Your Generosityat Work

FALL 2013

Back-to-School:Contributing Members of SocietyMore Good News Inside...

Jordan TropilaNot the Same PersonPage 3

George EscarraIn A Better PlacePage 5

You Make Gainful Employment Possible

Keeping the Light On ! ! !

When my children were young, I found myself pouring my life into them. I wanted to build into their lives. As they got older, that relationship began to change. Eventually, the day would come when we would transition into an “adult to adult” relationship. I didn’t want them dependent on me but neither did I want an independent relationship with them. Rather, I wanted an “interdependent”

relationship with them.

The same is true of the men and women who come to the Rescue Mission Rebound men’s program or Dove’s Nest women’s program.

They come broken and defeated. Years of addiction, homelessness and poverty have taken a toll on them. We share with them the love of God found in Jesus Christ and watch that message of His love begin to transform them. At the same time we work to build a foundation of long term sobriety in their life.

Like any parent, we don’t want them to be dependent on the Rescue Mission forever. We want them to graduate from our program where they will ultimately have their own place to live with a view to becoming homeowners. We want

them to be employed with a goal of becoming business owners. We want to see them at alumni events, celebrating the transformation that has come over their life.

As a supporter of Charlotte Rescue Mission, I want you to be able to walk into any place of business and not know if the person greeting you was or was not a former resident of the Rescue Mission. I have run into them. There is that moment when we make eye contact – a message that says, “Please thank the people who sacrificially gave to change my life. Without them, I wouldn’t be here right now.”

This process of transformation is only possible through your generous support. Thank you for the miracles you make possible every day. In Partnership for Changing Lives, Rev. Anthony Marciano II Executive Director

Rev. Anthony Marciano IIExecutive Director

Like any

parent, we

don’t want

them to be

dependent on

the Mission

forever.

2C H A N G I N G L I V E S B Y G O D ’ S G R A C E

It’s Time to Start Planning for Holiday Meals at the Rescue Mission!

The Charlotte Rescue Mission’s Rebound Campus hosts our Community Holiday Meals, consisting of three holiday celebrations annually, including our upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. This isn’t possible without the help of our incredible volunteers!

Volunteer signups will begin approximately one month before each holiday; please refer to our website (www.charlotterescuemission.org) for specific signup dates and detailed

instructions. Here are a few things to consider:

• Holidaymealvolunteeropportunitiesareopen only to individuals and families

(children age five and up are welcome).• Groupsarewelcometoschedulea

special holiday blessing meal for our residents on a separate date during the Holiday Season. Please contact Christy Seay for more information. Christy.Seay@charlotterescuemission.org

C H A R L O T T E R E S C U E M I S S I O N

“I started to pray and it was simple prayers like ‘God keep me sober today.”

3C H A N G I N G L I V E S B Y G O D ’ S G R A C E

Not the Same PersonLeaving the other girl behind in California

When colleges and universities open their doors to new students this fall, Jordan Tropila plans to be there.

She has been in and out of jail and drug rehab facilities

so many times; she hopes to become a lawyer or social worker to help those following in her footsteps.

“I’m so grateful for the person that I am today,” said Tropila. “I want to be a functioning member of society and no longer a detriment to society.”

While growing up in Orange County, California, Jordan started using drugs at 14 with her father.

“I started playing the role of my father’s wife, his best friend and his daughter,” said Jordan. “And I was trying to fulfill all of his needs and fix him. While doing this, I lost myself.”

Her father also raised her to be an atheist. So, when Jordan was taken to Christian-based rehab centers, she wanted no part of it.

“I thought [believing in God] was like believing in Santa Claus. I just thought it was completely silly,” said Jordan. “When I was there, I pretended to have a higher power.

I wasn’t doing it for me. I was doing it to please them.”

Jordan found herself back in trouble when she was arrested for stealing her father’s credit cards. She would also relapse again.

“I was pretty much given the ultimatum of either come to Dove’s Nest, or be homeless,” said Jordan. “I don’t know what made me say yes, but I did.”

While at Dove’s Nest, Jordan went to church for the first time and began going to Bible study. It all started to make an impact.

“It wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. They were not shoving it down my throat,’ said Jordan. “I started to pray and it was simple prayers like ‘God keep me sober today.’”

She got saved right after Easter and decided to dedicate her life to the Lord.

“This was the one thing that had been missing the whole time,” said Jordan. “The moment that I walked into this house, I was not the same person that I was. I left that girl back home in California and I hope to keep her there.”

Jordan Tropila

C H A R L O T T E R E S C U E M I S S I O N

While at Dove’s Nest, Jordan went to church for the first time and began attending Bible study.

It’s Time to Start Planning for Holiday Meals at the Rescue Mission!

4 C H A R L O T T E R E S C U E M I S S I O NC H A N G I N G L I V E S B Y G O D ’ S G R A C E

THANK YOUDear Tutoring Committee,

I would like to take this time to thank you all for both your

insight to implement the tutoring program and willingness to

make yourselves available to the men at Rebound as we pursue

our educational goals.

I would like to offer a special thank you to my personal tutor.

She was truly a blessing to me as we worked to refresh my

math skills. I’m especially grateful because she also availed herself to me to talk about life

and the college experience. Those conversations were both enlightening and refreshing. She

truly epitomized what volunteering is all about; making oneself available for service. I thank

God for blessing me to have known her.

In closing, I’m reminded of a passage of scripture that says; “Give and it shall be given

unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men

give into your bosom.” Luke 6:38 Many people think that passage of scripture is only

referring to our resources (finances). However, I understand it to include our ti

me and talent

as well. My prayer for you all is; may God reward you two-fold for your labor of love.

Again I say thank you so very much as my life has been vast ly enriched because of you.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to add Charlotte Rescue Mission to your will, please contact EJ Underwood. 704.333.4673 ext 204

Budding chef George Escarra loves to use mirepoix (mir-pwah) when preparing some of his favorite dishes. It’s a mix of onions, celery and carrots which is boiled

and drained to add flavor. Afterwards, the mirepoix is usually tossed out.

You can say George’s life is similar after spending time at the Charlotte Rescue Mission. He says the best has been brought out of him, while years of alcohol abuse have been discarded.

After going through the Rescue Mission’s Rebound men’s program, George was able to land a spot in the Community Culinary School of Charlotte. Under their guidance, his culinary skills took off. Now, he feels that there is no dish that he can’t prepare and prepare well.

“I’ve always liked to cook,” said George. “And now that I know the basics of cooking, I know I can succeed in that.”

Success was what George was looking for, when he came to North Carolina from Florida, hoping to start a furniture business.

But it fell through when he and his business partner would pour their profits into booze. The two found themselves living outdoors, on a campsite, with others who shared in their addiction.

“There were a lot of people there and there was a lot of drinking,” said George. “It was fun at the beginning, but then it turned out not to be fun anymore.”

George and his fellow campers would scrape by, collecting scrap metal and aluminum cans for money. But the money was mostly going towards alcohol. At that time, George felt he had hit rock-bottom.

“I’ve never lived in the woods. It’s not my style. I’ve always had a place to go and here I was living in the woods with the bugs and the snakes,” said George. “I saw the point that I was not getting anywhere and I saw what it was doing to my life.”

Realizing that he needed help, George called 911 and was taken to a hospital in Thomasville. It was there, he saw a brochure for a 90-day drug recovery program in Charlotte. A few days later, he would find himself at the Charlotte Rescue Mission.

“I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I saw all these guys and it freaked me out,” said George. “I was seriously thinking about leaving. There were a couple of guys that helped me out. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know where I would be.”

Where George is right now, is in a better place. He’s living at the Rescue Mission’s halfway house. And now that he has graduated from culinary school, he hopes to land a job at one of Charlotte’s finest hotels.

“This place has been a blessing and I will never forget it,” said George. “Where I go from here, I just don’t know, but it will be forward. That’s my goal.”

5 C H A R L O T T E R E S C U E M I S S I O NC H A N G I N G L I V E S B Y G O D ’ S G R A C E

In a Better PlaceMoving forward with budding chef, George Escarra

Success

was what

George was

looking

for...

George and his

fellow campers

would scrape

by, collecting

scrap metal

and aluminum

cans for money.

“This place

has been a

blessing.”

Click here to view moreofGeorge’sstory

George Escara

Learning to Live SoberRecovery

is more than just quitting alcohol and drugs. Triggers for relapse must be avoided or managed, and new and healthy activities must replace

the time formerly spent in alcohol or drug use. In our free 90-day drug and alcohol recovery program for men called Rebound, counselors teach these classes that are aimed at improving the residents’ chances of continuing recovery:

Life Skills helps residents avoid future economic difficulties and

frustrations that might lead to relapse. It covers composing résumés, preparing for job interviews, managing money, and reviewing skills related to employment.

Emotional Aspects of Recovery teaches residents to understand and resolve negative emotions such as stress, depression, anxiety, anger, grief, shame, and guilt, which might endanger recovery.

Building Better Relationships works on problems in families and romantic relationships--clarifying healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, understanding jealousy and control, learning to set boundaries, and developing communication skills.

Relapse Prevention speaks directly to what can be done to avoid or manage situations that might be

dangerous to recovery, as well as ways to proactively prevent relapse through activities such as AA meetings and spiritual activities.

Medical Aspects helps residents understand the negative effects of alcohol and specific types of drugs, including tobacco, on the body, and how addiction is like a disease.

Other classes, chapel services, and guest speakers seek to inspire and teach the spiritual aspects of recovery, and therapy aims at putting it all together and relating it to the individual with his unique issues and problems.

For more information visit: www.addictionsandrecovery.org/recovery-skills.htm Rev. Dr. Bob McCully

Rev. Dr. Bob McCully

Charlotte Rescue Mission is in need of additional resources and funding to provide bus passes for men in the Rebound addiction recovery program. It is virtually impossible to maintain gainful employment in active addiction, so finding a jobisapriorityforReboundgraduates.Gainfulemploymentandstablehousingaremajorindicatorsformaintaininglong-term sobriety. As such, a bus pass provides much more than a bus ride; it provides opportunities for employment, self-sufficiency and independence.

Residents work with their counselor and other staff members to set up interviews, attend job fairs and visit with Rebound alumni to gain employment.

It is unlikely that any of our residents will have access to a car and very few have resources (friends, family members, etc.) to purchase their own bus pass. Please prayerfully consider making a donation for bus passes this month.

URGENT NEED:Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) Bus Passes

6 C H A R L O T T E R E S C U E M I S S I O NC H A N G I N G L I V E S B Y G O D ’ S G R A C E

Charlotte Rescue Mission needs approximately 200 bus passes every year. We purchase these in books of 50 for $750 every 3 months, spending approximately $3,000 annually.

Our Ladies’ Auxilary is hosting their annual nut fundraiser. They are selling the fresh-est pecans and walnuts in NC. Look for their ad in the Nov. newsletter for more info.

Friends of the Friendless is Charlotte Rescue Mission’s recurrent monthly giving club. FOF is comprised of individuals who are committed to helping men and women break the cycle of addiction and homelessness.

7 C H A R L O T T E R E S C U E M I S S I O NC H A N G I N G L I V E S B Y G O D ’ S G R A C E

Amelie’s was born in the spring of 2008 with the desire to serve excellent products at a reasonable price, in a welcoming environment, while focusing on community. Amelie’s growth has given them the ability to work with other community based charities and provide work opportunities to those that are job challenged. A central figure in helping Amelie’s develop a successful hiring, training and management program in this area is Warren Coleman, their current Procurement Manager and 2009 Charlotte Rescue Mission Graduate.

After multiple attempts to beat his addiction, “Rebound helped me to get my thinking straight. It’s all about me making the right choices now to live the kind of life I want live” says Warren. Starting as the night maintenance man in the 24/7 bakery four years ago, it

was quickly realized that Warren took an owner’s mentality to the different opportunities he was given. He quickly rose in the growing business and is now the manager of a nine person department covering Maintenance, Delivery and Procurement.

Amelie’s has successful partnerships with several non-profit organizations such as the Rescue Mission to fill job opportunities in the different departments. The majority become loyal employees who are excited to be at work and who are eager to learn and grow. Some of these employees have become their biggest “protectors” of the community they are trying to create. There are multiple success stories with the 16 men and women that have worked at Amelie’s over the last two years and seven are currently holding full time positions.

Won’t you join us in helping Mission graduates return as contributing members of society?

Providing Jobs, Providing Opportunities! Amelie’s successful partnership with the Mission

FOF members are the heart and soul of the Rescue Mission. Each year they are invited to our annual appreciation gathering held in the spring. This event allows our members to fellowship with other FOF members, to hear powerful testimonies from Rebound and Dove’s Nest graduates and meet our staff members. In November our FOF members are also invited to deliver Thanksgiving food boxes to needy families within our Dove’s Nest neighborhood on West Blvd.

To learn more about FOF please contact Jill Adams (704) 333-4673 ext. 240 or jill.adams@charlotterescuemission.org.

Warren Coleman, Procurement Manager,

Rebound Graduate 2009

YOUR 2013 SUPPORT

PROVIDED40,002Hot nourishing meals served to homeless men and women

13,334Nights of safe shelter for homeless men and women

8,375Chapel attendance for Rebound and Dove’s Nest residents

1,955Medical services for residents

178Professions of faith

75Dove’s Nest & Rebound graduates

381Hours of one-on-one tutoring

58%Program graduates still sober one year later

Figures are YTD through July 2013unless otherwise indicated

CONNECT WITH USCheck out the latest Charlotte

Rescue Mission news onFacebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

OUR MISSION

ToministertheGoodNewsofChristianity to individuals caught

in the crisis of poverty,hopelessness, or addictions bymeeting their spiritual, physical,

and emotional needs.

You’ve heard us say that it only costs $1.97 to provide a meal. But did you know that meal has the

power to change a life?

$1.97

V O L U N T E E R O R I E N T A T I O N S (please RSVP)

Rebound Dove’s Nest

Mon., September 9 at 5pmThurs., September 19 at 12pmMon., October 7 at 5pmThurs., October 17 at 12pmMon., November 4 at 5pm RSVP: (704) 333-4673 ext. 214 or Andria.Tindall@charlotterescuemission.org

Thurs., September 12 at 6pmTues., September 24 at 6pmSat., October 5 at 12pmWed., October 23 at 6pmSat., November 9 at 12pmWed., November 20 at 6pmRSVP: (704) 333-4673 ext 110 or Riley.Beetner@charlotterescuemission.org

For a tour of Rebound, please call Christy Seay at 704.333.4673ext. 260. Tours are also given at Dove’s Nest every Friday at 11am. No RSVP required for a tour of Dove’s Nest.

907 West 1st Street • PO Box 33000Charlotte, NC 28233-3000 • (704) 333-HOPE www.charlotterescuemission.org

Holiday Honor Cards

How do you shop for someone who has everything they need?

You make a donation on their behalf to

help men & women in our community break

the cycle of addiction and homelessness!

For each $5 donation you make to

Charlotte Rescue Mission this fall, you’ll

receive a specially created Holiday card

fromNCartistWilliamMangum.Cards

willbeavailableinNovemberandmustbe

requested when making your donation. For

more information visit our website:

www.charlotterescuemission.org