HopeNOW - Summer 2014

A Publication of the VISALIA RESCUE MISSION

HOPENOW rescue - recovery - restoration

GOOD

FRUIT

PG. 8

BEARING

Summer 2014 Volume 5 | Issue 2

We are excited to announce the opening of the Mission Market, a roadside stand selling produce grown onsite in the VRM garden. Read about how the Market got its start and when you can visit.

WISH LIST •

Deodorant

•

Razors

•

Underwear

•

Socks

•

Bar soap

•

Shampoo

•

Ibuprofen

•

Allergy meds

•

Band aids / first aid supplies

•

Shaving cream

•

Forks and spoons

•

Coffee

•

Cups

•

Commercial juicer

•

Commercial oven

•

Wood 2x4’s and 2x6’s

•

Flowers to plant

•

Twin bed sheets

•

Foam mattress pads for shelter

•

Refrigerator

•

Freezer

TABLE OF CONTENTS THE ISSUE OF RECOVERY In the Central Valley, the problems posed by illegal drugs are severe. Learn more about the effects of drug abuse in our community and how the Mission works to help individuals recover from addiction.

Pgs. 4 - 5

04

STORIES OF GRACE Four men and women share their stories of overcoming addiction as part of VRM’s drug and alcohol recovery programs.

Pgs. 6 - 7

06

A GARDEN WITH A MISSION We are excited to announce the opening of the Mission Market, a roadside stand selling produce grown onsite in the VRM garden. Read about how the Market got its start and when you can visit.

Pgs. 8 - 9

08

AN UPDATE ON THE OVAL

TO DONATE: YOU CAN DROP OFF ANY OF THE ITEMS LISTED ABOVE TO THE VRM ADMIN OFFICE LOCATED AT 500 EAST RACE AVE. (M-F 8AM - 4:30PM) THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Oval Park Coordinator, Ryan Stillwater, gives readers an update on what’s happening in the Oval.

Pg. 12

12

Hope Now 2

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

A Mission Update As many of you may

We are so thankful for the support you have shown

have

financially and prayerfully over the years. God is faithful.

heard,

the

Mission is in transition

Thank you!

as we seek a new

Blessings‌

Executive

Mark Shelton

Director.

The Board of Directors have been working faithfully to support staff during this transition, and I must say, the staff here are amazing. Ministry continues to happen every day and God is at work changing lives. After seeking much Godly counsel, we are moving forward with appointing an interim Executive Director to guide the Leadership Staff at the VRM until we find a permanent director. We are excited to see what the Lord will do at the Visalia Rescue Mission in the months and years to come; with every change, there is an opportunity for growth.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mark Shelton CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

John Anderson VICE-CHAIR

Linda LaFleur SECRETARY

Josh Bergman Steve Biswell Scott Bosler

HOPE NOW MAGAZINE Summer 2014 | Volume 5 Issue 2 | July 9, 2014

Karen De Groot Mike De Groot John Koster Rance Mulliniks Brad Reenders Marc Schuil Rob Van Grouw Judy Vannette

Published by

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Mark Shelton Jessica Cavale Kristin Eichbauer

MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 109 Visalia, CA 93279 TELEPHONE: 559.740.4178 EMAIL: hope@vrmhope.org WEBSITE: www.vrmhope.org

Connect with us on these Social Media Platforms

Hope Now 3

Produced by

“PEOPLE ARE GOING TO STAY CLEAN AND SOBER BECAUSE OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST, NOT BECAUSE OF ANYTHING ELSE...”

Hope Now 4

In the United States, the cost of drug and alcohol addiction is

learning ways to overcome addiction through the traditional

estimated at $524 billion a year, with illegal drug use accounting

12-step program, participants also receive instruction and

for $181 billion alone.1 This estimate takes into account costs

services that address their spiritual, physical and emotional

of treatment, prevention, productivity loss, crime and social

needs. Classes in spiritual enrichment, conflict resolution and

welfare programs.

life skills prepare participants to effectively transition back into their communities, while various job training classes

In the Central Valley, the problems posed by illegal drugs are

and internships help prepare them for employment. Once

particularly severe. According to the National Drug Intelligence

participants graduate from the 8- or 9-month programs, they

Center, methamphetamine poses the greatest threat in the

have the option of moving into transitional housing that allows

The

JESUS CHRIST IS THE HERO IN THE WAR ON DRUG DEPENDENCY

Overcomers

Central Valley region, accounting for most drug-related crimes.

them to live in a more independent environment, yet still

In recent years, recovery and treatment centers have also

receive accountability and support.

identified meth as the primary substance of abuse for people Rick Berbereia, Director for Men’s Recovery Programs,

entering their programs.2

recognizes the greater success faith-based organizations like Both drug and alcohol dependencies affect not just the

the VRM tend to have over traditional recovery programs.

individual, but family members, friends and the greater

He attributes this success to the Mission’s focus on spiritual

community. Luckily, there is hope for those struggling with

development and growth.

addiction.

“People are going to stay clean and sober because of their The Visalia Rescue Mission provides one such place of hope

relationship with Christ, not because of anything else,” he says.

by offering drug and alcohol recovery programs for men and

“That’s why I think faith-based programs are so much more

women. The House of Restoration (men) and the House of

successful.”

Hope (women) are residential recovery programs aimed at addressing issues of substance abuse from all angles. While

For information on the House of Hope or House of

1

National Institute on Drug Abuse

Restoration, contact the VRM office at 559-740-4178 or

2

US Department of Justice

visit www.vrmhope.org.

Hope Now 5

S T O R I E S

ERNESTO

GRACIE

HOUSE OF RESTORATION PROGRAM PARTICIPANT

HOUSE OF HOPE PROGRAM GRADUATE

“My experience has been the same as many in the aspect of drug addiction,

“I always thought I had my addiction under control,” Gracie says. “I could

crime and destructive behavior. I was full of despair and hopelessness.”

quit whenever I wanted; I was what they call a ‘functioning addict.’ ”

Previously a successful restaurant manager in Visalia, Ernesto says that

Gracie seemed to have it all: a stable job as a medical assistant, a family,

not long after going through a hard divorce, he hit the self-destruct button,

and big dreams for the future. However, she also dealt with a drug addic-

resulting in a meth addiction and jail time for robbery. Ernesto realized he

tion, which escalated to drug dealing.

needed help while in jail last summer.

“For the first time in my life, I called out to God without knowing anything about God,” he says.

“All I knew is that I needed help, and I couldn’t do it on my own.”

On the night of July 10, Ernesto had a dream that changed everything. “I dreamt I was at a funeral, but I was the only one there,” he says. “I realized it was my funeral. I felt like God was showing me how my life would end up if I continued down my current path. ”He woke up from the dream to an announcement over the speaker in his cell. It was an invitation to go to a Bible study; for the first time, Ernesto went.

Finally feeling a sense of hope and purpose, Ernesto applied to the VRM’s House of Restoration recovery program for men. “It was hard at first,” he says. “I had to abandon everything I knew about what a person should be.”

Now, seven months into the program, Ernesto is fueled by his faith to continue persevering through the harder parts of recovery. Looking ahead to after he graduates this summer, Ernesto is excited that he has a chance at a fresh start, especially as a father to his young son and new baby on the way. “I truly believe I didn’t know how to love until I came to the Mission.

My son is now going to experience real love from me.”

Rock bottom came when the police raided her home and took her children away. Facing five years in prison, Gracie knew she needed a drastic change.

“My life was heading nowhere. I knew I needed to do something for myself and for my kids. In my heart, I knew I needed a program.”

While serving a prison term, Gracie actively sought out the House of Hope, the VRM’s recovery program for women.

Once she started, Gracie knew the faith-based program was what she needed. She had walked with God before, but had not been willing to give up her old lifestyle, until now.

A 2012 graduate of the House of Hope program, Gracie now has a restored relationship with her family and her children and works as an administrative assistant for the Mission. Even with a 45-minute commute to work from Porterville, Gracie says the drive is worth it.

“My life changed thanks to the Mission,” she says. “And because I know firsthand what this place has done for me, I love being able to give back and see other lives being changed.”

O

O F

G R A C E

CALEB

DONNEA

HOUSE OF RESTORATION PROGRAM GRADUATE

HOUSE OF HOPE PROGRAM GRADUATE

Caleb started doing meth at a young age, and over the years, began to steal

“It’s hard to believe where I was nine months ago, and now here I am!”

to support his drug addiction. In jail for robbery charges, Caleb anxiously

Years earlier, Donnea was working as a nurse’s assistant and preparing to

awaited the day he would be released so he could go back to his life of

go back to school to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She had exper-

using and selling drugs.

imented with drugs since she was a teenager, but her addiction grew stron-

In 2013, Caleb joined the VRM’s House of Restoration recovery program as a quick way to get out of prison.

“I didn’t want to be here, but for some reason, I stayed,” he says.

A month into the program, something changed. “I was sitting in church and something in me broke. I asked Jesus back into my life.”

ger, and she ended up quitting her job. Homeless and alone, she started selling herself on the streets of Fresno to make money.

On the streets, Donnea was abused and betrayed by those whom she called friends. She ended up pregnant and had two children, who were later taken away from her.

One night, under the influence of drugs, Donnea got into a car with a

Caleb had a change of heart, and knew he needed help to break his old

stranger. Little did she know, the car she was in had been stolen. The night

habits. Even with his newfound faith, recovery wasn’t easy. “I wanted

ended with a high-speed police chase and Donnea being taken to jail.

a quick fix,” he says. “I wanted it to change fast for me, but it was more gradual.”

Now a graduate of the House of Restoration program, Caleb works at the Mission while also leading an Alcoholics Anonymous group and mentoring men in the same program he graduated from a year ago. He says he enjoys working at the VRM because he is able to invest in other men recovering from similar addictions.

“I see new guys come into the program, and I see myself in them. Now, I’m able to give back a little of what God has so freely given me.”

Caleb is excited for this new chapter in his life and is confident that his future will be bright.

Motivated by the children she was leaving behind, Donnea knew she needed help, but wasn’t sure where to start. With nowhere else to turn, she agreed to join VRM’s House of Hope program for women.

“When I came here, I was looking for every reason to leave. But every time I did, I’d find a reason to stay,” she says.

One of those reasons is House of Hope staff Becky Velez. “The people were so nice here. Like Ms. Becky, I love Ms. Becky. When I think about her, I want to cry.”

Donnea recently graduated from the program in June, and is now employed in a new job. She is also preparing to take classes this fall to continue her journey of becoming a nurse. Looking ahead, Donnea is most

“It’s taken me awhile to see what God’s plan was for me,” he says. “I still

excited about being a more active mother and growing in her new faith

don’t know where I’m heading, but I know it’s better than where I’ve been.”

with God.

THE NEW

MISSION MARKET

Come feed your family…and help us feed ours!

Hope Now 8

With an organizational mission of “hope and restoration through Jesus Christ”, what better way to symbolize redemption than watching fruits and vegetables grow out of what was once a dry and dusty rock yard?

The Visalia Rescue Mission has a garden that sits on a 1.5-acre plot located behind the VRM administrative offices on Race//Santa Fe (500 E. Race). The garden was started by a VRM volunteer in 2010. Since then, we have gained the support of several area farmers, irrigation advisors and business leaders who have collaborated to help establish healthier soil and plant fruit trees, grape vines and blackberry vines in the space.

Originally created to supply fresh produce to the VRM’s community kitchen, the garden has now produced a harvest that exceeds the kitchen’s daily needs. With the additional supply, the VRM Mission Market Produce Stand officially opened June 17th and offers fresh produce to the community as yet another way to raise money for the life-changing Visalia Rescue Mission programs.

The garden is being maintained by a small garden team of participants from the VRM’s Next Steps program as well as a full-time intern from Dordt College and our core garden volunteers and advisors.

Because of their investment, the Mission Market has become the newest social enterprise under the

MARKET FA C T S

VRM umbrella.

Hope Now 9

What is it?: A produce stand benefiting the VRM Mission Market Hours: M-F, 10am-6pm Location: 500 W. Race Ave (NE corner of Race & Santa Fe) What’s for Sale: Heirloom tomatoes, varieties of peppers, beans, okra, eggplant, squash, plums, melons, grapes, peaches, nectarines, and more!

How Will You Build?

We are excited to launch a Capital Campaign for funding for 2014-2015!

Our goal is to raise 1.6 million dollars which will allow the Mission to move forward in meeting the growing needs of our community.

If you are a regular giver to the Visalia Rescue Mission, we are asking that you give ABOVE & BEYOND for these two years to help us reach our goal, transform lives and share the Hope and Restoration of Jesus Christ to those in our City!

If you have not given to the Mission in a financial capacity before, we are asking that you become a regular donor towards our Capital Campaign for 2014 and 2015! This is an exciting time for the Mission and we trust that the Lord will do great things through each of you!

If you have a business and would like to get your employees involved by launching a very simple employee deduction plan for this campaign, we’d love to help you! With the few easy steps you can get your company and employees invested in the cause of life-change and transformation at the Visalia Rescue Mission!

We invite you to join and build HOPE with us!

MAIL THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THIS PAGE BACK TO US IN THE INCLUDED ENVELOPE OR CONTACT JESSICA FOR MORE INFORMATION: 559-740-4178 EXT. 204 | JESSICA@VRMHOPE.ORG

Build with Us

simply chic boutique NEWLY EXPANDED & GROWING

100 E. Main Street PH O NE: ( 559) 735- 31 84 D O NA TI O NS AC CEPTED M- F: 1 0AM - 5:30PM

&

Rescued Treasures 2523 SOUTH MOONEY BLVD. P H O NE: ( 559) 733- 31 89 DO N A TI O NS ACCEPTED M- F: 9AM - 6PM

VRM DONATION DROP-OFF LOCATIONS VRM COMMUNITY CENTER 741 N. SANTA FE VRM’S RESCUED TREASURES THRIFT STORE 2523 S. MOONEY BLVD.

$2 Off entire purchase simply chic boutique

FARM FRESH BOWLS 5427 W. CYPRESS AVE. VISALIA ELKS LODGE 3100 W. MAIN ST.

&

WAYSIDE CHURCH 1929 E. BARDSLEY AVE. - TULARE

Rescued Treasures

VISALIA NAZARENE CHURCH 3333 W. CALDWELL AVE. IN-SHAPE SPORT - DEMAREE 909 N. DEMAREE ST.

VALID AT EITHER STORE. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER

DONATION NEEDS:

COUPONS. EXPIRES 10/31/14

CLOTHES | SHOES | HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

coupon required

Hope Now 11

Update In our partnership with the City of Visalia to help transform Oval Park, our team has met with Oval Park residents and business owners, as well as city government officials and the community-at-large regarding Oval Park’s past and the City’s hope for its future.

Through these conversations, a single theme became clear: we’re not the only ones who care deeply for this neighborhood and desire to see it changed. Oval Park simply needs something to jumpstart its engine. We are excited to come alongside those who have been turning the key for years, hopeful that together, we can get Oval Park to roar back to life.

While we’ve been learning and planning, the City Council moved forward with a new code last year prohibiting shopping

carts and similar wheeled devices from city parks. Code Enforcement has retrieved over 1,100 to date while personal belongings are being stored at the Mission’s storage program that is operated in conjunction with the City of Visalia. Also, Parks and Recreation removed the park restrooms (to be consistent with all new parks), as well as removed the playground, which was not up to code. This spring, they gave the Park a small facelift by repainting tables, benches, and light posts. Later this year, the city Christmas tree will be redone in time for the annual Christmas tree lighting event.

With these foundations set, we are gaining some real momentum. To raise awareness and funds for the Oval Park project, our team recorded a 10-

Hope Now 12

song compilation CD featuring all local songwriters, and on August 29th, Oval Park will host a major concert event with Peter Frampton, Buddy Guy, and Randy Bachman. In October, the Oval Park will be welcoming a free concert featuring John Mark McMillan. We hope these events will be the first of many successful community gatherings at Oval Park and allow the Mission to serve those who currently call the Oval their home.

While the past ten months have been an attempt to gain some footing and hone our plan, our goal has always been the same: Hope and Restoration through Jesus Christ.

Sept.

Aug.

July

Summer Events GROCERY OUTLET’S ‘INDEPENDENCE FROM HUNGER’ EVENT - ENTIRE MONTH OF JULY

6TH ANNUAL FOOD FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER SUNDAY, JULY 20 - 3-6PM

Grocery Outlet July is VRM’s Hunger Awareness Month! Come visit the Grocery Outlet on Mooney Blvd. during the month of July and special donations will be made to the VRM when you purchase select items. Prepackaged bags of food will also be for sale to donate directly to the Mission.

Visalia Holiday Inn Ballroom Join the California Restaurant Association as they host the 6th Annual Food Fight Against Hunger! Watch amateur chefs compete for top honors in various food categories while sampling food and beverages from local restaurants. Also enjoy live music and cooking demonstrations by The Vintage Press’ David Vartanian. Proceeds benefit the VRM.

6TH ANNUAL GOLF SKILLS CHALLENGE FRIDAY, AUGUST 15

FRAMPTON GUITAR CIRCUS FRIDAY, AUGUST 29

Valley Oaks Golf Course Test your golf skills at VRM’s Golf Skills Challenge! The day includes a challenge course and a 9-hole scramble course.

Sign up your team and see if you have what it takes to beat the competition!

Sponsorships are available!

Oval Park The VRM is hosting an amazing night of guitar-hero pyrotechnics and gutsy rhythm-and-blues with Grammy®-winning guitarist Peter Frampton and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Buddy Guy. Special guest, Randy Bachman, will join Frampton on stage!

VRM ANNUAL BANQUET TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 - 6-9PM Gateway Church Mark your calendars for VRM’s Annual Banquet! Visit the VRM website to purchase your tickets!

For More Information // Tickets: www.vrmhope.org

Hope Now 14

HONORS &

MEMORIALS

IN MEMORY OF ALMA SANTOS DINA & JOHN LABANDEIRA MARIE VALINE DINA & JOHN LABANDEIRA MICHAEL ROCHA JOHN & MARIA ROCHA EVERETT VAN HEERINGER DUDLEY & GEORGANA GEARHART LEWIS RAY LINDA WILLIAMS MARY LINE DAVID & SHELLEY DEVER MARIALEE BRUMMIT DAVID & SHELLEY DEVER LILLIAN MOORE GEORGE & WILLENE CHASE MARK SANTOS LINDA MARTIN GILDA MARTIN

IN HONOR OF

OSCAR M. HOWELL JIM & SHIRLEY HERFURTH BRUCE & JEAN LINE STEPHEN & LINDA CLOYD SHIRLEY & GODFREY BOB & SHEILA HEFNER BILL & CLOVER JOHNSON KEITH ANN PRESLEY ABE KAZARIAN & FAMILY STEPHEN DREW DONNA J. SYMONS LOWELL & JOANN ELLIOTT BILL & CHARLINE & FAMILY M L & R C WHITE RONALD L. DEVINS RICHARD & CAROLYN SUPINGER ED & BLANCHE PARTON JAMES LINE

CLELIA HENSEN BORGES DAIRY/MANUEL & VITALINA BORGES

LOUIS SERRATO BEATRICE SERRATO

JACOB RANKIN PATRICK RANKIN

EDWARD E. CANTRELL DORIS & DAVID CRISEL

BOB & ANN ELLINGSON DEANNA KOOBATION RONALD DEVINS CORKY & JOANNE ELLIOTT

GABRIELLE & OLIVIA COVERSTON BRENDA ROA

EDITH LAWRENCE BORGES DAIRY - MANUEL & VITALINA ANNA MAE FRIESEN BOB & SHEILA HEFNER JANICE & BILL MUNCE BETTY PARTRIDGE & DAUGHTERS ROSE LEE SCHUMAKER MARILYN JANZEN CAROL & GARY YODER ED & BECKY RICHERT LEROY & LYNNE WESTGATE

CLARENCE RITCHIE DAVID & BETTY MILLER RALPH BOOKOUT VIOLA COPPOLA DAVID & BETTY MILLER J. ELISABETH KRANT-LATRONICO SHIRLEY VAN WORMER RONALD DEVINS

JAMES BLANKENSHIP KURT & LIESHA SCHMIDT NANCY & WILLIAM WITT KAREN MUNGER E. LEON BLANKENSHIP & CONNIE J. HAYLES JAMES CROFT LUCILLE LEAL JOSEPH LEAL

FRANK SILVA ISABEL SILVA

ST MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH ANTHONY LUIS VIVIAN MCNABB JOHN & DEE MCNABB TAYLOR STOUT RON & JILL STOUT

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH LUIS ANTHONY JULIE GUTHRIE CYNTHIA GOOD MIKE GOOD CYNTHIA GOOD ALEX NAGY JR. GARY & ELLEN PARKS NIECE & NEPHEWS STEPHANIE GONZALEZ

JEAN MORCOM MORRIS J. BENNETT

CRAIG LAWLESS DELMER & JOAN PHARIS CARRIE MITCHELL

SEAMUS DAVEY KIA IRAQ 10/21/05 RYANNE WALTHER DAVID WALTHER

LINDSAY VAN DYK DICK & DOROTHY DYKSTRA

ALLY PETERSON MARY, KARMEN & JOE KALASHIAN

DANIEL DUDLEY PHYLLIS CRAINE

FRANK KUKLINSKI ELEANOR GROOM

JESS HIGGINBOTHAM LORRIE PARISH

ROD & DONNA GOYA JOE KALASHIAN

RANDALL TOMLINSON HERB & ELEANOR HAWKINS RONALD DEVINS

LUCILLE LEAL ARMANDO SILVA

ROBERT FATICA JOE KALASHIAN

EDDIE W. REID DAVID & BARBARA JOHNSON

ROBERT JOSEPH ELLINGSON BOB & SHEILA HEFNER JOHN & DONNA RASKIN

GREATER PORTLAND BIBLE CHURCH, PORTLAND, OREGON DAVID WALTHER

CRAIG DENNIS SMITH KAREN D. ROQUE

JOHN & ODELTA PEREIRA BORGES DAIRY/MANUEL & VITALINA

TERESA HOFMEISTER GARY & ELLEN PARKS

Hope Now 15

RANDOLF REGAN SMITH MICHAEL SMITH DENI & MICHAELA WILLEFORD MARTHA WILLEFORD

77

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VI S A

C ALIF O R N IA

932

A,

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO. 119

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