June 2009

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In addition to offering three meals a day to anyone who is hungry, the Lawrence Street Shelter provides 200 overnight beds and 100 emergency cots for homeless men seeking refuge from the streets. Men who are interested in the Mission’s long-term recovery program can enroll as program candidates here as well.

David “I wanted to disappear,” Dave says of being homeless. “Alcohol helped me go somewhere else.” He first came to the Lawrence Street Shelter about a year ago for a meal and a bed.

While staying at the Mission, Dave decided to enter the New Life Program. Since, he’s experienced profound life change and found joy in reaching out to others. He’s especially enjoyed work therapy responsibilities in Client Services. “I love helping people one-on-one,” he says warmly. Dave currently studies Information Technology and is working toward certification in American Sign Language. Looking forward, he’s excited and hopeful about God’s plan for his life.

Champa House is a caring, nurturing place where single mothers—many of them coming out of abusive situations—can live with their children and receive counseling, further education, and the emotional support they need to find healing and begin to provide for their families. Champa House shelters and cares for up to nine women and twenty-two children.

Jessica As a mother on her own, Jessica found herself going from house to house. “We were [sleeping] on couches and other people’s beds,” she says. Her family was not eating well. She worried how they would make it.

Since coming to Champa House, Jessica has found full-time work, grown as a mother, and built supportive, encouraging friendships. Working one-on-one with a Champa House teacher, she’s improved her reading skills and grown in confidence. “I have a learning disability, and they figured out right away when I took a test. They provided medicine for me, which has helped, and which I never would have done on my own.”

Jessica is rediscovering her God-given potential. “I have learned so much about God,” she says. “The Holy Spirit is in me.”

Harvest Farm, a 209-acre farm located in Northern Colorado, houses up to seventy-two men looking to achieve self-sufficiency through the New Life Program. For many men coming out of homelessness and addictions, the Farm’s fresh air, rural environment, unique work therapy opportunities, and location away from the city’s temptations provide an ideal place to refocus and begin anew.

Don says the hardest thing about being homeless on the streets of Denver is the insecurity. “You never know, living on the street—the drugs, the violence and the uncertainty. Waking up in the morning you say, ‘Thank you, God, for getting me up this morning.’ This is the chance we take with our lives, being transients. This night might be the last night I lay down and go to sleep.”

For work therapy, Don works at the Harvest Farm greenhouse, where he loves tending the plants and helping them grow tall and strong. Since leaving the streets for Harvest Farm, Don has found peace.

The Crossing shelters up to 470 people a night. This transitional housing community offers a long-term New Life rehabilitation program for men, safe transitional housing away from drugs and violence for homeless families and New Life Program graduates, and respite beds for women and men just released from the hospital.

The Conner family, currently in the STAR program, lost their home due to a flood. “We came to The Crossing because of all the ways to help us get an apartment,” April says. “We can even get a car through the incentive program, and furniture, too. We are saving as much as possible. We took classes in healthy relationships, basic computers, parenting, and money matters. The teachers were really honest, real and open. The kids love Kids’ Club, and my teenagers love Teen Recreation.” April is really looking forward to moving the family into their new place in August. “This is very important,” she adds. “It helps each of us to be self-sufficient.”

From the CEO

News

ANNUAL ROCKIES CLEAN-UP

In April, Mission staff, donors and 30 New Life Program residents picked up trash in the neighborhood surrounding Coors Field in preparation for the Colorado Rockies’ first home game of the season. It was a powerful experience for residents who once lived on those same streets. Way to go, everyone! Thanks Rockies and the City of Denver for providing clean-up equipment!

THIRD ANNUAL CHAMPA MOMS SPA DAY

To celebrate Mother’s Day, Arbonne International treated Champa House moms  to a much-appreciated pampering spa day. These single mothers are receiving long-term help toward self-sufficiency. Moms, we applaud your hard work and dedication toward completing the New Life Program! Special thanks to Sharon Barone of Arbonne International!

DENVER RESCUE MISSION GOLF TOURNAMENT

At only $90 a person, anyone can come out and hit a "hole in one" for the hungry and homeless! Price includes registration, cart and a delicious lunch. The tournament takes place Friday, August 28th, at the Broadlands Golf Course. Sponsorships and player spots are still available! For more information, please call Lisette at 303.313.2414, or e‑mail her at lwilliams@denrescue.org.

ROCKIES FOOD DRIVE

Join the Colorado Rockies and the Denver Rescue Mission in the “Hit a Home Run Against Hunger” canned food drive! Please bring cans of non-perishable food to the Rockies vs. Rays game on Wednesday, June 17th, and help feed the poor and hungry. For more information, please call Lisette at 303.313.2414, or e‑mail her at lwilliams@denrescue.org.

email: info@denrescue.org | phone: 303.297.1815 | www.denverrescuemission.org

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