Dear Friends,
Breaking the cycle of poverty by working with kids in our youth programs may be one of the most important things we do at Denver Rescue Mission. I cannot imagine what it might be like to experience homelessness as a child. In this month’s story, you’ll meet Adrian and her children who also experienced their dad going to prison.
Homelessness is complicated. It can be the result of unexpected circumstances that can produce very scary results. For the youth we work with at the Mission, homelessness is real and it is frightening.
This is why we are so thankful for the Broncos Room, a place where our staff and volunteers minister to the youth at The Crossing, trying to encourage, lift-up and love-up on them. During this Christmas season, our youth will enjoy the annual Broncos holiday party, with Broncos players and gifts for all the families who live here. We want to let kids at The Crossing know that this Christmas season (all year-round really!) they are loved and cared for. We want to show them that God cares about them, and we do too.
One of the most encouraging things that I have experienced at the Mission is to see someone who lived at The Crossing as a child with their family, come back and get a job with us because they want to help people like they were helped. It is humbling to see the cycle of poverty broken and Jesus be at the center of their lives. Thank you for trusting us to make this possible.
This Christmas season, we are thankful for the opportunities to help these families and thankful to you for your generous donations and gift of time as volunteers. I hope your Christmas is extra special this year and that you know you are loved—by Jesus, by our staff and by the people you help at Denver Rescue Mission.
Brad Meuli has been President/CEO at the Mission since 2001. Brad joined the Mission after a 17-year career in banking. Previous to his staff position he served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Read his full bio.
This post is part of December’s Changing Lives Newsletter. This month, you’ll learn about the ways your donations are providing a Merry Christmas and a stable home for families experiencing homelessness.