so many homeless women and children in Nashville.”

Afterwards, she called and scheduled a tour of the Women’s Campus, during which she spotted volunteers serving lunch. Instantly, she knew this would be the perfect volunteer experience for the 12th grade girls she was teaching in Sunday School. “We started serving dinner on the 3rd Sunday of every month. It was an opportunity for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus, outside the church.”

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JUNE 2016

LITTLE DID KIM KNOW the experience would also

change her heart. “On the nights when we serve, I love being the dish washer,” shared Kim. “It’s like being the gate keeper of biblical times, the lowest job a person could have, but a job where you got to see everyone. I want to be that person! I’m too happy not to share the joy of Jesus. And washing the dishes gives me the opportunity to look at each and every woman and child who comes through the line. I smile … I offer an encouraging word …

I want every single person to know there is hope in Christ.”

Kim says there are so many seeds being planted through this experience. “Stephanie, one of the girls I taught in Sunday School recently returned to help me teach the class. She became reacquainted with the Mission and the next thing I knew, she had applied for a job and is now working there. I can’t tell you how much that blesses my heart. There are more stories of girls taking mission trips, and some even going into the mission field because of their time at Nashville Rescue Mission.”

ABOUT A YEAR AGO, a counselor invited Kim to lead

a monthly devotion with the women. “I go on the third

Thursday morning of the month and share what God has placed on my heart for these women. It’s something I don’t want to miss.”

Kim is quick to point out that volunteering at the Mission isn’t something she just checks off a list. “I look at life through a different glass now. I consider it an honor and privilege to serve and teach these women. I’m amazed God would choose to use me this way. More than anything, when they walk out of the room, I want them to walk out with Christ in their heart.”

“IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BE THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS, OUTSIDE THE CHURCH.” “I’M QUICK TO TELL THEM I’m not a Precious Moments doll standing in front of them. I've had a few tough experiences myself. My walk of faith has been more like a slow train, not fast, but at least it’s moving forward. Once I started seeking Him, I saw Him. And once you see Him, only a fool would walk away.”

“I tell the women that when Jesus sees them, He sees someone worth dying for. It’s a message I want to share with anyone who will listen. And I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share this with the women at the Mission.”

H Y D R AT E

THE

HOMELESS

Pick up some extra water on your next trip to the grocery store and help provide a cup of cold water to the homeless in Nashville.

Donations of bottled water can be dropped off at the Mission's Donation Center.

YOUR DONATION WILL NOT ONLY PROVIDE RELIEF, IT WILL GIVE HOPE! JUNE 2016

HEART of the MISSION 7

LIVES YOU HAVE

JULY 4TH Wishlist

THI S 4 T H OF JU LY, WE WILL SERVE OVER

2,000 MEALS TO HOMELESS MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN

to celebrate America’s independence

YOU CAN HELP MAKE THIS DAY A LITTLE BRIGHTER WITH YOUR DONATION

TOUCHED APRIL 2016 Daily Avg

Monthly

1,644

49,317

Nights of Lodging

782

23,468

Chapel Attendance

554

16,605

Education Hours

72

2,156

Bible Class Attendance

23

696

Decisions & Prayers

35

1,042

Volunteer Hours

277

8,310

Meals Served

Travel n/a Assistance

85

Program n/a Graduates

8

is a proud member of

hot dogs, hamburgers, buns, condiments, soft drinks, bottled water, chips, and desserts

drop-offs M I S S I O N ’ S D O NAT I O N C E N T E R 616 7th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203 Mon.- Sat., 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

639 Lafayette Street, Nashville, TN 37203 615-255-2475 | nashvillerescuemission.org