monthly newsletter - City Rescue Mission

City Rescue Mission of Lansing ~ 2216 South Cedar Street, Lansing, MI 48910
BEaRESCUER.com ~ 517.485.0145 ~ monthly publication ~ January 2015
“part of the journey”
“Sonya” had been a young woman when she left the workforce to become a stay-at-home mom.
Dreams for schooling became vague memories as she raised her children. When her young ones were
grown, she shifted into being a full time grandma, living with one of her children and helping to raise
her grandchildren. Then the bad economy forced a merging of households, and Sonya was faced with
a choice. She could continue to live with her children, caring for her grandchildren in an overcrowded
environment, or she could step out on faith and re-start the path she left decades ago.
She chose to come to the City Rescue Mission’s shelter for women and children. Her desire: to
be self sustaining. Her goal: to ﬁnd a job and go back to school.
“I had a hesitation of being homeless,” she said, “but I wanted to have a fresh start...get back in
the work ﬁeld, back to school. The best opportunity was this step that I made...for myself.”
Once at the Mission, she was surprised and thankful for the many ways her needs were met,
from meals to personal need items. Guests are able to go to the City Rescue Mission Upscale Thrift and
receive free clothing items. Sonya found nice interview clothes. Diﬀerent social agencies come directly
to the shelter to meet with guests. Advent House Ministries utilizes oﬃce space at the Mission to assist
shelter guests with resume building, interview preparedness, and other job related training. As
Michigan Works is just a two minute walk away, Sonya was able to go
there nearly every day to aid her job search.
Armed with the help she’s received since coming to the
Mission, Sonya feels that her long ago dream of returning to school
is also a possibility. She is grateful and overwhelmed by everyone
working together to make such a positive diﬀerence in the lives of
others, like her. “I thank God every day,” she says.
She recognizes that the regular chapel services played an
important part in encouraging her despite her circumstances. “I feel
so humble and serene, and I feel peace of mind... Everything
happens for a reason, and I feel this is the best part of the journey
that I’m on right now.”
Sonya also wishes to say thank you to our fellow rescuers, for
all you have done to help her on a path to new opportunities. Thank
you for being a rescuer by helping us help others.
A Message from Mark: “continued growth in meeting needs..."
But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
As we enter into our 104th year of ministry in Michigan’s capital area, I am humbled to see
how God consistently provides through rescuers like you. Over the past year, the Mission
provided about 55,000 nights of shelter and 110,000 meals. Certainly, the busiest year in our
history! In comparison, 10 years ago in 2004, the Mission provided 17,000 nights of shelter and
approximately 38,000 meals. It’s evident that the demand for food, shelter, and hope continues
to rise. I’m thankful that even during a diﬃcult economic downturn, the ministry of rescue
continues to expand in order to meet the demand for help.
During 2015, we do expect to see a continued increase in the demand for food by those
who are hungry and homeless. Our public dining room serves the homeless and those who have
a home but live on limited incomes.
We have already put measures in place to expand our shelter capacity. We are the largest
emergency shelter in our area. Our most recent men’s ministry expansion is a wonderful example
of our ability to respond to the increased demand for shelter. In addition to the basic need for
shelter, we are also providing more opportunity for men to participate in our community
dormitory and “give back” to our city. The expansion has essentially increased its beds for men
from 58 to 84 (see "Rescue News," page 3).
If our supply is measured according to the riches of the glory of Jesus Christ, then there
truly is no limitation. I am thankful to see continued growth in meeting these needs and helping
“the least of these” in our community. Thank you for helping us help others. Thank you for being
a rescuer!
To God be the Glory,
Executive Director
Mark speaks to Mission staff and Board
at Christmas Party - December 2014
During the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season, more than 38
businesses, churches, and organizations worked together to help “pack the
pantry” at Michigan Avenue with nonperishable food, personal need products, and other items the
Mission uses every day. We are also grateful to all those who donated toys, blankets, and other gifts to
make the season bright for those who call the Mission “home” for Christmas. Thank you and God bless
you for another “merry” year at the City Rescue Mission.
2 . City Rescue Mission of Lansing
Rescue News: Men’s Shelter Expands, Changes to Meal Service Time
In December, the long awaited expansion to our men’s shelter become a practical reality, as the
new community dorm opened for guests. Plans are for the work dorm to be operational by early 2015.
We were excited to see beds that had occupied “overﬂow” space for years being moved into a new
dorm, allowing the men to have more privacy. (For more information, visit GuyOnTheCorner.org.)
This increase in shelter necessitates an increase in food services as well. To accommodate the
need for food, we have created two shifts for Bible study and meal service at Michigan Avenue. We are
asking all our regular evening meal volunteers at Michigan Avenue to arrive half an hour early (at 6:30
p.m.) to assist food services staﬀ as they serve both the ﬁrst dinner line and the second.
We appreciate your prayers for this new opportunity and for the many new, exciting
opportunities we know are ahead in 2015. Together, we can continue meeting the physical and spiritual
needs of the many women, children, and men who come to the Mission seeking food, shelter, and hope.
Thank you for being a rescuer. Thank you for helping us help others!
Community Dorm Now Open
Future Work Dorm Living Space
Discussing Work Dorm Layout
Volunteer Spotlight: “its great to see that the kids are happy”
Chris’s favorite memory of the Mission is “running around
almost nonstop for about 20 or so minutes playing football with
one of the kids last summer.” His journey to the Mission started
over a year ago when he saw a homeless man and decided to buy
him some bread. When he returned from the store, he couldn’t
ﬁnd the man and decided to donate the food to the Mission
instead. After delivering the food, he began to think about
volunteering. His eventual destination was the women and
children’s shelter, where he regularly assists staﬀ with children on
the weekends. Staﬀ are very grateful for the help, and Chris was
surprised at the size of the women’s shelter and the extent of the
operation.
“I really like everyone that I work with. It’s great to see that
the kids are happy, and I’m glad to know that everyone there has a
place to go when help is needed.”
In 2014, the Mission sheltered an average of nearly 30
children every night, so Chris was able to make a big impact on Chris’ hard work and faithfulness are
much appreciated by staff!
children and families in need. As Chris says, “I like to help people
out, and I am glad that I can do just that at the Mission.”
If you would like information on how you can serve at the Mission, please visit our website at
BEaRESCUER.com and check out the “Get Involved” tab.
City Rescue Mission of Lansing . 3
Randy Barton
Position: Director of Men’s Ministries
Years at the Mission: 1
Randy served as a volunteer at the Mission for many years before
joining CRM to work as a seasonal driver. When the position of
director opened up, Randy willingly took the job. We are grateful
for his energy and determination in the many opportunities ahead.
“Serving at the Mission provides a unique opportunity to keep my
faith active by reaching both physical and spiritual needs.”
Reminder: Giving Reports mail separately in January!
Because we are processing year-end donations based on postmark dates, giving reports for 2014
monetary donations will mail separately from the newsletter, in the middle of the month. If you gave in
December and have not received a giving report by the end of the January, please call the oﬃce at
517.485.0145 or email [email protected]; staﬀ can re-issue giving reports for those who itemize
donations on their tax forms. Thank you again for supporting the Mission and those we serve!
Take me to the store!
Tour the Mission? Email [email protected] or call
517.485.0145.
Rescuer (Personal ID) Number? Save this to use if you have
donation questions.
Tax Deduction? Your donations do qualify for a tax deduction.
Monthly giving reports for cash donations are mailed in the
middle of the following month.
Change of Address? Fill in the enclosed card for a change of
address.
The City Rescue Mission of Lansing is a registered 501(c)3,
founded in 1911, that provides food, shelter, and hope to
women, children, and men in Michigan’s capital area.
4 . City Rescue Mission of Lansing
Vegetable or Olive Oil
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Paprika
Powdered Milk
Fresh Fruit (Bananas, Apples, Oranges)
Toilet Paper
Diapers, sizes 3-6
Razors & Shaving Cream
Q-Tips
Hair Products (gel, hair spray, grease)
Hair Brushes
Flip Flops
Underwear/shirts, L/XL/2XL
Long Underwear, L/XL/2XL

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