Nourish the Body, Restore the Soul (Fall 2010)

Dear Friend,

 Each time I teach a class to men and women rebuilding their lives here at the Mission, I wonder about the situations that led these precious souls to seek our help.  Often, I’ll simply ask, “Why did you come?”  Their most frequent and honest replies are, “I was hungry,” “I had no place to sleep” and “My life had no meaning.”  We believe those answers express the immediate needs of each person who walks through our doors, and we strive to follow the instructions Jesus gave His disciples when facing a hungry and weary crowd: “They don’t need to go away . . . you give them something to eat” (Matthew 14:16).  We offer food for the body and nourishment for the soul.  How could we ever do less?

 I’m also aware of the far-reaching changes our guests are going through.  One day living in prostitution and the next in a Christ-centered environment, learning of a God who loves, forgives and recreates.  One day living in a home with no utilities, no food and no hope—and the next in a safe haven with three wholesome meals for themselves and their children.  Many who were far from a relationship with our Lord are now overwhelmed with His love.

What an example of compassion we see in our Savior!  Thank you for acting with Christ-like compassion and helping care for those worn out by life and seeking a new direction!                                                                                                 

For His Glory

Rev. Daniel J. Doty

Executive Director

For the past 30 years,City Union Mission has been blessed with the Christian leadership and service of Lorraine Minor, our Associate Executive Director, Programs and Administration.  As she prepares for retirement in October, we asked her to reflect on joyful memories and accomplishments.

What do you believe you accomplished over the past three decades?

            “I was privileged to see needs and be allowed to find solutions, including curriculum development, learning centers and staff training . . . and doing whatever necessary to have the most impact on affecting lives, helping each one make the changes needed to honor the Lord.

Although we’ve developed courses in decision making, problem solving and goal setting, I still yearn to find a better way to teach men and women how to think critically and evaluate what they see and hear through the prism of truth they learn here.”

How has your life changed because of the Mission?

            “This opportunity has impacted my spiritual journey in so many unspeakable ways.  Watching human suffering and the regular need for grace and mercy in life has left me profoundly grateful and glad that He has set eternity in my heart.  I’ll miss the day-to-day, week-to-week evidence of God having His way in the lives of those who are seeking Him—clients, staff, volunteers and donors.  This truly is a place where we get to see Him at work, regularly.”

Please join the Mission in recognizing this good and faithful servant of God for her tireless endeavors on behalf of the Mission and the souls we serve.

When Darrell was released from prison in 2008, he was homeless.  Like so many of the ex-inmates who are released into society—and our community—after successfully completing their sentences, Darrell had no place to live, no way to support himself and no family or friends who could help.  Studies show that without the appropriate life skills, education and necessary training to succeed in today’s workplace, many former prisoners will commit another serious crime within just a few years.

 But Darrell was already committed to a different way to life.  “I rededicated my life to God when I was in prison,” he explains.  And he asked his probation officer if he could come to City Union Mission so we could help him nourish his body, restore his soul and rebuild a Christ-centered life.  Darrell joined our Christian Life Program and says he would recommend it to anyone who is homeless and really wants to get next to God.  Darrell is grateful for the peaceful environment of our Christian Life Center, the safe, clean beds and wholesome, healthy meals.  Yet, he says, “Having people who love you and care for you—that’s meant the most to me.” 

He also appreciates the program’s structure and discipline, and the staff’s patient guidance.  “I’ve quit smoking since I’ve been here, so I get stressed out a little bit—but they help me deal with it.  If something comes up, they have an open door policy.”  With only an eighth-grade education, Darrell is learning computer and other workplace skills in our learning center, and he’s studying for his GED.  “I just love it here,” Darrell shares.  “God has been so good to me.  Every morning when I wake up, I thank the Lord!”

After graduating from our Christian Life Program, Darrell hopes to help nourish the bodies and restore the souls of others who are homeless as he once was by opening a shelter in his home state of Arkansas.  “It’ll be a Christian shelter—it wouldn’t be anything else,” Darrell says, with tears in his eyes.  “I know it will take a lot of work and effort, but I’m going to get the training and help that I need, and then the Lord will show me where to put it.”

Since 1924, City Union Mission has been blessed with generous donors and prayerful partners who have provided the means for the Mission to rescue desperate souls like Darrell, renew their spiritual and physical health and restore their lives in Christ.  As we celebrate our 86th year of service to Kansas City and prepare for the months ahead, we know the need for Christ-centered recovery, counseling and education will remain steadfast, and we pray your support will too.  Thank you for standing beside us in God’s life-transforming work.

Celebrate Hope 2011   -   October 1, 2010 — January 31, 2011   -   Campaign Goal: $4.0 Million

Where hunger ends, hope begins. Where fear ends, hope begins. Where loneliness ends . . . hope begins.  Hope for a better tomorrow begins right here in YOUR CITY, at YOUR MISSION!

A plate of abundant, nutritious food quells the hunger pangs of a man dependent on dumpsters or a child relying on free school lunches for the little food they eat each day.  A loving word and a reassuring hug bring hope for restoration to a mother who has exhausted all her options.  With your faithful support, City Union Mission serves the hungry, the homeless and the hurting of Kansas City, 365 days a year.  

 The reasons for poverty and despair have changed over the years, but our answer has remained constant—the hope of Jesus Christ.  His compassion is reflected through your sacrificial giving and the services your giving provides:

• Food, shelter, clothing and medical services

• Counseling, case management and spiritual guidance

• Long-term Christian recovery

• Career-development and job placement assistance

• Summer camp and wholesome year-round activities for impoverished children

• And so much more!

 With your help, City Union Mission will reach our CELEBRATE HOPE: Reach Out to K.C.’s Poor and Homeless goal to raise $4 million—a significant portion of our fiscal year’s annual gift income—between October 1 and January 31, 2011.  Here are some significant ways you can support us in reaching this critical financial milestone.

• Respond to our mailings from now until January 31, 2011, with generous gifts to help reach our goal.

• Bring your church for a service project or tour, or invite us to come to you. Then ask your group to make a financial contribution to help City Union Mission serve the homeless.

• Contact Dennis Chapman, Associate Executive Director, Development, to discuss a “challenge” or “matching” gift that might be made by you as an individual or through a group or workplace.

Your faithful partnership with City Union Mission has made a difference in the lives of countless individuals who needed hope.  Please continue to give as God leads.  You can send your CELEBRATE HOPE gift today in the envelope provided, or donate online at www.cityunionmission.org.  Every dollar makes a difference!  Thank you and God bless you.

You’re invited to help City Union Mission kick off our $4 million CELEBRATE HOPE: Reach Out to K.C.’s Poor and Homelesscampaign—in the comfort of your own home, at a time that’s most convenient for you!  During the month of October, visit www.cityunionmission.org to hear personal testimonies recorded by men and women whose lives have been transformed through your generosity.  And this year, we’re inviting banquet participants—like you—to respond online about how the Mission has impacted their lives through the acts of sharing time, talents, gifts and prayers.

Then we hope you’ll consider a free-will offering of $30 or more to help us meet our campaign goal, and more importantly, to help the hungry, homeless and poor of Kansas City.  Remember—because there are no costs to cover as with a traditional banquet, every dollar you send goes directly to help those in need! 

You can make your gift online during the “event,” or send it today in the envelope provided.  Be sure to mark the “Virtual Banquet” gift box on the reply form.  Save the date—and invite your family, coworkers and Facebook friends to “attend” with you as you join City Union Mission online in October!

Plan to attend our Volunteer Appreciation Event on October 24!

City Union Mission is grateful for the hundreds of volunteers who share their unique set of skills, experience and insight with us in so many meaningful ways.  In 2009, more than 1,100 individuals formed our volunteer corps.  And in the first four months of this year alone, 557 youth and adults have lent their hearts and hands.  We want to show all these compassionate partners how much they’re appreciated by the Mission staff and especially those we serve. 

If you’ve been or are currently a Mission volunteer, please join us for our Volunteer Appreciation Event on Friday, October 24, at the Christian Life Center at 1 p.m.  We’ll be pleased to serve you a light lunch, offer loving Christian fellowship and do our very best to convey how much your dedication means to our work.

Every Eagle Scout is charged with the responsibility of service.  Here at City Union Mission, we are blessed to know four special young men who don’t take that calling lightly and have dedicated hours of assistance to the Mission as they work to achieve their Eagle Scout status.

 Andrew Dacus (left) collected 99 waterproof mattress covers for our Men's Center.  Stevie Spikler gathered multiple boxes of school supplies, Bibles, personal care items, men's underwear and socks, and box fans.  Grant Rogers designed a shelving unit that is being built into a resource area at the administration building.  And Adam Shulman collected pots and pans for the graduates of the New Life Program who need household items as they become established in their own homes.

We’re pleased to learn Andrew became an Eagle Scout early this summer.  We extend our heartfelt congratulations to him and the other young men working toward this great honor.  If you know of an aspiring Eagle Scout looking for a service project at the Mission, here’s some they might consider taking on:

• Donating and installing a bicycle rack at our Christian Life Center
• Donating or constructing a picnic table for our Christian Life Center
• Donating and assembling a library cart at our Family Center
• Remodeling rooms in the Mission’s Family Center including painting, installing new carpet and making minor repairs.

            For details on these and other projects, contact Tammy Sharp at (816) 474-9380, ext. 1487.  We look forward to welcoming more young men of integrity—like Andrew, Stevie, Grant and Adam—to our volunteer team!

Stuff A Truck Together!

• Suggest your Sunday school class meet after church to do their grocery shopping together while purchasing vouchers to feed the homeless
• Invite your children to shop with you and to use change from their piggy banks to purchase vouchers to feed hungry boys and girls in their community
• Encourage your friends to sign up with you to be Stuff A Truck volunteers at your neighborhood Hy-Vee store

This summer, children from Covenant Chapel collected items for our summer camping programs for homeless youth.

Once again, City Union Mission is offering beautiful 'Plaza Lights' Christmas greeting cards—capturing the most memorable scenes from the Country Club Plaza lighting ceremony—to benefit the Mission’s programs and services for the needy of our community.  Each card series features eight original photographs of lighted Plaza locations, taken by award-winning photographer Dennis Chapman, Associate Executive Director, Development.  The cards are packaged flat or boxed in sets of 16 that include two of each of the eight original prints.  The inside of each card can be customized with your personal greeting.

“The cards have special meaning because we’re able to take a holiday tradition that has become so beloved by the community and allow it to help the less fortunate of our city, as well,” Dennis says.  If you’d like to share this Kansas City tradition with your friends and loved ones while helping the homeless and poor, order online now at www.cityunionmission.org.  The cards are priced at $25 per box, plus $5 for shipping.  Thank you for sharing your compassion in such a meaningful way!