- GRAND FORKS REPORT - The GRAND FORKS MISSION is in a rebuilding
mode with a new kitchen and dining room being built on the main floor of
the mission annex building, which is a four story former nurses residence.
This is now the main facility. The basement, which formerly housed the
men's dorm, is being converted into conference and class rooms with furnace
(now up and running) and electrical moved to the first floor. The furnace
came on just in time for the October freeze, after several cold weeks,
but not frigid. The former main mission building, which has not been used
since the flood, will be torn down. It was a former church, and everything
is in terrible condition, except the stone outer walls. The board will
be considering future building opportunities on the site where the church
building stood.
The mission celebrated its recovery and shared its goals at its annual
banquet in the Civic Auditorium. Speakers included the mayors of both Grand
Forks (SD and MN) sharing the stories of recovery. Donations of over $75,000
have been given through the IUGM for the Grand Forks Mission. They still
need skilled labor who could come to Grand Forks. The IUGM has some funds
committed for transportation and other expenses for people willing to help.
Contact Marie Rose, Acting Executive Director, at 701/772-6609.
- PROGRAM FOR NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN - Christian Discipleship Center
has opened a drug and alcohol recovery program for Native American Women
in Bloomfield, NM. The program is a 90-day program and the center is working
close with Naive American leaders and churches for referral and follow
up. Pray for this new work. Their address is 12739 NM Highway 44, Bloomfield,
NM 87413. Their phone is 505/632-9655.
- ARTICLE FEATURES SHELTER DIRECTOR - Barbara Vanderburgh, Director
of Joy House, the family shelter of the MILWAUKEE (WI) RESCUE MISSION,
was one of six people highlighted in a cover story in The New York Times
Magazine, August 24, 1997 in an article titled, "It Takes a Village
to Reform Welfare." The article featured the mayor of Milwaukee, the
governor of Wisconsin, an employment counselor, a welfare recipient, a
policy architect, and Barbara, representing service providers. For a copy
of the article, give Debra a call at 800/624-5156.
- RESCUE SERVES AS COMMON BOND - Democrats and Republicans can
get together when it relates to the cause of RESCUE. George House, R-Houston,
and Dennis Cardoa, D-Merced, invited Vern and Barbara Deatherage from the
MODESTO UNION GOSPEL MISSION, Modesto, CA to the floor of the California
State Assembly at the Capital in Sacramento. There, the State Assembly
honored them with a special resolution commending them for their service
and for their vision in raising $3 million and moving the mission into
a fully rebuilt former Safeway Store, recently. The resolution states in
part, "Vern and Barbara Deatherage and the contributions that the
Modesto Union Gospel Mission have made to the local area are invaluable
and reflects an organization and individuals devoted to the highest ideals
of community service." We join in commending and congratulating this
outstanding couple.
- KALAMAZOO (MI) GOSPEL MISSION dedicated a $1.8 million addition
on August 24, with over 400 people present. The addition includes 11 furnished
apartment units, a day-care facility, laundry, dining hall and office space.
The new facilities are named the Jacob and Anna Hildebrand building, and
will be used to house and help needy, troubled families. The Hildebrands
started the mission in 1933. Speakers at the dedication included Pauline
Jones, a recovering drug addict who told the audience, "There is sunshine
at the end of the rainbow, and though at times it seems utterly hopeless
for the addicted, I am a big example that it is not. I believe that, through
God, all things are possible."
- DETROIT (MI) RESCUE MISSION has formed a partnership with Mercy
Hospital of Detroit and is setting up a residential rehabilitation program
providing substance abuse treatment and social services in a hospital building.
The hospital will provide medical care for those in the facility. The mission
also recently opened Oasis, a 279-bed residential program in a former YMCA
building, and is about to start a 17-bed pilot program for the state, serving
teenage mothers and their babies. Don DeVos, President, shares, "We
have to be willing to change fast, because the social service field is
changing fast, . . .and we are willing to adjust and adapt. The mission
now has 888 beds serving the homeless, substance abusers, and those needing
transitional housing.
- SUNSHINE MISSION, St. Louis, MO, had a Grand Re-Opening on November
10. Last October, a six alarm fire in an adjacent building caused severe
smoke and water damage throughout the mission's four story building, requiring
city officials to close the shelter until repairs and renovation could
be completed. "Looking back, we now view the fire as a blessing,"
says Jim Clarkson, Executive Director. "We now have a much improved
facility and are able to expand our community programs." New building
codes required massive changes, and the mission still must raise $300,000
to complete additional required renovations, which include an elevator
and new heating system. The new emergency shelter will house 100 men. A
computer center has been created, a community closet to provide clothing
to the neighborhood, a brand new kitchen and dining room, and better facilities
to reach neighborhood youth are part of the reconstructed facilities. The
mission continued to operate its rehabilitation center during the closure,
and did much of its ministry from there.
- KOKOMO (IN) RESCUE MISSION has broken ground for a two-story
20,000 square foot building to house their New Life long-term residential
program, as well as a new dining room, kitchen, chapel, dormitory, classrooms
and administrative offices. $1.6 million of the $1.9 million goal for the
building has been reached. Over 200 people, including Mayor Jim Trobaugh
and IUGM Midwest District President Ray Raines were in attendance. The
new building is across the street from the present mission facilities.
- The HOLLAND (MI) CITY MISSION and the MUSKEGON (MI) RESCUE
MISSION have merged to become the LAKESHORE RESCUE MINISTRIES.
Darryl Bartlett, who has been serving as the Director of both, will be
the Executive Director of the merged ministries.
- WHEELER MISSION MINISTRIES, Indianapolis, IN, celebrated a Grand
Re-Opening of the main mission facility now know as the Men's Shelter.
It followed a total renovation of this historic mission facility.
Expansion in North America
- Tom Williams, Executive Director of HARBOR HAVEN MINISTRIES, Benton
Harbor, MI, has found a building and is working with the planning committee
in Benton Township. It was the former welfare office. They are hoping that
they can be in this building by January. Tom Laymon from MEL TROTTER MINISTRIES,
Grand Rapids, MI, is serving as the mentor for this new outreach. Tom Williams
asks for your prayers.
From the November 1997 edition of HAPPENINGS, monthly newsletter
of the International Union of Gospel Missions
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