THANKS FOR CHRISTMAS!

Wow! What a great Christmas. Thank you to all who gave their time and resources to make Christmas special for others! You are greatly appreciated! Hope you enjoy the movie and photos.

The Rest of the Interview with Bill Wheeler

The Rest of the Interview

with Bill Wheeler, Exec. Director

Las Cruces Gospel Rescue Mission, Inc.

Q: When did you become the director of the Gospel Rescue Mission, and what is it like to have a challenging job where so many people need help each day?

A: Since 1998 when the Board of Directors asked me to consider taking Sky Martinez's position, everyday has been a joy to come to work. Each day is a new challenge, and with the Lord's support, problems have been solved and lives impacted. This at the end of the day has glorified Christ.

Q: Who do you see when you see a person with a drug addiction?

A: I see a potential heart that the Lord can touch and turn their life around once they realize God’s love for them and understand the sacrifice that Christ went through to give them a perfect relationship with God. The recovery of drug addicts that committed themselves to our four month biblical recovery program have given me the greatest joy. The key to their recovery is the change in their heart that is made possible through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking of volunteering but may be a little nervous?
A: I ask all the volunteers to pray for God to make it clear to them that He will provide them with the words and the strength to work with the people group that we work with. God will protect them. They can’t expect that the change will be instantaneous. It takes repetitive faithfulness in reaching out to them.

Q: There have been some recent changes at the Rescue Mission in its ability to accommodate families. Can you tell me more about that?

A: I’m very pleased about our ability to restructure two of the families rooms in what used to be called the woman’s and children's’ area of the mission to accommodate husband and wives with children to be able to stay together. That’s a change in design from how the mission was designed. We have a secure, separate children’s playing area, and housing area from the men’s area. We are blessed with a local church that is improving our playground to include an underground sprinkler system.

Q: What would happen if the Gospel Rescue Mission was not in our community?

A: If the mission had not been here in 2008, there would have been 381 decisions to follow Christ that would not have been made. Plus, 105 people that made re dedications and impacted their lives through the nightly one hour chapel services. Those services are led by volunteers from numerous churches within the community. The other obvious thing is the number of meals and nights lodging would not have been available. I think the whole community should take great pride in what we offer in the interchange of two interstate highways.
All of those meals are served by cooks who have volunteered who themselves have been homeless.

Website Woes and Opportunites!

Recently, we have had some difficulties with our website.... as you can see.
There is a golden opportunity at the moment for help.
First of all, if you would like to finanically contribute to help keep the Rescue Mission running throughout the coming year, your help will be doubled!
Denver Mattresss Company helps the homeless each year. This year they are contributing dollar per dollar for anyone who donates through their landing page.
On our website homepage, there is a button that says, "Click". It is above the information about Denver Mattress. It is a purple color.
If you click there, it will take you to the page to donate. After you click the large DONATE button, you will need to select Las Cruces Gospel Rescue Mission from the dropdown list.
Thank you!

If you are interested in donating your talents to the mission to help with web-design or graphic design, please e-mail us and let us know! Thanks!
E-mail: lcgrm@qwestoffice.net
To Double Any Donation until December 9th, click on this link: http://www.denvermattresshelps.com/elpaso

After Thanksgiving!

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make Thanksgiving a blessed time. Because of your help, 203 delicious hot Thanksgiving dinners were delivered to people's door on Thanksgiving. For many of these individuals who are elderly or disabled, your greeting was the only one they had from someone else this Thanksgiving. One such person called and said, "It was absolutly delicious."! She was not only thankful for the meal, but for meeting somone who cared.

Thank you!

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving!

Have you wanted to volunteer and help with the Great Thanksgiving Feast? Each year the mission not only serves guests from the community who come to share a Thanksgiving banquet, they also deliver hot meals to people in our community who are elderly or disabled. Would you like to be a part of sharing the holidays with someone who will be very thankful you brought them dinner? Call the mission at 523-7727 and ask to volunteer. Thank you!

A Special Veteran's Day!

Today was special for veterans who are *overnight guests at the Rescue Mission. A few days ago, a special invitation was posted on the message board. It invited veterans to come to a special chapel service at Mesilla Valley Christian School to honor them on Veteran's Day. The Veteran's who went expressed how it brought tears to their eyes. The children lined the hallways and saluted the men as they walked through the hall. "They wanted us to do it again," said one man. "It was like being in training," smiled another. During the program, one boy played Taps on the trumpet. Thank you to all the students and staff at Mesilla Valley Christian School. Your thoughtfulness and all you did to honor those who have served our country will not be quickly forgotten.

*An estimated one out of three guests who sleeps overnight at the Rescue Mission has served our country in the armed forces.

Thank You! Your Love IN DEED made a difference!

635 Children

received new socks and undewear, clothing (lightly used and new), school supplies and brand new tennie shoes because people care.

Many of these children would now be sitting in their classrooms without these important items if it wasn't for all of the help we received from volunteers and givers in our community.

Words cannot express what you have done. Thank you.

THANK YOU...

Dillards...lending us the Brannock Device to measure 635 kids feet helped! Thanks.

JC Penny's...thanks for the hangers! Also an incredible help!

Curves...You know how to make a difference! Thanks for the needed help with school supplies.

Memorial Medical Center...thanks so much for the needed backpacks! & school supplies!

KOHL'S...You all are the greatest! Thanks for not only your donation but your volunteers that added smiles and joy to all of us. You are incredibly generous.

Las Cruces Roadrunners Car Club!!! WoW! Thanks for your help!

Soroptomist Club ! See the smiles...you have brought joy!

Thank you, St. Paul's congregation for your incredible effort to bless the children in our community who need it most. We appreciate your generosity. Thanks for all the school supplies!

Crossroads Church....Back to School has never been the same since you cared. What a difference you have made in so many young lives and families.

First Presbyterian Church: going to school with clean socks and underwear for 635 kids is possible because you saw the need & cared.

Sonoma Springs Presbyterian, Sierra Vista Community Church, Calvary Baptist Church's Vacation Bible School :) , Prayer Groups at First Baptist- Open Circle, McPherson Group and Ellen Adkins Group, Mesilla Valley Christian School, Southwest Chapter of Thrivent Finanical Services...!!! :) Your volunteers are awesome. Thanks for all your help.

It was everyone...from many backgrounds, businesses, schools, churches, organizations...helping in any way they could that enabled us to serve 100 more children than we ever have before. What a blessing you are for people in our community.

Thank you!

Because each child is precious to God!

Click on the images below and they will be giant enough to read!

Nothing like a haircut on a hot summer day!

"I've met some really nice people,"

said Emily. "This is an incredible place."

Emily cut hair for 40 years since 1963. She retired and moved to Las Cruces in 2003. Now, she volunteers and helps people take a load off during these hot summer months. Her skill and kindness is much appreciated by all. Every Friday, she cuts hair for the guests at the Rescue Mission.

"I love working with people, " Emily explained.

The mission and our community are grateful for Emily's joyful service. Thank you, Emily!

Memorial Day! Remembering...

Memorial Day is a special day to be with family and friends and to remember and honor those who paid for our freedom with their lives. We hope you have a blessed Memorial Day. This Memorial Day, I am reminded of the many veterans who did not leave their body on the battlefield, but they left a piece of themselves from the trauma of war and have suffered since then. Many rescue missions and shelters help veterans who have found everyday life difficult.

Last year's snap shot survey done in October at the mission showed that 41% of our over-night male guests were veterans of war. 14% of them had served in the Persian Gulf War, 4% in Korea, and 72% in Vietnam. They have served us by serving our country.

Update on the NM General Assistance Fund for Single Disabled Individuals

http://www.hsd.state.nm.us/pdf/newsroom/nr/GA%20Changes%20NR.pdf

Current Issues in Finding and Keeping a Rental

Information from Southern New Mexico Homeless Providers Coalition Meeting's Panel Discussion- Preventing Homelessness-reasons for eviction and instability in housing...

The following information was taken from the March 10, 2009 minutes of the homeless provider's meeting. The opinions are not necessarily those of Las Cruces Gospel Rescue Mission.

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NOTE: When some of the panelists mention housing units...these are housing units they manage or have built. These are not the number of housing units that are open and available for rent.

Resources

Housing Units:

Jesse Padilla stated that the Las Cruces Housing Authority offers low income/public housing and vouchers. They have apartments for veterans only, and their own housing developments. Public housing units will be available on April 20, 2009. They have 0-5 bedroom units, but the 4-5 bedroom units are seldom filled.

Robert Pirtle stated that E&H Properties has 123 units, most of which are one bedroom apartments. They accept Section 8 vouchers. They serve low income, SSI, SAA, and their apartments are very affordable ranging from $400-$425 for a one bedroom, and $500-$525 for a two bedroom.

Kim Gregory stated that Dona Ana Properties has 150 houses, 225 apartments and storage units. They are more strict that some of the other property management companies. No sex offenders or felons are allowed. Tenants can spend no more than one-third of their monthly gross income on rent. Credit status and previous landlords are checked.

Merced Jasso stated that the Border Fair Housing & Economic Justice is a civil rights organization that helps inform about the Title VIII Fair Housing Act. They assist tenants with discrimination issues such as gender, race, ethnicity, family size, ancestry, domestic partnership, disability, etc. and mediate with landlords/tenants to avoid evictions.

Jerry Nachison of the City of Las Cruces said that the city is developing a new system to track incidences of housing concerns, and the landlords/tenants need education about housing rights and responsibilities. For a pamphlet by the City of Las Cruces describing Landlord and Tenant Rights and Obligations, please follow the link: http://www.las-cruces.org/PDFs/07landTenantBrochureEnglish.pdf - English version or http://www.las-cruces.org/PDFs/07landTenantBrochureSpanish.pdf -Spanish version.

Reasons for Eviction

The number one reason panelists gave for eviction was failure to pay rent and default of the rental agreement. Another reason was eviction due to criminal activity or drug activity. A need for tenants to understand they need to put repair requests in writing for landlords was discussed, as some people have spent money for repairing rentals themselves and do not have money to pay rent. Another problem that has faced some tenants has been that the property owners have themselves had financial difficulties and have defaulted on their mortgage payment. When the property goes into foreclosure, the tenant has to find a new place to live. Ralph Kapansky of Southwest Counseling Center offered the Mobile Crisis Response Team services to landlords who notice someone who is displaying symptoms of mental illness as a resource to intervene before problems get too bad.

What I learned:

Finding a place to live for someone who is on a fixed income and cannot work...like someone who is disabled and receiving SSI can be problematic. First of all, the income from SSI is roughly $670 a month. When I asked the panel about how much to expect to pay in rent for a one bedroom, the amount was $400-$450 a month. This does not include utilities. Utilities can run, depending on the type used and the time of year up to $100+ a month. People who receive SSI do not qualify for very much money in food stamps....usually only $70 a month. So, after a person pay rent and utilities, they may only have $120-$170 for remaining food, cleaning supplies, transportation toiletries, etc. What becomes difficult is when people have been homeless and finally qualify for SSI. When people have very little to begin with, they must come up with the deposit and first month's rent. For some people, this is practically impossible. Unless they receive help, or stay at the Rescue Mission and save their money, it can be problematic when starting all over again. This is perhaps why many people stay in extended hotels where they can pay by the week. Although these are more expensive and can cost up to $575 a month, they are the most available option. Another concern I saw was the new policies nationwide that are being considered. Some rental agencies like Dona Ana Properties require that a person can show they will spend no more than 30% of their monthly income in rent. Right away, this would disqualify anyone on SSI because in the cheapest apartment, they are already paying over half of their monthly income. I got to speak to a landlord in the area who has some of the cheapest apartments available. They are efficiency apartments and the utilities are included in the rent. He has only one or two available. He has seen a growing trend of families with children searching for smaller, more affordable places to live because of the tough economic times. I hope that these notes have been helpful to better understanding the issues in our area and the resources available. ~ LuAnne Burke

So Sweet!

A local softball team hopped down to the Rescue Mission this Easter and made it very special for a family staying there in one of the family rooms. Thanks for caring! Thank you to all the churches and individuals too that helped to make Easter special for kids staying and eating meals at the mission. It really brightened their day!!!

Snap-Shot Survey Results

Snap-Shot Survey Results

Each October, for the past 20 years, member missions of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions have surveyed overnight guests to have a better picture of who is homeless and their needs. This past October, 20,000 people were surveyed at 137 missions. In Las Cruces, 63% of our guests were male, 37% female. Of the families who stayed that night at the mission, 12% were couples, 71% were women with children, and 18% were men with children. Fifty-three percent of the people who slept at the mission that night had been homeless only once before. Only 13 % had been homeless three times or more. 27% of the people who slept here had lost government benefits in the past 12 months. 64% had lived in Las Cruces for more than 6 months. 52% of the guests were Caucasian, 41% Hispanic, 6% African American, and 2% Native American. Most people who stayed here, 54% were between the ages of 26-45; seven percent were under age 18 and eight percent were over age 65. 72% of the guests preferred receiving services with a spiritual emphasis. Sixteen percent of the guests had been victims of physical violence in the last 12 months. 41 percent of the male guests were veterans: 4% served in Korea, 72% served in Vietnam, and 14% served in the Persian Gulf War. The snap-shot survey gives us an idea of the needs of the people we are serving and how nationally the needs are growing. The largest trend seen nationally is the increase of intact families facing homelessness. Hardest hit are single women with children who made up 66% of the homeless families nationally surveyed. This was up 11% from 2007. There was also an increase in women who were homeless.