HEART of the MISSIONMAY 2016

A H O M E L E S S

How your giftsGAVE THIS VETERAN

HELP & HOPE

I hope you read John’s story in this issue of Heart of the Mission.

Tragically, stories of homeless men like him, who’ve served in our armed forces, are not rare—especially right here in Nashville.

They’ve made huge sacrifices for our country. There is no way to measure the depth of the hurt, pain, and trauma many veterans have endured. Hurt, confused, and unable to cope—some wander lost for years, often self-medicating themselves with drugs or alcohol.

It’s heartbreaking when I see these wounded men and women, who’ve truly put their lives on the line for our freedoms and safety, fall into addiction and homelessness. But I know it’s hard to make rational, healthy choices when you’re hurting. And we’re all like that, aren’t we? We can all make bad choices when we hurt.

I feel so much compassion for these courageous people. Even more, I feel immense gratitude for the chance to serve and to help them, at Nashville Rescue Mission.

I’m also grateful to you for everything that happens here. Every meal, every night someone finds safe shelter, every man and woman who breaks an addiction, everyone who finds new direction, and every lost soul that’s saved—are all thanks to your compassion and generosity.

With summer nearly upon us, I’m reminded that support for the Mission always falls as people go on summer vacations or face other financial commitments. That’s why I’m also grateful for your continued faithfulness. Thank you!

F O R I A M P O O R A N D N E E DY, A N D MY H E A R T I S

W O U N D E D W I T H I N M E .

P S A L M 1 0 9 : 2 2 N I V

Y O U R G I F T S G I V E H O P E T O T H E H U R T I N G

REV. GLENN CRANFIELDPresident and CEO

2 HEART of the MISSION MAY 2016

H E L P F O R T H E W O U N D E D

You can share these newsletter stories with your friends! Head to our website and click the “Spread the Word” tab. There you’ll find digital copies of our newsletters.

Go ahead—share these encouraging stories of hope with your social media friends!

t h e W O R D !SPREADDID A STORY IN THIS MONTH’S NEWSLET TER REALLY IMPACT YOU?

My wife, Lauren (Akins), and I grew up just north of downtown Nashville. We’ve seen Music City grow and change in many wonderful ways. We’ve traveled the world for my country music career and have had the opportunity to see the best and worst parts of different places. But at the end of the day, Nashville will always be our home.

That’s why we think it’s important to give of our time at Nashville Rescue Mission. A few months ago, we decided to #rockthehairnet with our friends at the Men’s Campus. A group of us donned aprons and filed into the kitchen ready to serve dinner on a Tuesday night. We began the evening thinking we’d be a blessing to the hungry and hurting men who needed a meal. We didn’t realize it so profoundly goes both ways.

The first thing Lauren and I noticed was the men we were serving didn’t look like someone we envisioned when thinking of a homeless man. They looked just like us. Some came from jobs they’d worked that day while others came in shivering from the cold. It was an

honor to greet each one and hand him a tray of food.

As dinner ended, Lauren and a friend ventured into the dining room to ensure the men had received everything they needed. As they began cleaning the tables, my friends and I stood in the kitchen. An older gentleman walked over to us. He wanted to share his art with me. I was intrigued! He pulled a wrinkled piece of paper out of his coat pocket and proceeded to read his poetry.

This man was so talented. My heart melted as I watched him share his heart and story through well-crafted words. He might not be performing on a stage every night, but he is an artist nonetheless. That moment really stuck with me.

Serving a meal at the Mission is a great experience and an amazing chance to interact with those in

need. It’s a neutral setting, judgment free, and filled with hope. As Lauren reminded me—everyone needs relationships and kind interactions. The men, women, and children who are without homes are still people. They are our brothers and sisters, and they deserve our kindness. In fact, we believe it’s our responsibility to help the hurting. If we didn’t, and simply assumed our neighbors were going to care for Nashville’s homeless population, we would be at fault. This is our city. It’s our duty to help. We were put on this earth to show love, and we truly believe this is one of the best ways we can do that.

R H E T TM I S S I O N I N MY W O R D S

MAY 2016 HEART of the MISSION 3

Thomas

"IN FACT, WE BELIEVE IT’S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP THE HURTING."

THOMAS RHETT, the son of songwriter Rhett Akins, was raised on a steady diet of Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, and the Rolling Stones. Known for penning hits for Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line, his debut album, It Goes Like This, spawned five Top 40 hits and three number ones. He was nominated for the coveted CMA New Artist Award, the ACM New Artist Award, various CMT Awards, and an iHeart Radio Award. His newest album, Tangled Up, released in 2015. Rhett is married to Lauren Gregory, whom he has known since first grade.

4 HEART of the MISSION MAY 2016

When John stepped back onto American soil in the late 70s, it wasn’t the end of his battle. For John, and other veterans like him, it was only the beginning.

“I’M FROM Cleveland, Ohio,” said John. “I dropped out of high school. Then in 1968, I joined the Marine Corp and went around the world in two different directions.” I went across to Vietnam. Then I came back and found myself going across the Atlantic to the mounting Jordan crisis in September 1970.” John proudly served his country for eight years.

After the Marines, John found himself bouncing around. Without a high school diploma, he struggled to

find steady work. “I became a jack-of-all-trades,” shared John. “But I passed the exemption exam at a technical college in California, where I managed to get a college degree.”

“I was already trained, so all I did was just follow through with the classes. I’ve got a lot of odd job education from working at temporary places and going from job to job. Before retiring, I was working as a machinist.”

MANY YEARS AGO, a friend from the military suggested John move to Nashville. “I’ve got medical problems and am in and out of the VA Hospital,” said John.

“I have a heart condition. I have high blood pressure.” So John moved to the same apartment complex where his friend lived outside of Nashville.

“I was making trips back and forth to the VA Hospital when they discovered I had cancer,” recalled John. “I was able to get the help I needed, but my friend didn’t.” Unfortunately, his friend, who also had cancer, didn’t find out until it was too late. “He died in 2009. Even after he passed away, I stayed in that same apartment complex. When new owners came in, they wanted to raise the rent.

“If it wasn’t for the Mission, I’d be out on the street. I’m 68. I’m retired. There is no work—I’m just looking for place I can call home and rest.”

A H O M E L E S S

How your giftsGAVE THIS VETERAN

HELP & HOPE

MAY 2016 HEART of the MISSION 5

I was under an old contract but they managed to find a legal loophole and have me evicted.”

On a fixed income, finding a new apartment at a price he could afford proved to be impossible, especially after facing an eviction. “I couldn’t find anywhere else to go for the amount of rent I was paying.” With little to no options, John was homeless. A battle for stability in housing, finances, health, and support systems can all too easily end in homelessness for someone like John. Sadly, his situation isn’t that uncommon.

“I first saw Nashville Rescue Mission when I was buying some parts at the gasket place next door,” said John. “I’d had a few experiences staying in missions as I bounced around, but Nashville Rescue Mission is very different than most other places I’ve stayed. In Los Angeles, they feed the soul before they feed the tummy. Here, they feed the tummy and then they feed the soul. That’s the first thing I noticed. Wow, backup! Hey, they’re going to feed me first.”

“STAYING AT THE MISSION has kept me out of the elements and put something to eat in my stomach,” said John. “Now the hard part is getting into an apartment.

I know once I get into my own place things can get back to normal. In six years, I was never late nor did I ever miss a rent payment in the place where I was evicted.”

Finding an apartment in John’s situation is no easy task. “I got a list of places that might work. But many of them are so far away, without a vehicle, it’s difficult to get there. Other places require money. You practically have to buy an application. I count almost every penny. I know what stores to go to and where not to go. I’ve cut my budget down to the bare minimum, which is not living. It’s just surviving.”

After a 10-month-stay at Nashville Rescue Mission, John found a place to call home and today, he is finally able to enjoy a time of rest.

NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION exists to give John, and others like him, help and hope. In his time of need, your gifts made it possible for John to have a safe place to sleep, hot, nutritious food to eat, and case management to help him formulate a plan and evaluate his options. While a guest at the Mission, John saved money and was able to research apartments that would work within his budget and meet his needs.

Because of your support, John and other veterans like him, find help and hope when they walk through the doors of Nashville Rescue Mission. Thank you for giving.

“STAYING AT THE MISSION HAS KEPT

ME OUT OF THE ELEMENTS AND PUT

SOMETHING TO EAT IN MY STOMACH,”

'68

6 HEART of the MISSION MAY 2016

When his senior year of high school came around, Dale was making plans to head to Mississippi State and play baseball. But then he was drafted—drafted by the New York Mets, straight out of high school.

AS A RESULT, he spent his summer training with a baseball league that urges its players to participate in and actively seek out community service opportunities. He served with various organizations alongside his fellow players. When he arrived back in Nashville, he wanted to do more. Helping others had struck a chord in his heart, and he wanted to make an impact in his own city. Dale recruited his mom and together they decided to serve lunch at Nashville Rescue Mission.

“My family and I would see homeless individuals on the street, and feel that sympathy, but not know the best way to help.”

Dale Burdick always wanted to be a baseball star. He grew up in sunny Florida and moved to Nashville when he was just eight-years-old. Like most baseball players, he dreamed of graduating high school, playing baseball in college, and then heading to the major leagues. Little did he know his reality would be even greater than he had imagined.

Stepping

T O T H E

H O W T H I S B A S E B A L L S TA R U S E S T H E O F F-S E A S O N

TO S E R V E

P L A T E

Volunteer8

“GO ONCE to serve at the Mission and you’ll immediately want to go back,” Dale said. “It’s such a positive environment. Everyone working in the kitchen was upbeat and excited. I got excited and couldn’t wait to go back. I took time to look into the eyes of the men I was serving. It broke my heart, but it was also heartwarming because I could see hope in their eyes.”

Dale volunteered each week during his off-season, until it was time to head to Florida for Spring Training. “It’s a very well-oiled machine,” he said of the volunteering and serving process. “While we are serving lunch to the men, the staff is preparing the dinner meal.”

SERVING consistently has given Dale the opportunity to create and develop personal connections with the men who come through the line, especially those in the Mission’s Life Recovery Program.

“One of the guys I had the pleasure of getting to know had just graduated from the Mission’s Life Recovery Program. He walked in to the kitchen decked out in a three piece suit with a top hat. He was on his way to a job interview! We were all congratulating him and wishing him the best on his interview.”

MAY 2016 HEART of the MISSION 7

Nashville Rescue Mission is grateful for volunteers who dedicate their time to serve in the kitchen, or in many other areas of the organization.

Do you want to donate your extra time, your personal off-season, to helping the homeless and hurting in our city?

To learn more, visit:nashvillerescuemission.org/get-involved

D A L E S E R V I N G LU N C H O N T H E L I N E

“It breaks your heart. But it’s heartwarming because you

can see the hope.”

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED

with a word of encouragement for a kid going to camp.

is a proud member of

LIVES YOU HAVETOUCHED

MARCH 2016

639 Lafayette Street, Nashville, TN 37203615-255-2475 | nashvillerescuemission.org

Meals Served

Nights of Lodging

Chapel Attendance

Education Hours

Bible Class Attendance

Decisions & Prayers

Volunteer Hours

Travel Assistance

Program Graduates

1,487

730

494

80

39

34

193

n/a

n/a

DailyAvg

Monthly

46,105

22,632

15,325

2,467

1,220

1,055

5,982

124

13

Summer camp can be a life-changing experience for kids who might not otherwise get the chance to attend. Through the kindness of several local churches and summer camps, kids from Nashville Rescue Mission

will have the opportunity to attend summer camp.

While the cost of camp is covered, the children at the Mission still need your help.

A

You can make summer camp dreams come true for homeless kids

O F B L E S S I N G S

bUNK TAG

VISIT: nashvillerescuemission.org

to download a list of summer camp needs.