121 Years of Service

DenverRescueMission.org May 2013

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is

temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)

The BestREFLECTION

“I HAVE REASONS TO JUMP OUT OF BED EVERY MORNING. I DON'T LOOK AT MY

BODY AND CRITICIZE ANYMORE. THE BEST REFLECTION NOW IS NOT LOOKING IN A

MIRROR; IT'S SEEING PEOPLE SMILE BACK

AT ME,” SAYS LISA.

Loyce has been working with Lisa each week since she has moved into The Crossing. Together, they are finding ways to help Lisa cope with and recover from her old eating habits.

"This is what community does. It's so powerful."

The BestREFLECTION

isa was always good at making money. It seemed that everything she tried, she did well. She succeeded effortlessly and made a comfortable living by the young age of 17. She met her husband at work, fell in love and got married. L

But after her wedding, Lisa worried about her appearance. She restricted food and overexercised to lose weight. Four years after giving birth to her two daughters, her marriage fell apart and her relationship with food took another turn. She began purging everything she ate. Eventually, the habit took control over her entire life. "It's an addiction like anything else. When I was done with all my obligations for the day, I would turn on the TV, sit and eat, binging and purging until I went to sleep at night," says Lisa.

Her health was failing as well as her relationships with those around her. After spending most of her fortune on expensive houses, vehicles and vacations,

her savings account dwindled. “At that time, I was running my own mortgage company. Though I was doing really well, I was spending over $100 a day on food. I was a workaholic, negating my responsibilities as a parent,” says Lisa. Her eating disorder became so severe that she couldn’t think straight and could barely work. In 2006, she weighed 80 pounds and was waiting to die.

Lisa’s daughters, then in high school, wanted nothing to do with her. For the next three years she was in and out of treatment facilities and hospitals. There were months when Lisa would be in a facility and her daughters lived alone in her small, rented apartment. “I have so many letters from doctors

Lisa spends most of her time volunteering at Colorado Miners, a community center for at-risk youth. She spent an afternoon Easter weekend with Marcos (pictured above) during the egg hunt!

saying that I wasn’t going to make it. My heart was failing,” says Lisa. Her only thoughts revolved around food and her daughters.

Finally, out of money, with no way to pay the next month’s rent or to afford her eating habits, Lisa sought help. She heard about the STAR Transitional Program offered at The Crossing. She had three weeks until her rent was due. In May 2012, she went to The Crossing and was put on a waiting list. Just days before facing eviction, she was able to move in.

“I was so scared and nervous. I came here wanting to maintain my lifestyle. I couldn't imagine a day without binging and purging, but I had no other place to go,” says Lisa. She did try to keep her old habits. But one of the requirements of the program is that each participant meet with a counselor. Loyce, a volunteer counselor at the Mission, began meeting with Lisa each week. “I met Loyce and loved her. She is an amazing mentor. She prayed for me, and one morning I woke up and decided, ‘I’m not doing this anymore.’ All of her prayers were heard,” says Lisa.

By August 2012, Lisa had stopped binging and purging and felt free from that burden for the first time in 15 years: “The Crossing played a bigger role in that than anybody did. It was the community, as well as the support that I had from the staff…there were people I was able to reach out to. The Crossing made me realize what life is all about.”

Lisa’s biggest loss in the last 15 years was her relationship with her daughters. They moved out, started college and became young women. It crushed her that she wasn’t a part of their lives. But as she continued to grow and heal, they saw changes in her. In October 2012 Lisa met with her oldest daughter, Arielle, for lunch. At the end of that meal Arielle looked at Lisa with tears in her eyes and said,

“Mom, I see hope.” Lisa felt it, too.

Now, she sees her daughters twice a month when they visit her at The Crossing: “The fact that I have this relationship with my daughters—I couldn't ask for anything more. It's like heaven on earth. And it just keeps getting better. This is what community does. It's so powerful,” says Lisa.

In five years, Lisa sees herself closer than ever with her daughters. She sees herself healthy, living in community, having a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Missions, and working with children. “Getting my degree has nothing to do with money. I want a simple life and I want to teach children,” says Lisa. The Crossing provides the opportunity for STAR participants to earn a degree on-line through City Vision College. Lisa plans to take advantage of this program and start classes in the next few months!

For now, she’s volunteering at a children’s center every week, feeling more fulfilled than ever before:

“Through it all, my whole life, I never felt like God left my side. If there is something going on beyond my control, I let go and let God. Whenever I've prayed, I've always gotten an answer.”

To post a note of encouragement for Lisa on the Mission's Facebook page, visit Facebook.com/DenverRescue.

“THROUGH IT ALL, MY WHOLE LIFE, I NEVER FELT LIKE GOD LEFT MY SIDE. IF THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON BEYOND MY CONTROL, I LET GO AND LET GOD. WHENEVER I'VE PRAYED, I'VE ALWAYS GOTTEN AN ANSWER.”

Arielle wrote a letter to Lisa in October 2012. She said, “…you are living with a purpose—maybe the happiest I have ever seen you.” The letter is one of Lisa’s most prized possessions and marks a very important moment in her recovery.

From the CEOBreak The Cycle900 Miles Against Hunger Join the fight against hunger with Mission President and CEO Brad Meuli as he bikes the 900-mile road from Denver to Phoenix along with four staff members and one board member. His goal is to raise awareness about hunger in Denver, and $38,000 to provide meals for 20,000 people at Denver Rescue Mission! To track their progress and make a contribution, please visit DenverRescueMission.org/bike now and throughout the ride!

Hit a Home Run Against HungerJoin the Colorado Rockies, King Soopers and Denver Rescue Mission for the “Hit a Home Run Against Hunger” campaign. Please bring non-perishable canned food items to the Rockies game on June 12th, and help feed the poor and hungry in our community. You can also make a monetary donation when you check out at any King Soopers store in the Denver Metro Area from June 1st to June 30th. Thank you for helping the Mission “Hit a Home Run Against Hunger!”

For more information, please contact Lisette at 303.313.2414 or LWilliams@DenRescue.org.

A Fresh StartDenver Rescue Mission would like to thank the many local churches, businesses and individuals in our community for joining together to provide a Fresh Start to the hurting and needy this Easter season. In total, everyone donated 4,187 pounds of hygiene items!

All collected hygiene products will be distributed throughout the year to low-income families in our transitional program and individuals in our emergency shelter! Thank you for giving Denver’s needy a Fresh Start!

Dear Friends,

I write you this letter with equal servings of nervousness and wild anticipation. Two years ago, I biked 475 miles across Kansas with my son to raise support to help Denver Rescue Mission reach the poor and needy. Your response to this trip was astounding, and together we raised approximately $20,000 for Denver’s homeless!

Well, I have another similarly crazy idea! We belong to the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (AGRM), and they are having their 100th Anniversary and national conference in Phoenix. I am currently honored to be serving as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. You guessed it, this time I will be biking 900 miles from Denver to Phoenix to draw attention to the issues of homelessness and hunger.

Why try for something bigger at my age? In the last year, Denver Rescue Mission has expanded our services to the hurting in Denver. As we move forward, seeing lives changed in the name of Christ each day, we need more help to meet the needs. A bigger financial undertaking requires some more effort on my part.

On May 31, I will be joined by four courageous staff members and an energetic board member as we begin the trek to Phoenix. Our commitment to this ride stretches so much further than the 900-mile road. My prayer is that each driver who passes us on the road, each person who serves us a meal and every family we meet on our trip will learn about the issue of hunger in Denver and join us in the fight against it. Denver Rescue Mission serves over 600,000 meals each year. My goal on the Kansas trip was to raise enough money to serve 10,000 meals at the Mission. Double the distance, double the funds, right?

Our goal this year is to raise $38,000 which would provide meals for 20,000 people at Denver Rescue Mission! Would you consider teaming with us financially on the road to Phoenix? Any contribution would be so appreciated. Knowing that people are supporting the cause and raising awareness in their own circles will be great motivation as we pedal mile after mile.

You can go to DenverRescueMission.org/bike to make your gift and to track our daily progress! I ask for much prayer as we go and thank you in advance for your incredible support!

God Bless,

Brad Meuli, President/CEO

Placement: Back/Top/MiddleAt Size: 10”w x 7.3”h

Standards of Excellence In its commitment to spiritual and financial accountability, as well as to community relations, Denver Rescue Mission has long-standing memberships with the following organizations:The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability is committed to helping Christ-centered organizations earn the public’s trust through developing and maintaining standards of accountability that convey God-honoring ethical practices. Member since February 1991. (ECFA.org)

The Association of Gospel Rescue Missions is an association of rescue missions and other rescue ministries which (1) serves local rescue ministries through education, training, consultation, conferences, conventions, and networking; (2) starts new rescue ministries; (3) shares the message of rescue; (4) promotes prayer, spiritual values and growth in the rescue family; and (5) operates over 114 Alcoholics Victorious support groups, and Rescue College to train rescue workers. Over 300 affiliates in US, Canada, India, Australia, South America, and Africa. Member since August 1962. (AGRM.org)

The Denver/Boulder Better Business Bureau is dedicated to promoting and fostering the highest ethical relationships between businesses and the public through voluntary self-regulation, consumer and business education and service excellence. Member since November 1991. (DenverBBB.org)

Caring Connection of Colorado aims to offer a recognized choice for giving in the workplace, and provides local organizations and individual donors with the opportunity to support the human service agencies they know, trust and believe in. Member since 1983. (CaringConnection.org)

Statistics (Fiscal Year)How You Help

MARCH YTD

Meals served 50,846 419,551

Beds 26,898 209,541

Chapel attendance 8,485 56,710

Food boxes distributed 106 1,867

Furniture (households) 47 337

Clothing (lbs.) 29,412 159,504

Chiropractic 60 568

Dental 178 1,299

Medical 780 6,918

Optical 296 2,919

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Our OutreachesLawrence Street Shelter: Emergency care: meals, overnight shelter, free health care, food box and clothing distribution.

Fort Collins Rescue Mission: Emergency care: meals, overnight shelter; and transitional program.

Champa House: Residential facility offering long-term help toward self-sufficiency to single mothers with dependent children.

Harvest Farm: Long-term New Life rehabilitation program, farming and ranching operation, food and clothing distribution, and Fall Festival.

The Crossing: Long-term New Life rehabilitation program, transitional program for New Life graduates and homeless families, temporary housing for interns and visitors.

Ministry Outreach Center: Administrative and warehouse facilities; food, clothing and household goods distribution.

Family Services: Transitional program; assistance for permanent housing; mentoring for homeless working families, seniors and refugee families.

Global Ministry Outreach: Consultation, resources and support to city/rescue missions around the world.

Mission EventsSpring Graduation Friday, May 24th 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Crossing Amphitheater 6090 E. Smith Road Please RSVP by May 20th to Ann at ASchlesinger@DenRescue.org.

Community EventsPlayhouse Giveaway The 2013 Colorado Garden & Home Show, working with Alpine Lumber, selected Denver Rescue Mission’s Champa House as the winner of the playhouse giveaway in February!

The playhouse was custom-built for display in a feature garden by Alpine Lumber and valued at $5,000.

Five charities were selected to compete for the playhouse by engaging in social media campaigns to encourage their partners and donors to visit the show and vote for them. Denver Rescue Mission received the most votes at 597!

The playhouse was delivered to Champa House by Rob Scott of Alpine Lumber on March 28. Thank you to all who voted! Mothers and their children will enjoy this for years to come!

Changing Lives is the monthly news publication of Denver Rescue Mission.Director of Communications: Christine Gallamore Designer: Rachel Vigil Writer: Rachel GreimanP.O. Box 5164 • Denver, CO 80217 • 303.297.1815