Don’t Miss... 2 A message from Rick Alvis 2 $2.25 won’t buy a small coffee 3 “I wasn’t giving up”

WHEELER MISSION MINISTRIES Help. Hope. Healing. EASTER 2016

All Andrew wanted was one more chance s a teenager, Andrew had walked into AWheeler Mission...to volunteer. “Back in middle school, I came to Wheeler to serve dinner a few times,” he says. As an adult, Andrew walked into the Mission again...this time, to find help for his addiction to heroin. Andrew considered himself functional: He worked and he helped raise his daughters. But as his addiction grew, it led to stealing, trouble with the law – and eventually, the desire to quit using drugs. “I tried pretty desperately to get off of drugs. I tried a lot of other programs.” “It took sinking down into the depths before I was ready.” For the first time ever, he reached out to God. “I felt helpless. I couldn’t control myself anymore. I asked God to help me.”

How were Andrew’s prayers answered? Read more on page 3…

Homeless Shelters • Residential Programs • Addiction Recovery • For Men and Women A Message From Rick Alvis A Record Breaking Year! DRUMSTICK DASH 2015

n a cold, crisp Thanksgiving largest O morning, over 19,000 people running race made time to participate in our 13th in Indiana annual Drumstick Dash and helped us is a huge raise nearly one million dollars! task...and the erhaps you’ve heard our big We’re especially thankful for the support of our P news… generosity of the 40+ companies, civic sponsors made If not, here it is: Backstreet Missions in Bloomington has groups and organizations that sponsored it a special day officially merged with Wheeler our Dash. Putting together the 2nd for thousands Mission. of people. We’re humbled here at Wheeler Mission by this opportunity, THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS! especially given our joint mission is to solve an issue that has destroyed • Huntington Bank • ESPN 1070 The Fan too many lives: homelessness and • Athletic Annex • Printing Partners addiction in our cities. • Brooks Running • Connect Think You’ll notice I said cities, not city. • Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) • Barnes & Thornburg I want to be clear – if you live in • Cumulus Radio (WFMS, WJJK, The Beat) • Ambetter from MHS Indianapolis or Central Indiana, your • K-Love and Air1 • Freelance Graphics gifts will continue to support people • 88.3 Shine.FM • Chicago’s Pizza in Indianapolis and Central Indiana. • Brewer Direct • Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling If you live in Bloomington, your gifts • United Hope Foundation/Lor Corp • Zerorez will continue to support people in • WTHR 13 • Jackson Oil & Solvents Bloomington and South Central • Franklin College • IndyStar Indiana. • Kroger • Toy Factory In short, your gifts will stay • Starbucks • Frito Lay where you live! • Jay’s Moving Co • Doctors Express Urgent Care There are people in both • F.C. Tucker Company Inc. • St Vincent communities that desperately need • Clear Channel Outdoor • Great Clips help...and hope. This transition • Expense Reduction Analysis • Midwest Transit Equipment allows both cities the chance to • XFINITY • Hyatt Place Indianapolis Keystone keep expanding outreach to those • Ray Skillman Auto Center • Applebee’s who are homeless or broken by addiction. Both Rescue Missions will have the Wheeler name – and both Missions will continue to reach out locally to be all the help they can, $2.25 WON’T BUY in all the ways they can, to all the people they can. A SMALL COFFEE With your continued support – wherever you may live! –neighbors MOST PLACES... in need will experience healing and restored lives through the power of Jesus Christ. That’s the mission that matters...and it will continue to be at the heart of Wheeler Mission in both ...but for just $2.25 each, you can feed communities. homeless & hurting people an ENTIRE MEAL – and help change their lives forever this Easter. Rick Alvis, President/CEO Make a gift at WheelerMission.com 2 Center for “I wasn’t going Women & Children Children’s Needs: to give up.” • Disposable Diapers, esp. size 4 & 5 • School supplies: construction issue I’m having, God puts the right paper, glue / glue sticks / craft items (children’s ministry / thing in my path to set me straight.” preschool) “I have hope now.” • Snacks (goldfish, cheese As he prayed for a way out of his Today, Andrew is a graduate crackers, fruit cups, other kid- friendly items) addiction to heroin, Andrew remembered of our program and is focused on • Socks – all sizes Wheeler Mission from his youth. He even rebuilding his life. He’s spending • Underwear – all sizes • Sippy Cups / Bottles knew a few people who had been through as much time possible with his two • Kids’ hair supplies (small rubber our addiction recovery program. daughters, who are excited to have bands, barrettes, combs, etc.) “Their success inspired me to try • Crib sheets (they have plenty of their dad back. blankets at this time) Wheeler’s program,” Andrew says. “I knew I He’s also working hard to establish had to do whatever it took.” a career. “Being at the Mission has Shelter for Men “I wasn’t just going to give up and given me the opportunity to apply for Men’s Residential Center leave.” apprenticeships and training grants for Training Center at The first few weeks in our program skilled trades.” Camp Hunt weren’t easy – but Andrew was determined Andrew is amazed at the • Socks to stay. “I wanted to get off drugs...to stop • Hats & Gloves difference the program made in • Long Underwear feeling miserable and sick all the time.” his life. “Wheeler Mission took me • Winter Boots Through the love of our staff, God- • Winter Coats (all sizes, up to in – a guy who’d completely run 4XL) centered classes and counseling offered in our out of options and had destroyed • Book bags (or some type of program, Andrew began understanding why carry-all bag) everything – and gave me the • Pajamas his addiction had such a powerful hold in opportunity to improve myself and • Deodorant his life. “I’d always felt discouraged when life build back my family’s trust.” • Bus passes • Stamps didn’t go according to my plans,” he says. “To “I used to feel so hopeless,” he • Pens, Pencils, Highlighters forget it, I’d escape through drugs.” says. “Because of the Mission, I • Legal Pads Now, he turns to God in prayer instead. have hope now.” Help. Hope. Healing. “I pray all the time,” he says. “Whatever Backstreet Mission (Men’s Center) & Agape House (Women’s Center) in Bloomington EXCITING NEWS! • Hoodies m/lg/xl • Sweatshirts m/lg/xl • Long-sleeved tees m/lg/xl As you may know, Wheeler Mission Your prayers are especially • Shower shoes • Laundry bags and Backstreet Missions of Bloomington welcome during this exciting – and • Winter boots (men’s sizes 9-12) merged last fall! slightly overwhelming! – time of • Socks • Backpacks But...what does that mean? transition. • Small clear zippered bags for We’ve assumed the day-to-day Whether you live in toiletry items operations of Backstreet, combining our Indianapolis, Bloomington or • Antiperspirant/deodorant • Manicure/pedicure sets resources and long histories of providing somewhere in between, you’re • Combs, brushes help to men and women in need of food, making the help, healing • Bath towels shelter and long-term recovery from and hope of our combined • Laundry soap, fabric softener addiction, poverty and homelessness. organizations possible for so many hurting souls. 3 1 Day 100 Holes IT’S COLD OUTSIDE Calling all golfers! Get involved by: Register now to be part of our ➊ Registering to play annual 100 Holes for the Homeless golf ➋ Supporting our golfers by tournament. donating at WheelerMission.org This is your chance to join in raising ➌ Becoming a sponsor (e-mail Brian $30,000 – or more! – for Wheeler at [email protected]) Mission during the summer months, However you help, you’ll be making when donations slow down, but people an impact in homeless people’s lives here in our community need the meals, at the Mission! shelter and care the Mission provides as  much as ever. Register online now at BUT IT’S WARM INSIDE WheelerMission.org!

Why play 1,600 homeless men, women 100 Holes? & children in Indianapolis may spend the night outside in the “I love golf, and I know what freezing cold. From November- Wheeler Mission is all about March, our Winter Contingency from living in Central Indiana Program (in partnership with the City of Indianapolis) all my life. I thought it was helps bring them inside to a good time to get involved the warmth and safety of the and give back.” Mission. Your donations make this help possible!

Learn more...or donate now! WheelerMission.org Thank you!

Yes, Rick! I’ll feed, shelter m Check enclosed m Bill my credit card & change people’s lives m m m m this Easter:

m $15.75 to feed and care for 7 people CREDIT CARD # CIV/SEC # m $27.00 to feed and care for 12 people m $51.75 to feed and care for 23 people EXP. DATE PHONE # m $______to help as much as possible  www.WheelerMission.org  (317) 635-3575 ______NAME Wheeler Mission ______ADDRESS P.O. Box 3085 ______Indianapolis, IN 46206-3085 CITY / STATE/ ZIP ______E-MAIL EAS16