Dinner & Tunes

Click on the link to follow the shameless plug for our Dinner Event.



https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10155087671270514&video_source=pages_finch_main_video

Christmas Recap

Lynn Wyant, our Director of Development, put together this "highlight" reel of Christmas festivities at the Mission. Thanks, Lynn.

Christmas at the Mission

Yes, Virginia, there is Christmas at the Rescue Mission. We try to make the holidays as festive as possible for the people who, for now, are calling the Mission “home.” Homelessness should not mean that Christmas joy is beyond reach.

Each year, we hold what we have called “Winter Wonderland.” This is an opportunity for our guests to give gifts, not to get. Most of the residents at the Mission have no source of income, yet they desire to experience the blessing of giving that the holiday brings. Winter Wonderland allows our residents to “shop” from a warehouse supplied with donated gifts. In this way, they can give Christmas gifts to their families while realizing the truth of the words of Jesus who said “It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

Winter Wonderland is made possible by the generous donations of caring people who have already experienced the blessedness of giving.

Hometown Hero

Doug Gough, the Supervisor of Men’s Services at the Mission was featured last week on WYTV’s Hometown Heroes.  Doug shares his testimony and how he met Joanna Struharick. Thanks, Stan Boney and the WYTV team for producing this amazing video. See it here 

Cold Weather Facts

December begins the Cold Weather Emergency Program, a partnership of the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, Help Hotline, and many agencies in located in Mahoning County and the city of Youngstown. The goal of this collaborative effort – now in its 25^th year – is to see that no one becomes a casualty of the cold weather.

The Rescue Mission is the designated shelter for the program. As such, we are presented with additional challenges. The common perception is that the colder weather leads to more people seeking shelter at the Mission. In fact, we have been at or near capacity for the entire year. Plans are in place to address this issue and to provide shelter for all who come to us during this cold season. This means that:

·         We must be creative and flexible in finding new ways to increase capacity. One of these involves using our warehouse facility on Glenwood Ave. as an overflow overnight shelter.

·         There will be an increased workload placed upon our staff. Our guests must be housed, sheltered, and cared for – and this requires people.

·         Regardless the challenge, we are committed to serving the homeless of our community.

We are completely dependent upon the resources and efforts of our community to meet this need. Addressing homelessness and poverty is a team effort. Follow this link to learn of ways you can help.

World Homeless Day

October 10 is designated as World Homeless Day. Each year on 10/10, more than 100 nations work to bring awareness to the homeless among us. “The purpose of World Homeless Day is to draw attention to homeless people’s needs locally and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness, while taking advantage of the stage an ‘international day’ provides” (http://www.worldhomelessday.org/) 

As you consider the needs of homeless people, please keep these specifics in mind:

·         Many people in our community are but 1 paycheck away from being homeless.

·         The economy is not the only, nor is it the major, cause of homelessness. Many people become homeless due to a series of unfortunate decisions, some of them economic.

·         With the number of shelters and resources in any community, there is no reason for anyone to be unsheltered.

·         Not all who pose as being homeless actually are. There are those who, unfortunately, capitalize on the compassion that is aroused in good people when they are confronted by someone who holds a sign or begs for money.

·         There is no stereotype of a homeless person. Over the years, the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley has helped people with a variety of backgrounds: nurses, single mothers with children, single fathers with children, mortgage brokers, skilled tradespeople, university professors, and the list goes on.

·         The best way to address the homeless issue is to support agencies that deal directly with homeless people. They have the resources and expertise to provide the proper kind of assistance.

Another Post Article

Follow this link for another article on the Rescue Mission in the Huffington Post.

Factoids

These are taken from the March/April edition of Rescue, the bimonthly publication of the AGRM:


Two Different Worlds: 20 to 25% of the homeless population in the United States suffers from some sort of severe mental illness. 6% of the general population of Americans is severely mentally ill. (Source: Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration/National Coalition for the Homeless.)

How Abuse Affects Homelessness: Approximately 21% of homeless families and 25% of single homeless women are homeless due to domestic violence. One national survey found that domestic violence was the second most frequently stated reason for homelessness for families. The National Alliance to End Homelessness notes: “Many homeless women have been victims of domestic violence at some point in their past, even if they do not identify it as the immediate cause of their homelessness.” (Source: Up With Women)

Rescue Mission in Huffington Post

Exit the Madison Avenue Expressway onto Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, just beyond a road sign advertising the Museum of Industry and Labor, and an elegant, pre-war building, red brick and multi-gabled, rises on your right. Built in 1931 and the former home of the West Federal YMCA branch, it is now owned by the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley, which houses dozens of this town's homeless residents.

So reads the opening paragraph of Senior Reporter Tom Zeller’s report on Youngstown, poverty, and politics in The Huffington Post. Follow the link to read the entire story.

Extreme Makeover for Mission Kitchen

Thanks to the generosity of The Youngstown Foundation, the Home Savings Charitable Foundation, and The Walter E. and Caroline H. Watson Foundation, Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley can start to work on the next 1,300,000 meals for the hungry and homeless in our Valley. A combined $ 35,000.00 was awarded to The Mission for the purchase and installation of new kitchen and dining room equipment as well as a domestic hot water boiler replacing that which has enabled The Mission for the past ten years to deliver over 1,300,000 meals. Local companies, W. C. Zabel Company and Prout Boiler, Heating & Welding, Inc. delivered and installed the new equipment.

Drive Thru

Watch a great clip from 34 West's performance of We Go Everywhere Together at the Rescue Mission Dinner Theater.

Mental Illness

Mental illness is a fact of life within the homeless population. Does homelessness result from mental illness, or is it a contributor to it? This is probably a “which came first the chicken or the egg” kind of question. Currently, at the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley we are seeing that about 30% of those who enter the shelter self-admit to a mental health diagnosis. This may be anything from “simple” depression to chronic schizophrenia.


People with mental illness are not always the easiest people to love, but they are people – real people who struggle with huge issues, but people who were made in the image of God. A cup of cold water given in the name of Jesus to one of the “least of these” is a cup given to Christ

Integrity Matters

The “thing” that sets gospel rescue missions apart from similar kinds of homeless shelters is the gospel. And though it does not take a rocket scientist to understand that statement, it is easy for those of us who work in Missions to forget that the gospel is what makes us exclusive.

In Phil.1:27, Paul exhorts his brothers at Philippi to stand together “firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” (ESV). Defending and declaring the gospel takes many forms. One of those forms, according to Paul, is to insure that our “manner of life [is] worthy of the gospel of Christ.” It is not enough to avoid bringing reproach and shame upon our profession – although that certainly is included here. We are also to adorn the profession of our faith. We do not want to shame Christ; we want to beautify Him.

Ministry is more about what we are instead of what we do. In this regard, integrity is vital. More damage has been visited upon Christian organizations by integrity failures from within than by attacks from without.

If the gospel matters and our manner of life is to reflect the gospel then integrity matters. It is non-negotiable.

Living in the Light of the "Hour"

Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus repeatedly spoke about “his hour.” This is a reference to his impending death on the cross. In John 12:23-26 that “hour” had finally come. Everything would be different. The world became a different world.


Up to this point, the disciples were clueless about the events of the coming days. They would be taken by surprise at Jesus’ crucifixion and suffer crushing despair, unaware that the Savior would rise from the dead.

In John 12: 23-26 Jesus prepared his disciples by telling them how to live in this different world. He would show them in concrete ways by his death and resurrection.

In a series of paradoxical statements, Jesus left instructions for his disciples, the Twelve and those who would follow their teachings down through the centuries.

One must die if he is to Live – 24

All who heard Jesus were familiar with this agricultural analogy. The seed goes into the ground and “dies” so it can germinate. If it doesn’t do this, it cannot take root and bear.

Jesus’ was about to do this very thing. He would die and go into the tomb, but He would come out alive. His resurrection would bear fruit that still has yet to be gathered.

In all likelihood, you and I are not called upon to die – yet! Tertullian said that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” But if not called upon to die for the sake of Christ, we are certainly to die to self for the sake of Christ. This is amazingly difficult. Yet we discover that the only way to truly live without fear and without hesitation is to die to this life and live to the glory of God.

One must lose his life if he is to keep it – 25

Most of our lives are spent providing for this life, making ourselves comfortable, attractive, healthy, safe and secure. It’s all about living in the now.

Jesus says that to keep our lives we must lose them. There is more to life than “now.” And while we know there is a life to come that will overshadow this life, it is true that so few of us prepare for that life because we are so consumed with this one.

To lose our lives means to lose them in following Christ. All of the things we do to maintain life here is good and right – but not if it consumes us; not if life becomes our life.

One must be humble if he is to be honored – 26

We would expect Jesus to have something to say about serving God and following Him. This is right and proper. At the end of the statement he adds this: if anyone serves me the Father will honor Him. This is consistent with Jesus had said previously about seeking the most prominent positions at a feast. In the kingdom of God the way up is down; the first shall be last; the last shall be first.

This is counter-cultural to a “me-first” culture. But it is only being Christ-like.

Judge Righteously

Follow this link to a devotional posted on the Mission's website.

Mortality

We recently received word that one of our former residents passed away. This man was part of our long term resident program about 5 years ago. He is the 3rd former client who has died in as many months. One died from kidney failure, another from accidental insulin overdose, and the most recent from liver cancer. Here are some observations as we consider these deaths:

• Each of these men was exposed to the gospel. This gives us confidence and hope; confidence in knowing that we are fulfilling our mission and Christ’s Great Commission; hope in knowing that the Spirit of God can take the Word of God and do amazing things.
• Life on the streets is hard. At one time or another, each of these men dealt with substance abuse problems that in some way compromised their health. Life expectancy on the streets is not encouraging.
• The Bible is true: it is appointed to men to die. Life is a terminal condition.

The Rescue Mission played a part in each of these men’s lives. We were there when shelter and safety were nowhere to be found; when all other doors were closed, ours were open.  It saddens our Mission family to hear these reports, but we know they will not be the last. Help us help others who have no other resources.

One Big Happy Family

Imagine that a family moved into your neighborhood and this family had 21 children! As good neighbors we would all welcome this family and we would do what we could to lend a hand to help. Maybe some would offer to help with the laundry; some might help with meals, others with child care.


Twenty-one children are staying at the Rescue Mission! Thanks to all of those good neighbors who help with donations, volunteer hours, and food items, and, of course, prayer. Please keep them all coming.

Local Restaurant Cooks Easter Meal For Area Shelter

Great piece on our local TV news.

Local Restaurant Cooks Easter Meal For Area Shelter

Alarming Realities About Homelessness

Read the rest of this article here:

Over 7% of persons living in the United States have been homeless (defined as sleeping in shelters, the street, abandoned buildings, cars, or bus and train stations) at some point in their lives. Homelessness rates have increased over each of the past 2 decades. An estimated 2.5 to 3.5 million people now experience homelessness each year. Approximately half are families with children, the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population. In 1 study, youth had a 1-year rate of homelessness of at least 1 night of 7.6%.

Although 20% of homeless persons maintain full- or part-time jobs, only 5% are privately insured, often through COBRA. The majority of homeless adults are not eligible for Medicaid in most States, and are also not eligible for Medicare. Approximately 23% of homeless persons (and from 3.1 % to 4.4 % of homeless women) are veterans of the armed services, yet only 57% have received healthcare services through the VA system, where long waits for care exist.

Because they usually lack health insurance, homeless persons tend not to get adequate preventive care and appropriate routine management of such chronic illnesses as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and emphysema. They tend to visit emergency rooms for acute illnesses. Besides lack of health insurance, other barriers to care include denial of health problems; the pressure to fulfill competing nonfinancial needs, such as those for food, clothing, and temporary shelter; and misconceptions, prejudices, and frustrations on the part of health professionals. When hospitalized, the average length of stay of a homeless individual, in 1 study, was 4.1 days, or 36% longer than that of low-income, non-homeless individuals, even after adjustment for differences in the rates of substance abuse and mental illness and other clinical and demographic characteristics. The cost of the additional hospital days per discharge ranged from $2414 to $4094 (1992-1993 dollars).

Homeless adults have an age-adjusted mortality rate nearly 4 times that of the general population; their average life span is shorter than 45 years. Homeless women 18 to 44 years of age are between 5 and 31 times more likely to die than women in the general population. Homeless women older than age 44 are only 1 to 2 times as likely to die, and are healthier than their male counterparts. However, homeless women in their mid-fifties are as physiologically aged as housed women in their seventies and are afflicted to a similar degree with chronic diseases, yet they do not qualify for elderly housing assistance.

Homeless women are more likely than homeless men to have experienced childhood sexual abuse and/or foster care and adult partner abuse. More than 50% of all homeless women and children become homeless as a direct result of fleeing domestic violence. The availability of domestic violence shelter beds in the United States is poor; up to 70% to 80% of women, and 80% of children, are turned away on any given night in major cities. Shelters are woefully underfunded; some do not allow children. Average length of stay at a US shelter is 14 days; most allow a 30-day maximum stay. Ironically, women fleeing domestic violence are often not counted in studies of homelessness, since they are considered to have a home (albeit unlivable) or are staying temporarily in shelters.

4 Ways to Help the Homeless

I came across this article written by Mary Fairchild;

Matthew 25:35 : For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in ... (NIV)

In 2007, the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty estimated that 3.5 million people in America (1.35 million of them children), were likely to experience homelessness in a given year. While difficult to measure, the increase in the demand for shelter beds each year is a strong indicator that homelessness is on the rise, and not only in America. According to the United Nations, there are at least 100 million homeless in the world today.

While on a short-term mission trip to Brazil, the plight of the street children captured my heart. I soon returned to Brazil as a full-time missionary with my focus on the inner city gangs of children. For four years I lived and worked with a team from my local church in Rio de Janeiro, volunteering in established ministries. Although our mission was geared toward children, we learned a lot about helping the homeless, no matter the age.

If your heart has been gripped by the needs of the hungry, thirsty, strangers on the streets, here are four effective ways to help the homeless in your community.

1) Volunteer

The most productive way to get started helping the homeless is to join forces with a well-established operation. As a volunteer you will learn from those who are already making a difference, rather than repeating the mistakes of well-meaning but misguided novices. By receiving "on the job" training, our team in Brazil was able to experience the rewards of accomplishment right away.

A good place to start volunteering is at your local church. If your congregation doesn't have a homeless ministry, find a reputable organization in your city and invite church members to join you and your family in serving.

2) Respect

One of the best ways to help a homeless person is to show them respect. As you look into their eyes, talk to them with genuine interest, and recognize their value as an individual, you will give them a sense of dignity that they rarely experience.

While it's wise to exercise caution and take measures to ensure your personal safety when ministering to the homeless, by identifying with the real person behind the face on the streets, your ministry will be much more effective and rewarding. Learn additional ways to help the homeless:

3) Give

Giving is another great way to help, however, unless the Lord directs you, don't give money directly to the homeless. Cash gifts are often used to buy drugs and alcohol. Instead, make your donations to a well-known, reputable organization in your community. Many shelters and soup kitchens also welcome contributions of food, clothing and other supplies.

4) Pray

Lastly, prayer is one of the easiest and most positive ways you can help the homeless.

Because of the harshness of their lives, many homeless people are crushed in spirit. But Psalm 34:17-18 says, "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (NIV) God can use your prayers to bring deliverance and healing to broken lives.