Mike works as the Facilities Manager for a company in Fort Collins, rebuilding and rewiring gas pumps. He loves that his job gives him the chance to work independently, solve problems, and live a healthy life. “I have the opportunity to do small groups, mentor others, and spend good time with my family,” he says.
     While in the New Life Program, Mike appreciated the one-on-one attention he received. “[Staff] treated us each on an individual basis, and helped us specifically with each area of our lives. They are very knowledgeable, patient and comforting.”
     What does being a mentor to men in the New Life Program mean to Mike? “It’s just to see inspiration in people. It’s wonderful how they’ve received inspiration to help others, too. That’s what the Lord has done with me. It kind of goes hand in hand.”

When Darcy was a New Life Program resident at Champa House, she took life skills and employment coursework and discovered some of her gifts through the Adkins program. “I’m detail-oriented and realistic!” she says. While at the Mission, Darcy was able to go to Emily Griffith Opportunity School for bookkeeping and now uses her innate gifts in her current job as a customer service representative at a health insurance company. “I like helping people,” she says. “I really enjoy customer service.”
     While at Champa House, she set out goals. First and foremost, she wanted to secure a good job and be able to provide for her children. Since her graduation, she has been able to do just that through steady employment. And she still receives support from the Champa House network. “I am always getting encouragement from staff and residents,” she says.

     “Before I came [to Harvest Farm], I didn’t want to live," says Mark, a Phase V resident. “That’s why I drank.”
     “Now, I can interact with other people and enjoy just little things, like waking up! It’s pretty cool to wake up sober.”
     Mark wants to use his life to help others in emergency situations.  Before coming to the farm, he had his own flooring business, but volunteered for seven years as an Emergency Medical Technician. “I just really liked it,” he says. At the farm, he has regained his EMT certification and is going back to school to become a paramedic. Currently, Mark is on the EMT volunteer reserve list at a hospital near Harvest Farm, where he enjoys the challenge of calming people down and putting himself in their shoes.
     He’s thankful for the Mission’s help. “The opportunities they give people are pretty incredible.”

     While Steven was a resident at Harvest Farm, a staff member encouraged him to find ways to give back to his community. He decided to start by painting a gazebo at the Wellington Senior Center. Before he got out the door with a paintbrush, however, the Center’s grant writer asked for his help with a small computer problem. “I never did paint the gazebo,” he laughs. “I ended up in the office converting the bookkeeping to a computer system! Then, over six months, I wrote 26 grants for them, and we received them all.”
     Steven now has his own grant writing business, where he works primarily with nonprofit clients. He is a member of the American Association of Grant Professionals, and is a board member and administrator in his church. In addition, he mentors four men at Harvest Farm. “My heart will always be for the drug and alcohol addicts, because I’ve been there. I’ll tell you, it’s been really amazing, the life change that happened with me,” Steven says.

Thank you for your donations! Working together in these tough economic times, we can help men and women like these find the stability they need to stay the course.

President’s Day Event

On Friday, February 13th, business leaders and presidents from Colorado companies joined Brad Meuli and served a meal to the homeless and poor at the Denver Rescue Mission’s Lawrence Street Shelter. These community leaders have shown steadfast support for Mission programs and have helped us promote lasting solutions to issues of homelessness in our community. Thank you, leaders, for your example and your service!

FSHI Faith Luncheon

On Thursday, February 19th, Mayor Hickenlooper’s clergy council hosted the fourth annual Family and Senior Homeless Initiative Faith Luncheon for metro area congregations. Many faith leaders came to hear about the chance to mentor families and seniors out of homelessness through the Family and Senior Homeless Initiative, a partnership between faith congregations, the Denver Rescue Mission and Denver’s Road Home. Since the program began, over 530 families and seniors have been moved into permanent housing!

If you or your congregation would like to mentor a homeless family or senior, or would like a Mission staff member to make a presentation at your place of worship, please contact Shawn @ 303.300.7999.

We recognize that some of our readers may have lost jobs and been adversely affected by the economy. Denver Rescue Mission can help with food boxes, resources and long-term help toward self-sufficiency! Call 303.297.1815 for more information.