What’s Happening
Announcing Spring Memberships
For Path Farm Co-op may still be available Get your box of freshly-picked seasonal produce as a co-op member every Friday, Mar-Sept. 2011 or purchase our produce individually.
Stuart Green - Board Member & Past President (352) 637-3585
Call 352-527-6500, ext. 5 to sign up.
Path Bargain stores support the shelter & our clients… Call 352-527-6500, ext. 5 to volunteer
A Publication of The Path Rescue Mission—Serving the Homeless and Hungry in Citrus and Marion Counties
www.pathofcitrus.org
Floyd Ford - Board Member (352) 270-3090 DuWayne Sipper - Executive Director (352) 527-6500, opt 5 Administrative Offices 27 S. Melbourne Beverly Hills, FL 34465 Phone: (352) 527-6500 Fax: (352) 746-6746
Path of Citrus County PO Box 3024 Inverness, FL 34451-3024 Lecanto Bargain Store 1729 W. Gulf to Lake Highway Lecanto, FL 34461 Hours: Monday - Friday 9 AM - 5 PM Saturday 9 AM- 4 PM For pick-up, call: (352) 746-9084
Path of Marion County PO Box 77-1739 Ocala, FL 34477 Dunnellon Bargain Store 20565 W. Pennsylvania Ave. Dunnellon, FL 34431 Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9 AM - 5 PM Saturday 9 AM- 3 PM (352) 465-0606
www.pathofcitrus.org www.pathofmarion.org ASSOCIATION OF GOSPEL RESCUE MISSIONS www.agrm.org Newsletter design by New Eden Graphics 352.860.2146
Called To Serve
Maria Converse - Secretary (352) 586-5087
Dick Windle - Board Member (352) 489-4167
Help us get the word out about our bargain stores! We can send you this coupon flyer to pass out to friends, neighbors, co-workers & club members… or place in your business reception area!
THE PATH NEWS
Mark Stone - Interim President (352) 746-2626 Connie Lobel - Treasurer (352) 726-3200
Support THE PATH FARM— providing work & job opportunities plus healthy, organically grown food for our community!
Path Need
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
At THE PATH, the love of Christ compels us to answer His call to facilitate transformed lives for the men and women who pass through our doors. Through this process, our lives are changed. Read on to discover how…
Issue 1 - Volume 5
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.” Matthew 25:40 NIV
Bob, Case Manager- Men
Through serving the clients at this rescue mission, I have experienced a level of humility of heart. God has entrusted me to be His Hands and Feet in their lives for a season, to help them accomplish the necessary things to empower them to make the transition into a healthier life outside of THE PATH. Many of our clients could be your neighbor next door or the person you work alongside every day, and due to many reasons they come to a place of needing help. Homelessness doesn’t discriminate. It can affect anyone! Because of what I’ve heard and observed, I’m more thankful for the abundant grace extended to me. A distraught young man named Nicholas stands out in my recollections. I worked with him only briefly, and learned he was a victim of neglect and abuse— someone overlooked, just another face in the crowd. As we showed him that God not only loved him but wanted to give him a life with hope, Nick received Jesus as Savior and began
a new journey. We witnessed small, miraculous changes take place and then he was gone, much sooner than expected. I get word once in a while that someone has seen Nick walking or standing at a bus stop. That brings back to mind that we have only a short time to share so much. What a great opportunity and responsibility... (continued on pg. 2)
A History of Changing Lives
Inside this Issue...
]The Path Spotlight ]What’s Happening ]Director’s Corner ]Path Needs
Director’s Corner Dear Friend, This year marks the tenth year The Path’s doors have been open. I think of Roger who willingly came back to The Path, educated as a C.N.A. to serve as a role model and help supervise our clients. He also fills DuWayne Sipper in as a driver and tells the other clients of his path through The Path… As I look ahead to 2011, I anticipate a challenge to meet the demand from the public for more organically grown produce. We plan to increase our farm cooperative to 50 members. With the lease of the new 13 acre property that accommodates 4 graduates from the program with housing as well as a greenhouse and woodshop for building new skills, we are well on our way. Our clients are getting a better understanding that this is a long term process to heal wounds from different abuses, and our staff is getting better at explaining it. Our four main thrusts for client development will be retail, farming, woodworking and appliance repair. I believe these are real jobs for their future. John Ashman, Executive Director of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, has accepted a challenge to start 18 new Rescue Missions in America in the next 6 years. My number was much higher, but I like his number too. I am quite willing— and so is John— to be a leader in teaching the new Rescue Missions where ever possible. No one Rescues like Rescue Missions! More than ever, I think I am working on the greatest mission in the world. You can be a part of that too… Thank you for answering the call to rescue! His Service, InDuWayne Sipper,
Executive Director
Remember THE PATH in your estate planning Consider a Charitable Bequest: A written statement in your will bequeathing a parcel of real estate, sum of money, a specific amount of stock, or even a home to a charity. Call The Path at 352-527-6500, ext.4 to find out more on leaving a lasting legacy for God’s people. We appreciate your support as our mission grows to meet the ever-increasing needs...
2 – The Path News
Called To Serve…continued from cover Kristy, Office Manager — Since coming to THE PATH, I have grown in my walk with God. The clients keep me on my toes and hold me
accountable for my actions... I can’t tell them to do things with their lives or encourage them to make positive changes if I’m drowning in the same issues. The client who touched me the most was Pete. He walked here from the state of Texas, desperate to make a change in his life. Pete suffered from alcohol abuse, had pushed away or lost contact with family and friends. Through the process of becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), we learned Pete had charges against him in Texas. He went back, was later released and exonerated of all charges. Pete returned to THE PATH. Soon though, he became very sick and in great pain. It was discovered he had cancer and did not have much time left. THE PATH reached out to Hernando-Pasco Hospice (HPH), who took great care of him in his final stages of the cancer. Pete’s counselor found his estranged daughter. They were reunited and their relationship repaired. Pete went happily to be with Jesus, and members of our staff were with him in his final moments. Pete still praised God and loved Him to the end. While we still miss him, we know Pete is a testimony of God’s transforming power and love. And that is why we are here. Pete inspires me every day. Through him and his story, I can glimpse God at work. Thank you for keeping our doors open as we all work together to change lives… one by one!
T h e
Beginning New Lives Path clients lend a hand & work to build their future… volunteer & women’s counselor Linda Williams (below, second from right) bakes Christmas cookies with all of our women, sharing fellowship & holiday love in the kitchen…
“These three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” I Cor. 13:13
P a t h S p o t l i g h t
Pete, 2009
Thanks to our community “Angels” who gave from their hearts to bless Path Clients AND their children during the holidays—through volunteering for Family Days at the shelter, serving meals, helping us collect needed groceries & other items . . . for making sure everyone at the shelter felt loved!
Volunteers Denise Lay & daughter Hannah, plus an assortment of youth from 1st Presbyterian Church-Inverness (above, center photo) help collect groceries & other items at a local Winn Dixie store…Special thanks to volunteers Alan Solenberger (above, left photo), Marisa and Alana from Lecanto High Key Club, Don Phillips, Brian Czajkowski (above, right photo), John & Debra Burnett with daughter Abby, along with staff & clients for their help in a big effort to collect groceries, household & personal items, and other supplies at Walmart Supercenter-Inverness. These collections help us stay well-supplied year-round with food, personal hygiene & other shelter needs.
Building Better Tomorrows
Sharing Love for the Holidays
Our Angels… the Burnett family, Hoover family & friends, Rev. Richard & Myrna Evans, Path friends of Therapy Management Corp, Homosassa, Pastor Timm & congregation at Community Congregational Christian Church, Citrus Springs… to Al & Linda Ross and family, along with the ladies of 1st Baptist Church- Beverly Hills … gifts for everyone, a delicious brunch and dinner, fellowship throughout the day…so much love. One client expressed it best: “I wasn’t looking forward to Christmas…but this was really something. I didn’t even miss home.” Special thanks to Pat & David Fletcher, Spring Hill, for sponsoring a Path family again this Christmas with gifts for the children…and to Candace & friends at Halligan’s, Dunnellon, for partnering with THE PATH and other local businesses to provide Christmas dinner for anyone in need of fellowship and a Christmas meal.
Thanks to funding from Capital City Bank Group Foundation, Women of Sugarmill Woods and a student group’s class project from Tampa’s Springfield College for Human Services— a new cedar wood playground for the children at the shelter to bring smiles during their stay... With help from staff, Path clients and volunteers Michele Case, Raenee Franklin, Cindy Clark, Laura Tuccelli and her husband from local Capital City Bank branches, we assembled the entire structure, all on one cold December Saturday!
Total number of bed nights provided at THE PATH during 2010: 5,623 Total number of meals served at THE PATH during 2010: 16,869
3 – The Path News
What’s Happening
Announcing Spring Memberships
For Path Farm Co-op may still be available Get your box of freshly-picked seasonal produce as a co-op member every Friday, Mar-Sept. 2011 or purchase our produce individually.
Stuart Green - Board Member & Past President (352) 637-3585
Call 352-527-6500, ext. 5 to sign up.
Path Bargain stores support the shelter & our clients… Call 352-527-6500, ext. 5 to volunteer
A Publication of The Path Rescue Mission—Serving the Homeless and Hungry in Citrus and Marion Counties
www.pathofcitrus.org
Floyd Ford - Board Member (352) 270-3090 DuWayne Sipper - Executive Director (352) 527-6500, opt 5 Administrative Offices 27 S. Melbourne Beverly Hills, FL 34465 Phone: (352) 527-6500 Fax: (352) 746-6746
Path of Citrus County PO Box 3024 Inverness, FL 34451-3024 Lecanto Bargain Store 1729 W. Gulf to Lake Highway Lecanto, FL 34461 Hours: Monday - Friday 9 AM - 5 PM Saturday 9 AM- 4 PM For pick-up, call: (352) 746-9084
Path of Marion County PO Box 77-1739 Ocala, FL 34477 Dunnellon Bargain Store 20565 W. Pennsylvania Ave. Dunnellon, FL 34431 Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9 AM - 5 PM Saturday 9 AM- 3 PM (352) 465-0606
www.pathofcitrus.org www.pathofmarion.org ASSOCIATION OF GOSPEL RESCUE MISSIONS www.agrm.org Newsletter design by New Eden Graphics 352.860.2146
Called To Serve
Maria Converse - Secretary (352) 586-5087
Dick Windle - Board Member (352) 489-4167
Help us get the word out about our bargain stores! We can send you this coupon flyer to pass out to friends, neighbors, co-workers & club members… or place in your business reception area!
THE PATH NEWS
Mark Stone - Interim President (352) 746-2626 Connie Lobel - Treasurer (352) 726-3200
Support THE PATH FARM— providing work & job opportunities plus healthy, organically grown food for our community!
Path Need
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
At THE PATH, the love of Christ compels us to answer His call to facilitate transformed lives for the men and women who pass through our doors. Through this process, our lives are changed. Read on to discover how…
Issue 1 - Volume 5
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.” Matthew 25:40 NIV
Bob, Case Manager- Men
Through serving the clients at this rescue mission, I have experienced a level of humility of heart. God has entrusted me to be His Hands and Feet in their lives for a season, to help them accomplish the necessary things to empower them to make the transition into a healthier life outside of THE PATH. Many of our clients could be your neighbor next door or the person you work alongside every day, and due to many reasons they come to a place of needing help. Homelessness doesn’t discriminate. It can affect anyone! Because of what I’ve heard and observed, I’m more thankful for the abundant grace extended to me. A distraught young man named Nicholas stands out in my recollections. I worked with him only briefly, and learned he was a victim of neglect and abuse— someone overlooked, just another face in the crowd. As we showed him that God not only loved him but wanted to give him a life with hope, Nick received Jesus as Savior and began
a new journey. We witnessed small, miraculous changes take place and then he was gone, much sooner than expected. I get word once in a while that someone has seen Nick walking or standing at a bus stop. That brings back to mind that we have only a short time to share so much. What a great opportunity and responsibility... (continued on pg. 2)
A History of Changing Lives
Inside this Issue...
]The Path Spotlight ]What’s Happening ]Director’s Corner ]Path Needs