Thanks to a ton of support from the community, we ended 2019 on a high note!
December was a busy month at Springs Rescue Mission. We hosted our annual “Christmas for All” outreach meal while many shelter guests and Greenway Flats residents celebrated in their own ways. We saw folks graduate from jobs training courses and heard amazing stories of the ways people are breaking free from the cycles of homelessness, hunger and addiction in their lives.
Here are a few of the highlights!
Volunteers made community outreach meals possible
During the holiday season, more than 250 volunteers helped Springs Rescue Mission serve the community at its annual “Great Thanksgiving Banquet” (Nov. 27) and “Christmas For All” (Dec. 24) community outreach meals at City Auditorium in Colorado Springs. Volunteers worked hard to serve more than 1,000 hungry neighbors delicious home-cooked meals — complete with pie. Community partners also joined us to provide free health screenings, vaccinations and donated cold-weather coats. We thank our wonderful volunteers, because we couldn’t have done it without them!
The SRM Calendars are Here
Have you downloaded the free 2020 Springs Rescue Mission wall calendar yet? It’s not too late! Use this calendar as a tangible reminder to think about and pray for the hundreds of homeless neighbors in our community. Each month features photos and text about the different programs we offer, including Samaritan’s Kitchen, Supportive Family Services, the Resource Center and more!
Click here to download a calendar now!
Mission guests graduate Careers in Construction program
On Dec. 19, two Springs Rescue Mission guests — one of whom is now living in Greenway Flats — graduated from Careers in Construction, a program facilitated by the Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs that teaches students a trade to help them return to work and be successful. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to work for electricians, roofers, plumbers, framers and other construction-related businesses. Congratulations on graduating, Ezra and Patrick!
January Newsletter is Now Available
The January edition of the Springs Rescue Mission newsletter has hit the racks! This issue includes the following features:
– A cover story about Ed Dills, a longtime volunteer and donor of the Mission who grows produce on his own farmland – and acquires food from elsewhere — to keep Samaritan’s Kitchen serving fresh, healthy foods to its patrons.
– A question-and-answer piece featuring Tammy, a resident of Greenway Flats. Tammy became homeless in 2018 after unexpectedly losing her job. Now, she has her own apartment and works as a front desk attendant at Greenway Flats.
– A letter from CEO Larry Yonker in which he reflects on the challenges and accomplishments of 2019, as well as what he’s looking forward to in 2020.
– And more!
Q&A with CDO Travis Williams
October 28th was a busy day at the Mission.
As temperatures in the Pikes Peak region dropped into the single digits, hundreds of the city’s homeless flocked to the Mission to get warm and stay dry. More than 230 people sought daytime shelter in our resource center, and our shelters were nearly at capacity.
That day really impacted Travis Williams. He has served the Mission as chief development officer for nearly four years, but said that time helping in the resource center — visiting with people he knew, getting to know new guests and helping serve soup — reinforced his belief in the importance of the Mission’s work.
Subscribe to our blog to learn more about Springs Rescue Mission and the people we serve — people who have seen tough times but are committed to breaking the cycles of homelessness, hunger and addiction in their lives. We see stories of hope and transformation lived out every day, and we’d love to share them with you.
