12 Ways to Make An Impact in 2020 - Denver Rescue Mission

Happy New Year!

God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose. What is God calling you to do in 2020? What gifts, skills and talents can you use to be His hands and feet?

1) BRING YOUR HOBBIES AND SKILLS TO THE MISSION

Whether you’re creative and innovative or organized and systematic, you can do what you love while reaching those in need. We have opportunities for many different interests and skill sets, such as musicians who perform during meal service, artists who create projects with our guests and various administrative roles. You can also get involved in activities hosted at the Lawrence Street Community Center, such as bingo and karaoke.

2) WORK WITH OUR YOUTH

From tutoring to Bible studies, you can work with the children and teens living at The Crossing and help create a healthy and fun environment for them to grow and succeed.

3) BECOME A MENTOR

If you have a gift in making connections and providing emotional and spiritual support to others, this is the ideal opportunity for you. We have mentorship opportunities that support men, women, children, and families in one-on-one and group settings.

4) USE YOUR PROFESSION TO MAKE AN IMPACT

We have several ways that you can apply your expertise to keep the Mission’s services effective and efficient, including counseling, maintenance, mechanics, clinic law, and barber services.

5) HELP FOSTER EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

If you enjoy teaching important skills or writing resumes, you can help our program participants develop their gifts to further their education and land a job, which is instrumental in breaking the cycle of homelessness.

6) HELPING AT OUR WAREHOUSE

We have opportunities for you to work in our Ministry Outreach Center with our Client Services team in administrative or front-of-house roles helping families in need.

7) HOST OUR CHAPEL SERVICES

If you’re passionate about teaching the word of God, consider hosting a chapel service at our Lawrence Street Shelter. The service includes worship, reading scripture, bringing a message of salvation, sharing testimonies, and offering an altar call.

8) JOIN OUR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP

Are you a young professional who’s passionate about giving back? Join our growing network of influencers to help serve meals, receive insider info, gain exclusive access to Mission projects, network with other young professionals and become a Mission ambassador to spark change in our community.

9) ENHANCE YOUR CAREER GOALS BY INTERNING

This is your chance to check out a career in the nonprofit world! Our internship program offers hands-on experience in nonprofit business operations, public relations, case management, community outreach, counseling, family and youth services, and more.

Want to help but strapped for time?

Here are three opportunities that don’t require long-term commitments:

10) PREPARE AND
SERVE MEALS

We serve three meals a day, 365 days a year at two locations, so we have plenty of opportunities for you to come serve and bless our guests through the comfort of a home-cooked meal.

11) SORT AND ORGANIZE DONATED ITEMS

If you thrive in creating and maintaining order and structure, come serve in our warehouse. The duties include sorting, hanging, folding, restocking and organizing clothing and food items.

12) WASH AND WAX AUTOMOBILES

If you like cars this is the ideal opportunity for you. Help prepare the trucks and cars that are used for our fleet service as well as the donated vehicles that are gifted to program participants.

Whether it’s through a meal, a song or a new haircut, everyone experiences God’s love in different ways. With your support, we can continue serving in many different capacities.

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Anastasia’s Story of Giving Back

Hanging on her mirror is a Bible verse that reads, “1 Corinthians 13:4-5: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

She received it at a Bible study at Denver Rescue Mission when she was 15 and has held on to it for years.

She reads the verse every morning when she looks in the mirror as a reminder of God’s love and how He calls her to love others. In the reflection is a wife, daughter, sister, teacher, and volunteer—a woman of God with a heart for children and a desire to serve.

Anastasia decided to start volunteering at the Mission after being encouraged at church to live as a servant of God and respond to His calling on her life. After seeing a Facebook post from a former Mission volunteer, she felt God tugging on her heart to get involved with the youth Bible study. “God put it in front of me as the perfect opportunity,” she said.

Returning to the Denver Broncos Youth Center (the Broncos Room), the Mission’s youth education center at The Crossing, was an emotional step for Anastasia, because it brought back many bittersweet memories.

When she was a sophomore in high school, her family joined the STAR Transitional Program, and they lived at The Crossing for about six months. They started experiencing homelessness when she was in fourth grade, and she and her three younger brothers and older sister were in foster care before going to the Mission.

She spent her free time in the Broncos Room with other teens—some of whom she is still friends with today—attending homework nights, Bible studies and various events.

As a teenager, Anastasia felt embarrassed to tell her friends at school where she was living, but the comfort she lacked from her peers at school, she gained from the warm, welcoming ambiance created by the volunteers at the Mission.

“Being there in a safe space where there are people who pray over you and make sure that you’re doing okay—people who actually have an idea of what you’re going through—is something that was really helpful at the time,” she said.

Now, nearly a decade later, Anastasia spends her Tuesday evenings back in the Broncos Room, teaching God’s word to the kids. Together, they sing, dance and read stories about Jesus.

“I really feel that God put me here for a specific reason, and it’s just really cool to know that I can relate to these students.”

Joe Bermingham, youth coordinator at the Mission, said Anastasia brings the same kind, gentle disposition that she had when she lived at The Crossing. “I’m very proud of her,” he said. “She is in her own quiet way influencing these kids.”

Anastasia holds a Master of Arts in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education and is a second grade teacher at the Center for Talent Development. “It gives our kids hope and a future,” Joe said, “because if Anastasia was a kid here and is now a teacher with a master’s degree, they know they can do it too.”