In an ever-changing world, Christ has always been at the center of our work. As we have progressed with our three-year strategic plan, one of our initiatives was to clarify how we have been and will continue to show up in this ministry. We settled on four key points: engage mercifully, work holistically, speak truthfully, and believe in miracles.
Engage Mercifully
Loving our neighbors as ourselves, without judgement.
We recognize all humans are made in God’s image and strive to live out Christ’s command to love our neighbor as ourselves, without judgment. Every day we practice mercy by:
- Welcoming all, with a low barrier to shelter entry
- Never giving up on people
- Handling difficult moments with patience and remembering the trauma of the people we work with
“In our Bridge program we had a single mother with a young child who had disabilities. The mother had become homeless because there was no care or support for her son, so she could not work. As she came into the program, she was forceful in her approach with the staff and could be hard to work with. The staff worked together, encouraging one another to engage mercifully.
Over the course of two months, the mother saw something different here and began to relax, trust and engage. The staff was able to walk alongside her and help her navigate the challenges she was facing. When she left Bridge a few months later, they had secured care for her son, which allowed the mother to work, and then obtain housing.”
Tracy Brooks, Vice President of Homelessness Resolution
Work Holistically
“This approach involves more than just providing food and a place to sleep (biological). We also need to help individuals work through their thoughts and emotions, which might include support for mental health challenges (psychological). Additionally, we can address the rules and systems in our society that create barriers to stable housing, while assisting people in building healthy habits and social connections to maintain their homes (social).
Through all of these efforts, we act in the name of Jesus Christ. As people witness the positive impact of our holistic approach, our hope is that they will inquire about our motivation. At that moment, we are ready to share, in both words and actions, the transformative power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
John Thexton, Senior Director of Community Life
Recognizing that we are complex beings who require complex solutions.
We are rooted in the Mission’s historic goal of meeting people at their physical and spiritual points of need. As Christ commanded, we love God with our whole self and recognize that we are complex beings who require complex solutions (biological, psychological, social, and spiritual). Every day we provide holistic support by:
- Providing for guests’ physical needs through food, shelter and life-changing programs
- Facilitating access to physical and mental health care
- Providing spiritual care and comfort
Speak Truthfully
Speaking truths: first to ourselves and then into the lives of the people we serve.
Following Jesus’ example, we recognize the ongoing need to speak hard truths: first to ourselves and then into the lives of the people we serve and systems we engage within. Every day we honor truth and speak:
- Responsively instead of reactively
- At the appropriate time
- With honesty, transparency and hope
“Many years ago, I was helping a participant study for the GED, and he shared all the criticisms he had of me, personally and professionally. As I listened, I remember thinking, ‘I know his story. He has seen everyone he loved leave him because of his actions, and I bet he’s wondering if I’m going to do that too. I wonder what might happen if I just listen, stay connected to him through this and speak honestly to him?’ So that’s what I did.
I said, ‘I really want to keep working with you because I think you can accomplish a lot of incredible things during your time here, but I am getting the sense that you are trying to push me away with all these things you are bringing up. I want you to know that I’m committed to hearing as much as you want to share, and it doesn’t change my commitment to working with you. Are you willing to continue working with me even with all my faults?’
He was speechless. I could tell he heard what I was saying because his whole posture relaxed a little bit. More importantly, he showed up for our next appointment and eventually he received his GED and he graduated.”
Seth Forwood, Senior Director of Fort Collins Rescue Mission
Believe in Miracles
“It was close to 7:30 p.m. on Christmas night in 2022. I was at the Lawrence Street Community Center and two young women with children came to us for help. They were from a country in South America and had arrived in Denver after a very long journey. They were able to get into a cab and communicate to the driver to just start driving so they would hopefully find help. When they saw Denver Rescue Mission’s ‘Jesus Saves’ cross they told him to stop. They told our team that they literally felt a presence leading them to us for help that night.
When they saw the cross, they knew they were at the right place. Our intake team spoke with them and then called the City of Denver’s Migrant Resource Center. The City’s team sent a bus to come pick them up and got them a motel room for the night. To me this was an example of God’s miraculous intervention through extraordinary circumstances to care for a family without any resources on a very cold Christmas night. All glory to God.”
Rene Palacios, Director of Chaplaincy and Community Care
Believing that all lasting growth and healing depends upon the miraculous work of God.
Recognizing God’s greatness and our frailty as humans, we believe that all lasting growth and healing depends upon the miraculous work of God. Every day we live out our faith by:
- Instilling hope in what God can do
- Knowing that apart from God we can do nothing
- Believing that as people behold the glory of God, they are being transformed into the same image
You Gave Hope to Stories of Homelessness in 2023:
1,129,267 Meals
427,952 Nights of Shelter
To Our Supporters
Here are a few words from a few of the many you’ve impacted:
“I just got accepted for an apartment. I want to thank everyone, whoever you are out there, you know who you are. I thank God for you for donating to this place because it does work.” – Anthony
“Thank you for helping to change and save my life, I am a much better person in all aspects of my life.” -Mike
“You got me over a bridge that I needed to get to this side. Please keep giving because there are more like me who need that bridge.” – Joella
“I am very grateful for every single donor. When you know that you have help and support, it helps you push forward, keep going and accomplish those goals. It truly does.” -Tonya
“Thank you for your generosity and investment. There are people struggling out there who are really good people, and you are making sure that there’s somebody there when people need help.” – Bob
Change Lives This New Year
Bring in the new year by providing hope encouragement to our neighbors experiencing homelessness!
Download Full Newsletter
- Who We Are Called to Be
- The Mission in My Words: Dan Harman
- Letter From Our CEO
