JAMES WALKS THROUGH A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY JAN 2018

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1 JAMES WALKS THROUGH A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY JAN 2018

2 1321 E. Lancaster Avenue Fort Worth, TX (817) ugm tc.org A local united Christian organization and ministry dedicated to providing love, hope, respect, and a new beginning for the homeless of Tarrant County. BOARD OF DIRECTORS listed with church affiliations Chairman: W. David White Christ Chapel Bible Church Vice Chairman: Charlie Allen Christ Chapel Bible Church Treasurer: Charlie Allen Christ Chapel Bible Church Secretary: Columba J. Reid St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church President & CEO: Don Shisler Saint Mark Episcopal Church Chaplain: Fr. V. Stanley Maneikis St. Alban s Episcopal Church Bill E. Bailey, Christ Chapel Bible Church James O. Branch, St. Andrew s Episcopal Church Rickey J. Brantley, Arborlawn United Methodist Eddie Broussard, Watermark Community Church Carl R. Brumley, Christ Chapel Bible Church Larry Chilton, Christ Chapel Bible Church Ronald Clinkscale, First Presbyterian Church Fred Closuit, Christ Chapel Bible Church Robert Cotham, Christ Chapel Bible Church Larry D. Eason, First United Methodist Church Mary Jane Edwards, Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church Gene Gray, McKinney Memorial Bible Church Crawford Gupton, Christ Chapel Baptist Church Pat Hawkins, McKinney Memorial Bible Church Barcus Hunter, Christ Church Anglican Robert J. Keffler, Christ Chapel Bible Church Otis Lemley, Without Walls Church John Mitchell, Watermark Community Church Terry Montesi, Christ Chapel Bible Church Peter Philpott, St. Andrew s Episcopal Church Caroline Stephens Samis, The Paradox Church J.D. Stotts, White s Chapel Methodist Church Allison Wagner, Christ Chapel Bible Church DON SHISLER President/CEO ORDINARY DAY, EXTRAORDINARY YEAR There s nothing magical about January 1. The day dawns just as any other does, and we enjoy a cup of coffee and a quick check of the headlines just like we did on December 31. Still, I can t help feeling a sense of renewal and a hopefulness that something really special is going to happen in these coming twelve months. It s a feeling I know I share with many of our brothers and sisters at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County. In this issue of The Mission, you ll see how your support helps residents like James grasp the opportunity to try something completely different with their lives every day of the year. Whether it s enrolling in culinary school, becoming certified in a trade or pursuing an advanced degree, they have so many avenues for success. This time next year, many of the men, women and children with us today will be in homes of their own, looking back with gratitude on the blessings God gave them and looking ahead to even more in the years to come. Yes, January 1 might be an ordinary day, but by the grace of God, together we can make 2018 an extraordinary year for hurting people in Tarrant County! In Christ, President/CEO Brethren forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13 14 NKJV CONTENTS JANUARY A $5 gift keeps James moving forward in life 4 5 Women s Overnight Shelter meets a pressing need 6 Events, needs, social media 7 Chaplain s page 8 Case manager loves seeing clients succeed

3 My journey with God has been great. Every morning I wake up and I thank Him for another day. A SELFLESS GIFT CHANGES JAMES LIFE FOREVER I M GOING TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD. James had been living on the streets for about five months when an act of kindness led him to Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County. I was walking down the street and a guy I knew spent his last $5 to bring me down here to the Mission, he recalls. He just saw that I was sick and tired of being homeless. James friend rode on the train with him and made sure James got a bed for the night. That $5, so selflessly given, literally changed James life. Four days after arriving at UGM-TC, James joined the Men s Program. That decision started a journey that took James from scavenging in dumpsters for food to pursuing a culinary career. Working in the kitchen at UGM-TC, James discovered a passion for cooking. He recently accepted a position as a line cook and says, I love feeding people. I like to see them happy. I want to become a chef, so I m trying my hardest to get into culinary arts school with the help of God. Making positive choices comes a lot more easily to James since he joined the program. He has learned, We can either let God open the window of opportunity and walk through it, or we can keep going backwards and not go anywhere. I m going to do everything I can to keep moving forward. One way James is moving forward is by reconciling with his three daughters, one of whom is soon to give him his first grandchild. She needs me, he says proudly. Looking back on this past year, James says, My journey with God has been great. Every morning I wake up and I thank Him for another day. I ve accomplished so much and feel so much better about myself. James remains grateful to the friend who set his feet on the path to success with his last $5 and he plans to pay it forward. If I had more to give to the homeless and to a place like this, I would love to. And the King will answer and say to them, Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. Matthew 25:40 NKJV

4 YOU GAVE WOMEN IN NEED A I DON T KNOW WHERE I WOULD The opening of our Women s Overnight Shelter in 2016 was a big accomplishment for UGM-TC, as it was the first time we could offer any type of emergency overnight housing for women in Tarrant County. This service has truly been a blessing to the women in need in our community. When a woman comes in for the night, we start by providing her with a shower and a clean pair of scrubs while we wash her clothes. After she cleans up, she will attend chapel and dinner with the other overnight ladies and the women in our residency program. Later, she will receive case management to help with a variety of needs and to put her in contact with any other community resources that may be needed. SERVICES PROVIDED: SHELTER OVERNIGHT LUGGAGE STORAGE CLOTHING SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT NUTRITION EXTERNAL RESOURCE REFERRAL Since its opening, the Women s Overnight Shelter has served a total of 564 women, of which 72 have joined our Women s Program. We are thrilled to be able to serve our clients more efficiently and continue to increase the amount of successful outcomes. Thank you to everyone who has had a helping hand in providing support and compassion for our female guests.

5 REFUGE FROM THE STREETS! BE WITHOUT UGM-TC. RUBIE RESIDENT HIGHLIGHT Rubie, UGM-TC Resident and Former Overnight Guest Before becoming a resident, Rubie spent 60 straight nights in our Women s Overnight Shelter. I feel like I was placed here for a reason. I got to a point where I no longer wanted to depend on anyone; I wanted to stand on my own. I don t know where I would be without UGM-TC. Rubie now looks forward to getting her own apartment and sharpening her computer skills with technology classes. STAFF HIGHLIGHT Angelique, Women s Overnight Shelter Case Manager The Women s Overnight Shelter is an asset to the individuals we serve and to the community because it provides a warm, safe place to sleep for women who otherwise may risk unsafe activity or death on the street. Working with the women we serve is intrinsically rewarding for me.

6 Don t Forget Tickets are now available to hear Pat Smith author, mother of five, minister, inspirational speaker and wife to Dallas Cowboys Emmitt Smith give an inspirational message at our annual luncheon. Tuesday, February 20, :30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Will Rogers Round Up Inn Please event@ugm-tc.org or call to reserve your spot today. KEEP IN TOUCH Far more is going on at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County than we could ever fit in a newsletter! Here are some simple ways to see how you make a difference every day and be the first to hear about big news and special events: Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter (@ugmtarrantco) Follow us on Instagram (@ugmtarrantco) VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT! Become a tutor. Make a difference for our children through our tutoring program one or more evenings a week from 5:00 6:00 p.m. this semester. Host a coat drive. As the weather stays cold this winter, men, women and children need gently used or new coats. Adopt the Women s Overnight Shelter. Keep the Mission looking cheerful for the ladies in our overnight shelter. Include your address on the enclosed response form to receive Mission news and opportunities via For more information on these and other volunteer opportunities, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at or lkinney@ugm-tc.org. Have you considered including Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County in your ESTATE PLANS?

7 [ bkgd image is a low resolution comp ] NEW LIFE IN CHRIST IN THE NEW YEAR CHAPLAIN STANLEY MANEIKIS When I walk out my front door on New Year s Day, I think, Wow, this is a new year. What I brought into and out of the house last year is history. There is a psychological finality here: The challenges, successes and disappointments of the old year are over. The New Year is a fresh start. Jesus said: I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep (John 109:10 11 NKJV). The front door of my home is never closed to the Good Shepherd. If Jesus knocked on my door, it would be the biggest surprise ever. But isn t the Christian life about being prepared to welcome Jesus into our home as the honored guest? He came to visit the Pharisees and sinners. I am no better than they were, a redeemed sinner who opened the front door of my heart some 60 years ago. THIS NEW YEAR, OPEN YOUR FRONT DOOR TO SOME NEW POSSIBILITIES. Paul taught the Corinthians that when they open the door to receive Jesus, this happens: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God (2 Corinthians 5:16 17b, NKJV). Paul writes that what is new here is the ministry of reconciliation, being ambassadors for Christ and being reconciled to God. Our New Year s resolutions must include being reconciled to God, becoming a minister of reconciliation and being a better ambassador of Christ to our known world. As we go out our front doors, our feet and heart should be pointed in a new direction. This New Year, why should we be overcome and defeated by a world gone off its rocker? The Good News is always good! As Jesus said, Shout it from the housetops. To get to the housetop, we have to go out the front door. This New Year, open your front door to some new possibilities. May God whisper them in your ears this PRAYER REQUESTS AS WE BEGIN A NEW YEAR IN CHRIST, PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYER: For generous volunteer and financial support for the residents of UGM-TC. That we become ministers of reconciliation. That the front door of heart and home be open to the reconciling Love of Jesus. That we will have the courage to let God be our caregiver. ALPHA UPDATE ALPHA is a Bible-based course offered on Thursday evenings that gives our residents the opportunity to explore the meaning of life through Christ in a relaxed, friendly setting. The ALPHA course Jesus Lifestyle celebration is here at UGM-TC on January 25, 2018, on the Feast Day for St. Paul. You are invited to attend. The celebration begins at 7:00 p.m. Team Training for the ALPHA Course, Questions of Life, will be on February 8, Come to the training and be a part of a great activity of reconciliation in Christ Jesus. If you would like to be a part of the team, please contact Chaplain Maneikis at or smaneikis@ugm-tc.org.

8 Our clients may be experiencing homelessness, but they are blessed by your generosity. MEET SILVANA, ONE OF OUR MEN S PROGRAM CASE MANAGERS As a case manager in UGM-TC s Men s Program, Silvana Wondal says, The work is overwhelming, but at the end of the day it s always worth it. I love seeing the clients succeed. Silvana and our other case managers help to ensure success by providing everything a client needs to get back on his feet. The first thing we do is get their IDs in order, Silvana explains. Then we ll talk about what they want to accomplish here. Ultimately, the goal is to get every client ready to re-enter the workforce. Working with a client on his resume helps Silvana learn about his background and work ethic. She also conducts mock interviews and assists them with lining up references. Community partnerships are vital to preparing clients for employment. The Visions program through Tarrant Community College covers a wide range of trades. They help our clients ease back into school. They provide all the supplies, Silvana tells us. Culinary-minded clients like James in our cover story have options as well. There s an intense 14-week program we refer clients to through the Tarrant Area Food Bank. It s called Community Kitchen. They work with chefs in a real kitchen and cook fancy things I can t even pronounce! The program includes a restaurant internship which can lead to a full-time position. Silvana thanks you for your support, which provides for all of our clients needs. Your donations allow us to do everything we re doing here, she says. Our clients may be experiencing homelessness, but they are blessed by your generosity. VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE STORIES! E. LANCASTER FORT WORTH, TX