For decades, I was what you might call a drifter.

After I got a divorce in my early 30s, I ended up pretty much estranged from my family . . . and became best friends with the bottle. I would drink to forget my problems. And I often got in trouble with the law because of my drinking and my short temper.

I was a truck driver for a while, which at least had specific destinations. But in my personal life, I had little drive or direction. And somehow, that aimlessness landed me right here in Fargo.

Here’s how: I had visited my daughter in Rochester, Minnesota, where I had a run-in with my ex-wife. I just hopped on the first bus out of town. I didn’t care where it was going.

Some hours later, the driver asked if everybody had their passports, because his next stop was in Canada. I didn’t have a passport, so I asked, “What’s the name of this town?” He said, “Fargo,” and I said, “Well, that’s good enough for me. I’ll get off here.”

Helping Homeless and Hurting People Move from Merely Surviving to Truly Thriving

Winter Issue 2015

1902 Third Avenue NorthFargo, North Dakota 58107

It was evening, so I went to sleep on a bench. A police officer came and said, “You can’t sleep here.” And he told me to go to the New Life Center down the road.

So I went. I stayed at the Mission about six months before I got a job and got back on my feet and out on my own. But I kept drinking, and had some serious anger issues. I also was beginning to have some health problems.

About a year and a half ago, I finally asked myself, “What are you drinking for? You don’t have any reason for

it.” I came back to the New Life Center, and I haven’t had a drink or a cigarette since then.

The staff has helped me get my life straightened out. I couldn’t have done that by myself. This place has always

(701) 235-4453www.fargonlc.org

I Didn’t Care Where I Was Going

“ Thank you for giving me an opportunity to find direction in my life!”

Fargo Union Mission

by Gary

“I asked the bus driver for the name of this town. When he said Fargo, I said, ‘Well, that’s good enough for me.’”

RM_45-0108_J02FA Pre-Print SpecsRM 2015.01 Newsletters J02FA Fargo (15NADNLA)Element: NEWSLETTER – CoverForm Size: 17 x 11” Folds to: 8.5 x 11” then to: 8.5 x 3.625”Inks: PMS 2597, Black Stock: 60# White OffsetFinal Art #: 2 Date: 12/3/14DO NOT PRINT RGB KEYLINES OR TYPE

As you read these words, our temperatures are likely in the single digits, and often well below zero at night. Such a climate is not only brutal, but can even be fatal. (See the Message from the Executive Director.)

That’s why it’s imperative for us to keep our doors open all winter, to anyone who knocks and needs shelter from the cold. Because in mid-winter, ours is not just an outreach to homeless and hurting souls, but literally a life-saving ministry.

Men who show up at the New Life Center often thank us for being here,

been here for me, and if it weren’t for them, I know I’d be out on the streets, aimless, with no place to go.

Thank you for giving me direction!

Cont’d from pg. 1

Dear Caring Supporter,

A year ago, a 48-year-old man froze to death one night on a downtown Fargo street. A news report said he “had no permanent address.” His death was a tragic reminder of the difficulties we face daily at the New Life Center. Brutal winters, of course. And the sad reality of “no permanent address.”

Those things combined — lethal temperatures and homelessness — have left us with more challenges than ever. When I took this job five years ago, I was told that things would be “nice and slow” in the summer, and that it will “pick up a little in the winter.”

Then the economy crashed. While the rest of America felt it, North Dakota remained mostly unfazed; we even had jobs to spare, and people came flocking. Fargo’s population grew 10 percent in one year — from 96,000 in 2009 to 106,000 in 2010.

But many of those job seekers remained unemployed, so our homeless population exploded. Last winter, we

had beds for 103 men, but an average of 106 showed up every night.

The bottom line? We need to grow. We need more space, more beds, more staff. More food, clothes and volunteers.

So when you curl up by the fire with a mug of coffee or hot chocolate this winter, please remember us — and those who would be stranded on the streets without us.

Thank you!

Rob Swiers Executive Director

P.S. Don’t forget Giving Hearts Day on February 12. See the story on Page 4!

“ Lethal winter temperatures and homelessness have left us with more challenges than ever before.”

Give Life, Literally, to Local Homeless

A Message fromRob Swiers, Executive Director

The shelter is in need of the following items:

• Thermal underwear (tops and bottoms)

• Insulated work gloves• Face masks• Bus passes• Disposable razors and

shaving cream• Deodorant• Men’s jeans• Sweatshirts

RM_45-0108_J02FA Pre-Print SpecsRM 2015.01 Newsletters J02FA Fargo (15NADNLA)Element: NEWSLETTER – PG 2Form Size: 17 x 11” Folds to: 8.5 x 11” then to: 8.5 x 3.625”Inks: PMS 2597, Black Stock: 60# White OffsetFinal Art #: 2 Date: 12/3/14DO NOT PRINT RGB KEYLINES OR TYPE

for providing them with hot meals, beds with blankets, and a warm place to sleep overnight.

But those thanks are really meant for friends like you, whose faithful giving makes it all possible. Without the generous support of compassionate people like you, we might literally have to shut our doors, leaving them out on the streets. And nobody wants that to happen.

Our costs go up significantly in the winter too, as more men seek shelter and as our heating bills soar. So more funds are required just to keep

“ I Thought I Would Kill Myself”by Steve

When my dad died in 1996, I went into a deep depression. I had a gun, and there were times I thought I was ready to blow my own brains out. But whenever I’d grab the gun, I’d say, “Nah, it ain’t worth it. I’m giving life another shot.”

People like being around me because I’m always joking around, always have a smile on my face, and I always seem happy. They don’t know how much pain I’ve experienced, in more ways than one. So much pain, in fact, that I considered suicide several years ago.

I grew up in a messed-up home. My dad was abusive, and my mom was an alcoholic. They divorced when I was about 6, and my brother and I were raised by my grandmother on a farm. Then my brother was killed in a tractor accident when he was just 11.

By the time I was 18, I was drinking a lot. I got kicked out of school for fighting. I got into another fight when I was drunk, and ended up doing almost two years in jail. When I got out, I started a career as a professional baker. That went OK for a while, but my drinking kept getting me back into trouble.

On top of all that, I was having chronic ear infections that caused constant pain — pain so severe that it practically drove me mad.

“ The Center has helped me turn my pretend happiness into real lasting joy. Thank you!”

Because in mid-winter, ours is not just an outreach to homeless and hurting souls, but literally a lifesaving ministry.”

I finally ended up here at the New Life Center, and they’ve helped me a lot. I’ve been sober for several years, and now I look at things differently. I’m happier than I have ever been . . . and not just on the outside. If it weren’t for the Center, I’d probably be dead.

I feel like I’ve gotten my life back on track, and I am praying to get back to work soon. Once I do, I’ll get a place of my own. Thank you for making that possible!

things running at our “normal” pace. And since giving often dips after the holidays, the beginning of a new year can put quite a strain on our budget.

Next time you’re out, notice the men walking along the downtown sidewalks. Chances are, some of them are homeless and will be knocking on our door tonight.

Please remember them, and the New Life Center, with your continued support by using the enclosed remit slip. Or by giving online at www.fargonlc.org.

Thank you!

RM_45-0108_J02FA Pre-Print SpecsRM 2015.01 Newsletters J02FA Fargo (15NADNLA)Element: NEWSLETTER – PG 3Form Size: 17 x 11” Folds to: 8.5 x 11” then to: 8.5 x 3.625”Inks: PMS 2597, Black Stock: 60# White OffsetFinal Art #: 2 Date: 12/3/14DO NOT PRINT RGB KEYLINES OR TYPE

Help Us Raise $55,000 in 24 Hours!

Want to see your dollars go even further?

When you make an online donation of $10 or more to the New Life Center on Giving Hearts Day, Thursday, February 12, a portion of funds raised is being matched by a generous donor.

We’ve set a goal of raising $55,000 during this 24-hour event.

These funds are critical to help carry us through the winter!

On February 12, you can make a secure donation

PO Box 1067Fargo, ND 58107-1067

New Life Center Women’s Auxiliary Presents38th Annual Prayer Breakfast & 16th Annual Evening DessertApril 16, 2015Breakfast: 9:30 amEvening Dessert: 7:30 pmSpeaker: Dee Brestin Hilton Garden Inn, Fargo, ND

“National statistics on homelessness are staggering with data suggesting over 1.5 million Americans use a shelter or transitional housing during the year. The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates nearly 700,000 Americans experience homelessness on any given night in the U.S.” — CNN, Jan. 30, 2013

online at our website, www.fargonlc.org. Or you can give through the Impact Giveback site, www.impactgiveback.org, designating your gift to the Fargo New Life Center. All funds will go directly into our ministry to local homeless men.

Giving Hearts Day is an annual fundraising event that benefits charities in North Dakota and western Minnesota. The 24-hour event, hosted by Impact Foundation and Dakota Medical Foundation, was founded in 2008. Since then, more than $12 million has been raised for hundreds of nonprofits.

Please remember to support those in need at the New Life Center on February 12. Thank you!

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor. 9:7)

A Please mail this completed form with your most generous donation, or you may give your gift online at www.fargonlc.org. Your gift is tax deductible as allowed by law. You will receive a receipt.

ACCOUNT NO. EXP. DATE

NAME SIGNATURE

ADDRESS

CITY / STATE / ZIP

EMAIL ADDRESS

My Winter Gift Of HopeYES, I want to help give hurting men warmth, new hope, and a second chance at life this winter. Here’s my gift of:

Staggering StatisticsSave the Date!

RM_45-0108_J02FA Pre-Print SpecsRM 2015.01 Newsletters J02FA Fargo (15NADNLA)Element: NEWSLETTER – PG 4Form Size: 17 x 11” Folds to: 8.5 x 11” then to: 8.5 x 3.625”Inks: PMS 2597, Black Stock: 60# White OffsetFinal Art #: 2 Date: 12/3/14DO NOT PRINT RGB KEYLINES OR TYPE

m $20.50 to provide 10 meals and other assistancem $30.75 to provide 15 meals and other assistancem $61.50 to provide 30 meals and other assistancem $________ to provide as many meals and as much care as possiblem Please bill my credit card: m VISA m MC m DISCOVER

RM_45-0108_J02FA