Friday Friends - March Questions

Recently, I shared with you about a program I helped initiate to help improve race relations in the Charlotte community called 'Friday Friends'. Here are the questions for March:

• What attracted you to this program?
  
• What would you like to see happen over the course of the next 5 months?
  
• How much risk are you willing to take with each other?
  
• What would help you do that?

I Never Planned to be an Addict,but it Happened

I stumbled across a success story from our 2005 newsletter from the perspective of one of our former clients, Larry. He still stops by the mission to visit or volunteer regularly. I thought I'd share his testimony again:

You don't know it, but you saved my life...I'm Larry.

Grandmother raised 16 grandchildren, including me. At 12 she put me out on the street. Terrified, I went to a cousin involved with drugs. I used the first time that night. Over the next 20 years I went from rags to riches to rags. I lost businesses, property and family. The souvenir of my youth is a gunshot wound.

I found God in prison, and truly believe he led me to Charlotte Rescue Mission. I went to the bus station in Louisiana and prayed. Strangers came the first 3 days with food, or to pray. On the 4th day no one came. Hungry and tired, I found a 5 dollar bill on the ground. I bought something to eat and gave what was left to 2 ladies who also were in need. That moment everything changed.

Within minutes a stranger gave me $12.00. It would not be enough to get me to Charlotte, but it was a start. Moments later the Manager called me to "hurry!" SHE had gotten me a ticket.

I got to Charlotte and went straight to the Mission. I had $12.00,the clothes on my back, and my bible. They took me in, fed me clothed me. I worked with counselors to get to the root of my addiction. Not once did anyone ask me for a dime. Charlotte is now my home. I am proud to be a tax payer again, and your generous gifts to Charlotte Rescue Mission made that possible. You changed my life, and I cannot thank you enough.

Volunteering at the Mission

Once a week, Rev. Marciano's mother comes to volunteer at the mission. She helps us by calling donors and thanking them for their support. She is one of many volunteers who help make our ministry possible.

Points of Light

Points of Light - With Rev. Tony Marciano from our Easter Newsletter:

We are preparing for our Easter community meal here at the Mission. On Easter morning, we will open our doors to the public. We will encourage anyone that is hungry or infirmed or a shut-in to come enjoy a wonderful home made Easter feast. All are welcome.

When a person is hungry and alone, it is easy for him to believe that no one loves him, not even God. We want people to know that we love them and care for them. It is our hope that they will enjoy the food and fellowship, and that they will see the love of Jesus through us. Most old adages are true. This one is especially true. A little bit of kindness goes a long way.

On Easter, we want our kindness to take our guests from hunger to hope. And we’re hoping the kindness we show on Easter takes them all the way to the foot of the cross.

CRM Development Uses JMP Software

Not long ago, JMP software (by the SAS Institute) wrote a success story about Charlotte Rescue Mission and how we are using their software to make our administrative and fund raising process as efficient as possible. Click here to read the full article.

And this particular nonprofit is devoted to spending as little as possible on overhead and as much as it can on helping people turn their lives around. Its mission is to help “individuals caught in the cycles of poverty, hopelessness and chemical addiction by meeting their spiritual, physical, emotional, social and vocational needs.”

SAS has been extremely generous to Charlotte Rescue Mission by donating their software through their foundation. This is just one example of how we are constantly working to be good stewards of the generous donations we have been entrusted with.

The Best Meal You Ever Had

While you may not say that the best meal you’ve ever eaten was at the Charlotte Rescue Mission, I know someone who did say that.

He came to the Mission because his years of addiction left him living on the streets. Hungry and cold, he was sick and tired of being sick and tired. That first meal he ate as a client in the Rebound division of the Mission (as he tells the story) was the best meal he ever ate. While we work hard to make it hot, tasty and nutritious, he glows every time he tells the story.

You see, it was the generosity of so many people that helped provide him with that hot, nourishing plate of food. This month alone, support through our Hunger to Hope campaign will help provide almost 18,000 meals to hungry, hurting men and women without any government or United Way funding. Thank you.

Annual Hope Tote Drive Begins

Easter is the time of year that Charlotte Rescue Mission has it's annual drive to collect toiletry and other basic necessities for the men and women we serve. When a client enters our program, many come with nothing but the clothes on their back. We pass out (free of charge) toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, socks, underwear and whatever else they may need. Although we receive these types of donations year round, our annual 'Hope Totes' drive (leading up to Easter) is the time of year when we receive the majority of our toiletries. You may have seen the purple bags we send out. (We will be glad to send some to your group if you don't have them).

The Scottish Bank has generously agreed to partner with us. Drop of locations can be found at our main web site. We expect to bring in even more toiletries this year. Thanks to all those who make this possible.

CRM Tutor Program Has 9 New Volunteers

At the end of February, one of our volunteers, Aileen, who oversees our tutoring program, came “bouncing” into my office. She was so excited about the “Great Things” happening in the tutoring program.

First, she told me about the nine new volunteers who will be working with her, helping our clients, with their reading and math.

Then she told me even more exciting news. One of our clients needed help with his geometry (I haven’t done geometry since - well, let’s just say a very long time ago. I knew I would be of no help). The client was assigned a new tutor. He explained his need to her. When he was done, the tutor got so excited. She had just completed her GED and had all the material. She was going to collect it and make it available for the client for his geometry lessons.

Aileen was so excited. Not only had God provided additional volunteers, he provided the right ones with the right materials at the right time for the right client.