Heart

PROVIDINGHOPE fthe of Mission MISSION IN MY WORDS AMY For the Least of These Your gifts change lives today and for eternity GRANT

In Matthew 25, Jesus said, “For I was are vital. It is through providing basic hungry and you gave me something necessities that God shows up and to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me gives the Mission the opportunity to “Learning more about the Glenn Cranfield something to drink, I was a stranger share hope with someone who has lost President and CEO and you invited me in, I needed all hope. Mission made me want to clothes and you clothed me, I was Sharing simple blessings like these support their efforts. It made sick and you looked after me, I was in may seem like a small thing— but in me want to help.” prison and you came to visit me.” Jesus’ words, your gift to transform “Oh, the joys of The Mission is usually not the first the lives of people suffering from those who are kind choice for the men and women who homelessness is of great value. Your come seeking help. Most have had gift to provide food, clothing, shel- to the poor!” doors closed in their faces, they’ve ter and essential care for people who –Psalm 41:1 NLT exhausted all other options and have cannot help themselves will impact hit rock bottom. While that isn’t the eternity: “I tell you the truth,” Jesus best place to be, it is the perfect place told His followers, “Whatever you did for God to meet them at the Nashville for one of the least of these brothers Rescue Mission. of mine, you did for me.” Mission In My Words Your gifts allow the Mission to of- fer them food, clothing and shelter— If you are anything like me, you have less man or woman? What can I do ple with huge hearts who were making things most of us take for granted. a warm, safe place to call home, close to help? How can I show them how a difference in the lives of people they Yet for those who feel hopeless, they friends and a family that loves you un- much they are loved by God? How didn’t even know. I had one of those conditionally. But, for one reason or much they mean to God? The answer “WOW” moments. The people sitting another, not everyone is as fortunate to questions like these can be found before me were living examples of as you and me. inside the doors of the Nashville James 2:17, “In the same way, faith For each of us, life’s journey is Rescue Mission. by itself, if it is not accompanied by filled with twists and turns. We have I was both impressed and inspired action, is dead.” The Nashville Rescue LETTER TO THE MISSION... our fair share of mountaintop experi- by the people, the services and the Mission provides a means of putting ences, as well as painful seasons in the programs provided to our community your faith into action. valley. Often, it is in the time we spend by the Mission. As long as I’ve called The Mission is a friend in our I sent a donation, or should I say I am paying my "room" bill from 1973. in the valley where God gains our Nashville home, the Nashville Rescue community providing the good news I stayed about 2 or 3 weeks in the summer of 1973. Even though I didn’t attention the most. For some, their Mission has quietly been serving the that can forever change eternity and journey leads them to the doors of poor and hurting in our community, certainly a pathway off the streets— have a $1.00 to my name, you didn t turn my friend or me away. At the ’ the Nashville Rescue Mission. It may never looking for recognition, fame God loves you. time, I was 19 and traveling around the country when I ran out of be a path of poor choices, tragedy, or even credit for the thousands of gas in Nashville. I just wanted you to know the help you gave me has living on the edge, overloaded obliga- men and women who are given a fresh tions and responsibilities or a simple start and a new life in Christ. Learn- Amy Grant is a singer-songwriter, musician, contributed to the man I am today. I have raised two children and both debilitating circumstance. ing more about the Mission and the author, media personality and actress, best are college graduates. I own a small appliance business in New Jersey. I Still, I always wonder, how does services they provide made me want known for her Christian music. She has won someone end up in borrowed clothes, to support their efforts. It made me six Grammy Awards, 25 Gospel Music know my donation is not much, but I hope it will help a little. I may with no money and no home, with want to help. Association Dove Awards and had the first not have said it at age 19, but at age 54, I say thank you. feelings of desperation, no hope and I recently had the opportunity to Christian album ever to go Platinum. no way out? Who am I to pass judg- perform a concert for a few of the -Joseph ment and view myself as being better Mission’s donors and volunteers. It or even different than that home- was there I met a community of peo- 2 Heart of the Mission Heart of the Mission 3 The Mission’s Programs & Ministries The Nashville Rescue Mission offers more than food, clothing and shelter. Find out how your partnering changes lives in many ways.

When a guest arrives at the Nashville Rescue Mission seek- skills or obtain a GED. Mothers are also taught good par- Education opportunity to pursue academic and ing help, they may be filled with shame and regret, but they enting techniques. After graduating, clients can move into professional skills for the workplace, Volunteering are embraced with the compassion of Christ. Each person the Mission’s transitional housing until they are able to get Many of the men and women who including job-readiness instruction, Lifting a hurting person out of is treated with dignity and respect. With God’s grace they back on their feet and find permanent housing. come to the Nashville Rescue Mission resume writing and job interviewing homelessness takes teamwork— receive hope and healing. Through various programs and and enter the life-recovery program skills. In addition, classes in life skills, many people working together to services, the Mission seeks to serve the whole person—in Shelter for Men, Women and Children may have problems in reading and work orientation, computer training, meet both physical and relational mind, body and spirit. comprehension, memory retention, vocational training, financial guidance, needs over the long haul. At the The Nashville Rescue Mission provides the basic basic writing, math and life skills budgeting, cooking, food handling Nashville Rescue Mission, thou- Life Recovery for Men and Women necessities of life to every man, woman and child who for the workplace. Chemical addic- and commercial driving are offered. sands of people volunteer each ventures through the doors. Whether a person eats a tions, abuse, dropping out of school The support received from vol- year to touch lives for today and The Nashville Rescue Mission’s life-recovery program single meal, stays a single night, enjoys the Mission’s early and mental illness are just a few unteers, donors, grants and other for eternity. Help bring hope to uses a Christ-centered approach to helping men and hospitality for months or, being moved by God’s grace, reasons so many of these men and resources in the education program is destitute men, women and chil- women, ages 18 and over resolve personal problems and decides to enter the life-recovery program, counselors, women struggle with advancing them- invaluable. Through the advancement dren of Nashville’s homeless chemical addictions. While in the program, a client will chaplains and volunteers will be there to serve his or her selves professionally. of new skills, these men and women community. For information on receive Christian counseling, participate in work therapy, needs. Specifically, the Mission provides these vulnerable Through the Mission’s educa- will come to see they can achieve volunteering call (615) 312-1544 learn how to heal from past wounds and develop new guests with food, shelter, clothing, hot showers, personal tion program, those struggling are greater personal wholeness and free- or visit nashvillerescuemission.org and healthy ways of coping. He or she will also get the hygiene items, access to a day room (as weather demands), taught basis arithmetic and literacy, dom through increased education. to complete an online application. chance to study the Bible and participate in the education counseling and spiritual encouragement. while others are prepared for tak- program to improve his or her academic and employment ing the GED exam. All are given an

4 Heart of the Mission Heart of the Mission 5 Dillan’s Bracelet Business

“Two years ago, at the Christmas Serving from the parade, Dillan saw a homeless man asleep on the ground and wondered why he was there,” says mom Shawna. “Seeing a man with no home made an impact on her.” “After the flood in May, Dillan became burdened for the homeless,” says Shawna. “She decided to make HEART bracelets, sell them and then donate kids making a difference the money to help the homeless. She Whether it’s raising money for the Jacob, Samuel & Nathaniel’s even saved money from birthdays, homeless, organizing coat drives or Quest to Help the Homeless Christmas and the Tooth Fairy.” collecting bottled water, these boys and girls are showing it’s not your size Jacob was shocked when he saw a “These kids are truly or age that matters, it’s your heart that homeless man asking for money. He making a difference in truly counts. begged his mom to help, but she explained he might spend it on the the lives of Nashville’s Gracie Bryan’s Warm Heart “wrong things” and suggested they homeless and ultimately find a way to help more than just this Six-year-old Gracie donated money one man. in our community. Their from her piggy bank to feed 15 meals Since then, Jacob and his twin selfless acts of kindness “We’ve had several of our GED to Nashville’s homeless. The next year, brothers Samuel and Nathaniel have are genuinely inspiring.” graduates from past years go on to Gracie took things a step further and donated over 100 blankets and 140 earn Associate and Bachelor degrees,” organized a coat drive. sets of hats, gloves and scarves to –Glenn Cranfield, President and CEO EDUCATION says Dr. Juday. “It was Gracie’s idea,” says mom Nashville’s homeless. The follow- Breaks the Cycle of While GED training is the main Amy. “After donating her own money ing summer, they returned with over “She went throughout our en- focus of the Mission’s educational last year, she wanted to do more. 2,000 bottles of water. And during the tire neighborhood selling bracelets,” efforts, it doesn’t stop there. The Mis- Gracie made flyers that said ‘Warm Thanksgiving holiday, they brought shares Shawna. “Her initial goal was sion also works with students in im- Somebody With Your Heart’ and three milk jugs filled with money they to raise $100, but soon upped it to HOMELESSNESS proving their math and literacy skills, posted them at church.” All of Gra- had collected from their friends and $250. Once she reached that goal, we Your support unlocks the doors of opportunity creating a budget, balancing a check- cie’s hard work resulted in 85 coats for family in Westmoreland. took a trip to the Mission so she could book, computer training and other Nashville’s homeless. “I’m on a mission to help as many see the people her money was going When you think of the Nashville Res- these men and women obtain the skills that will help them develop what “It makes me sad to see someone homeless men, women and children as to help. I’m very proud of her.” cue Mission, what’s the first thing that skills necessary to become gainfully it takes to face life’s challenges. without a coat,” said Gracie. “I hope I can,” said Jacob. “They are in need, comes to mind? Feeding the hungry? employed and become contributing Ultimately, the lessons taught in these coats will keep them warm.” and I want to help.” Sheltering the homeless? members of the community. the classroom are designed to change While most people know the Mis- As each person enters a life-recov- their lives once they leave. A GED sion serves meals and provides beds ery program, they are tested and eval- coupled with the knowledge of who to the homeless, and more are becom- uated to determine their educational a man or woman is in Christ becomes ing aware of the life-recovery pro- needs. “We try to address each person the catalyst that moves this person grams—not everyone knows about based on their current skill level,” says forward and gives them the oppor- the educational opportunities that are Dr. Jay Juday, Director of Education. tunity to discover the life God had also available through the Mission. “Most have had doors closed because planned for them. Education is a powerful key in they lacked a high school diploma,” Thanks to your generosity and the breaking the cycle of homelessness. explains Dr. Juday. “If they don’t have faithful efforts of volunteers, these Education raises self-esteem, gives one, our goal is to help him or her men and women are able to reenter hope for the future and also contrib- work toward obtaining their GED. If society as contributing members and utes to one’s ability to find employ- they already have a diploma or GED, have hope for a brighter future. Thank ment and succeed in life. This is why then we try to build upon that with you for continuing to support these the Mission is committed to helping additional skills.” programs that are changing lives. Jacob Dillan 6 Heart of the Mission Gracie Samuel & Nathaniel MISSION NEWS LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED

662,532 BY GIVING Meals Served you create opportunities for new life 268,928 Nights of Lodging

197,260 and SERVING Chapel Attendance 64,879 you help provide others with Education Hours 59,193 Bible Class Attendance

21,754 Decisions and Prayers

69,074 Volunteer Hours

653 HOPE Travel Assistance www.nashvillerescuemission.org 166 Program Graduates

$2.26 OR You’ve heard us say it only costs Give HOPE. Individual volun- CONNECT. Check out the latest $2.26 to provide a meal . But teers or groups—all are welcome. Mission news through Facebook, did you know that meal has the Visit the Mission’s volunteer Twitter and YouTube power to change a life? page online to sign up today.

NASHVILLE 639 Lafayette Street, Nashville, TN 37203 RESCUE MISSION (615) 255-2475 www.nashvillerescuemission.org