Nashville Rescue Mission February 2016 Newsletter

HEART of the MISSION FEBRUARY 2016

HOPE for

TOMORROW H O W Y O U R G I F T G AV E S A N D Y

A New Life

Onc e la c e d with a d d i c tion , he a r ta c he , a nd b ro ke n n e s s , S a nd y’ s lif e no w spe ak s o f pro m ise a nd ho pe .

A Place Called

HOPE THERE IS HOPE BECAUSE OF YOU!

REV. GLENN CRANFIELD PRESIDENT AND CEO

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”

MARK 16:15 NRSV

Thank you for supporting Nashville Rescue Mission and those we serve.

With your help, we are creating positive, lasting change for abused, addicted, and homeless people throughout Middle Tennessee.

When we first opened our doors to the homeless in 1954, Nashville Rescue Mission offered little more than a warm meal, temporary shelter, and the good news that Jesus loves them.

As our organization has grown over the years, the Good News has always remained the same. More than six decades later, we provide a full range of comprehensive services that rehabilitates lives— and restores hope—for thousands of people each year. It is through your support that there is a place

called hope for those in need— Nashville Rescue Mission.

Whether a person comes to us in need of clean clothes, a hot meal, a safe night of shelter, or a year of participating in a life recovery program—because you give, we are here to help.

We take our work seriously and are proud of what we have accomplished. We are also humbled by the knowledge that lasting life-change has only been possible through your generosity—and guidance from God. Thank you! Because of you, hope lives here.

SHARE THE LOVE Looking for a way to share your love for the Mission with your Valentine?

Rock the hairnet and serve a meal together in our kitchen! Together, you can show Christ’s love to your homeless neighbors.

#ROCKTHEHAIRNET 2 HEART of the MISSION

FEBRUARY 2016

MISSION IN MY WORDS

TRACY

K ORNE T One of the unexpected gifts of moving back to Nashville has been running into classmates or sorority sisters in surprising places. One such reunion got me an invitation to last year’s “Hearts of Hope” Valentine’s luncheon to benefit Nashville Rescue Mission.

Since it is a day of love, I guilted my husband and oldest son into coming along with me, too. It turned out to be the most meaningful and magical thing we have ever done together.

One woman spoke of her time as a homeless and drugaddicted mother, whose child was taken away from her.

She was given a second chance, thanks to the Mission’s Life Recovery Program. She held the room in the palm of her hand as she told her poignant story.

When she pointed out her daughter in the back of the room, who was watching her articulate, elegant, now-clean mother speak in front of over 500 people, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the tables filled with women staying at the Mission as they were being celebrated and validated for their growth, achievements, and transformations. And I’m pretty sure the whole room was holding back “Hallelujahs” when country queen Reba McEntire took the stage and performed live in their honor.

Yes. A private concert, just for them (and thankfully, us!).

To see these women from once desperate circumstances, up on their feet with their hands in the air, praising God for the second chance?! I’m telling you, we were praising right along with them, grateful for the chance to be a part of it.

Real life. Real change. Real need. That’s what Nashville Rescue Mission provides in this community. Since it’s a faith-focused organization, it also doesn’t hide the real truth underneath it all—that we are meant to live free from the chains of addiction to fulfill our God-given purpose as mothers, daughters, fathers, and friends.

“ Real life. Real change. Real need.

That’s what Nashville Rescue Mission provides in this community.”

It’s been an honor to be a part of this year’s planning committee. I was eager to invite others to experience what my boys and I did at “Hearts of Hope”—90 of the most memorable minutes we’ve ever spent, reminding us how blessed we are to live with a roof over our heads and no worry of where our children will eat that day.

This Valentine’s Day, I hope you’ll bring a friend … and join the party.

TRACY KORNET is co-anchor of Channel 4 News at 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. on WSMV-TV. She and her husband Frank attended Vanderbilt University. They recently returned to Nashville to cheer on their youngest son Luke, a 7’1” forward for the Vanderbilt Commodores men’s basketball team.

FEBRUARY 2016

HEART of the MISSION 3

HOPE for

TOMORROW H O W Y O U R G I F T G AV E S A N D Y

A New Life

Once laced with addiction, heartache, and brokenness, Sandy’s life now speaks of promise and hope.

Sandy graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) with a degree in Management and Human Relations (MHR) in 2015—a feat she never imagined she would accomplish. But her story is about more than earning her degree. It's a story of hope, triumph, overcoming, restoration, and redemption.

“I GREW UP in a good home,” said Sandy. “We went to church, but I became rebellious in my teen years.

I ran away several times with my boyfriend, who I later married. The beatings started after our son Josh was born.”

4 HEART of the MISSION

FEBRUARY 2016

Sandy drank to numb the pain. Five years later and eight months pregnant with her daughter Gina—after one too many beatings, she decided enough was enough and left her husband. While she managed to stay sober during both pregnancies, the challenges of being a single mom of two kids while working two jobs was more than she could handle. Drinking soon became a daily habit.

“I REMARRIED four years later, but he too was abusive,” recalls Sandy. “In the midst of this, I lost my father and nine months later my mom developed cancer. I was devastated. It was a dark time in my life. I started using cocaine and crystal meth.”

Each time life threw Sandy a curve, she turned to drugs and alcohol. She divorced, moved to a new city, and changed jobs. “I started working in a bar where I was first introduced to crack cocaine. It’s a drug of pure evil and took me lower than I could have ever imagined.

It almost killed me.”

Sandy will never forget the day her brother told her, ‘I love you, but I have to love you from a distance. Don’t call me again.’ She was heartbroken. “He told my family if they wanted to kill me, to keep giving me money, but that he was done.”

A year later, after receiving the worst beating of her life, Sandy vividly recalls seeing her granddaughter right after

it happened. “She touched my face and said, ‘Maw maw, what’s a matter with your eye?’”

It was at that moment, Sandy knew she’d hit rock bottom.

“I walked into the house and looked in the mirror—I had no idea who I was. I walked out with plans of stepping in front of a truck, but God’s divine hand pushed me out of the way.

It shook me to the core and I knew God was trying to tell me something.”

SHE CALLED a friend for help, who decided

to reach out to Sandy’s brother, despite what he’d said before. Two days later, they were on their way to Nashville. “I thought my brother and his wife were going to stay the night with me. Instead he handed me $50 and said it was up to me—I could either use the money for drugs or I could use it to pay for a cab to Nashville Rescue Mission.”

Sandy remembers crying all night long, filled with fear and doubt. Her daughter Gina had been through the Mission’s Life Recovery Program a few years earlier and was doing well. Sandy wondered if she might find help there, too. She flushed the dope she had and caught a cab early the next morning.

“MY LIFE was forever changed when I walked through

the doors of Nashville Rescue Mission. I gave my life

“I walked out with plans of stepping in front of a truck, but God’s divine hand pushed me out of the way.” back to Christ and learned who I was in Him. I started building a solid foundation. The Mission’s program helped me see I was a precious child of God. I learned I was valued, treasured, and worth it. I had no idea my road to recovery would lead to so many blessings.”

While in the program, Sandy received an invitation from Morris Stout, a Mission volunteer, to attend Trevecca Community Church with he and his wife.

Sandy loved it. After graduating from the program,

Sandy enjoys spending time with family.

she made that her home church and joined a Sunday school class. This is where Sandy chose to put down roots after graduating from the Mission’s program.

By 2013, with God at the center of her life, Sandy decided it was time to follow her dream of earning her bachelor’s degree. With the help of a friend, she enrolled in the MHR adult studies program at TNU with the hopes of pursuing a greater purpose and mission in life.

“I want to be a drug and alcohol counselor,” shared Sandy. “That’s where my heart is—I had to start by getting my bachelor’s degree to move forward with whatever God has for me. Earning my degree showed me that with God’s help, I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.”

Today, God’s promises are evident in Sandy’s life. She ministers every Sunday night at the Davidson County Jail. She’s active in her church. She’s taking on special speaking engagements to share her story with others recovering from addiction. She recently started her new job as Activities Director for Trevecca Towers and continues to work as a trainer/teacher for O’Charley’s corporate office.

Your gifts gave Sandy hope for tomorrow.

And today, her life is filled with peace, joy, and love.

FEBRUARY 2016

HEART of the MISSION 5

CREATING

HO PE VOLUNTEERS PA I N T A VISION OF HOPE FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN

Darla and Amanda spend their days handling the finances for Omni Hotels —and their Tuesday nights crafting with Nashville’s homeless children.

Darla relocated to Nashville when the Omni Hotel opened downtown— just a few blocks from Nashville Rescue Mission. Upon arriving, she began searching for volunteer opportunities. She wasn’t sure exactly how she would help—but she knew she wanted to impact the city she now calls home. After contacting the Mission’s volunteer department and learning more about the 6 HEART of the MISSION

FEBRUARY 2016

opportunities to serve, she recruited co-worker Amanda. Together, they began planning craft nights for the kids who live at the Mission.

“I’m not even very crafty!”

Amanda explains. “But it blows my mind how little art education these children have received. So we’re here to help them and give them the best experience we can. We want them to leave each night feeling they accomplished something.”

While their moms are in a chapel service, the kids receive special attention from Darla and Amanda, while learning art skills that express and bring joy.

It's more than just markers and construction paper. Depending on the children’s school load, Amanda and Darla will focus on homework

and reading skills. “You can tell that some of these children have never had help with their homework before. That one-on-one attention is invaluable. Over time we become so attached to these children. If one stops coming, we can’t help but wonder if it’s because he or she found a home or if it’s something else.”

For these women, volunteering each week is not only a time commitment, but an emotional and sustainably rewarding opportunity.

Amanda comes from a family of teachers, and when she is with the children, teaching seems to come as second nature.

Darla used to avoid situations like the one she finds herself in each week.

Moments like these would previously leave her angry and frustrated—

upset about being unable to have a child of her own. But one day, she realized that helping children was part of her healing process.

“I’ve now purposely put myself in this position so I can help children,” she thoughtfully reveals.

“It’s really helped me realize there are still kids out there who need me, even if they aren’t my own.”

We are grateful to these women for giving encouragement and inspiring the children at the Mission, who they now care so deeply about.

“For these women, volunteering each week is not only a time commitment, but an emotional and sustainably rewarding opportunity.”

WOULD YOU LIKE TO OFFER YOUR TALENTS AND TIME TO BRING HOPE TO CHILDREN AT THE MISSION? Visit: nashvillerescuemission.org/get-involved to learn how you can start.

EASTER NEEDS WISH LIST HELP FILL THE HOMELESS WITH HOPE

With your donation of any of these items, YOU will help make this Easter special for those who are hungry and homeless.

Donations may be dropped off at the Mission’s Donation Center: 616 7th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203.

Open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• • • • • • • •

Boneless Buffet Hams Green Beans (#10 and #20 Cans) Potatoes Dinner Rolls Salad Pies Plastic Foam Dishes; Bowls, Cups, Utensils Aluminum Foil and Pans FEBRUARY 2016

HEART of the MISSION 7

LIVES YOU HAVE

TOUCHED

WE

REMEMBER HONORING LIVES LOST IN 2015

On Saturday, December 12, 2015, the Nashville community gathered at Riverfront Park to honor and remember 69 men and women who were homeless or had experienced chronic homelessness and passed away during the year.

“These men and women were mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters—their lives matter to God and they matter to us,” said Rev. Glenn Cranfield, president and CEO of Nashville Rescue Mission.

“With your prayers and support we remember them and pray fewer lives will be lost as a result of homelessness in the years to come.”

MEMBERS OF NASHVILLE’S HOMELESS C O M M U N I T Y W H O D I E D I N 2015: Arthur “Sal” Peck Bryant Crenshaw Cardell O’Quinn* Clarence Leron Murphy Clyde Hicks Cris Cumner Danny Anderson Danny Costello* David Milliken Debra Johnson* Delores Graham* Denise Hixson Donald Lewis Wilson Jr. Edward Washington Gary Silcott* Gloria Foster Neice Parrish* Greg Gregory Latimer Hilton D’Wayne Pitts Homer Wilson Howard Bottoms* James Alexander* James Carruthers James Larry Moore, “Alabama”*

James Mitchell James Primm Jason Vaughan Jeff Forgy John Frakes John Perry John Wesley Brown* Joseph Dies Joseph Truitt Kenneth Keesee Kevin Sullivan Larry Almond Leon Brooks Lloyd Barnes L.W. Hoffmeyer* Marcus McLaurine Marcus Moore Margie Lucas* Mary Brown* Michael Moss Magidovitch Michael O’Carrol Mike Willers Norman Wayne Dugger Olivia Davis Pamela Zanardi*

Randall Allen White, “Cowboy” Randy “Jimmy” Wilson Richard Granbeck* Richard Nash Robert McMurtry Robert Stites* Roger Loftis Ronnie Bunch Roy Smith Sally Herz* Sandy Wilson Shannon Curtis Steve Stevens Tami McKenzie Terrance Eddings Thomas Holt* Timothy Waggoner William Carter William Crain* William Edward Brown

* Denotes the person was formerly homeless

DECEMBER 2015 Daily Avg

Monthly

Meals Served

1,612

49,986

Nights of Lodging

744

23,068

Chapel Attendance

531

16,457

Education Hours

85

2,625

Bible Class Attendance

23

700

Decisions & Prayers

33

1,038

Volunteer Hours

141

4,369

Travel n/a Assistance

33

Program n/a Graduates

10

is a proud member of

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