Local nonprofit offers new life to those living outside in tents
Colorado Springs, CO – With the recent decision by the city to ban camping on public property and a surging citation program resulting from the ordinance being made law, Springs Rescue Mission (SRM) has been actively educating homeless men living outside and those living in “Tent City” congregations. As a result, SRM has been accepting new applicants into its New Life residential recovery program. In this extensive effort to provide a solution, SRM is now providing the avenue of change to those who have nowhere else to go.
Alvin recently arrived from a tent city population near the downtown area and has found the introduction to the Mission’s program welcoming. “I was angry when the decision to move was forced on us. When people from the Mission came to invite us to the program I felt it was better than nothing. Now I'm glad I made this decision. Living with people you know on the streets forms a bond like a family and I'll miss that, but at the Mission we help each other too and it feels safer. I hate change but this change was a good one. I am in a positive atmosphere and feel that life has something better to offer me.”
Among a few others who recently entered the program, Jon was living in a tent just trying to survive day by day. He has now found a new focus as the Mission helps him regain a balanced lifestyle. “I didn’t know what to do when I heard the ordinance was passed. I got scared. At least out here I had a home of sorts. A tent isn’t much but it’s a place to hang your hat at night. Now I have more than a home. I have something to look forward to everyday and maybe a future to hang my hat on.”
The New Life Program offered through SRM is a one-year residential recovery program for men who are homeless, addicted, or struggling with a focus on managing a positive lifestyle. It incorporates a curriculum centered on life skills management, education, job training/career readiness, spiritual involvement, and extensive counseling.
As more men find themselves displaced by the new ordinance, Springs Rescue Mission will continue its campaign to educate those on the street and invite them to join the New Life Program. Lyn Harwell, Director of Programs for SRM has a deep-rooted passion for the homeless. “We care deeply for those being displaced and have rearranged our daily efforts to expand our ability to enroll, house and educate more men from the streets. We feel we have a solution within our programs that will literally change the course of someone's life into a positive direction.”
Mike, living outside near the downtown area, was on the streets for a year and half before recently entering the New Life Program. “It was rough but there was little I could do. At my age no one wanted to hire me. I resorted to panhandling for the little money I did have. I knew of the Mission from the evening meals they serve, but it wasn’t until they came looking for me that I found out there was a spot open for me in the program they offered. I feel like a person again surrounded by people who care.”
Formerly Homeless Reach Out After City Ban
Current residents in homeless
recovery program offer solutions to tent city
campers
Colorado Springs, CO - In
response to the recent decision by the City Council to pass an ordinance
that
bans camping in public places, Springs Rescue Mission has put into place
an
action plan to offer immediate services to the homeless currently living
in
tents throughout the city. The plan involves expanding its available bed
capacity within the Mission’s New Life recovery program. The one-year
residential program offers a solution to those who want to transition
from life
on the streets to a more permanent and positive way of living.
“Springs Rescue Mission has played a major role in a consortium
of
homeless service agencies, organized by Homeward Pikes Peak, to provide
appropriate, high-quality programs that assist homeless individuals in
moving
from the despair of homelessness and substance abuse to the hope of a
better-quality, self-sufficient life,” says Bob Holmes, Executive
Director of
Homeward Pikes Peak
To facilitate awareness, a group consisting of current residents
in recovery from the Mission’s program will be visiting area homeless
camp
sites, along with members from the H.O.T (Homeless Outreach Team),
distributing
information and inviting interested men to explore the entry process. “I
personally know a lot of those guys living in the tents from my recent
days as
a homeless individual myself,” says Dave, a current Springs Rescue
Mission
resident. “I just want to tell those living in tents how my life has
changed in
a more positive direction since I became a part of the New Life Program
at the
Mission. I’ve been there and know that there’s something better that’s
possible.”
Lyn Harwell, Director
of
Programs, spoke on behalf of the Mission, “Springs
Rescue Mission has no desire to offer
opinions on a matter of city governance. Regardless of city regulations,
the
rescue mission has been, and will remain, a safe place for people and
families
in need of free food, clothing, and urgent care. Our long-term goal is
to offer
life-changing services to society's marginalized individuals ready and
willing
to break habits of poverty or addiction. Frequently, this takes a
serious
commitment of time and effort building relationships, healing
long-standing
wounds, and teaching self-sufficiency.
There is no doubt that our
community has
tremendous compassion and concern for everyone who is without a home or
living
on the edge of homelessness. Springs Rescue Mission has been helping
those in need
for 13 years. Regardless of local legislation, we purpose to be a hub
and
connecting point where the people of our community and local church can
learn
about the issues, learn how to offer real help to those in poverty or
homelessness, and walk along side someone in need of honest love, help,
and
support.”
In addition, the Mission has expanded its hours and the number
of
people it serves. Currently, Springs Rescue Mission is serving more than
20,000
meals each month and housing nearly 40 men in transitional treatment.
Donations to help keep the programs going and volunteers to
serve
are always needed.
Springs Rescue Mission is located at: 5 W. Las Vegas St. in Colorado
Springs. To learn more about Springs Rescue Mission,
call (719) 632-1822 or visit the web site at:
www.springsrescuemission.org.
Living
With Dignity on the Streets - Springs
Rescue Mission's extended hours gives more
opportunities to those living on the streets
Colorado
Springs, CO
– The pursuit of integrity and quality interaction is the substance
in which Springs Rescue Mission (SRM) incorporates in every attempt
to serve the needs of the public. It's character can best be
described in the way the organization embraces the needs of each
individual who comes with the desire to better themselves.
Complete dignity and respect is the key attribute SRM wants to convey to everyone they extend open arms towards as they offer hope to the less fortunate of Colorado Springs. Willy is one of those who has felt humility in the offering time and time again.
Living on the streets for over a year, Willy comes to the Mission monthly in search of clothing and basic necessities to survive life in the tent he calls home. Camped far away from any activity of others who congregate in defiance, Willy lives alone as he genuinely tries to change his circumstances by searching weekly for a good paying job, and hopefully, a roof over his head someday soon. He doesn't drink or use drugs, he has just fallen on hard times through a job loss due to the economy.
“I need a steady job but work is hard to find. It's even harder when you show up for an interview with wrinkled slept in clothing. My biggest problem as I look for work is being self conscious about my appearance. The Mission's new hours have been a God send. Opening more times a week and lifting their restriction on the monthly allowance of clothing has really been a big help. I can get clean clothing and fresh hygiene items more often. I can look better on more days I search for a steady job. I feel better about my chances now”
As SRM moves in the direction of extended hours through its Direct Services, which provides free clothing, food boxes, hygiene items, and other basic needs, it has opened the door to more possibilities for people like Willy to look more presentable in appearance as they look for work and tries to integrate into society more.
“We continually want to offer more solutions to those who are honestly trying to better themselves. Were it makes sense to do so, we are always looking to incorporate new ways in all our programs to provide even more positive experiences for those who come with a need. When it comes to those who are homeless, we want to be a consistent and reliable resource they can depend on,” says Lyn Harwell, Director of Programs for SRM
Springs Rescue Mission’s Direct Services is located at: 1 W. Las Vegas St. in Colorado Springs. It's new hours of operation are as follows: Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1:30 pm – 3pm.Saturday from 9 am - 12 pm.
Dennis feeds his daughter the meal of the day
in the same spot his life was changed a year ago.
One Meal Saves Family from Homelessness
A hungry heart begins to heal
Colorado Springs, CO - Dennis sits feeding his youngest daughter the meal of the day. It was one year ago he sat in the same spot with his family in an entirely different situation. Now a part of Springs Rescue Mission's New Life addiction recovery program, Dennis reflects on what it was like back then.
"I was in a real bad way. My family needed help and I needed help. We had practically nothing and the holidays were right around the corner. I wanted my family to enjoy Thanksgiving, but somehow I always screwed things up. And the kids - I had nothing to offer them - let alone toys for Christmas. I was really drinking heavily and leading my family straight into destruction. Even through my (more often than not) drunken stupors I could see the disappointment in their attitude toward me. We would have lost everything if I didn't get help."
It was a meal at the Mission one year ago where Dennis and his family learned about the up and coming holiday season events held by Springs Rescue Mission every year - opportunities where his family could get the things they needed to provide for their children and put food on the table.
It was during the weeks of preparation for the Mission's "Great Thanksgiving Banquet" where Dennis learned about the Mission's addiction recovery program from other residents as he and his family continued to come for hot meals every day. It was the holiday event itself that uplifted the spirits of his family as they celebrated in a festive atmosphere with a "huge" meal, as Dennis put it, and where Dennis realized his "heart was hungry" for change.
"I am so grateful this holiday is going to be different for us," Dennis says with tears in his eyes, holding his daughter a little tighter now. "I am on my way to recovery and my family is safe and healthy. We have the things we need to make it, and my wife and children have their daddy back."
In the coming weeks and throughout the holiday season, Springs Rescue Mission will meet the growing needs of those in poverty living in Colorado Springs, as well as prepare for three major outreach events. The preparations, in addition to daily operations, will include the gathering of a large quantity of food through citywide food drives and large scale community interaction. Food box distributions to poverty-stricken families will continue daily, and nightly meals will be provided to hundreds of hungry and homeless residents in Colorado Springs.
"We believe in feeding the whole person from outside in - spirit, soul and body", says Joe Vazquez, CEO of Springs Rescue Mission. "During the holidays we see a lot of need in many hurting people. Our first goal is always to feed those who are hungry, but just as important is our ability as a ministry organization to provide programs and other avenues to help people with the deeper issues of life and help them heal so they can experience and believe in a better tomorrow."
To learn more about Springs Rescue Mission, call (719) 632-1822 or visit the web site at: www.springsrescuemission.org.
