SERVING GREATER SPRINGFIELD SINCE 1892
FEBRUARY 2015 | VOL. 28, ISSUE 1
EXPECTATIONS
WWW.HOPE4SPRINGFIELD.ORG
HOPE FOR TODAY...TRANSFORMATION TOMORROW
Your Gifts and Prayers Are Inspiring Hope!
Inspiring Relationships that Heal
The friendship of “The Five” is a testimony to the power of the Holy Spirit to inspire forgiveness,
healing, encouragement, and life change!
“I was a mess and it was scary,” admits Derek, who came here
to the Rescue Mission as an absolute last resort when he’d lost
everything that mattered to him—including his family.
“My choices had put me in a position that I never thought I
would be in,” Derek remembers. But here, he began to find the
healing—and the hope—he’d been missing for a long, long time.
He also met a few friends to help him along his journey to
rehabilitation. They’re known by staff and guests as “The Five,”
and their story inspires hope for many others they meet who
suffer hunger, hurt, and homelessness. “A lot of us are friends
here,” says Elliot. “But actually the five of us are close. And
yes, we talk to everyone,” he smiles.
But just last year, Elliot had no friends, no hope, and nowhere
to go but up.
Continued on page 2.
OPERATION HOPE TOTE 2015
Our annual Hope Tote campaign provides daily essentials such as soap, toothpaste, and shampoo to the poor and
homeless throughout Greater Springfield. Since 2003, tens of thousands of Hope Totes have been shared with men,
women, and children. And this year’s Operation Hope Tote is an exciting collaboration between the Springfield Rescue
Mission and friends like you, your church, schools, businesses, and organizations.
1
Tote Bags
3
Drop Off
Use an empty grocery bag or Hope
Tote bag from the Rescue Mission,
or box up large quantities of like
items. Contact Julie for bags at
[email protected]
or 413-732-0808, ext. 114.
Bring your filled bags to Springfield
Rescue Mission, 19 Bliss Street,
Springfield, MA, by April 15 or
soon thereafter. Thank you for
inspiring HOPE!
Continued from page 1
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Fill With Items
4
Pray
Fill the bag with items that
will bring hope to those living
in crisis. Use the Toiletry
Item List (see on back of the
enclosed reply slip).
Write a note of
encouragement and
prayer for the person
receiving the tote.
The Friendship of “The Five”
“I was drinking all the time, got in trouble, then jail,” Elliot says. But thanks to the Rescue Mission and the
relationships he formed here, Elliot found his way to a better future. “These guys helped me out—and it was
awesome.”
Mark also needed that same kind of help in a big way, but he says, “The Rescue Mission taught me that if you
put your trust in God, everything is possible with Him!” Matthew couldn’t agree more. “I struggled with heroin
and alcohol for 14 years,” he says, “The Bible teaching here has shown me how to get rid of my old ways and
rely on God. You’ve pointed me to Jesus, and that’s just what I needed to change my life.” Keith adds, “My faith
continues to grow daily!”
Through relationships forged at the Rescue Mission and supported by caring hearts like yours from our
community, “The Five” have found new life . . . and real hope!
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
—Matthew 18:20 NIV
2 | WWW.HOPE4SPRINGFIELD.ORG
Mark Your Calendar: Spring Activity
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Easter at the Rescue Mission
At this year’s festive Easter Banquet, we expect to serve over 500
men, women, and children at the Rescue Mission. Volunteers are
needed to prepare, serve, and deliver meals. Breakfast is at 7:00 a.m.
Deliveries go out to the elderly and disabled at 2:00 p.m. Dinner is
served at 4:00 p.m. Please visit www.hope4springfield.org
to learn more or email us at [email protected].
Foundations to Build On
The Rescue Mission recognizes the generous foundations whose
commitment to Springfield’s poor and homeless has made them valued
partners in 2015.
• Bank of America Foundation
• Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
• First Niagara Bank
• Liberty Mutual Foundation
• Mifflin Memorial Fund
• Peoples United Community Foundation
• United Way of Pioneer Valley
• Walmart Foundation
• Mary Collins Moynahan Foundation
• Virginia and Earl Jahn Foundation
• Carris Reels Corporate Foundation
• Phyllis E. and Donald G. Campbell Foundation
• Frances Cooper Trust
We are grateful for their compassion—and for every member of our community
like you who chooses to make a difference to the less fortunate through the
Springfield Rescue Mission.
Graduation Invitation
The Board, Executive Director, and Staff of The Springfield Rescue Mission
Cordially invite you to attend the Men’s New Life Program Graduation
Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 7:00 P.M.
Pioneer Valley Christian School
965 Plumtree Road, Springfield, MA
R.S.V.P. by May 1
Julie Barnes, 413-732-0808, ext. 114
[email protected]
Please reply with number of guests attending. Thank you!
Easter Needs
Between now and Easter Sunday,
we plan to serve more than 12,000
meals, including 500 or more men,
women, and children on Easter alone!
Easter Meal Needs Include . . .
hams, butter, potatoes
carrots, green beans
frozen vegetables
rolls, eggs, pancake mix
syrup, juice, milk
sausage, bacon, salt/pepper
sugar, seasoning, gift cards
for food needs
And since it costs the Rescue Mission
just $1.92 to provide a meal to
someone in need, your gift today
can make a crucial difference this
Easter! So send your generous Easter
gift today, or to provide any of the
items above, contact us for more
information at 413-732-0808 or
[email protected].
Thank you!
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We’re Moving!
Dear Friend,
The Springfield Rescue Mission is a Christ-centered
ministry that for over 123 years has served the
spiritual and physical needs of men, women, and
children in this community. With support like
yours, we offer hot meals, safe shelter, a chance for
rehabilitation and renewal—and the inspiring hope
of Christ. And because this is a community wide
ministry, I urge you to join me in prayer as we seek to serve the least, the last, and the
lost this Easter season and beyond.
As our ministry has progressed through the years, it has been increasingly difficult
to provide critical services in our Bliss Street facilities. Well before a casino was
even proposed for Springfield, we had been looking to relocate to a larger and more
modern facility within the South End that would allow us to better meet the needs
of those we serve.
While we explored a number of locations within the South End, the former Orr
Cadillac parcel was the only site that truly fit our needs. We look forward to working
with our neighbors and City officials to completely renovate this long-dormant facility
so that we may continue providing the type of care and support this community has
come to expect from the Springfield Rescue Mission.
I know God will continue to bless us as we reach out to those who need us this Easter
season and beyond. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Thanking God for you,
Ronald Willoughby
Executive Director/CEO
Springfield Rescue Mission
19 Bliss Street | P.O. Box 9045
Springfield, MA 01102-9045
413-732-0808
fax: 413-732-5512
Visit us on the web at:
www.hope4springfield.org
Email us at:
[email protected]
No person is denied services based on
race, creed, gender, or nationality.
MISSION STATEMENT
The goal of the Springfield Rescue
Mission since 1892 is to meet the
physical and spiritual needs of the
hungry, homeless, addicted, and poor
by introducing them to Christ and
helping them apply the Word of God
to every area of their lives.
“Just as Christ was raised from
the dead through the glory of the
Father, we too may live a new life.”
—Romans 6:4 NIV
“That was the beginning of my salvation . . .”
“During Lent about 5 years ago,” Springfield
Rescue Mission volunteer Greg Clark recalls,
“I got in my car, turned on the radio, and
heard a message about the Springfield Rescue
Mission looking for volunteers. So I called
and I said I’d like to come down and do some
volunteering. I started helping to cook and
serve breakfast to the residents every Tuesday
and Wednesday. The amazing thing is that you
go to give to the Rescue Mission, but I got so
much more in return!
You can donate your used cell
phone, ink and laser cartridges
to the Rescue Mission!
Like us on
hope4springfield
Follow us on
@hope4spfld
“That was the beginning of my salvation,
Greg Clark, SRM volunteer
of wanting to know more about the Bible,
thirsting for the Bible. And I think that’s what the Springfield Rescue Mission is all
about—bringing people to the Lord!”
Praise God for hearts like Greg’s and friends like you for your compassion in action!
SPR0307NL1
Our newsletters are sent in appreciation to friends who have supported the Mission financially within the last 24 months.