Charlotte Rescue Mission

Helping People Choose New Life

Charlotte Rescue Mission — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:00:43 +0000

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.

After his release, Chris took to the streets. What he recalls about that is significant: “I decided to live homeless,” he said. Chris made a choice to be homeless because of his addiction to drugs.

Sad? Yes, but that’s not the end of the story. One day Chris realized that drugs did not numb his pain. In fact, drugs were killing him. That’s when he made another significant decision and came to us for help.

Today, Chris is clean, confident and living by faith. He’s found something he does well and is pursuing a career he enjoys. But most important, Chris has found a relationship with God. “Every night I get on my knees and pray and thank Him for this glorious new life,” says Chris.

Dove’s Nest Halfway House

Charlotte Rescue Mission — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:30:47 +0000

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.

Chronic Homelessness Costs Charlotte Millions

Charlotte Rescue Mission — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:50:18 +0000

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. The majority of homeless men and women are kept in the lifestyle of poverty by an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Our professional recovery staff and effective residential programs give men and women the tools they need to get off the streets and return as a productive member of society. We do all this without government or United Way funding. In fact, Charlotte Rescue Mission saves the community millions of dollars by helping reduce the problem of poverty and homelessness instead of merely addressing its effects. Thanks for standing with us.

Hope is a Powerful Thing

Charlotte Rescue Mission — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:25:39 +0000

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.

CRM Receives $100,000 Grant

Charlotte Rescue Mission — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:34:47 +0000

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.

Hope Totes Campaign – 2010

Charlotte Rescue Mission — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:00:26 +0000

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.”

Items sought fall into four categories:

Personal hygiene: Shampoo, body lotion, deodorant, bar soap, razors, denture adhesive (paste/gel), feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, liquid/powder laundry detergent.

Health-related: Ibuprofen, Tylenol, acetaminophen, antacid chewable tablets and multivitamins.

Housekeeping: Paper towels, cleaning products, food service gloves.

Classroom supplies: Loose leaf notebook paper, binders, one subject composition notebooks, reading glasses.

Items can be dropped off at the NCBT bank branches at 1057 Providence Road in Myers Park; 325 S. Sharon Amity Road in Cotswold; and 6525 Morrison Blvd, Ste 110 in SouthPark, or at the Charlotte Rescue Mission, at Cedar and West 1st streets, opposite the Panthers practice field.

Details: 704-333-HOPE (4673) or www.charlotterescuemission.org.

Elevation Church Serves Breakfast at the Mission

Charlotte Rescue Mission — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:06:28 +0000

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.

Thinking of the Less Fortunate During Lent

Charlotte Rescue Mission — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:31:27 +0000

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…

New Dove’s Nest Program Director

Charlotte Rescue Mission — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:58:42 +0000

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!

Former Dove’s Nest Client now Helping Others

Charlotte Rescue Mission — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:08:30 +0000

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.
I am now fixing to the be the program director of a substance abuse program in Shelby. I could never do this if a had not been for Doves Nest. You saved my life. I went from a utterly hopeless addict that NOBODY wanted around – not even the crack houses – to a respected member of the substance abuse professional world.

Also, that baby I placed for adoption will be 11 years old next week. You had a huge part in making that happen!! Thank you…