July 2012
Dear Friends,
The Denver Rescue Mission is celebrating 120 years of service in our community—I can hardly believe it! From simple beginnings in 1892 as a “rescue home” reaching out to prostitutes, the Mission has become so much more.
Looking back over these many years of ministering to the poor and needy, providing hope and encouragement to those who so need it, I continue to be thankful for the “saints” who came before us, breaking the trail for what the Denver Rescue Mission has become. I am fond of saying that we stand on the shoulders of those leaders of years past, who were convinced that people should never freeze to death, starve, or continue to suffer from homelessness and addictions.
The list of these leaders and volunteers, who tirelessly wrapped Jesus’ servant towel around their waists and went to work with homeless people, is really endless. It is humbling to think of these folks giving their time, energy and financial resources to grow the work of the Denver Rescue Mission.
I think they would be surprised and thrilled to learn that the Mission has grown into an organization that provided over 600,000 meals last year, as well as nearly 250,000 nights of shelter. I hope that they would be pleased to learn that their work contributed to 98 New Life Program participants graduating this past year—folks free from drug and alcohol addiction, who have become productive self-sufficient citizens in our community. And would they believe that during the past 6+ years over 1,000 families and seniors have found permanent housing through our Family and Senior Homeless Initiative (FSHI)?
Today, as we look back, we are thankful for these committed saints who paved the way. As we look forward, we are blessed with donors, volunteers and staff equally committed to building this ministry. We are excited to watch God work in this next chapter of growth. We are ever moving forward, seeking God’s will, as we are committed to changing lives in the name of Christ! Bring on the next 120 years!
God bless,
Brad Meuli