A Transformed Life. Sitting next to a dumpster, homeless, penniless and alone, LIFTING YOUR SPIRITS THROUGH STORIES OF HOPE

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "A Transformed Life. Sitting next to a dumpster, homeless, penniless and alone, LIFTING YOUR SPIRITS THROUGH STORIES OF HOPE"

Laureen Casey
5 years ago
Views:

dirt lot with his mother. As he took the money, Derek vividly remembers the look of pity on the boy s face. Derek had seen that look many times before.

While loitering near seedy motels, he d receive loose change, food and an occasional cigarette from the motel s occupants, who were barely making a living on the margins of society.

Derek (left) has experienced an incredible transformation in his life and he is grateful to Dean Glasco (right), spiritual advisor for the PRM Men s Program, who has mentored and encouraged him.

By the afternoon, he had entered the Men s Recovery Program at the Mission. I realize now that an angel was leading me to the Phoenix Rescue Mission.

1 March 2013 PhoenixRescueMission.org LIFTING YOUR SPIRITS THROUGH STORIES OF HOPE A Transformed Life Sitting next to a dumpster, homeless, penniless and alone, Derek was handed a five dollar bill by a young boy walking through a dirt lot with his mother. As he took the money, Derek vividly remembers the look of pity on the boy s face. Derek had seen that look many times before. For the past week he had been living off the kindness of strangers. While loitering near seedy motels, he d receive loose change, food and an occasional cigarette from the motel s occupants, who were barely making a living on the margins of society. Derek imagines he must have looked pretty down-and -out to merit their help. Derek (left) has experienced an incredible transformation in his life and he is grateful to Dean Glasco (right), spiritual advisor for the PRM Men s Program, who has mentored and encouraged him. The next morning, Derek still had the five dollar bill. He knew he needed to use the money to get help. Instead, he used it to buy beer. He felt worse than ever about the way he was living his life. By the afternoon, he had entered the Men s Recovery Program at the Mission. I realize now that an angel was leading me to the Phoenix Rescue Mission. Earlier that week, this man, a recovering addict himself, showed me how to find which homeless shelters had programs. I Googled and the Mission was the first to pop up, said Derek. So I called and the man who answered the phone was in the program. He told me to find a way to get to PRM and then spoke to me for over an hour, really explaining how God was working in his life. Derek didn t believe in God, or that God was the answer to his problems, but knew he could not stay on the streets. Derek was task oriented and progressed well in the program. He was benefiting from daily counseling sessions and breaking through the walls he hid behind for so many years, but admits he had not accepted Christ into his life. Something still rang hollow. He found a mentor in Dean Glassco, Spiritual Advisor for the Men s Program. Dean, a recovering alcoholic who has been sober for 40 years, challenged Derek to reconcile his past by studying the Bible. It was one of Dean s assignments that had a profound effect on Derek, forever changing his life. Dean teaches a program curriculum called the Storms of Life. He assigns the clients a series of worksheets where they write their experiences coping with the storms in their lives. As Derek wrote, the Holy Spirit grabbed him and he finally understood how to trust in the Lord. I remember the exact time; it was August 16 at 7:10 at night. I jumped up and started asking other guys if they had continued on page 5

keeping the main thing, themainthing a message from Jay Cory, President and CEO When you think about it, Easter is the celebration of something truly unique,

Thankfully, through His sacrifice on the cross Jesus not only bought us a way to escape destruction; He also gave us the opportunity to begin again, to wipe away

Everything we do here at the Phoenix Rescue Mission revolves around the power of this undeserved miracle all our efforts focus on helping men, women and children

Re-Entry is split into two separate but very similar parts Bethany House and New Start.

This last piece allows our graduates a chance to test out the tools they have learned over the past year in a real world environment, but with the added safety

They do this as roommates in one of our two Bethany Houses - single family homes located in a residential area outside of the Mission Campus.

That means cooking their own meals, finding their own transportation to and from work, even paying a small amount of rent.

For others who come the Mission looking for help, but are not suffering from any sort of addiction, New Start represents the best place to find a second chance.

2 keeping the main thing, themainthing a message from Jay Cory, President and CEO When you think about it, Easter is the celebration of something truly unique, something that shouldn t have ever been possible in the eyes of a truly just God a second chance. Thankfully, through His sacrifice on the cross Jesus not only bought us a way to escape destruction; He also gave us the opportunity to begin again, to wipe away the garbage from our past and start fresh with a clean slate. Everything we do here at the Phoenix Rescue Mission revolves around the power of this undeserved miracle all our efforts focus on helping men, women and children to find that new beginning and it s this hope that lies at the heart of the fourth and final element of our 4R s Re-Entry. Re-Entry is split into two separate but very similar parts Bethany House and New Start. The Bethany House transition program is the final step for the men in our recovery program. This last piece allows our graduates a chance to test out the tools they have learned over the past year in a real world environment, but with the added safety net of daily check-ups from our staff. They do this as roommates in one of our two Bethany Houses - single family homes located in a residential area outside of the Mission Campus. Unlike their previous year spent in recovery at the Mission, here they are required to be virtually self-sufficient. That means cooking their own meals, finding their own transportation to and from work, even paying a small amount of rent. It s a safe and structured way to re-introduce our graduates to an independent lifestyle, set free of their addiction. For others who come the Mission looking for help, but are not suffering from any sort of addiction, New Start represents the best place to find a second chance. Many times all that is needed to pull these individuals out of their crisis situation is a new skill set and assistance in finding employment. New Start does this and more by not only providing both of these services, but requiring check-ups on their progress similar to the service we provide for our recovery graduates in our Bethany House program. Both sides of Re-Entry are critical to our Mission and highly successful in providing access to the new beginnings we strive to provide. Thank you for your tireless support of our long-term recovery programs and the power of a second chance. Happy Easter! Watch our latest video at youtube.com/user/phoenixrescuemission to see stories of second chances. You may also scan the QR code with your smartphone or tablet to view the videos. 2

Meet Barb Sloan... New Women s & Children s Program Director We welcome Barbara Sloan who joins the strongly believe God directed me to the CLC.

Having served for eight years outstanding with the Salvation Army specifically programming at the building and managing women s CLC?

Lives commandment is to love Center. the Lord your God with Q: What are you most excited to accomplish at the Changing Lives Center?

3 Meet Barb Sloan... New Women s & Children s Program Director We welcome Barbara Sloan who joins the strongly believe God directed me to the CLC. Phoenix Rescue Mission as the new Q: How will you use your Women s and Children s Program experience to establish Director. Having served for eight years outstanding with the Salvation Army specifically programming at the building and managing women s CLC? programming, Barb brings A: The touchstone of all a wealth of experience that I do is found in Luke to our women s and 12:29-31, which reads, children s programming the most important at the Changing Lives commandment is to love Center. the Lord your God with Q: What are you most excited to accomplish at the Changing Lives Center? A: Henry Drummond once said to become Christ-like is the only thing Barbara, pictured here with her grandson. all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Everything else I do (my gifts and my talents) is an outcome of that mission and of the map I in the world worth caring for, the follow. It is and will be my compass to The touchstone of all that I do is found thing before which every ambition which I will look for direction. It is in Luke 12:29-31, which reads, the most of man (or woman) is folly and all my magnetic North which will guide important commandment is to love the Lord lower achievement vain. Like many the CLC team towards excellence in your God with all your heart and with all of the women here at the Changing service to others. your soul and with all your mind and with Lives Center, I too have come out of all your strength. Q: How can you tell if a client in the ashes of a destructive/abusive the program is making progress marriage and it is my great hope to see and starting a new life? vast numbers of women and women with children come A: They will smile more; they will trust more; they will to the realization that without God in their lives they will embrace change, they will be made whole, they will be remain hopeless and helpless - unable to move forward transformed! towards a transformed (whole) life. Q: Why do you believe God directed you to the CLC? A: The great Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustuv Jung said that the true leader is always led. His words have always rung with challenge and comfort for me. I am a follower of the greatest leader who ever lived and long ago surrender my path to his lead. As I do not remember applying for this position, but clearly remember submitting a volunteer application - I do Q: What is an interesting fact about you? A: I trained for the 1968 Olympics in 200 meter butterfly and I was the first female fighter jet mechanic the USAF sent to Europe. Q: Tell me about your family? A: I have been married for 25 years (2nd marriage) and have a wonderfully successful son, brilliant daughter-in-law and the cutest 2-year-old grandson - I have pictures! 3

4 Angelo Espinosa has donated his Saturdays once a month to the men and women here at the Phoenix Rescue Mission for the past 10+ years. He s served in multiple areas, from kitchen help and food service, to maintenance and setup, before finding his true passion as an integral part of our weekend chapel services. But what motivates someone to continue to give their time faithfully, month after month for over a decade? For Angelo it s the fact that he sees volunteering at the Mission as an opportunity to serve on holy ground. Chapel is a place where hurting men and women can lay down the thoughts and cares of this world for a moment and consider the possibility, maybe for the first time, of a sovereign God it s a powerful thought and sometimes a life-changing one. That s why I consider the Mission to be holy ground; because every day this is a place where people get transformed and I want to be a part of that For Angelo, the Mission is the perfect place to live out his own part of the great commission and speak truth into the lives of our brothers and sisters; a chance to share in their struggles and offer clear direction to the rock that is Jesus Christ. But Angelo admits that volunteering isn t a one-way street he receives as much as he gives. The real value of the Mission isn t the fact that it provides food and shelter, even though those are good things the real value of the Mission lies with the potential it has to change and transform lives. I m not just talking about homeless men and women; I m talking about anyone that walks through those doors. Through this experience God has changed my life and my perspective as much as He continues to change the lives and perspectives of those that I serve here... I wouldn t trade it for the world. In our daily walk, we all feel the urge to give back to reflect the love that Christ has given us into the lives of others. In Angelo s search to fulfill this desire, he never could have guessed how much God had in store for him. Volunteering here at the Mission is unique. It does more than satisfy an urge, it changes you. We invite you to become a part of a life-transforming ministry that has kept Angelo and others coming back for more than a decade. If you are interested, please give our volunteer coordinator, Sofia Ontiveros a call at or visit our volunteer page online at phoenixrescumission.org/act/volunteer. Thank you Angelo for your dedication and service to the hungry and homeless. 4

5 A Transformed Life from page 1 read their homework no, you got to read this. I started reading paragraphs to people in the halls, Derek said. All of a sudden the light bulb came on for me. He accepted Christ into his life and through that process he forgave himself, then he finally forgave his mother for dying. His mother s death had been a turning point in Derek s life. He had surprised her by visiting on Christmas Day. He was 32 and had been living out of the state for several years. Her health had been failing for a while, in fact, that was partially the reason he planned the trip. Two days later after visiting some friends, he walked into her house and found her dead. Derek was a functioning alcoholic at the time. He was a skilled cabinet maker, who always paid his bills and made it to the job site on time. When his mother died, he took care of everything arranged her services, sold the house and paid the bills. My greatest achievement, before coming to know the Lord, was taking care of all of that stuff. I now know who was guiding me through that process, because I didn t have a clue. But I took care of every single solitary thing and then just started running. The alcohol became central to his existence. He moved from one job to the next, from one state to the next. Jobs became fewer and fewer as his alcohol addiction worsened. In the six months leading up to his stay at the Mission, he sold his car, paid his bills and just sat on the couch and drank. Pretty soon, the money ran out. My head had to hit the pavement, said Derek, And frankly, that was the only way I would make a change. Derek graduated from the Men s Recovery Program in He entered the Servant Leadership Training portion of the program where he took a leadership role among his peers in the program. I wanted to help my brothers get out of the mindset that they are just addicts and that is all they will ever be. They are children of God and new creations, and I wanted them to know that and see that. Derek is now attending South Mountain Community College and just moved out on his own from Phoenix Rescue Mission s Bethany House Transition program. I look towards Christ s humanity. I really cling to that. I remember my own time on the streets. Supposedly these dregs of society, these people who are supposed to be just horrible, they showed kindness to me. Kindness abounds in the least likely of places, because God works through anybody. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > New High Impact Volunteers Needed! Starting this month there is a whole new way to partner with the Phoenix Rescue Mission! New High Impact Volunteer positions have just opened up for those who would like the opportunity to use their past career experience to change lives! We are looking for people with a background in counseling, customer service, food service, case management, and childcare, just to name a few, who are willing to put their skill sets to great use. Please take a moment to visit and see if your past work experience would make you the perfect candidate to impact lives in a powerful new way! 5

Cookies That Change Lives The women of the Changing Lives Center whipped up their first batch of cookie sales at the Avondale Farmer s Market March 9, 2013.

Creating, marketing and selling cookies provides our clients with an entrepreneurial spirit, said Jay Cory.

Visitors and staff members began requesting the delicious baked goods and a business was born. The women have worked hard to perfect recipes for four distinct flavors of cookies.

6 Cookies That Change Lives The women of the Changing Lives Center whipped up their first batch of cookie sales at the Avondale Farmer s Market March 9, Their new business, Mission Cookies, is the first social enterprise venture for the Phoenix Rescue Mission. Creating, marketing and selling cookies provides our clients with an entrepreneurial spirit, said Jay Cory. They get to see all facets of a business environment, while learning skills to ready them for a career. The women began baking cookies almost six months ago as treat for guests coming to the Center. Visitors and staff members began requesting the delicious baked goods and a business was born. The women have worked hard to perfect recipes for four distinct flavors of cookies. Life By Chocolate, a play on words for the popular Death by Chocolate cake, is the fan favorite. Spice of Life, a traditional spiced sugar cookie; Changing Lives Chocolate Chip; and Peanut Better Life were equally popular with market-goers. With a regular spot Saturday mornings at the Avondale Farmer s market, the mom-preneurs hope to bake their way into other Farmer s Markets around the Valley. The cookies sell for $4 for 5 or $1 each. Mission Cookies will soon have an on-line ordering form and future plans to expand into the popular cupcake market. WishList The Phoenix Rescue Mission is in need of the following items: High Chairs (New or Gently Used) Kitchen Spices, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion salt, chili seasoning Disposable Razors (Men s and Women s) Towels (New or Gently Used) Twin Sheets (New) Board Games and Puzzles Arts and Craft Supplies especially for children Garbage bags (45 Gallon) Cleaning Supplies Please consider donating ONLY items listed, or call Vince at For additional items or for information on holding a donation drive, please visit phoenixrescuemission. org/give Music With A Mission Jazz and Live Media Innovation Concert Benefitting the Phoenix Rescue Mission Music performed by The Bob Ravenscroft Trio Dinner Served at 5:30pm Concert at 6:15pm When: April 27 th Where: The Changing Lives Center Chapel 338 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix Tickets $50 Only 80 Seats Available. Act fast! For reservations or more information please contact Don at Generously sponsored by Music Serving the Word Ministries To mail a gift: P.O. Box ~ Phoenix, AZ For shelter & meal service: 1801 S. 35th Avenue ~ Phoenix, AZ ~ 6

BEING THE BEST A HEART CONDITION BY BARRY FEAKER TOPEKA RESCUE MISSION MONTHLY REPORT NOVEMBER 2018

BEING THE BEST A HEART CONDITION BY BARRY FEAKER TOPEKA RESCUE MISSION MONTHLY REPORT NOVEMBER 2018 TOPEKA RESCUE MISSION MONTHLY REPORT NOVEMBER 2018 Topeka Rescue Mission 600 N. Kansas Avenue Topeka, KS 66608-1240 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED FACILITIES: 785-354-1744 Hope Center for Women & Families #8