rescuemissionnews - Bridgeport Rescue Mission

Jan.-Feb. 2009
A Publication of Bridgeport Rescue Mission
Rescue Mission News
S e r v i n g t h e h u n g r y, h o m e l e ss a n d a d d i c t e d o f F a i r f i e l d C o u n t y
andinvited
You
me in
I was a Stranger
Melonita’s
mother seemed to do everything backward.
Instead of providing her daughter with a safe
and stable home, the woman drank constantly, and
welcomed a stream of men into her home.
By age 7, Melonita had been sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriends, her uncles and cousins. “I thought
sex was how you got love,” she says today.
Melonita’s parents both died by the time she turned 9, and she went to live with her grandmother. But at
15, she ran away to Chicago where she moved in with a 29-year-old crack addict. Soon, she was using crack, too.
As her addiction worsened, she turned to prostitution, resulting in several pregnancies, abortions and jail time.
“I was embarrassed and ashamed, but being a prostitute was the only thing I knew how
to do,” she says.
At one point, an elderly man took Melonita under his wing. “He never
put me down and spoke to me with love. He wouldn’t let me use drugs
in his house. When I was in the hospital for drug seizures, he came and
got me,” she recalls fondly. “It was the first time someone cared for me
without including sex.”
Despite her new friend’s help, Melonita continued to use drugs and
prostitute herself, sleeping on the streets and in abandoned buildings,
and moving in and out of rehab facilities.
Nancy deMaille, Bridgeport Rescue Mission’s women’s director, often
saw Melonita on the streets and invited her to join our New Life Discipleship
Program. Nancy shared food, clothing and prayer with her, and though
Melonita declined to join the program, she never forgot Nancy’s love and
concern. “She has a wonderful heart and spirit,” Melonita says.
Finally, when our Women’s Emergency Shelter opened, Nancy
convinced Melonita to come in from the cold. Now, several
months later, Melonita is drug-free, has a job at a
manufacturing company and has been approved for
Section 8 housing!
“I feel safe at the Mission. I’m so grateful for their
encouragement,” she says. “They helped me search
for an apartment and fill out the application. I
have dedicated my heart to the Lord and am
going to church. I have peace of mind and
I’m starting to like myself. The people
at the Mission know how to give from
the heart.”
Get
Connected
Mayor Bill Finch and
his wife, Sonya, serve
Thanksgiving dinner
alongside Terry Wilcox,
our staff and volunteers.
Dear Friends,
I was talking to a friend the other day about giving to
help the homeless and it suddenly occurred to me that
“Mission people”—our staff and volunteers and donors—are
some of the happiest people I know.
I believe this happiness stems from knowing we are
pleasing God, who promises great blessings to those who
care for “the least of these” as Jesus noted in Matthew 25:40.
God makes it so easy for us to know His joy and
blessings. Here at the Mission, everywhere we turn we see
hurting people. When we see them through the eyes of
Jesus, we become enthusiastic about meeting their needs
for food, drink, clothing, friendship and salvation! We want
them to know what we know; they are really loved by God.
Well friends, it boils down to this: When you love God,
you seek to do the things that bring Him joy. I know without
a doubt our ministry is doing just that. And, because you
give so generously of your time, prayers and finances, you
are pleasing Him, too.
Thanks for sharing in this service with us. I look
forward to ministering alongside you in 2009.
Blessings in the New Year,
Fighting Poverty
from the Inside Out
Bridgeport Rescue Mission
1088 Fairfield Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06605
(203) 333-4087
www.BridgeportRescueMission.org
Terry Wilcox
Executive Director
Terry Wilcox
Executive Director
Linda Casey
Director of Development
Because You Gave
Because you cared enough to give,
Bridgeport Rescue Mission met the
following needs.
October-November 2008
Nights of shelter provided: 8,554
(Average per night: 93)
Meals provided:
74,145
(an almost 80% increase over this time
last year)
(Average per day: 806)
Take Note! Thanksgiving week, the
Mission provided 11,145 meals to
the homeless and hungry, including
1,560 Thanksgiving Pantry Boxes
(each box feeds up to six people),
and 1,785 meals served to guests.
A Warm Welcome to
Morris McCloud
“I met Pastor Terry Wilcox in 2001. Once
I saw the Mission in action, I knew it was
something I wanted to be part of,” says Morris
McCloud, Bridgeport Rescue Mission’s new
assistant program director.
Morris served as a career educational
counselor in the public and vocational school
systems and as a substance abuse counselor
in both Christian and secular arenas. “I know
the needs of those who live in the inner city, so when I saw the Mission’s food outreach, the
shelters and recovery program, it took everything I’d been involved in to the next level!”
Morris is a lifelong resident of Connecticut. He earned a degree in psychology from
Eastern Connecticut State University and has worked in human services for more than
25 years. He and his wife, Rita, have four children. To contact Morris, call (203) 333-4087,
ext. 101 or e-mail Morris@BridgeportRescueMission.org.
All stories and photos in this newsletter are of students or guests at Bridgeport Rescue Mission.
Were You the One Who…?
Each day, we see the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:34-36 carried out in practical ways
through our staff, donors and volunteers. Here are some uplifting examples.
“I was sick
and you
looked
after
me”
“I needed clothes
and you clothed me”
During Wednesday morning General Assembly, a
student in our New Life Discipleship Program shared
this story:
A few days earlier, he’d told another student in
the New Life Program he’d gained weight while at the
Mission and needed underwear. Since the Mission can
only accept new packaged underwear, he knew he’d have
to wait before any came his way.
The very next day, someone donated brand new
underwear in just his size! “It was then I really knew God
was there because I got the underwear I needed,”
he told the group joyfully. That simple gift had a
profound impact on this man’s faith in God.
John proudly holds his granddaughter during our Community
Thanksgiving Feast.
“I was in prison and
you came to visit me”
You can hear laughter in John Reed’s voice as he tells
his story. He’s happy to be free from prison, free from
gangs, free from fighting. “I’m relaxed and satisfied about
how my life is going,” he says.
As a child, John lived in Montgomery, Alabama, where
he remembers attending Martin Luther King’s church and
his dad praying over Sunday dinner. “But by the time I was
9, I was in a reformatory because no one could handle me
at school,” he confesses.
Family troubles erupted and John’s mother headed
for New York. When John was 14, she sent him a ticket to
join her. But in New York, John began to feed his need for
money, and was soon involved in gangs and dealing drugs.
Now 60, he looks back on almost 30 years in jails and prisons.
Ironically, John’s road to peace began when he found
two of his friends shot dead. “I flipped out,” he recalls
quietly. “I was in and out of hospitals and institutions.
Then I remembered Bridgeport Rescue Mission. They’d
kicked me out for fighting back in 2003, so I wondered if
they’d let me back in.”
February 2007, the Mission opened its doors again to
John and today, he knows his days of gangs, drugs, prison
and death are over. “The Mission helped restore my hope
and dignity, and my health. My family is back in my life.
And I’ve learned to pray … for myself and others.”
Are you one who has given to help care for the homeless, sick and imprisoned?
In Isaiah 58, God promises His blessings to those who bless the poor and oppressed. Thank you so much!
!
Abandoned and sick … Diane had never known her
parents’ love, never been cuddled, never had treatment
for the mental challenges that tormented her. Then she
found Bridgeport Rescue Mission and Women’s Director
Nancy deMaille—or rather, Nancy found her.
“I was homeless, sleeping on back porches and in
cars. Nancy would find me and bring me to the Mission,”
Diane recalls. “I couldn’t read, I was using drugs and
something was wrong with my brain. The Mission walked
me through it all.”
Nancy took Diane under her wing, giving her clean
clothing, styling her hair, locating psychiatric treatment,
always showing unconditional love. “She helped me look
like a woman,” Diane confides. “She would say, ‘Diane,
I love you and you can do anything!’ My mother never
did that for me. Now I go to therapy every month. I’m
stabilized and my mind has come back together.”
Mini Rally brings
MAXIMUM RESULTS
“I was hungry and you gave me
something to eat, I was thirsty and
you gave me something to drink…”
Matthew 25:35 a, b
Clip and share with others.
Dozens of Mini Cooper enthusiasts gave generously
to support Bridgeport Rescue Mission during a “mini
rally” at MINI of Fairfield County, October 16, 2008.
“Our goal was to ‘Fill the Mini,’ which we did and
then some!” reports Wendy Jolls, owner of the yellow
“Zoe,” pictured here. Donations included two cases of
baby formula, hundreds of nonperishable food items,
blankets, clothing and more!
Can You Help, Too?
We are entering a new year with ever-increasing
requests for food, health-care items and necessities like
new, packaged underwear and socks. Visit our Web site
at www.BridgeportRescueMission.org where you’ll
find a complete list of needs or call Jill Monroe,
(203) 333-4087, ext. 102, to request our “How You Can
Help” flier filled with simple, fun ideas for your group,
church or business.
Our New Web Site Is Live!
In mid-January, Bridgeport Rescue Mission
launched our newly designed Web site at
www.BridgeportRescueMission.org. If you
haven’t checked in lately, don’t wait any longer.
You’ll find info on events, needs, how to help the
homeless, uplifting stories and more!
In January, Bridgeport Rescue Mission initiated the
Meals of Hope Club , our pledge program for donors
who wish to provide food and shelter for the homeless
through monthly giving.
“Meals of Hope Club partners can give each month
through automatic deductions from their checking
accounts or credit cards,” says Linda Casey, director of
development. “It actually saves our donors time and
worry, while saving the Mission money.”
To join the Meals of Hope Club , check the box on the
enclosed response form and enclose it with your first gift
of $15 or more in the envelope provided. Or, call Trudy
Rude, (203) 333-4087, ext. 103, to learn more.
Cut out and share with others.
Warm
Feet
from Hawley Lane!
Bridgeport Rescue Mission’s Father Michael Moran and Terry
Wilcox flank Thom Molusis and Amy Croteau-Belanger of
Hawley Lane Shoes.
When Father Michael Moran told his favorite shoe store
of the need for shoes at Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Hawley
Lane didn’t hesitate! “They contacted NOAT Footwear and,
together, the two companies donated 150 pairs of shoes!”
explains Father Michael Moran.
The shoes will be given to our New Life Recovery
Program students, and the homeless and working-poor
people in Fairfield County.
Take Note!
Do you own or work in a
business that deals with overstock, seconds or returns?
Check to see if Bridgeport Rescue Mission can use your
company’s excess goods to help us meet the needs of
the homeless and poor. We will issue a tax receipt for
your donations. Call (203) 333-4087, ext. 110 to learn
more. And, thanks for considering our needs.
!
Create a Legacy
Snapshots
Hope
OF THE HOLIDAYS of
Sunday, November 23, around
1,400 hungry men, women and
children joined the Mission at
Golden Hill United Methodist
Church for our Great Thanksgiving
Feast. These little ones were
obviously thankful for their meal!
We couldn’t have done it without
your donations of turkeys, pies
and gifts. Thanks so much!
Creative volunteers
help ladies in
our New Life
Discipleship
Program create
ornaments for the
Christmas tree.
Students from Trumbull High
School’s band chose Bridgeport
Rescue Mission as the charity to
receive coats from One Warm Coat.
Good Morning America featured the
story Friday, December 19. Here,
Terry Wilcox poses with Trumbull
students and Tom
Foth in front of
just a few of the
3,000 coats donated!
Question:
I would like to remember Bridgeport
Rescue Mission in my Will. What wording
should I give my attorney?
Answer:
Thank you for considering supporting
Bridgeport Rescue Mission with a legacy gift
through your Will. This is a wonderful way
to preserve your current support beyond
your lifetime. There are a number of ways
to include the Mission in your estate plans;
a bequest in your Will is one of the simplest.
Below is sample wording:
“I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise
and bequeath to Bridgeport Rescue Mission,
Bridgeport, Connecticut, [___ percent] of my
estate for its unrestricted use and purpose.”
To discuss your interest in making
a legacy gift, please contact Linda
Casey, director of development, at
LMCasey@BridgeportRescueMission.org
or (203) 333-4087. Thank you and God
bless you and yours in the coming year.
We Did It!
Sunday, November 9, Bridgeport Rescue Mission
celebrated the graduations of several students in our
New Life Discipleship Program. Each has completed
intensive coursework and matured in his Christian
walk. Immediately following the ceremony, Barry
Wilson left for Victory Mission Culinary School in
Springfield, Missouri!
Please pray for each man as he becomes a
productive and independent member of the
Christian community.
Clockwise from back row: Shawn Larricia, Barry Wilson,
Earl Gardner, Frank Travis and Darryl Bayne.