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MAMa
offers new, helpful resources
Mary Holley from Mothers Against Methamphetamine (MAMa) has spoken at
numerous AGRM meetings and events, giving tremendous insights into the
world of meth abuse. MAMa has recently updated its website to provide
even more help and resources, including fetal effects of methamphetamine,
the impact on children growing up in meth labs, the relationship between
drug use and sex, and the connection between methamphetamine and AIDS
and hepatitis. To learn more, click on the “Information” button
on the left side of the screen at http://www.mamasite.net.
Victory Mission
receives two awards
The National Restaurant Association has named Cook’s Kettle, a division
of Springfield Victory Mission (Springfield, Mo.), the
“Restaurant Neighbor” for the state of Missouri. As one of
50 state winners, Cook’s Kettle is among those competing for the
national award and a $5,000 prize. In addition, the mission recently received
the charitable organization of the year designation from the Springfield
Business Journal. Congratulations to Jim Harriger and staff!
Job applicant
management tools available
The association is partnering with CRI to bring AGRM members a variety
of tools to help members select the best possible talent. CRI has proven
products and services that will help your ministry ensure job fit, streamline
applicant management, and conduct background verifications. During September
and October, CRI will conduct three free one-hour teleconferences, each
focusing on one of the tools provided. Find
out more here!
Member task
force to meet
Later this month, 20 AGRM members from across North America from mission
large and small—both seasoned veterans and those new to our ministry—will
gather at Camp Hunt outside of Indianapolis. The participants hail from
large and small organizations, and from long-time member missions and
those that have recently joined AGRM. The group will discuss a new array
of possible member services for the association, and further develop core
curriculum for AGRM’s educational initiative. Please pray for wisdom
for the member taskforce as they come together.
Jamaican project
on the move
As you read this, AGRM Executive Director John Ashmen is meeting with
Jamaican missions, looking at the service needs there. Jamaica is a nation
of nearly three million, with an estimated homeless population approaching
100,000. John and others will review specific projects to see which would
fit best with the AGRM criteria for growth and service to the most people.
Officials in Jamaica have been extremely appreciative of the association’s
willingness to address the nation’s homeless problems through the
AGRM expansion project. If your mission would like to volunteer time or
funds to the Jamaican project, contact Gary Meek at gmeek@agrm.org.
Looking down
the street...
City Mission (Findlay, Ohio) has a newly renovated chapel
and office space, completed with loads of volunteer help provided by local
churches and businesses.
Doug Shaw of Douglas Shaw & Associates has been named
to the board of the National Religious Broadcasters. Congratulations,
Doug!
Wichita Falls Faith Mission (Wichita Falls, Tex.) recently
purchased a building to house its new thrift store. Staff hopes to have
the store in service within three weeks.
Dan Johnson, son of AGRM Honor Roll member Don Johnson,
passed away recently after a long battle with cancer. Our prayers are
with Don and his family.
AGRM staff member Tammy Sharp appreciates your prayers
for her son, Matt, after his recent motorcycle accident. Matt has been
moved to a rehab hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, that specializes in brain
injuries. Your continued prayers are welcomed.
Jim Reese has been named president/CEO of Atlanta Union Mission
(Atlanta, Ga.), succeeding interim director Jay Cory. Welcome, Jim!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Barbara Deatherage, CFO of Modesto
Gospel Mission (Modesto, Calif.) at the home-going of her mother.
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| Groups
ask candidates to help end homelessness
A group of national homeless organizations is asking candidates for public
office to include the prevention of and end to homelessness in their public
policy priorities. The effort asks candidates to support five “fundamentals”
aimed at ending homelessness, including homeless assistance programs;
affordable housing; healthcare, education, and social services; adequate
personal incomes; and prevention of discrimination. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/56z7gz.
Los Angeles
bars new fast-food places
City officials have placed a one-year ban on new fast-food outlets in
South Los Angeles—where some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods
are—in the interest of public health. The ban is intended to give
the city time to attract other restaurants that serve healthier food.
The action is believed to be the first of its kind by a major city to
protect public health. At least one fast-food chain reports it offers
healthier options on its menu and was willing to work with the city to
encourage people to make wiser choices. One community resident acknowledged
that fast food is unhealthy, but says he eats it because that is what
he can afford. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/5bnd33.
Denver plans
to hide the homeless during convention
When Denver hosts the Democratic National Convention later this month,
some local groups hope to keep the city’s ample homeless population
out of sight. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless plans to give homeless
people free tickets to movie theaters, a museum, and the zoo during the
convention, encouraging vagrants to stay away from the convention’s
main venue, the Pepsi Center. The group also plans to expand day shelters
in the area. Coalition leaders say the accommodations will benefit homeless
people who often camp along the South Platte River near the Center and
may feel uncomfortable with the huge event crowds. Denver police will
not target the homeless for removal during the convention, unless they
are involved in activities such as aggressive panhandling. View the report
at http://tinyurl.com/6rgzon.
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U.S.
homeless count is down
Twelve percent fewer homeless people lived in America last year than in
2005, according to a report released in late July by the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development. The study found significant decreases
in the numbers of “chronically homeless” (disabled adults
who are continuously homeless for at least a year) and those in emergency
shelters. Researchers attribute much of the drop to improved tracking
and boosted efforts to house the chronically homeless. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/5vmwcw.
Economic struggle
more difficult
Rising gas prices, increased food costs, and other economic strains are
increasingly taking a toll on the American people. According to a Pew
Research Center poll, nearly two-thirds (64 percent) in July said their
incomes are falling behind the cost of living, a jump from how many people
reported the same thing in February (58 percent). And the number of those
who say it is difficult to afford food has also increased from 27 percent
in February to 38 percent last month. Mission food pantries may be stretched
in the coming months. View the full report at http://tinyurl.com/6z5tlb.
Combat drives
some to alcohol
Many combat troops in Iraq and Afghanistan deal with drinking problems
when they return from combat, according to a recent study published in
the Journal of the American Medical Association. Twenty-six percent of
the combat troops who reported no issues with binge drinking prior to
their deployment developed the problem upon their return. U.S. National
Guard and Reserve individuals are significantly more likely to develop
drinking problems than active-duty soldiers. These statistics may suggest
an increase in veterans needing the help of rescue missions in the future.
Read the full report at http://tinyurl.com/633mme.
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AGRM's
Online Want Ads
POSITIONS
AVAILABLE
Colorado Springs, CO:
Men's New Life Program Manager - Position requires experience
in program development, management, team building, individual/group recovery
programs. Requires skills in interpersonal communication, organization,
problem solving, innovation, ability to contribute. 1-3 years of management/supervision
experience in homeless/mental illness/addiction recovery field desirable.
Send resume with cover letter to Lyn Harwell, Springs Rescue Mission,
5 West Las Vegas Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Phone: 719-314-2343
To contact via email: lynh@mysrm.org
Date Added: 08/12/2008
Evansville, IN: Executive
Director - Oversee all activities of mission including shelter,
youth summer camp, fundraising and Christian ministry. Requires BA, relevant
experience and strong management/financial skills. Send cover letter &
resume to Evansville Rescue Mission, 300 SE M L King Blvd. Evansville
IN 47713. Phone: 812-421-3800 Fax: 812-421-3809 To contact via email:
revpeck@mac.com Date Added: 07/28/2008
Roseburg, OR: Executive
Director - Oversee men's shelter - kitchen, women's shelter,
thrift stores, transition apartments, recycling program, fundraising.
Requires BA, supervisory experience in Christian ministry/business, strong
communication skills. DOE plus medical. Email or mail resume/references
to Roseburg Rescue Mission, PO Box 1937, Roseburg, OR 97470 Phone: 541-673-3004
Fax: 541-673-2704 To contact via email: rsbgmission@aol.com
Date Added: 08/01/2008
Seattle WA: Multiple
Openings - Dental Assistant, Case Manager and Recovery Counselor-Women
& Children's Shelter. Job Descriptions available upon request. Contact:
Roslyn Alake, Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, PO Box 202, Seattle
WA 98111. Phone: 206-723-0767 Fax: 206-723-1076 To contact via email:
rosalake@ugm.org Web site: http://www.ugm.org
Date Added: 08/08/2008
To advertise in future
Market Street Classifieds:
Individual or organizational members of the AGRM may place a 30-word classified
ad listing one available position in one issue of Street Smart at no charge,
and may renew that ad one additional time at no cost. Ads are due the
10th of the month before the ad is to be listed. Ads exceeding 30 words
will be charged at 50 cents per word. Non-member ministries, businesses,
and individuals may place an ad for $25.00 per issue for a 30-word ad.
Additional words will be charged at 50 cents per word. Ads are also placed
on the AGRM website. Member ministries may renew ads after the second
placement at $15 per issue for a 30-word ad. E-mail desired ad placement
to editor@agrm.org (subject line:
Market Street Classifieds).
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The
hope of help
“And hope does not disappoint us” (Rom. 5:5).
We know that
drug addiction is pathological. It’s debilitating and causes great
suffering. Addiction physically changes the brain; it is a disease.
Homelessness,
too, is a pathological living experience. I know of no studies that have
been conducted to prove that homelessness changes the physical makeup
of the brain. However, I know that the thinking and living skills of those
on the street are different than those of “normal” people.
The “disease” of homelessness destroys a person’s life.
It is a morbid, debilitating condition with much suffering.
The longer
a person lives homeless, the less hope he or she has to become an engaged
member of society. The person becomes as entrapped by his or her situation
as the cancer patient, without treatment, is entrapped by illness. Being
homeless is a stark reality that bars access to enjoyable activities of
life. Survival becomes paramount. Hope becomes obscure.
The faces of those we serve are weathered, wrinkled, and grim. Their empty
eyes tell stories of despair. Given a glimmer of hope, those bleak faces
become radiant with smiles. Hope doesn’t fail. It does not disappoint
us.
Contributed
by Myra Garlit, executive director, Crossroads Rescue Mission (Yuma, Ariz.).
ATTENTION MEMBERS:
Would you like to write an encouraging devotional thought for a future
issue of Street Smart? If so, send your submission of 200 words or less
(including a related Bible verse) to editor@agrm.org.
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