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FIGHT HOMELESSNESS BEFORE IT STARTS
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8/26/2010
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Well-dressed with shiny shoes and a briefcase in his hand, the young man was on his way to yet another job interview. But interviewing doesn't pay the bills. He knew he needed help now and the Mission was his last hope. He stood in the Mission's doorway with a look of uncertainty, but our receptionist smiled warmly and told him he was in the right place. With desperation, he explained to his case worker that he had run out of money to support his family. We see it all too often in the families we help - the money is gone before all the bills are paid. And as area jobs continue to disappear, formerly self-sufficient families have been forced to ask for assistance.
Fortunately many of these families find the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. A place where they are given a "hand-up" - not a "handout." Over 271 families have already received emergency assistance this year. These families receive help with their rent, mortgage or utilities in order to stay in their homes. But let's be honest, there are so many more families that need our help - your help.
Please help us fight homelessness before it starts by giving online today. With your generosity, more families will be able to remain in their homes. Homelessness can happen to anyone. As Christians, we recognize that it is up to us to spread Christ's love through helping our neighbors. Only with your support today can we continue to provide families with the emergency assistance they need and deserve.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness and caring in these difficult and uncertain times.
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"YOU'RE MY LAST HOPE"
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7/29/2010
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Tears flowed down Betty's cheeks as she explained how for five years she ran a small shop on the mainland. It had taken a lot of dedication, but the business was doing well. She was content. Her future finally looked secure. But it wasn't.
Betty - like so many people blindsided by the economic downturn - found herself struggling just to get by, unable to pay her utility bills and in danger of losing her home. Betty told us that her customers - many of whom now struggled with their own finances - had stopped coming. And because she owned her own business, she didn't qualify for unemployment benefits. The Atlantic City Rescue Mission was her last hope.
Every day I see the desperate faces of those who turn to us for emergency assistance. Often for the first time in their lives, hard-working men and women are confronted with the prospect of not having a roof over their heads and food for their children. They find the support they need here. The Mission provides mortgage, utility, and food assistance for people like Betty. Our goal: offer them a hand-up, not a handout, so they have the opportunity to get back on their feet and reestablish self-sufficiency.
Using our special fund set aside for people who don't fit the criteria set by other emergency assistance funds, we were able to provide Betty with the help she needed so she could pay her utility bills. The compassion and generosity of our supporters make our work possible.
Due to the slow economic recovery and a record number of requests for help, we have already exhausted most of this year's budget set aside for programs that keep people in their homes or put families back into housing. We need your support to help us meet the demand. With your online gift today, the Mission can continue to provide our neighbors with homeless prevention services. Thank you!
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THE "NEWLY POOR"
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6/29/2010
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Every day I see the desperate faces of those who turn to us for emergency assistance – mothers and fathers who only a short while ago had good jobs and hope for the future. Confronted with the prospect of not having a roof over their heads and food for their children, they find the support they need at the Atlantic City Rescue Mission.
The problem of the “newly poor” is something we take very seriously at the Mission. While we are passionate about providing food and safe shelter for the hungry and homeless on our streets, we also devote time and resources to ensuring that people – living on the edge of poverty – can stay in their homes and maintain their independence.
The Mission prevents these people from becoming homeless by providing mortgage, rent, utility or food assistance. We don’t offer a “handout,” but rather a “hand-up” so they have the opportunity to get back on their feet and reestablish self-sufficiency.
At the Mission, we have provided rent, mortgage, utilities and other emergency assistance to 271 families since January. Due to the unprecedented – and ever-increasing – number of requests for help, we have already exhausted 90% of this year’s budget set aside for programs that keep people in their homes or put families back into housing.
Following are some of the families who received much-needed assistance from the Atlantic City Rescue Mission:
Jane*, a 45-year-old single mother from Atlantic City, worked faithfully in retail sales to support her two sons. But when her hours were cut due to the economic downturn, she fell behind in her rent and was threatened with eviction.
Bill*, a single father from Hammonton, has been threatened with eviction. Laid off from his job as a computer engineer, he’s been waiting for a year for unemployment benefits to come through – a process that’s been delayed because he was a victim of identity theft. Bill worries how he’ll provide for his two young daughters.
Residents of Egg Harbor Township, John* and his family were evicted from their home after not being able to pay the rent. John, who was laid off from his construction job in 2008, has still not been able to find steady employment.
As a loyal friend to those we care for at the Mission, you can continue to help those who have been marginalized by unfortunate events in their lives by giving online today. In this topsy-turvy world, we must work harder than ever to keep these families in their homes rather than having to find places for them in our shelter.
* Names changed to protect their privacy.
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WHEN DO WE REMEMBER THE HOMELESS?
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6/10/2010
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This Memorial Day, we remembered those who proudly served our country. But when will we remember the homeless? They once had families, jobs, hopes and dreams. They had stories to tell of happier times – perhaps memories from long ago – when their voices rang with laughter. They were mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, friends and neighbors, people who faced the universal struggles of simply being human…of being alive…of not knowing what the next day would bring. But they also endured moments of despair, overcome with hunger, freezing cold and the painful memories of what their lives use to be like. And now they’re gone. But we must never forget them. Last year, 80 homeless people died on the streets of Atlantic City. The homeless of the city have designated a wall to remember those who have passed away. Sadly, more names have been added to the memorial this year. At the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, these untimely deaths serve as a constant reminder that every single day – in every corner of the city – we need to work even harder to reach out to the homeless by providing safe shelter, nourishing food, counseling services, addiction recovery programs and spiritual fulfillment. We need to be there – whether it’s under the Boardwalk or on our city streets – delivering the message that help is available, that someone genuinely cares, that tomorrow can be better. After years of pain and misfortune, it’s often hard for some of the folks we meet to believe the Mission can help them, but we must never stop trying! Kevin, a husband and father, never made it to the Mission. A professional boxer, he struggled with drinking most of his life. Then his mother became very ill. As specified in her living will, Kevin was to take her off life support. Faced with this heart-wrenching circumstance, he followed her wishes. Overcome with grief after his mother’s death and no longer able to box due to injury, Kevin’s own life spiraled out of control. His drinking became excessive, and he suffered from epileptic seizures. He eventually lost his family and ended up on the streets, where he recently passed away. It seems every day we are confronted by another tragic story. But there are signs of hope in our community. I see them in the life-changing work we are doing at the Mission, where we serve more than 3,000 men, women and children each year. With the generosity of our supporters, we are making a difference. But for each person we’re able to help, there are many more we haven’t reached yet. We need you to help us reach them before they become another statistic…before their name is added to the memorial wall. Galatians 2:10 “All they ask was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.” Right now, we all need to remember the struggles of those who are fighting to survive on our streets and those who have succumbed. By keeping their memories in our hearts, we are compelled to ensure others don’t meet the same fate. Consider giving a gift today to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. Your gift will help every one of these people, whatever their needs or struggles may be. With your support, the Mission will be able to reach out to the homeless and provide them with the comfort, resources and second chances they need to reenter society and build a relationship with the Lord.
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YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS NUMBER...
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5/11/2010
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According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 1.35 million children are homeless throughout the year; 200,000 are homeless on any given day. This includes children right here in Atlantic City!
Daniel is one of those 200,000 children.
Daniel was born into a “normal” family – mom, dad, little sister. But inside the family home, things weren’t quite as normal as they seemed.
While Daniel’s mom was a hard worker and provided for their family, his dad was involved in substance abuse. He struggled to get better, entering rehab several times. But every time, he eventually relapsed back into his abuse. Daniel’s mom tried to be supportive of her husband, offering him encouragement and always giving him one more chance to be the dad he needed to be.
But when the substance abuse escalated into domestic violence, Daniel’s mom knew she needed to get out – for both her sake and her children’s.
They came to the Mission for emergency shelter and a new start.
While Daniel’s mom did her best to protect him, he still lost a big piece of his childhood. At his tender age, Daniel was already confronted with one of life’s cruel lessons – no matter how unfair, bad things can happen to good people.
Right now – as you’re reading this – there are homeless children in Atlantic City. For most of them, the Mission is the most stable – and safest – place they’ve lived in a long time.
These children don’t ask for much. Just a safe place to sleep and good food to eat.
But we want to give them something more.
These children had their childhood taken from them. We’re trying to help them reclaim a little piece of it by sending our child residents to day camp for the summer. For the first time in their young lives, they’ll have the opportunity to spend their days working on arts and crafts, splashing on slip-n-slides, playing kickball – instead of worrying about where their next meal will come from.
For children like Daniel, who experienced the joys of camp last summer through the Mission, this is an opportunity most of them will never have on their own, but you can give to them today. It’s also a chance to honor our Lord’s intent, when he told us that “whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me” (Matthew 18:5).
Please support our children – from whom so much has already been taken – by sending them to day camp this summer. You can give securely online right now.
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WOULD YOU RECOGNIZE THE FACE OF HOMELESSNESS?
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3/4/2010
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Recently, I was at an office supply store purchasing some computer equipment. The salesman waiting on me was extremely attentive -- helping me find the best deals, giving me advice, even following me around the store. wasn't sure if this was normal customer service for this young man or if he just really liked me. It wasn't until I finished my purchase that the young man stopped me. "I want to thank you," he said. I started to interrupt, telling him thanks for his excellent service, but he wouldn't let me. You see, this young man -- who was clean-cut and well-dressed -- had been homeless just two years ago.
"You saved my life," he told me. "If I didn't have the Mission, I wouldn't have had a chance. But you guys gave me my second chance." The face of homelessness has changed over the past few years. From the stereotypical drug and alcohol abuser or mentally ill individual -- to people just like you and me. A neighbor who can't work because of a sudden illness, or a friend who found herself in unfortunate circumstances, or a family member who lost his job due to the poor economy.
Unfortunately, some of these stories end on the streets. But -- through the generosity of our community -- the Atlantic City Rescue Mission is able to help many of these people successfully put the pieces of their lives back together -- just like this young salesman. For the last 46 years, the Mission has helped men, women and children who are facing the most difficult days of their lives find hope and a second chance. In 2009, we assisted over 3,000 individuals.
You can change a life today! The people who find their way to the Mission once had homes, families, and jobs. They just need help to get their lives back on track. You can help them by donating online today. With your gift, you'll be providing tangible benefits and giving those we serve the opportunity to put their lives back together.
If you'd like to partner with the Mission, please contact us at 609-345-5517. You can even follow us on www.twitter.com/ACRescueMission.
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GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
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12/23/2009
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LIGHT A CANDLE: The Longest Night Memorial Service recognized homeless who passed & considers policies of change. Attending the event were the Mayor of Atlantic City, the Honorable Lorenzo T. Langford, the clinical staff of Mission Care, Don Parker, president and CEO, AtlantiCare Health Services, representatives from Jewish Family Services. These noted community representatives joined President and CEO Bill Southrey and staff of Atlantic City Rescue Mission in remembering the homeless who lost the struggle for life. In total, 80 homeless were commemorated in a candlelight vigil. This 10-min. video shows brief excerpts from the initial memorial service. Click link to view YouTube video: http://ow.ly/OKUw
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Merry Christmas!
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12/14/2009
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You may be surprised to learn that I love the snow. The pure white snowflakes remind me that though I’ve made mistakes (many of them, in fact), God loves me and is willing to forgive. “Though your sins be scarlet, I will make them white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).
We’ve all made mistakes in our lives. And when I speak to the residents at the Mission, I learn that not much separates me from them. We both have families, we’ve both made decisions – good and bad. And I can only believe that it’s the grace of God that has kept me from the streets.
Roy – one of our guests here at the Mission – is a perfect example of the thin line that divides us. As Roy describes it, he had the perfect childhood. His mother was the “Donna Reed” type. He graduated from parochial school, raised money for missionaries and was an honor student. He started his first job at 14-years-old, diligently saving his money for the future. At one point, he was earning more than $150,000 a year, owned two homes and several cars. He was successful – but he was an alcoholic.
For the next 30 years, Roy would fight his alcoholism. He would get sober for periods of time, only to succumb again. Because of his drinking, Roy lost his job, his home and even his daughters’ love. “My greatest loss was losing my daughters’ love, but I still couldn’t do anything about the drinking,” he
told me.
Finally, his sister convinced him to come to the Mission. She had read about the health care program we offered and hoped we would be able to help Roy overcome his addiction to alcohol.
Once he arrived, Roy was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. After he was given the correct medication, Roy was able to deal with his alcohol abuse. He completed the Mission’s four-month Work Readiness Program and is involved in our year-long Overcomers program, where he attends chapel daily and holds a job at the Mission doing maintenance work.
“I was scared to death to come to the Mission,” he says. “But once I got here, I felt safe. I slept peacefully for the first time in months.”
Roy has been sober now for 21 months and has rebuilt his relationship with his daughters. “I have a whole different view of the world now. It’s not just about me. And I have the Mission to thank for that.”
The Mission is here to offer a second chance for people struggling with addiction and homelessness. Our generous supporters enable us – with God’s help – to encourage all of our residents toward a renewed life in Christ.
If you’d like to make a special holiday gift to the Mission, you can donate online. Please don’t delay – as the temperatures continue to drop, more and more people look to us for shelter!
Bill Southrey, President & CEO
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Thanksgiving is coming!
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11/10/2009
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This Thanksgiving, 32,000 people in Atlantic County will wake up in poverty, hungry and hopeless. On November 26, they won’t believe they have much to be thankful for. When you think about it, only God’s protection keeps us off the streets—especially with so many people struggling to cope with unemployment and the rising costs of groceries and health care.
Those of us who are blessed should remember those who have fallen on difficult times. As we’re reminded in Matthew 25:40, “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” With the generosity of friends in the community, the Mission serves over 600 meals each day to Atlantic City’s homeless and working poor—that’s over 219,000 meals every year! For just $2.47 this Thanksgiving, people with a heart for the homeless can provide a meal for one of the many people who will join us this day: a single mother and her hungry child… a woman fighting depression who has nowhere else to turn… a senior who has to choose between food and medications. If you’d like to partner with the Mission in reaching out to the least, the last and the lost in southern New Jersey, please contact us at 609-345-5517. You can also learn more about us or donate online or follow our daily activities at www.twitter.com/ACRescueMission.
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