RICK BERNSTEIN SECRETARY DAVE BOND TREASURER THERESA BETHUNE LYNETTE BREWER DONN DIETRICH GREG PINKARD

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CAROL BERNSTEIN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RON SHAW PRESIDENT ROGER ELLIOTT VICE PRESIDENT

The Westminster Rescue Mission exists to advance the Kingdom of God by proclaiming God's Word and by partnering with local churches, businesses, social service organizations, caring supporters, and volunteers in order to provide ministries of relief, rescue and other services for individuals and families in need.

Before I came to the Mission, I was homeless, living in my car, and cycling between pills and alcohol – the pills to get through the day and the alcohol to fall asleep at night. I was also chain smoking. I was 25 years old, and on a road to nowhere. Some talk about a feeling of hopelessness – well, I can tell you what it feels like to feel “lower than a snake’s belly”.

I had no sense of purpose, no motivation, and a real awareness that I was wasting my life. The worst part for me was believing that God had given up on me. It seemed clear to me that I had gone past the point of no return with God. I felt empty, confused and just so lost.

Then I came to the Westminster Rescue Mission. That’s when I started to realize how bad and destructive the isolation had been. I started to realize how much God uses other people to help me, and how much I need people in

My Testimony | By Alex

A New Day in Christ www.westminsterrescuemission.org SUMMER 2018

my life. I started to feel motivated by what I saw others doing; I thought if they can do it, so can I. I started to gain a sense of purpose back into my life.

At about 5 or 6 months into the Program, I fi nally came to the place where I realized that I needed to set aside all my doubts and regrets. I needed to move on.

I was inspired by Philippians 3:13-14 -- Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself

yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the

goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

I have recently graduated from the Mission Program. I will carry what I have learned there forward into my life. What I have learned is that God is gracious, and God’s people are the best people to hang out with – they build you up and keep you moving! I have a new purpose and a new perspective. My perspective has changed from glass half empty to glass half full. There is much to enjoy in life without drugs and alcohol, like playing the piano, or playing softball. There is a God-given purpose for living and only a healthy lifestyle will get me there. I am thankful for the chance to “put off the old self and put on the new man.” (Ephesians 4)

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT. . .

SPOTLIGHT ON MISSION PARTNERS

SPOTLIGHT

In 1973, fi ve years after the Mission’s founding, some local women decided to form an Auxiliary to spiritually, fi nancially and socially support the work of the Mission.

They pray for the men and women clients of the Mission as well as the leaders, workers, board members and one another. They plan and execute activities for the purpose of increasing donations in support of the Mission’s daily operations and to promote the Mission to the public. In addition, at times auxiliary members off er their volunteer services.

This past April, the Ladies’ Auxiliary hosted its largest annual fundraiser, Meet Me for Tea. Women from the community representing many churches enjoyed a delightful tea brunch. During the Tea, a recent Mission graduate shared his testimony. Through this event over $8,000 was raised for the Mission.

In addition at the tea, Ms. Thelma Coleman, one of the founding auxiliary members, celebrated her 100th birthday.

We are so grateful for the commitment of all our volunteers and thank God for this partnership with the women of the Ladies’ Auxiliary.

For more information about how you can become a volunteer, contact us at:

info@westminsterrescuemisison.org

2018 YTD VOLUNTEER HOURS 90 Volunteers have served 3,468 hours

At the Mission we count on Knott Mechanical – an HVAC and plumbing

service company, whenever issues arise. Recently, they repaired and upgraded the heating and air conditioning system in the dormitory wing- used for recovery program graduates and our cold weather shelter guests. In addition the recovery team staff offi ces now has a working A/C system.

Knott is very responsive when we call them. They are aware of our cost consciousness and look for ways to provide us the best service for the least possible price. Their technicians work hard and with great effi ciency.

Knott is a family-owned company that has been in business since 1971. For three generations, the Knott family has prided themselves on bringing safety, integrity, passion and accountability to the maintenance industry.

Thank you Knott Mechanical for keeping us cool in the summer and warm in the winter!

WRM LADIES’ AUXILIARY

SAVE THE DATE!3RD ANNUAL FREEDOM 5K

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2018

WELCOME TO OUR CLINICAL COUNSELOR TEAMJill Eicher, who holds an LCSW-C social work license, joined WRM in May 2018 as a Clinical Counselor for our Recovery Program. She grew up in Detroit, and has a BA and MA in English from Wayne State University in Michigan. In 1998, she moved to Baltimore. She married Ron Tanner, a professor at Loyola University Maryland. In 2005, she completed an MSW at University of MD.

Jill specializes in working with adults experiencing substance use and mental health issues as well as poverty, trauma, and legal problems. She has previously worked at House of Ruth, Health Care for the Homeless, and Access Carroll/ Carroll County Detention Center.

She and her husband enjoy restoring old houses. Their fi rst restoration project was a former JHU fraternity in Baltimore. In 2015, they relocated to the area, buying a run-down old farm in Reisterstown. Jill is excited to join the Mission and work with the men in the recovery program.

Madeline Morey has dedicated her career to human services/human development. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University,

Fresno and Master’s degree in Psychology from Towson University. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and holds a certifi cate in Human Services Management from University of MD and has Clinical Supervisor status with the State of MD.

Madeline has held many human services administrator positions and provided services as a consultant over the last twenty-six years. Her areas of

interest in counseling include: anxiety, depression, human development, bipolar disorder, ADHD, marriage/family, substance use, co-occurring disorders, etc.

Madeline and her husband, Michael have been married for 26 years and live in Westminster, Maryland with their daughter, Heather.

Madeline shared, “I am excited to join the Westminster Rescue Mission team to be able to improve the quality of life for those we serve and be part of the future development of the program.”

EARLY STEPS TOWARD LICENSUREThe Commission on Accreditation of

Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) recently awarded the Mission preliminary accreditation as its fi rst step toward becoming a licensed behavioral health provider.

This accreditation demonstrates that the Mission is managed with the highest

professional standards of excellence in areas such as fi nancial management, personnel, and health and safety. CARF accreditation also means the Mission’s services are delivered with attention to safety and security of its clients, and the Mission works with each client to develop an individualized plan to promote his lasting recovery and physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

CARF’s recent on-site survey at the Mission resulted in a report that said, among other things, the Mission leadership has a sound vison focused on continuing its recovery services and expanding to provide recovery services for women. Our CARF report, like other documents such as our fi nancial audit, is open to inspection by the public during normal business hours.

For more information about CARF, ask us! info@westminsterrescuemission.org.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM 2018 STATS

AS OF JULY 31ST

FOOD RECEIVED 466,060LBS FROM 44 DIFFERENT VENDORS

FOOD DISTRIBUTED ON-SITE PANTRY/FOOD GIVEAWAYS: 209,503LBS

UNIQUE HOUSEHOLDS SERVED: 577 OTHER FOOD PROVIDERS: 146,982LBS UNIQUE PROGRAMS SERVED: 32

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) recently

awarded the Mission preliminary accreditation as its fi rst step toward becoming a licensed behavioral health provider.

This accreditation demonstrates that the Mission is managed with the highest

As we approach the holidays and the cold-weather season, we are ASKING service organizations, churches, businesses, and

schools to consider hosting a FOOD DRIVE to help usfeed our HUNGRY neighbors.

For more information on how you can get involved, contact Angela Phillips, aphillips@westminsterrescuemission.org.

MISSION NEEDS LIST Volunteers are NEEDED to drive the recovery program clients to their off campus appointments. Drivers will assist with transportation for the men to get to mental health service appointments, visits to the MVA and Department of Social Services and to any court commitments. If you are a man with a good driving record, and are willing to volunteer one day per week, WE NEED YOU! Call 410-848-2222 to speak with Angela.

The Westminster Rescue Mission is

hosting its inaugural “Chefs in the Nest”

competition on Sunday, September 16th.

This event is a friend-raising/fundraising

event for the Mission

This CHEF competition will use food from

the Mission’s on-site food pantry known as

the Sparrows Nest. Each chef will prepare

a signature dish during the event in a time

constrained setting in the Mission’s kitchen.

Each chef's dish will be judged by our

celebrity judges and prizes will be awarded.

The event will also include a Live and Silent

Auction, live music and appetizers provided

from the participating chefs' restaurants for

our guests’ enjoyment.

The event will be held on

Sunday, September 16, 2018 from 3- 6 p.m.

at the Mission at

658 Lucabaugh Mill Road, Westminster.

Tickets are on sale NOW! Contact Angela Phillips at

aphillips@westminsterrescuemission.org

THANKS THANKS THANKSRecently, employees at Penguin Random House participated

in a food collection drive. Through the employees eff orts over 700 pounds of food was donated and PRH made a fi nancial

contribution to serve our “invisible neighbors.”