Celebrating Partnership
On Thursday, April 19 we will be holding our annual appreciation luncheon. Please contact Rebecca Wilson at 966-1316 ext. 105 for an invitation and hear how your partnership is rebuilding broken lives.
Annual Easter Feast
We will be holding our annual Easter Feast on Thursday, April 5 in our dining hall located at 535 E. Yanonali Street from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Our staff and a team of volunteers will serve meals to men, women and children. Through charitable donations of food items and gifts from the Santa Barbara community we’re able to serve up to 400 people in need.
The holidays can be a joyful time, but a lonely time for those that are struggling with poverty, homelessness and addiction. We offer hope and a new beginning, so many of the graduates of our 12-month residential recovery program started here with a simple holiday meal.
Volunteers are still needed to help serve! Please contact Lizzy MacRae at 966-1316 ext. 107.
Mentor Lunch
You can’t spend much time around the Rescue Mission without hearing the mantra “Recovery Happens in Relationships”…because it’s the truth. An important part of the work God does in our program involves surrounding men and women with people who genuinely care for them and are committed to them and their recovery. These volunteer mentors from the church community here in Santa Barbara spend one-on-one time and convey God’s love and care through the time they spend with individual residents. Many mentor relationships extend beyond our program and become life-long friendships.
Rolf Geyling
President
RIGHT TIME, RIGHT PLACE
I recently experienced the joy of watching, Sarah, a long-time homeless woman find housing. She has been staying at the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission off and on since 2010. A few weeks ago, I saw wonder on her face as she looked around her own apartment with a private bathroom, kitchenette and patio.
I played a role in this success through my work as the Homeless Guest Services Supervisor for the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission. Sarah and I became acquainted during her stay at the Mission, and I helped her through some rough spots. She also became friends with one of our volunteers, Cheryl Smith. Cheryl and I provided a sounding board and support system to our homeless friend so that she could remain stable in our overnight women’s dorm.
It takes more than one agency or individual to see someone into housing, so I am so grateful to be part of the Housing Placement Taskforce that emerged as a part of Common Ground Santa Barbara. We began a year ago by identifying the most vulnerable homeless men and women in Santa Barbara County, and are now working to house those who ranked from 1 to 100 on the survey. The Housing Placement Taskforce includes Santa Barbara County and Santa Barbara City Housing Authorities, doctors, psychiatrists, jail personnel, shelter providers, lawyers, public health nurses, and others who collaborate to locate and assess the homeless people on the list, and then to help them through the housing application process. Sarah was number 51 on the Vulnerability Index and with my advocacy was assessed as being the most ready to go into housing at this particular complex.
After years of trying to help house other homeless men and women before the Common Ground effort, I am amazed at the speed at which we were able to assist Sarah. There are still many people who will have to wait years to find housing in this county; but we are making progress in assisting those who are suffering most to find the housing and supportive services that will, perhaps, change their lives forever. I’m hopeful that Sarah is not the only one—there are currently three men at the Rescue Mission who are in line to be housed, one at the beginning of April. I consider myself very blessed to be a part of this process.
Jill Wallerstedt
Homeless Guest Services Supervisor
Graduation Ceremony
We will honor the men and women graduating from our 12-month residential treatment program on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. The ceremony will be held at Calvary Baptist Church located at 736 W. Islay St., Santa Barbara. There will be a reception immediately following. For more information, please call 966-1316.
Year-End Giving
Please note, the IRS requires that gifts by check can be tax-deductible in 2011 as long as they are postmarked on or before December 31. Credit card gifts mailed to SBRM must be receipted in the tax year received, regardless of postmarks. Credit card gifts made online until 11:59 p.m. on December 31 will still be deductible in 2011. Thank you for giving generously!
The Note on the Envelope
This time of year is marked by acts of care and concern as our community reaches out to those who struggle. The office sees a regular stream of people stopping by with food, clothing and Christmas gifts. Each day’s mail delivery brings encouragement as we see so many generous people blessing the homeless and addicted through gifts large and small. One gift caught our attention recently as it came with a simple note from “Heather” written on the envelope flap—so small that we almost missed it. It read:
“25 years ago I arrived in SB homeless. I remember having Thanksgiving with you at the Mission. Thank you for the good work you do.”
Our hearts are filled with gratitude: over a place that’s been reaching out to those who struggle for almost 50 years; over a neighbor who remembers receiving timely help and now wants to give back; over a community that continues to give. With more people than ever approaching us for assistance, our prayer, as we extend grace to them, is that they too will move out of need and on to fulfillment and self-sufficiency. May there be lots of “Heathers” in our midst and may God lead them to places where seasons when they needed assistance are but a distant memory.
Rolf Geyling
President
Turkey Drive Update
Left to Right: Jim Spencer of Jordanos, Rolf Geyling, and our helpful residents.
Each year we set an ambitious goal for our Holiday Turkey Drive—this year we’re hoping for 900 to meet the increased number of people approaching us in need. We thought we might have stretched a bit too far as we only had 165 by the end of last week. Then Monday came and the day was interrupted by a steady stream of surprises—many times it was one turkey at a time, but other times it was 10, 38 or 42 at a time. We saw over 100 turkeys come in and we’re praying that this would continue. Each turkey means good nutrition and a warm welcome for men, women and children in need of hope. Please continue to remember them as you go about your holiday preparation and know that just because Thanksgiving may be past, we’ll still gladly take turkeys! Many of our friends watch for discounts after Thanksgiving in order to bless those who struggle. Thanks to all who have and continue to participate in this effort. Let’s keep those turkeys coming!
Rolf Geyling
President
The Winter 2011 Newsletter
Please read this issue of the Milestones newsletter and hear about how Dave, Brenda, and Jay found help and hope at the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission.
Turkey Drive
We are accepting turkeys, canned food, and monetary donations in preparation for our annual Thanksgiving Feast on Wednesday, November 23 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. We’re planning to serve over 300 meals to community members in need. The Thanksgiving dinner will include turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, pie…and all the trimmings. Approximately 900 turkeys are needed for all of the meals that will be served throughout the holiday season.
Rolf Geyling, president of the Rescue Mission, stated “We’re already expecting this to be one of our busiest Thanksgiving seasons ever. We have seen a 20% increase in emergency meals since the recession began and the need shows no sign of letting up any time soon.”
Donations may be dropped off Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the Yanonali St. office.
Back to the Bayou 2011
We will hold our tenth annual fundraiser on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at the Rancho Dos Pueblos estate from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. This year’s theme is Back to the Bayou — A Roundup at the Ranch. Sheriff-Coroner Bill Brown will be honored for his committed partnership in the work of recovery through his service as a founding member of the Santa Barbara County Reentry Steering Committee and as a member of the Santa Barbara Fighting Back Task Force.
The Bayou Grand Prize Drawing is a one-week vacation for two on the Big Island of Hawaii, including airfare. All proceeds to benefit the Mission’s Homeless Guest Services and 12-month residential drug and alcohol treatment program. For more information and tickets, please contact Rebecca Wilson at the Rescue Mission 966-1316 ext. 105.
Prayers are Answered
In the last issue of our Milestones newsletter, we specifically requested prayer for two stackable ovens –– costing $6,000. We received a phone call from a longtime donor who gave us the full amount. The ovens were installed last week and have dramatically improved our efficiency. We serve dinner to 45 men in our 12-month residential treatment program and approximately 150 – 200 homeless guests every evening. It was very difficult to do this with only two antiquated ovens, and it certainly limited what we could offer our guests. Patrick Pastoret, our food services supervisor, said “It doesn’t take as long now to cook with these new ovens. In the past it took upwards of two hours to bake four turkeys, with the convection ovens it’s less than one hour to cook 16 turkeys.”
Thank you for praying for us!
Summer Newsletter
You will find pure inspiration in this issue of Milestones, as you read about the amazing changes that take place inside the walls of the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission every single day. Summer Newsletter 2011
Touched by Angels
The Bible tells us to entertain strangers because they may be angels. We had a close encounter with two special visitors this week. Abby and Kayley sold some of their possessions and homemade brownies. When their parents asked them what they would like to do with all of the money they made, the girls said they wanted to give it to “poor people.” It was just before closing on Wednesday evening, when they arrived with their plastic bags full of well organized currency. We were so impressed with their generosity and even more amazed after we calculated it––a large gift to the Mission! We’re sad to see this special family leave Santa Barbara, but we’re so grateful for their parting gift.
4th of July Carnival
We are very busy at the Mission making preparations for our annual 4th of July Carnival on Monday, July 4 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. We will roll out the red carpet for homeless men, women and children. Rolf Geyling, president of the Rescue Mission, summed it up best by saying “Poverty doesn’t take a vacation so neither do we.” This has become our mantra for the holiday demonstrated by staff members and volunteers who show up to convert the parking lot into a carnival of games, provide a BBQ dinner, and socialize with our guests. We’re looking forward to embracing and celebrating with those who would otherwise be forgotten on this special day.
Honoring an Unsung Hero
L to R: Patrick Pastoret, Bill Bishop, David "Hopper" Hopkins
Today’s Rescue Mission lunch was much like any other day save for a very special guest, Bill Bishop. Bill has been a consistent and quiet presence in the Santa Barbara recovery community and particularly for the men in our recovery program for many years. It would be hard to number the men he has sponsored in his 30 years of sobriety. The men coming through our recovery program often face challenges as they reenter the workforce, Bill’s willingness to employ many of them in his construction business has been crucial in giving them confidence and practical skills.
We couldn’t let Bill retire and move back East without properly honoring him but, like many of our most prized volunteers, he would have refused the banquet, gala, or parade he rightfully deserves. We had to lie just a bit to get him to show up for a simple Friday afternoon lunch with the guys, but we were so grateful to pay him tribute and hear a few graduates and staff speak of his impact on their lives. In the few comments we could get him to make, Bill pulled out his big stack of chips—one for each year of sobriety—and encouraged everyone to stay the course in their recovery. May we never forget how taking things one day at a time can add up so significantly.
Is the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission effective because of its clinical treatment model? Certainly. Do lives get changed in our buildings? Sure. But nothing is more instrumental than the people God uses to impart grace to the men and women He brings to us. Some of them, as staff, are very visible day-to-day, but some of our most crucial team members are those quiet ones, like Bill, who serve as a model and guide through the way they live their daily lives.
Many thanks and blessings, Bill! We will miss you but will be reminded daily of you in the changed lives we see.
Rolf Geyling
President
Signs and Wonders
The students of Providence Hall not only painted the walls that encircle our courtyard, but they also donated signs for each of the doorways. This is the place where our homeless guests congregate and for those who do not attend a chapel service they’re now surrounded by a visual sermon. We are pleased with the aesthetic improvement and so excited that the message of God’s love has become even more accessible to our guests. We know that the word is living, active, and sharper than any double edged sword. A big thanks to the students of Providence Hall for spreading the gospel for us.
Proud of Our Graduates
Last weekend, there were a number of familiar faces at the Santa Barbara City College Graduation. We congratulate LB and Danny (SBRM graduates and staff) for completing their Certificates in Alcohol and Drug Counseling and are equally proud of Joel, Peter, and David (SBRM graduates) for the completion of their degrees and certificates. These are significant personal achievements for these men on their own journeys of recovery, but we also expect them to benefit untold numbers of people in the future as these certifications raise the clinical level of care we are able to provide for people seeking treatment.
As our vision statement speaks of people “living as productive citizens” and “leading others to recovery,” we celebrate an event like this that so clearly recognizes the accomplishment of these men and the promise it holds for others seeking recovery.
Congratulations, Graduates!
Rolf Geyling
President
Tori’s Journey
Tori started smoking marijuana at the age of seven and entered her first program ten years later. She experienced some clean time but relapsed and started using crystal meth. At the age of 20, she went into another program while pregnant with her second child and stayed clean for six years. Tori relapsed again and turned her house into a meth lab that was soon raided. Her three children were taken in the process. She said they were very angry with her, because they thought she lied to them. Tori told them she wasn’t going to go back to jail but she did. That’s when she knew she needed to change her life.
It was at this time that she heard about Bethel House and was very resistant to the idea. She said “I’d been to programs before, I’m a hooked to die dope fiend and I needed something stronger. I knew that God was the only thing that could save me.” Tori entered Bethel House on February 3, 2010 and at the age of 27 her healing began. Even though she experienced clean time in the past, she never changed her thinking. She said “I came in like a hard little street thug with a bad attitude. I turned into somebody that’s vulnerable, has compassion, and sincerely cares about other people.” Tori graduated in March of this year and returned to her husband and three children. What a gift!
Celebrating Partnership
The end of this week comes with much joy and gratitude, and not just because of the beautiful weather! This week the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission held its 2nd Annual Celebrating Partnership Luncheon. During this event we thanked some of the key partners of the Rescue Mission’s work and celebrated what God is doing in our community. How great it was to take a step back and appreciate what we are so blessed to be a part of!
Beyond an expression of gratitude, the event is also an opportunity to update our partners about the work they are supporting. Rolf shared in his speech, “I view this event as a type of shareholders meeting, so we believe it’s important for us to show how we’ve stewarded your resources.” He went on to share that last year we assisted over 1,750 individuals in deep need through our homeless guest services, outpatient and residential treatment programs. Furthermore, of the 175 men and women who received residential treatment in our one year program, 37 graduated the program last year and another 11 have completed the program this year. Each of these people who have come to us for help have received tangible assistance to address their unique needs, but even more importantly they have experienced the grace of God through His Church. They came here under difficult circumstances and were loved in the midst of those circumstances.
All of this is only possible because people like you have been intent in caring for the men and women who come to us for help. We thank you and celebrate your partnership with us!
Joe Foster
Director of Operations
Easter Feast
Photo by Dale Weber
We are holding our annual Easter Feast on Thursday, April 21 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. The celebration will occur in the Rescue Mission’s dining hall. Our staff, along with the help of 40 volunteers, will serve meals to men, women and children in need. Through charitable donations of food items and gifts from the Santa Barbara community, we are prepared to serve up to 300 people.
Joan, one of the Mission’s guests, refused to panhandle. She’d lost her job and her home –– but not her dignity. She kept on searching for work, praying an employer would look at her skills instead of the fact she was sleeping on the streets. If she was careful, she could afford to eat one small meal a day…anxiety is what Joan felt as she calculated how long she could afford even that. Without the Mission’s immediate help, through good meals and a safe place to sleep, she says “Worst case scenario, I would be on the streets and relapsing, which is my worst fear after having seven and a half years clean.” Instead, “I’m going strong. I don’t know where the Lord is leading me, but He’s going to lead me somewhere.” The Mission will put a lot of people, like Joan, on the path to a better life this Easter season.
Tribute to Patsy Shealy
Anyone who makes even a brief visit to SBRM comes away impressed by the team of people who are dedicated to serving the homeless and addicted. We are proud of the way our residential model and clinical approach have such incredible results, but tools like this are only effective if they are in the hands of skilled and compassionate individuals. Among the best of these has been Dr. Patsy Shealy, who we bade farewell to this week after six years of directing our Bethel House and Clinical Supervision.
Patsy oversaw the establishment of the Bethel House in its new location on Arrellaga Street and this ministry will always bear her unique imprint. She combined expertise as a psychologist with a compassionate heart and an engaging sense of humor that impacted scores of residents, staff, interns and volunteers. Her investment in our staff raised the bar clinically across all of our programs and several staff have her to thank for the certifications they were able to earn under her tutelage. I am so grateful for the many lives we were able to see God transform through Patsy’s efforts and expect to marvel all the more in eternity at those who were indirectly impacted by her and the team she led.
While we grieve her departure, both personally and professionally, we recognize God’s leading in this process and honor Patsy’s decision and the family concerns that are calling her out of the area. She will always be a part of our family and our love and gratitude go with her.
Rolf Geyling
President
Photo by Christie Gabbert
Tom P. Moves On…
Today is an exciting day for Tom, one of the recent graduates of our Men’s Recovery Program. After a year of challenging self-examination, key life skills training, and vital relapse prevention counseling, Tom is leaving SBRM and moving out into the community. Having already made the move from our Men’s Program to our independent Sober Living facility, he is now moving on to his own place as he begins his new full-time job as Assistant Manager at a local fuel station. What an encouragement he is to those men and women still in the program who hope to follow in his footsteps!
Even more exciting than the present success of independent living and a full time job, Tom is also a stunning example of our vision here at SBRM. Just a little over a year ago, he was homeless in Santa Barbara and lost in his addiction. But today he stands tall as a healthy, productive citizen who continues to rebuild his relationships and who is leading others to recovery. That’s exactly why we do what we do, all to God’s glory!
Farewell to “Old Blue”
Saying farewell to a friend usually implies a person but in this case it happens to be a vehicle. The Rescue Mission enjoyed the service of a 1984 Dodge van that was donated to us in 2001. Steve Goralski, our men’s program director, said “It had more miles on it than the space shuttle.” However, a week ago it burst into flames and after dousing the fire with five extinguishers, “Old Blue” is no more. This was the only means of transportation for the men in our 12-month residential program, and we’re in desperate need of a replacement. Please contact Rebecca at (805) 966-1316, if you’re able to help.
60 Minutes at the Mission
These events give community members a firsthand look at what their compassion makes possible every day. Before a tour of the Mission facilities, visitors hear the inspiring testimony of one of our graduates whose life has been radically changed by the 12-month residential recovery program.
Our “60 Minutes at the Mission” events are just one hour and held on the second Wednesday of every month. If you’d like to learn more about the Rescue Mission, please sign up for the next event by contacting Rebecca at (805) 966-1316 ext. 105 today!
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