Let me tell you about Chris. Not long ago, his only “love” was for the drugs that had ruined his life. He turned to them early, in a futile attempt to numb the toxic feelings of failure and worthlessness he had lived with since childhood.  By the age of 15, Chris was an addict. Over the next 20 years, drugs cost him his friends…family…even his freedom when he committed a drug-related crime and went to prison. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 6% [?]

A ‘halfway house’ is a stepping stone back into society.  When clients complete our programs, they have the option to extend their stay by enrolling in our halfway house.

I always get excited about clients who complete phase one of our Dove’s Nest women’s program and move onto our halfway house.  One in particular has worked hard to make the streets a thing of the past.  For years, she believed the lies she was told that she was worthless and would never amount to anything.  Today, she is gainfully employed, and is excited about her future.

Popularity: 8% [?]

A new survey conducted by the Urban Ministry Center found that Charlotte has “nearly double the national average of homeless people visiting hospitals more than three times a year.“   At Charlotte Rescue Mission, our goal is to end the cycle of poverty and homelessness by addressing the root problems and by treating the individual as a whole. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 9% [?]

We will serve more than 63,000 hearty meals to hungry and homeless people this spring season, but a meal is just the beginning. Let me tell you the story of one of our typical Rebound clients.

He came into the Mission beaten down. The streets and years of drinking had taken its toll. Hope was for others, but not for him. He entered our Rebound men’s program. The 90 days he was with us were good, yet tough. He had to come face to face with the issues that once made the streets his home. Today, he is a graduate of our program. His life is forever changed because of the hope he found at Charlotte Rescue Mission.

Popularity: 12% [?]

The Foundation for the Carolinas Critical Need Fund divided $836,000.00 between eight local charities on Tuesday.   Charlotte Rescue Mission was among them and we are extremely happy to announce that we received $100,000.  This incredible gift will be a tremendous help in light of our budget shortfall which, as of January 31, was $171,633.

Popularity: 16% [?]

The Charlotte Rescue Mission is hosting a “Hope Tote” campaign through March 22 to collect personal need items for men and women who have come to the agency for help conquering addiction to drugs and alcohol.

“When men and women enter the Mission’s programs, often they just have the clothes on their back,” said Rev. Tony Marciano, executive director of the mission. “The items they need are the very items you and I use every day to take care of ourselves.” Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 18% [?]

WBTV has the story:

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – Many of us celebrated Valentine’s day with candy and flowers this past Sunday, a local church is celebrating by spreading LOVE all over the city, all week long.

Leaders from Elevation Church invited me to help cook up breakfast this morning at Charlotte Rescue Mission.  It’s one of 80 events this week in an unprecedented outreach effort.

Click here for the full story and video.

Popularity: 19% [?]

The Charlotte Observer carries this thought provoking story on what some area pastors are encouraging their members to do this Lenten season:

Give up, do without, add on, act out, listen up, read on, give away, help out, pray – judging by what Charlotte area churches are planning over the next 40 days, there are many ways to mark Lent, which begins today with Ash Wednesday.

For Christians, this period of preparation for Easter has traditionally been a time to do the inner work of reflection and repentance. But the more recent Lenten impulse has been to pair giving up with helping out. That’s become especially true in this unforgiving economy…

Popularity: 24% [?]

Linda Currie, who has been acting as the Interim Program Director, has recently been hired as the new Program Director of Dove’s Nest.   Linda was formerly the Assistant Program Director and Admissions Counselor at Dove’s Nest.  We are glad to have such capable leadership at our women’s facility.   Congratulations Linda!

Popularity: 26% [?]

We received this testimony by email:

Don’t know if you remember me. But if you do, You know how God worked in my life!! Remember the yellow Chevrolet cavalier that appeared one Monday morning..  I would love to testify for the mission. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 30% [?]