Dear Friends,
Did you know Denver Rescue Mission serves more than just men? One of my surprises in my first two years was discovering how many people believe we only serve single men. While it is true, the majority of people we serve are men, we also serve a significant number of women, children and families. We always have.
On the second floor of our Administration Building, there is a framed newspaper article from the Rocky Mountain News on March 11, 1923. At that time our name was Sunshine Rescue Mission. That story has several pictures, many of them showing children and women we served.
In this newsletter you will read about a very special woman, Mira. Our Complex Case team was able to help her when she was at her lowest point. I am so proud of the work our Complex Case team does each day. They literally are working with the hardest cases. They receive referrals almost every day from our partners. I think one of the reasons they have so much success is that they do not give up. They believe that with God all things are possible including ending homelessness, one life at a time!
There is a phase we use a lot around here: “God’s work through me is because of God’s work in me.” When we allow God to work in us, then God is able to work through us and help so many people like Mira.
“God’s work through me is because of God’s work in me.”
We do serve everyone—men, women, families, youth—everyone, period. We strive to do so without judgement or condemnation but rather with love and compassion and hope. That was true in 1923 and remains true today. Jesus called us to love others, all others, as we love ourselves and feed the hungry, welcome in the stranger, care for the sick, and give clothes to those in need. Everyone, period.
I want to be clear that we could not do this work without your prayers and financial support. Our costs have risen dramatically, and we need your help more than ever. Thank you for your partnership in this ministry!
Grace and peace,
Dennis Van Kampen
President/CEO
This post is part of June’s Changing Lives Newsletter. This month, we’re sharing Mira’s story of finding safety and community with the help of the Complex Case Team in: No Longer Invisible.
