Fall 2004 Bay Area Hope Newsletter, Bay Area Rescue Mission

8/8/2019 Fall 2004 Bay Area Hope Newsletter, Bay Area Rescue Mission

1/4

F A L L 2 0 0 4 A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E B A Y A R E A R E S C U E M I S S I O N

From Gangs and Drugs to

a Life with Christy name is Brandon and there was a time in my life when I thoughtId never be clean and sober again. I got involved in drugs and

gang activity at age 12, and I went down hill from that moment on.As a kid I could make $500 a day selling drugs, sometimes as much a

$2000. Trouble was that I not only sold the drugs but I also used them.

My mom tried to talk to me about the direction my life was taking, but Ididnt listen to her. Big mistake on my part.

It took a lot of pain and suffering before I realized I needed help. Butone day, I walked through the doors of the Bay Area Rescue Mission toseek that help. Thats when God started to turn my life around. Now I ama graduate of the Missions Program.

Never had an honest jobBefore I got to the Mission I never had an honest job in my life.

Now, Im employed at a supermarket and Im walking with the Lord.

Im no longer tempted to go back to my old way of life. I just cant sayenough about the Bay Area Rescue Mission; it is a wonderful place ofhealing and hope!

I also want to thank you for all you doto help people like me. You give yourmoney, your time and your volunteerefforts to the Missionall so thatpeople like me will find Jesus and Hislove. Words cannot express myappreciation for your love andcompassion. God bless you and

Happy Thanksgiving.

M

B A Y A R E A M I S S I O N 2 1 1 4 M A C D O N A L D A V E . R I C H M O N D , C A 9 4 8 0 1 ( 5 1 0 ) 2 1 5 - 4 5 5 5 w w w . B a y A r e a R e s c u e .

Encouraging Wordsfrom John

Pg. 2

Bitterness to JoyMy Journey intothe Arms of God

Pg. 3

Everybody Wins with theVehicle Donation Program

Pg. 3

As a kid I could make$500 a day selling

drugs, sometimes asmuch as $2000.


2/4

ThanksgivingA Time to Tha

Join us at thesegreat Missionevents!

New Life Golf TournamentSeptember 27, 2004Richmond Country Club

Last chance to jump on board!

There are just a few spotsavailable. Dont miss yourchance to spend a fabulousday on the green supportinguch a worthy causehelp forhe homeless. Call Rebecca at510) 215-4889 now!!!

Fall Recovery ProgramGraduationOctober 24, 20042:00 pm 4:00 pm

Central Assembly Church570 Appian Way, El SobranteFor more information callRebecca Miller at (510) 215-4889.

Thanksgiving Food-bagGiveawayNovember 23, 20049:00 am 4:00 pm200 Macdonald Ave., Richmond

Great Thanksgiving BanquetNovember 24, 2004

1:00 Chapel1:30 am 2:00 pmThanksgiving Meal200 Macdonald Ave, Richmond

To volunteer at our Thanksgivingevents, contact Dave Kachurka at510) 215-4865

This past summer, you helped usmeet so many critical needs at theBay Area Rescue Mission. Yourlove and compassion helpedremove mountains of physical andspiritual pain for those who camethrough our doors. And the rippleeffect of your summer lovecontinues. Now, we come to you

again as we approach our GreaThanksgiving Banquet CelebratJust as you and I need to eat atake care of our bodies each dado the men and women who coto us for help. Thats why we ayou to do what you can to helpaddress the many concerns of thomeless during the comingThanksgiving season.

Defendthecaus

eoftheweakand

fatherless;

maintaintherigh

tsofthepoorand

oppressed.

AMessagefrom

JohnM.Ander

son

ExecutiveDirecto

r

Asweapp

roachtheThanks

givingseason,Iw

anttotellyoua

story.Iinterview

eda

manrecentlywhod

beenattheBay

AreaRescueMis

sionfourandah

alfyears

earlier.Hedbeenhomelessfor17

yearsandinand

outofjail33tim

es.Theevening

hearrivedatthe

Missionitwason

eofthosebone-chillingnig

hts.Allourbedsw

ere

filled,soourfrien

dsleptonamat

onthefloor.Heq

uicklywenttosleep.

Whileheslept,so

meoneputawar

mblanketoverhi

m.Whenhewoke

thenext

morning,hecoul

dntbelievethats

omeonewouldca

reenoughtocove

rhim.And

herestherealpa

rtofthestory:ou

rfriendspentthe

entirenextmornin

glookingforthe

personwhogaveh

imthatblanket

sohecouldthank

him.

Aheartofgratit

ude

Thatsaheartof

appreciation.And

weseethatattit

udeofgratitudee

veryday

hereinthisplaceo

fcaring.Imalso

remindedthat21

yearsago,justbef

ore

Thanksgiving,Ifoundmyself

onthestreets,ha

vinglosteveryth

ingbecauseofm

y

cocaineaddiction.

Justlikeourfriendonthatco

ldBayAreanight

,Itoowasgratef

u

thatsomeonetoo

kmein.

Now,itsagainTh

anksgiving,and

wecometoyoua

skingyoutoputyourarms

aroundtheneedy

oncemore.Wene

edtorestockour

pantryforthefa

ll.Willyouh

Weneedtoprovi

deover30,000me

alsand1,200eme

rgencyfoodbags

duringthe

Thanksgivingsea

son.Willyouhelp?

Whateveryoufin

dinyourheartt

odo,youwillbel

ivingouttheassig

nment

allbeengivenfou

ndinPsalm82:3-

4Defendthecau

seoftheweakand

fatherle

maintaintheright

softhepoorando

ppressed.Rescuet

heweakandneed

y;delive

fromthehand

ofthewicked.

Godblessyouforcaring.Hap

pyThanksgivingt

oyouandtheon

esyoulov

Onbehalfofthe

poorandhomeless,

Rev.JohnM.And

erson,ExecutiveD

irector


3/4

od for His Great Blessings

y name is Karen, and Im at the Bay Area Rescue Mission becauseI lost my construction job. Id been living in an apartment for 13

years and was fully employed. Then one day I got the word: You no

longer have your job. I was devastated. Lost. Before long I found myselfin a hotel with money running out fast.

Thats when I learned about the Bay Area Rescue Mission. I came herefor physical help. What I didnt realizewas that I also needed to find God. Well,I found Him and my life will never bethe same again. My Lord and Savior isreshaping me into the person He createdme to be. I have peace, joy and a senseof direction I never experienced before.

Bitter no moreI also have the privilege of working at

the front desk in our family center, doingintakes, filing and housekeeping. My sonand I have never been happier. Eachmorning when I get up, I say a prayer ofthanks to our loving God. I know He hasgreat plans for us. My former bitternessis a thing of the past. Prayer and GodsWord washed it all away. Today andevery day, Im overwhelmed byGods loveand the love of adonor such as you who hashelped me find my wayhome. Thank you fromthe bottom of my heart.

From Bitterness to JoyMy Journey into the Arms of God

Were counting on your supportTogether lets join a thankful

salmist who wrote, I love the Lord,ecause he listens to my prayers forelp. He paid attention to me, so Iill call to him for help as long as Ive. (Ps. 116:1). To do your vital part paying attention to the needy,

ease call us at 1-888-343-FOOD.

Or donate online by simply clickingon www.BayAreaRescue.org.God bless youandthank you for yourgenerous supportduring theThanksgivingseason and

throughoutthe year.

M

My Lord and Savioris reshaping me into

the person Hecreated me to be.

Everybody Winswith the VehicleDonation Progr

My heart isfilled withlove and joy.

You win. We give you a tareceipt for your vehicle inrunning condition, to thefullest extent permitted bylaw. You win knowing thatyou are contributing to anesteemed nonprofit membof the Better BusinessBureau, Evangelical Counfor Financial Accountabilitand Association of GospeRescue Missions.

The Homeless Win a secochance at a healthy,productive life. By donatinyour used vehicle, all

proceeds of the sale direcbenefit the programs for thomeless. Since 1965, wehave been providingemergency and long-termrecovery care for thehomeless and impoverisheof the greater San FrancisBay Area.

The Community Wins whsuccess is made a little moavailable, thanks to folks l

you. Your vehicle will becleaned and sold as is, to member of the communitywho might not otherwise able to afford transportati

Lets make your new vehicpurchase a win-win-winsituation for you.Please call Patrick Saiz at(510) 215-4557 or [email protected] set up an appointment

donate your vehicle.


4/4

Online AuctionYou can meet the needs of the homeless andimpoverished through cash-free support to theMission. List your items or bid on items at our OAuction. You can choose to donate 10-100% ofanything that sells. Simply go to our websitewww.BayAreaRescue.org and click on Donatebutton for details.

Bread & Life Circle Automatic Contribution Make your life easier andincrease the value of yourgiving through our AutomaticContribution Plan. It makesgift giving easy. No more checks to write ordonations to send. Visit www.BayAreaRescue.oand click on the Donate button for details.

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY / STATE / ZIP

YES, John, Ill continue to stand alongside you asyou help men, women and children in need duringthe Thanksgiving season and throughout the year.

Heres my gift of: $17.90 to provide 10 meals & other assistance $26.85 to provide 15 meals & other assistance $53.70 to provide 30 meals & other assistance $_______ to provide as many meals & care as possible

Please bill my credit card:

VISA MC AMEX

ACCOUNT # EXP. DATE

NAME ON ACCOUNT

SIGNATURE

Please mail this completed form, and return it with your Thanksgiving gift to Bay Area Rescue Mission,

P.O. Box 1112, Richmond, CA 94802-0112. Or you may donate online at www.BayAreaRescue.org.Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. You will receive a receipt.

My Thanksgiving Gift

Bay Area Rescue Mission

P.O. Box 1112Richmond, CA 94802-0112

NewO

nlineOpportunitiesBay Area

MissionMILESTONES 1965-2003

965 Mission established by Larry Wattell,offering 35 meals and 12 cots each night

975 Purchased a 1906 hotel, adding care forhomeless women and families, 40 beds,120 meals

980 New facility constructed with chapel,offices, kitchen, dining room and lodgingfor mens live-in program, 64 beds and237 meals

987 Construction of new Family Center, offering151 beds and transitional housing forrecovery program graduates

992 Construction of new food pantry andfurniture/clothing distribution center,includes new business offices

994 Donation and renovation of a new buildingto house classrooms, computer learningcenter, business offices and after-schooltutoring program for at-risk youth

998 Establishment of Mission Solano,community outreach center in Fairfield

999 Kitchen expansion and renovation,converting it to a Culinary Arts TrainingCenter

2001 Transition home in Walnut Creek isestablished for graduates

2003 Search begins for additional facilities forwomen, children and familiesToday, totalservices include 325 beds and 1,400 meals

NewBibles

Food10-12lb.Turkey

s

CranberrySauce

PancakeSyrup

SugarCannedTuna

OtherDiapersWarmJackets

SocksGloves

DailyNeeds

LinensTowelsSheets

Blankets

ToiletriesShavingCream

&razors

Toothpaste

Toothbrushes

CleaningSupplies

LaundrySoap

BleachPowderedClean

ser

Documents

Fall 2004 Bay Area Hope Newsletter, Bay Area Rescue Mission