Volume 8, Number 12 • June 16, 2014 •

Volume 8, Number 12 • June 16, 2014 • www.agrm.org

AGRM convention wraps up in St. Louis Approximately 900 people gathered for inspiration, networking, and education at AGRM’s 101st annual convention in St. Louis—the second-highest attendance ever, just below last year’s record-shattering 100-year event.

These are just a few of the many remarks that have already been passed on to us:

•What an awesome place to network and learn what is working and what is not. Our mission would not be what it is today if I had not been a part of this association.

• This was my ﬁrst time at AGRM and it was truly a gift. I went back home with renewed vision and a deeper love for Christ’s heart within homeless ministry.

•I am struggling with several issues this year and came away from the convention with the tools and conviction to resolve the issues and the inspiration to accomplish it.

•I’ve been to a number of other national conventions for other employers but AGRM national conventions are the best I’ve seen. Well organized, well run and so encouraging. If you don’t’ come away seeing the value, you aren’t looking.

•I’m always impressed with the attention and effort that AGRM staff puts into the convention. The convention doesn’t disappoint. Worth the trip and investment.

•As the executive director of a smaller mission, it was refreshing to connect with others for encouragement, support, and to share resources. I especially appreciated the AGRM’s willingness to engage in difﬁcult issues we are all facing and wrestling with—even when we disagree. It is good to know we are not alone in these efforts.

•Our annual conference is by far the best networking and training event I ever go to. If you have limited training dollars, this is where they should be spent. You meet people here that can change your world. A complete survey was sent to all attendees via email last week. If you attended the event, please take a few minutes to respond to the survey. We need your feedback to keep raising the bar.

Association releases position paper on Housing First At the St. Louis convention, AGRM released a position paper titled “An Association Perspective on HUD-Driven Housing”; download a copy by clicking here. The paper—the result of the work by a task force of rescue mission representatives and approved by AGRM’s board of directors—seeks to help decision-makers and inﬂuencers outside the rescue mission community better understand rescue missions. The paper also serves local missions by clarifying what the association believes is the overwhelming member-held consensus on HUD-driven approaches to housing and closely related issues.

The position paper also sparked a lively “Town Hall” Meeting at the convention, which featured a panel of both government and rescue mission leaders discussing Housing First, HUD-related housing, local Continuums of Care, and the roles of both missions and government in ending homelessness.

Ashmen invited to speak at NAEH Conference Nan Roman, head of the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) took part in AGRM’s convention, and has invited AGRM President John Ashmen to speak at NAEH’s National Conference in July in Washington, D.C. John will be one of a few invited speakers to give a TED talk-style presentation during a plenary sessions. John’s talk will focus on what gospel rescue missions do and what our vision is for the homeless. John has also been asked to be involved in a seminar track.

Take a peek at the convention’s closing video AGRM works with our video partner, i5810 Media, to produce some great videos that are shown during general sessions at convention. Click here to take a look at the video from this year’s closing session.

AGRM releases ﬁrst Best Practices documents The ﬁrst three sets of best practices have been published and were also distributed at AGRM’s convention in St. Louis. However, at any time you can log in to www.agrm.org/bestpractices to view the practices, download sample resources, and download print-ready copies of the practices for Role in Society, Governance, and Planning. Seven more sets are in development and will be released as they’re ready.

District Connect Groups go live As you might already know, AGRM has transitioned its Connect Groups from a Gmail-based system to a web-based discussion-forum format. This allows us to archive discussions and make them searchable, as well as preserve uploaded documents. One new feature is that each district has its own AGRM Connect Group that is now live. These groups can be used to provide district updates and connect on issues related to your region. This addition allows you to use Connect Groups to network with both others in your professional network and in your geographical region.

Every member is automatically subscribed to his or her district group. You may subscribe or unsubscribe from groups by logging in to www.agrm.org and clicking on My AGRM Connect Groups. If you choose to unsubscribe from a group, you will still be able to view the group discussions online anytime; you just won’t receive the email trafﬁc.

Also, please note that if you reply to an email, your email will be sent to all members of the group even though you don’t receive a copy of it. If you want to reply only to the sender, click on his or her email link rather than clicking your email reply button.

Anti-homeless ‘spikes’ in London lead to outcry The installation of pavement spikes to stop homeless people sleeping outside a London building sparked outrage on Tuesday, with 40,000 people signing a petition in protest and the city’s mayor calling them “stupid.” According to a Yahoo! News report, the petition says the spikes are “inhumane” and calls for more effort to look after the most vulnerable people in society. The short metal spikes, not unlike those used to deter pigeons from the tops of walls, have been installed outside a residential development a short walk from the Shard tower and Shakespeare’s Globe theatre.

In a related Boston Globe report, a supermarket chain in the United Kingdom has announced it will remove so-called “anti-homeless spikes” from outside one of its London locations after an image of activists pouring concrete on the metal protrusions went viral on social media. A company spokesperson said that Tesco would remove the spikes, but insisted that they were not aimed at the homeless, and instead intended to curb other “antisocial behaviors,” such as loitering and public drinking.

Holder endorses shorter sentences for drug offenders now in prison As many as 20,000 federal prisoners could see their sentences shortened under a new proposal by the Justice Department. According to a CNN report, the department made its pitch before the U.S. Sentencing Commission to make some current prisoners retroactively eligible for reduced sentences. The commission voted in April to reduce drug sentences for future nonviolent offenders. Not all prisoners who applied for the reduced sentences would receive them.

The change is part of Holder’s “Smart on Crime” efforts. The attorney general is seeking to reduce prison population and loosen mandatory sentencing rules for nonviolent drug crimes. The Justice Department proposal, set to be voted on next month, would reduce sentences by about 23 months on average for those already in prison and who qualify. It would apply to prisoners without “signiﬁcant” criminal histories, and whose crimes didn’t involve weapons or violence.

Increase in minors left at border called ‘crisis’ A surge in unaccompanied minors from Central America crossing the border illegally into Texas has so overwhelmed the Border Patrol in the Rio Grande Valley that ofﬁcials have transported more than 750 children since last week to Border Patrol facilities in Arizona—with plans to bring hundreds more, if necessary. According to a USA Today report, President Barack Obama called the situation “a humanitarian crisis,” and he has sent federal ofﬁcials scrambling to ramp up temporary housing in three other states for about 3,000 more migrant children.

According to Customs and Border Protection, in the past eight months, agents have apprehended about 47,000 unaccompanied minors who crossed the border into the U.S. illegally from Mexico. The CBP estimates that apprehensions of minors this year may reach 90,000. Almost three-fourths of the children apprehended are from Honduras, Guatemala, or El Salvador. And 33,470 of them entered through the Rio Grande Valley Sector, which this year surpassed the Tucson Sector as the busiest for illegal crossings.

Editor’s note: For more than a century, rescue missions have ministered to homeless immigrants—both legal and illegal—as well as refugees who come to the U.S. for various protections. Reports like this demonstrate that this segment of the homeless population isn’t going away. The May/June issue of Rescue magazine addressed the issue of homeless immigrants and refugees. You can view it electronically by clicking here.

People under 65 hit hardest by flu this year H1N1 flu was the most common influenza strain in the United States this year, according to the latest report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And as in previous years, H1N1 disproportionately affected younger people—nearly 60 percent of the 9,635 confirmed flu-related hospitalizations occurred in people between the ages of 18 and 64 years, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer report. Those between the ages of 50 and 64 years had the highest rates of flu-related hospitalizations this year compared to the past four flu seasons.

The CDC notes that things could have been much worse. The predominant virus didn’t cause a pandemic this year because of prior widespread exposure to H1N1, and also because it was included in this year’s ﬂu vaccine. The agency is recommending inclusion of the H1N1 virus in next year’s ﬂu vaccine as well.

Even though H1N1 was the most common ﬂu strain, a “herd immunity”—meaning that enough people received vaccinations to prevent the virus from spreading throughout communities—kept it from becoming a pandemic again, the CDC said. For a virus to become pandemic, it must pass easily from person to person and have never circulated before so that people don’t build immunity to it.

Addicts considered to be doctors’ most dreaded patients It is an unfortunate reality that most doctors don’t like treating addiction, and they don’t like addicts. They’ll treat the consequences of the disease but they won’t always confront the underlying issues, discuss treatment options, or provide referrals to an addiction specialist. What’s behind this institutional bias against addicts? According to a Psych Central report, just as denial keeps addicts stuck in their disease, it also keeps our health care system sick. An estimated 6 million addicts receive health care in hospitals, emergency rooms, and primary care clinics each year. This kind of access puts doctors in an ideal position to recognize and treat addiction. Yet they receive very little training on how to do so.

In a recent survey, 80 percent of doctors felt they were qualiﬁed to identify drug abuse and addiction, yet only 1 percent correctly identiﬁed substance abuse as a possible diagnosis when presented with the case history of an addict. Only 55 percent said they learned how to prescribe controlled drugs during medical school.

Of course, addicts can be tough patients. Even if they can admit to a drug problem, not all are ready to get help. A physician who confronts the issue can be met with denial and anger rather than gratitude. And during treatment, problems aren’t limited to what the doctor sees in the ofﬁce, as addicts also struggle with legal, ﬁnancial, and family problems.

Child poverty in U.S. higher than most developed nations Are children in the United States more likely to live in poverty than in other developed countries? According to a new report from UNICEF released this week, the answer is yes. According to a Deseret News report, the United States ranks near the bottom of 35 of the world’s richest countries, coming in at number 34.

The UNICEF report measures U.S. child poverty against developed countries—not against children in countries where children face the most devastating challenges of poverty. The organization uses its own “poverty line,” not a typical deﬁnition of a family living on less than $1.25 or $2 per day. The report ranks countries using “relative child poverty” as its measure, meaning “living in a household that earns less than half of the national median.” By this measure, more than one in ﬁve American children fall below the poverty line.

Try a Tweetup Check out “Tweet Rules for Fundraisers.” The brief article offers 10 tips for turning tweetups into fundraising and engagement engines.

What are tweetups? These are meetings organized through Twitter that provide associations and nonproﬁts opportunities to bring members together and raise funds for a worthy cause. The mantra for Tweetups is simple: Engage. Support. Have fun.

Lebanon, Pennsylvania: Director of Operations—Jubilee Ministries seeks a person to oversee all aspects of the HOPES Resource Center (HRC). This is a “hands-on” leadership position that requires involvement in screening, casework, material assistance, and actions related to meeting needs of homeless individuals and/or those needing material assistance. Email [email protected]. Added 6/15/14

Winston-Salem, North Carolina: Development Ofﬁcer—Responsible to work closely with the executive director to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for total mission fundraising, including major gifts, direct mail, grants, record keeping, marketing, public relations, special events, and volunteers. Candidate must have: (1) Personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, honor Him in their walk, and a current member or regular attender of a local Bible-believing church; (2) Five years development experience in a faith-based ministry. Ideal candidate will have: (1) Experience working with a signiﬁcant donor base and $2-million-plus in annual donations; (2) Experience managing a major capital campaign; (3) Proven ability to acquire grants; (4) Prefer knowledge of Pledge Maker software; (5) A passion to increase sustainable funding across multiple source types. Email cover letter and résumé with references to [email protected]. Added 6/15/14

Brookings, Oregon: Executive Director—The Outreach Gospel Mission, located in beautiful Brookings, Oregon, is searching an executive director. Candidate should have a minimum of five years’ experience working with homeless families and individuals. Basic requirements are experience in managing a minimum of five employees, understanding nonprofit budget procedures, and a background in community involvement. The ability to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ is paramount. Prefer candidates located from Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. Please forward résumé to [email protected] or call (541) 251-3071 for more information. Added 6/1/14

Oxnard, California: Director of Women and Children’s Mission—Rescue Mission Alliance (RMA), a Christian nonprofit, is seeking an experienced leader to direct Lighthouse for Women and Children. Must be a committed Christian with compatible theology and a burden for helping women/children, exemplary character with “servant leader” approach to ministry. B.A. or equivalent in related field plus five years’ ministry, management, and nonprofit experience; Bible school/ seminary degree preferred. Email résumé with salary history to [email protected], or fax to (805) 385-4126. No phone calls please. Added 6/1/14

Knoxville, Tennessee: Vice President of Programs—Knox Area Rescue Ministries (www.karm.org) is searching for a vice president of programs. Click http://jobﬁtmatters.com/knox-area-rescue-ministries-vp-of-programs/ to view a video about the position and access the full opportunity proﬁle. Added 6/1/14

Oxnard, California: Director of Thrift Store Operations—Rescue Mission Alliance (RMA), a Christian nonprofit located in Oxnard, California, is seeking a director of thrift store operations. Responsibilities include working with the CEO and CFO to provide leadership, direction, and management of this high-volume enterprise that converts donated goods into funds used to help those in need. Reports monthly on accountability for plans, activities, and results against budget. Works with call center manager to coordinate solicitation of GIK donations. Works with thrift store leadership team to hire, train, and develop all dispatch, production, and retail employees. Ensures facilities and equipment for operations are well maintained. Bachelor’s degree plus five years’ retail, management, and nonprofit experience desired. Must be a devoted Christian with exemplary character and a proven ability to lead, evaluate, problem-solve, and encourage clients, volunteers, and staff. Strong communication, computer, and administrative skills required. Fax résumé and cover letter to (805) 487-2427 or email to [email protected]. Added 6/1/14

Fargo, North Dakota: Program Director—The New Life Center, Fargo, has a job opening for program director. The person in this position will provide program leadership to help our guests move from surviving to thriving. This individual would oversee all elements of our program from emergency shelter to recovery. For more information or to apply visit www.fargonlc.org. Added 6/1/14

To advertise in future Market Street Classiﬁeds:

Members of AGRM can place a 30-word classiﬁed ad listing available positions in two consecutive issues of Street Smart at no charge; additional words will be charged at 50 cents per word. Non-members can place an ad for $25 per issue for a 30-word ad; additional words will be charged at 50 cents per word. AGRM members can renew ads after the second placement at $15 per issue for a 30-word ad (plus 50 cents per additional word). Ads are also placed on the AGRM website. AGRM business members can also sponsor Street Smart for $350 per issue. Email desired ad placement to Brad Lewis (subject line: Street Smart advertising). Ads are subject to editing to conform to Street Smart style, and AGRM reserves the right to reject any ads or sponsorships it deems inappropriate for members. All ads are due one week before issue date.

Taking Time With God

“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it’” (Isaiah 30:15).

We all live busy, hectic, modern lives. When we work, we work a lot. When we play, we go all out. When we are home, we have kids to take care of or school events to attend. When it comes to church, we could be at a service or small group every other day if we really wanted. It can be hard to put time aside from our eventful days to rest and be quiet before God as Isaiah instructs.

Being quiet before God gets even harder when a monkey wrench is thrown into our busy lives. This could be a death in the family, a rebellious child, the loss of a job, or anything at all that is unexpected. When any of these happen to us, our ﬁrst response is often to set things back to “normal mode”. Who wouldn’t want to do this? We look for the plans of action necessary to set things in order and ask God to bless us along the way. We fall into the trap that action is the only solvent for the unexpected problems in life. When many times, we simply need to live as the psalmist and “Be still, and know that [He is] God” (Psalm 46:10).

Our comfort won’t come from solving the issues alone, but knowing God and his ways during our busy life.

Symbol of shame—mysterious sign

Of groans, and agonies and blood,

Hail, pledge of love and peace divine

Used with permission from Daily Devotionals, www.shortdailydevotions.com.

To contribute: If you would like to write a devotional thought for StreetLight, please make it about 200 words and include at least one Bible verse or passage, and submit via email.

Is something unique and exciting going on at your mission? Share your news with fellow AGRM members by emailing items for "Our Street" to Brad Lewis.

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All Scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, unless otherwise noted. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Street Smart is sent to you as a member service of AGRM, and is published on the 1st and 15th of each month (unless those dates fall on a weekend or holiday). The content does not necessarily represent the views of or imply endorsement by AGRM. To submit items for publication, e-mail [email protected]. To unsubscribe, email [email protected]. AGRM convention wraps up in St. Louis Approximately 900 people gathered for inspiration, networking, and education at AGRM’s 101st annual convention in St. Louis—the second-highest attendance ever, just below last year’s record-shattering 100-year event.