EASTER 2013

INSIDEWHEELER MISSION MINISTRIES ChangingStory Lives in Central Indiana Since 1893

“God never gave up on me!”

en already knew what it Ken’s problems weren’t all K takes many people who are related to alcohol. He’d also addicted to drugs or alcohol years stopped seeking a relationship with to learn: No matter how many the Lord. “I did a poor job later in places you go, you take your my life of adhering to God’s Word problems with you. and God’s will. But God never So when he was laid off in gave up on me!” Denver and found another job God put a message on Ken’s heart here in Indianapolis, it wasn’t long that he needed to change, to surrender before his poor health, due to his to His will; but it was Ken’s sister drinking, caught up with him. who found our Hebron Addiction “My life was out of control,” Recovery Program for Men. he says. “My health was suffering “It was the toughest year of because of my drinking and I had my life,” says Ken. “But with God, chronic pancreatitis.” all things are possible. I am sitting here today changed in the Spirit, and I am a new creation in Christ. I don’t have to live in self-condemnation VOL. 32 NO. 2 anymore for the alcoholism, for the deceit about my condition that I hid Don’t miss… from my family.” Once he graduates, Ken’s A Message One of Ken’s most awesome goal is to minister to others. “I From Rick Alvis...... 2 experiences has been witnessing can serve the Lord just by sharing the reconciliation with families. a story, or leading a Bible study When hunger ends, “A very short time ago, these or a Sunday school class, or hope begins...... 2 people would not have wanted to volunteering my time. Because “Death was better sit in the same room with some of serving the Lord, fulfilling my than living”...... 3 us. Now, they hug us and love us need to serve, glorifies God.” and cry.”

Homeless Shelters • Residential Programs • Addiction Recovery • For Men and Women A Message From Rick Alvis Holiday Blessings heeler was blessed over W the holidays by many individuals, churches, businesses and organizations. Thank you to everyone who gave so generously to help the homeless and hungry in Central Indiana! To learn more about holiday celebrations at the Mission, visit our new website, WheelerMission.org. The Strength to Start Over Rowdie Claus Came to Town! “I had reached bottom.” “I undreds of kids visited Victory time and donated canned goods for thought about ending my life.” H Field on December 8, 2012 Wheeler Mission! “I burnt all my bridges.” “My to have their picture taken with Thank you! Your support will go friends and family gave up on Rowdie Claus, a long way to meet the needs of less me.” “I had nowhere else to mascot for the fortunate people in the new year. go.” Indianapolis To learn how you can support the Far too many of the men Indians minor Mission, call (317) 635-3575 or visit and women who come to league baseball WheelerMission.org. Wheeler Mission each and team. Everyone who came had a great every day have given up. Life has crushed them and left them without hope. In addition to receiving Our New Website food and shelter, they need to know that they are loved… isit the brand new that their lives have value… V WheelerMission.org to stay that they can begin again. At connected to everything happening at no time is this message clearer the Mission – check it out today! than at Easter. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever When hunger ends, hope begins believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 2013 Easter Celebration Not just life today, or life ou would enjoy being here at the Through your gifts and your tomorrow, but life eternal. YMission during Easter! prayers, you bring these special Your support brings this There’s an air of excitement, a celebrations to homeless, hungry message to people who are sense of anticipation. There will be neighbors in Indianapolis. Thanks homeless and hungry; it lets some very special chapel services to you, many have overcome them know that they do have during the week. homelessness, poverty and addiction, the strength to start over! At our Center for Women & and are living healthier, happier, more Children, there will also be a special hopeful lives! Easter meal with tables decorated in Please continue to end hunger and Rick Alvis spring colors, Easter baskets for each bring people a message of hope by of the children and perhaps a small gift sending a special Easter gift today. You President/CEO for each of our ladies. may use the enclosed envelope, or give 2 online at www.WheelerMission.org. Amy Jo became so broken that This month, your gift will Death Was Better Than Living help provide: my Jo grew up right here in What’s the difference? “They 27,083 meals A Indianapolis. She played fast- care,” Amy Jo says. “You can actually 10,416 nights of shelter pitch softball in high school, got good see that they sincerely care. They give 175 medical/dental grades and was offered a scholarship at you hope.” clinic visits a western university. Amy Jo says the fact that the But that promising life never program is very structured has also Our guests may not materialized because Amy Jo started been a big plus. “As an addict, I need see your face, but drinking and experimenting with drugs. that. I need someone to tell me what your presence is felt She had a baby at 18, was married I can and can’t do; someone to put each and every day! at 20 and divorced at 21. By the God in my day so that I can begin time she was 23, Amy Jo’s life was developing good habits.” moving rapidly “downhill.” That’s FedEx Cares when she started using cocaine. edEx Cares, a charitable Amy Jo’s drug use quickly F division of FedEx that escalated. She started using “crack,” provides corporate contributions, the most addictive form of cocaine, in-kind shipping and more to and in a short time, she lost everything. help bring about positive change in communities throughout the Going to prison for auto theft in world, collected and donated 2005 helped Amy Jo sober up, and items for the men, women and she “stayed clean” until 2010. “I was children staying with us during taking classes at Ivy Tech and working the cold winter months. Our guests were touched by their for a police officer as a home health thoughtfulness and generosity. aide taking care of his mother.” But in December of that year, Amy Jo’s world came crashing down. She went through $30,000 in less than six months, spending all the money to feed her addiction. She quit her job and left school, and in May 2011, she tried to kill herself. “I was broken,” she says. “Death Amy Jo’s family is being was better than living.” incredibly supportive, including her Amy Jo first came to our Center for mom, her stepdad and her younger son. Women & Children in May. But it took Her son, born when she was 18, is still If your church, group or organization would like to host her nearly two months to really “face “unsure about the whole thing,” Amy Jo a collection drive, please contact her demons” and start confronting the says. “He just wants to make sure I’m us at (317) 635-3575 or truth about her life and her addiction. going to come home and be a mother.” [email protected] for more Our Higher Ground Addiction Thanks to the support of friends information. Recovery Program is not the first like you and Wheeler Mission’s life- “rehab” Amy Jo has tried. But it’s changing programs, Amy Jo’s future is the only one that’s worked. looking bright. Join us

3 Thank You for Participating in the 10th Annual Drumstick Dash! ore than 16,000 runners Dave Calabro emceed the M and walkers came to Broad event and everyone had a great Ripple on Thanksgiving morning time. The celebrity winners for this to help us celebrate our 10th annual year were Kim Erdahl (Fox) and Lil’ Gobbler’s Run, presented by Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash, Julie Patterson (WISH TV). Ryan Managed Health Services. Each presented by Huntington Bank! Kienzle from Canton, OH won with child who participated received a a time of 22:17.4. Becky Boyle of medal and a bag of candy. Indianapolis, IN won female first Thank you so much to all place with a time of 26:24.6. Travis of our wonderful sponsors and Carpenter was the first male and volunteers! We just couldn’t do it Karen Bower was the first female to without you! catch Jerry Gobbler. To see more photos from this All of the kids had a great year’s Dash, visit our new website time racing Jerry Gobbler in our at WheelerMission.org.

Thanks to Our Drumstick Dash Sponsors e want to thank the following companies who sponsored the 10th annual Drumstick Dash. W We are so thankful for your partnership! Summers Plumbing Heating K-Love 101.9 FM Huntington Bank & Cooling Air 1 90.5 FM Brooks Sports Chicago’s Pizza Managed Health Services BlueMile Expense Reduction Analysts Barnes & Thornburg LLP WTHR Channel 13 Printing Partners Connect Think 88.3 Shine.FM Jay’s Moving Company WFMS 95.5 FM Applebee’s Indianapolis Star Jackson Oil Brewer Direct Indy Metro Church United Hope Foundation Clear Channel Frito Lay Kroger Starbucks Comcast Internet Essentials St. Vincent Health Party Time Rental Indiana Business Solutions

2013 Easter Celebration m Check enclosed m Bill my credit card When hunger ends, hope begins m VISA m MC m AMEX m DISC Yes, Rick, I’ll provide meals, shelter and hope for hungry, homeless people with my special Easter gift of: CREDIT CARD # CIV/SEC #

m $15.75 to feed and care for 7 people EXP. DATE PHONE # m $27.00 to feed and care for 12 people Donate online at www.WheelerMission.org, m $51.75 to feed and care for 23 people or call (317) 635-3575. m $______to help as much as possible

______Wheeler Mission Ministries NAME P.O. Box 3085 ______ADDRESS Indianapolis, IN 46206-3085 ______CITY / STATE/ ZIP TAFAAADTDTADDFDADFFDTDDAFTDFTFDTADAAADAAFFATFTTTTTAFDADDAAFTTTTTA ______EAST13 E-MAIL

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