Transforrning Lives

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G0SPEL RESCUE I\/IINISTRIES 0F IVASHINGTON DC VOLUI\,IE 7, ISSUE 4, FALL 2006

GRM Helps the Homeless

FannieMaeWalk for the Homeless
Every;'ear, Gospel Re scue
Ministries pi.rrticip:rtes in the Filnnie
\tae \\'illk for the Homeless. ri'hich
is a communit;'-n-ide campaign to
raise support for and autareness of
homelessness in DC. Once again we
sent walkers down to the National
Mail on the Saturday before
Thanksgiving to represent GRM in
the 5K rn'alk-a-thon.
In addition to the "Big Walk", part
t-rf our invt-rh-ement in the campaign
is tt-r t;rkc the u';rlk to 3 DC public
scht-rols. GR\t staff irnd clicnts
u-ent to \lirrtin Luther King,Jr.
Eiementary and Savol' Elementary
in southeast, and Wheatley
Elementary in northeast, to talk to
the children about homelessness
rrncl to fr'rcilitatc "mini-lr'irlks" in
each school.
GRM is a presence in these schools,
by providing food and school
supplies at key times throughout
the 1'e;rr.
Charrydale Baptist Church also
sponsored their own mini-walk,
with over 100 walkers participating.
Mini-u'alks are a blast, and a
greilt \\,ay to support the progams
of GRM. If your church or

organization would like to go rn'ith us to the schools next year, or

sponsor your own walk,let us knorn'l

Gospel Rescue Ministries also sponsors a series of community

dinners for the homeless during the fall season, one on the "Big Walk"
day, one on Thanksgiving day, and one on Christmas Day. These
meals are free and open to the public, and are special affairs where
guests are invited to sit down and be served as if they were at a fine
restaurant.

There is still time to donate to these dinners, and every penny is

apn-^^iated. Please help us feed the homeless this Thanksgiving and
C as by sending us a donation in the enclosed envelope. Help
uS.-_. the homeless for the holidaysl
 L RESCUE MINI
From the Executive Director DonMeIvht

r rrlrruo)
uLqr Friends.
Dear
tfuNK
a\
We conrinue t( thatJGod for His faithfulness. The summer months were quite challenging, but God always
comes through,'fHdugh the support and decp commitment of all of you.

We are in the process of changing the look of Transforming Lives, our quarterly newsletter. Some changes are
still to come, and we hope that this nern' format u'illbe appealing to you, providing more information about the
different program areas of GRM. All of these programs rvould not be possible without your support, so we thank you for your
continued faithfulness to our ministry.
'We
Wghaveqompleted the purchase of the neu' transitional housing facfity, as advertised in the last newsletter. are now read)'
Srtcid t{being th} renovation process. The goal is to have our new housing facility compieted and residents moving in by March 2007.
Phase,kelep this project in your prayers. We need your continued prayer and financial support to finish this work. We invite you
to consider making an additional gift towards the renovation of our new building.

We invite you to visit GRM at any time. Our holiday dinners are an excellent dme to come doNn to "the \Iission" to see us at
work, feeding and ministering to the least of these in our community. The next Phase C(impledon Celebration (previously'Gradu-
ation") is coming up on Saturday. December 2 at 10 A\1. lf you \-ould like more infLrrmitiLrn rrn f,nY r''f these e\'e nts, or about an\' of
the programs going on at CRM. I inrite 1ou to give mc r c l.

As always, we thank God for you and for your steadfast commitment and support of the *'ork the Lord is doinp in this place. \[.rt
God bless you and yours during this holiday seast.rn. \r
In His Sen.ice.

Transforming Lives Ministry DavidBdrnes,Director

Autumn is an exciting time for the people at
Transforming Lives Ministry. TLM clients are
active participants in the Walk for the Homeless,
and many of the guys went to our 3 adopted DC
public schools to interact with the kids and to
speak to them about staying in school and saying
no to drugs.
12 new men entered the program in September.
At the end of November we have 30 men in the
program, one of the highest end-of-cycle counts
in recent TLM history.
The staff has been undergoing reconfiguration
and consolidation. The assistant director position
was eliminated in September, allowing the case
manager to take on greater responsibility in
TLM's day-to-day operations. An addictions
counselor has joined the evening staff on a
part-time basis to complement the work of the
daytime addictions counselor. 4 new interns
joined the staff. The therapy service has shifted
its priorities to more group work and less
indiridual rherapy, allou'ing the therapist to
spend more time on continuing care needs.
Church partnerships and participation continue
to be active, rounding out the spiritual growth
that the men are receiring. A recent revival at
a partner church u'itnessed 4 TLM men either
receiving salvation or rededicating themselves to
the Lord's work. A like number did that just the
week before at TLM's Men of Valor meeting. God
is surely moving in a marvelous way!
If you would like to be a part of what God
doing at TLM, give Dave Barnes a cail at 2
t73r.
 G.$PEL RESCUE MINIS:
l
Fulton House of Hope
The Fuhon House of Hope rec eiv
It ls cstim;rtccl thrrt ovcr 6tl.t)l)tl inclivicluals
ir-r thc District of Colunrbia hrrvc r.t suhst;rncc
rrbusc prt-rblcm. Thir figurc rcl)rcscnts
nc:rri1' ll'li', of thc gcncral popul;rtion. ln
.rclclition, -10{, of thc l.l rnillior-r :rnnual
cmcrgcnc)' rr)o111 r'isits in thc District of
Colurnbiir rrrc rclrtccl to rrlcoht-rl ;rncl clrug
abusc. Au'arc of thc ch;rllcngcs prcsct-ttccl
h;' this grr'rn'ing ;lrohlcu-r, thc Dcp;rrtmcnt
t-rf Hc;rlth crcrltccl thc Aclclictit-rn Prcvcntitrn
;rncl Rccr'rvcrt' Acl ministrirti t-rt-t, oth cnvisc
f<nt-ru'n;rs APRA. ...:r-
Ir is thc n.rissit'rn of .\PR,\'$to prom(rtc
.rncl cnft.rrcc thc highcst clurrlit;' rcgul;rtor;'
strnclrrrcls lor clclir ct-ing scn'iccs rcletccl ttr
elcoht'rl, tohrtcct.r ;rncl othcr clrugs (ATO|))
rrclclictions; to IrICvcnr ATOD ilclclictir)tts;
' t,'' iclcntifr'. trcrlt trncl rch:thilit.rtc
rns u'ht-r arc irddictccl givir-rg pritrrit,l'
ro rcsiclcnts of thc District of Coltrnrbirr.
As .r ccrtificcl .\PIt.\ pr()srr1rn, Fuitt-rn
"StayingF ocused" Bl,MargarctWrcn,
onc of the 2 frst graduates of Fubon House in 2001
In 2001, I graduatedfrom the Fulton House
of Hope, a drug rehabilitation center for
women. At first,I struggled everyday with
the desire to leave. I gave myself plenty
of excuses'. my children need me, try grandchil-
dren need me, everyone thinl<s I'm a narc. Not
only was I making excuses for myself, but
others in the House didn't want me there
either. I was told that I get away with ev-
erything because I'm the oniy white girl in
the program, and "white people don't have
problems." Although I had all this going on
in my head, in my heart I heard, be still and
know thatl amGod. And I continued to focus
on that.
As my year at Fulton Housetime went by
I I began to share my story and grow in
rith, the skepticism of the others in
---- House subsided. I had lost my job of
fen years, lost my car, places of residence,
Housc
es fr\ cu't if cat ion!
is .no\\' u'ithin
rcct-rgt-ii-ccl
rccovcr)' ct.rn-r n.r l,rr-rit)' rrs bcinc .r fee
thirt mlrir-rtrrins e high clu,rlitr' ,tf errrc for
our clicnts, i.lt il icvcl tl-ret is acknt'ru lcclgccl
Lr1' thc District rrs bcins cxccllcnt. Thc
proccss of bcctrnrinc ccrttf iccl is rr lcngth;'
rrncl cl-rallcr-rgir-rg proccss, rrncl tn;,rn1' hrtncls
\\'crc invt-rlvccl in sccit-tg it crrn-tc rtbout.
Anna Nzuwzrh, ft-rr ;rssistit-tg llrc in
u'riring tl-rc Poltcy' r'tncl Prt.rccclulrc ltt;-rnLl;tl
.ucl clcvclopirru thc Continut-tus (]u.rlitr
Irlprt'rvcnrcnt Pl.rn .trrcl Er'.rhtrtrit-rn
Prtrccsscs.
Cynthiar Morris,,\ssistirt-tt Dircctt-rr, ft'rr
crrrcfr,rllf ilttcncling tt-r rrll thc clct;rils that
hclp tl-rc Fultt-rr-r Ht-rusc rlrn sn-roothll' t'rn a
c(rllsistcllt lr:t*is
Mary Gordon. rrclclictions counsclt-rr,
bcing rrn inspir;rtion to ell of us lncl kccl-rs
us grr.runclccl in unclcrstanclins thc rrclclictivc
self-respect, and the respect of others. I
smoked crack in public bathrooms
anywhere else I could. I hit rock bottom
and was ready to get help. Throughout the
year, all of us women grew to care for and
like one another. I prayed that we would
see each other through the eyes of Jesus
Christ. He answered my prayer. My whole
family came to my graduation ' my mom,
nine siblings, and their extended families.
I also got a new apartment and a car.
Graduating from the Fulton House a year
later didn't solve all of my problems. For
a while I did some wallowing, but che
Lord's voice always cut through. I can do
all things through Christ who strengthens
me, and greater is He that is in me than in
the world.
I never forgot my biggest desire in life,
J td1, Ashb tn' r't, D ir cctor
thc ttritrrl:et .urcl l.e h.tr itrt'.
ilit;'
Tl-rc Ftrlron Housc part tinc strff Mandy
Cartcr, .feancttc Bigelow, ancl Goldcnizr
.fohnson. .fcer-icttc is ncu' rrt thc Fulton
HoLrsc ;-rncl is .r l(lll-1 grlrclu;rtc of thc
progrrull.
It's tirrc to PLrt feitlr hasccl trcittlllcnt
llrogrirnrs trn thc rr;rp in this cit;' ft-rr it is
linritlcss u'hrr c"rn bc clonc through thc
.rlnriuhty' po\\ cr trf .f csus Christl
q?
l"".r1", .d
i-',3*4
ft-rr
and Const arrcc Ror',
J annrt Cora'cll
Frr larrr Housc cr-rtducrc.s, 1006
to work in the health care field. I heard
and Charles Stanley say that "if God gives you
a desire, He also gives you the strength!"
So I claimed this and asked the Vocational
Rehabilitation to help me. I was told that
it wasn't advisable because I had a history
with drug abuse. I told them that I believe
God wants me to do this and just wanted
me to rely on Him. I have now graduated
from TESST College of Technology with a
diploma in the heaithcare field - and I have
a B average!
Staying focused on God and His will for
With
my live has made all of this possible.
this new training I have recieved, I will
have more oppportunities to make a better
life for myself and enjoy being on top of the
mountain. No matter what happens, I will
be blessed, so long as I don't take my eyes
off my focus - my Lord and Savior.
 L RESCUE MINI
T]re ScJ,oo] oi Totji o].l cr\rrr Chry stal J ones, Director

AnELITE nau program!

On December 5, 2006, the School of
Tomorrow will launch an exciting
new program that will hopefully
draw more clients to our services and
better equip them for the workforce.
The Economic Literacy Infonnation
Technology Employment Education
Program (E.L.I.T.E) is a six month
training course that focuses on adult
education, information technology,
career developrnent and economic
literacy.
E.L.l.T.E is designed to help adult
learners realize their potential
and ability to become gainfully
ernployed and financially self-
sufficient by linking the essential
skills and competencies required to
find and perform excellently in a
career of the client's choosing.
This prograrn equips individuals
with marketable skills that are
performance based and certified.
The E.L.l.T.E. Program also includes
a family literacy night every
fourth Thursday. The program has
scheduled labs on most Fridays
frorn 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. for adult
basic education, GED tutoring, and
computer skills development.
adult literacy. information technology, and
E.L.l.T.E. provides an opportunity career developrnent. The SOT is a vendor
for adult learners to acquire certified for Vocational Rehabilitation and a licensed
skills that will help thern to be Worktbrce Readiness Testins Site.
better equipped for the future in

LearningHow to "Fish"
The computer labs in the School of Tomorrow have become the center for
GRM clients to mLlster a \1ery importltnt component of the job search process:
Identifying and obtaining permanent cmpk-ryment viir thc intcrnet. Tlr,o graduates of
the Septernber WorkNet class successfully obtirined permanent positions by utilizing
online job search skills taught during the class.

When Edu'ard Woody started the class, he u'as not computer literate and had
difficulty using the keyboard. With consistent practice and focus, after a 12 rn'eek
period, he was the first member of the class to obtain a position online. In fact, the
submission of his resume on the first try garnered him a position rn'ith IAP World
Sen'ices, Inc, the food services contractor for Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Keith Hubb ar d and E dw ar d V o o d1,, client s Woody, as he is knorn'n, is nou, happily employed as a full-time food services worker
in theTransformutglives Minis tr),, now r,l'ith opportunities for advancement. He never dreamed that he would have been able
worL<ins in succcssful carccr Dlaccmcnts to achieve such an accomplishment.

Keith Hubbard, on the other hand, did have some computer skills. Until WorkNet, hc had not been trained to search for a job
online. After mastering the job search process on websites such as America's Job Bank, SnagAJob, Monster, and others, he was
also able to obtain a position in the food services industry. He is now employed as a grill cook with Lindy's Bon Apetit in the
District. Keith also credits his employment success in part to the availability of the computer lab in the School of Tomorrow.

Both clients agree that the concept of "learning how to fish" in meedng their employment needs has been a tremendous blessin5
that will serve thcm in years ro comE.
 $ [L RESCUE MINI

BESTJob Development Ellis Hodges,Director

\\ ol-lrNcf ls Woiltutg! /,r Ratp/rJanrcs,BESrsrrrd,rr

t'r-rsPCl Rc-scttc \linistrics' \\'orkNct ilrogriull is provicling
rrn innovativc orkNet Career and Professional
n -rv it-rr clicnts to lci.rrn the ins irnd outs of job scarching. Ar.ail;rblc ttr Development Program empow-
:hc r-ncn of Tr;rnsfonling Livc i\4inistrics, Reacl;'To work, ancl for thc ers participants to successfully
\\'trtttCrl frrrn-r Thc Fulttu Housc of Hopc. irnd undcr thc lcaclcrship of thc re-enter the marketplace with employable
Drrcctr-rr of thc \\'orkNct program. Ellis Hodgcs, livcs arc bcins inr skills. WorkNet consisrs of at least 40 hours
Ir.lLtccl. ;rncl sr;tlrility'bcing acldcd ft-rr indivicluirls, iucl familics. Rcccnrll' of classroom instruction during which time
\rrntc cltrrcnt ;tncl plsr p;rrticiprrnts \\,crc askccl a scrics of clucstion: students develop emplo;rment goals, create
rcg;rrding thc uscfulncss irnd ber-rcfits of thc \\/orkNct proqr;tnl. r1nLl a resume, receive instruction on job search-
rhc folltru itrg:trc just sonic of rhc c()nmrcnfs.lftcrtill{ trr rhe l.rer rhrrt ing techniques, and receive individualized
\\'t-rrk\cr is u'r'rrkingl career counseling. WorkNet is a component
of the BEST (Better Employmenr for Success-
';' In rt'h;1[ \\';1\'s has thc \VorkNct t-'nllnc lrrh rcrrch hclpccl ;'ou? ful Transition)Job Developmenr Program ar
I hr'u rtcd horr frr fd,.qcf c(trcff slrcciftc 1,'hs Gospel Rescue Ministries.
, l.''.,r11 /rorr lirrtrn,iobs cu'c a,,,ailablc irt rtgcr'gi-c4lttcril attct in mt,ficld.
, 1..;' 'r:,1 /ror' ro find rhc/)o'.son to contact dir-ccrh.
- ,. ..,. j.,.,.1. li.r, r.', scrl.ch bl,ry,fcldof infd,.c.sr.
j ''..1,. f;'...1, l.r, [... fill in and submit onlinc al4)licatiotls.
I hrrorr horr fogain insfrlrf
r crn nou' ntttrc
confdent usingtht intcrnct for iob.scrl'chirr,q,

* H.l'did workNet prepirre you for thc intc^'ic*'proccss?

Throtghttsc of thc \.tzor'lrNcrJo ru'nctls,u,c hdvc spccific infr'trntcftittn ctnd
gidclincs tltm hclp us prcp(il'c cutd rcprcscLrf orn-.scivcs rlc/1.
A{.r' onc (rn.onc corlr.sclin{.sc.s.si(rn u,irfi \Il-.s. Hodtcs hclps to prcparc
fttr.
"/ivc" rlrrc.sriorrs rrf tlrc ttctutil irrrcn lcrr,.
I lccn'r rcc/ ab o t t d'c'' codc, ct iquct tc, and pr cp ar iL rr irr! por t
f ol i o.
I ontbcttcr inforntcd crs ro u,h(r cr?1pl(rlo-.s rl-c looliint /br..
I lcantcd srrlgcstiorrs of v,hat rlof f(r su:, and do at thc irlfc'1,ic\t,.
I hat'c ct tlc\\' morc profcssionql t,occtbulctrv, crnd I cctrt nott, pt'ot,idc
I c gi t im at c d n s \ r,o'.s.
I r'cr.s chcl/c,sccl. ond c', ,c)I' think on ntt, fcct u lttt bcttcr.
I fccl confidcnt crt thc cnd of thc irrrcn,icry ro a/.so rr.s/c rlrrcsrior n of thc
cDrp/o'cr..
WorJrNcr Srudorr.s, u,irh Dirccror EIlis Hodsc.s

.FormcWorkNcr
is rh
gracc of God Ptstor Hoclgcs has hclpcd nc, n cn to thc poitlt of tnl pcrsonal wnlk r.r'idr God. "

'l Dclin,c WorkNcr is thcbtstwal'to prcpurt aLrd ro looh /or*rpior nrcnt."

''Thc proccss must bc talrcn scriousl,t',bccausc God is ri lirrg ttr nrcrld us tou'cr
d rlusring Hin b_r, trlsring ofhcrr':

' !r. Hodgcsgivcs rrs cfrdrrccs. sfic ispdficnr. kn oticdgcablc, and just hclpful."

\ .--rse comments spcak volumes to thc pQr'r'cr of GQd in rction through pcople such irs thc Director of WorkNet,
Ellis Hodges.
WorkNet is Workingl
 GRM Wish List
GOSPEL RESCL]E As we near the Thanks-eivine and Christmas sea-
sons, there are a number of holidar. related items
MINISTRIES that are on our wish list.
,a
The programs of GRM are: v
Tronsforming Lives Ministry
'r Socks, underweor (for menl
Comprehensive substance abuse treatment for men
'r Gloves, scorves, hots
Fulton House of Hope (men ond women)
Comprehensive substance abuse treatment t'or women

The School of Tomorrow 't Toiletry items

An accredited adub education center
(men ond womenl
The B.E.S.T. Job Development Progrom
B ettcr Emplol, mgnt t' or Suc c cs sfuil T r ansitio n 'r Metro posses
Reody To Work 'r New toys, gomet books
A rcsidential u'orlr trainingprogram t'or ntert
for children
Bornobos House
A tr anistional housing f acility f or men 't Twin size bedding
Somorifons Overnighf Sheher
An emergcnq, ot'crnight shcltcr for men
't Blonkets
)r Conned (non-perishoblel food

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