Phoenix Rescue Mission

"I see myself in a lot of the people that we come across. I will continue to give the love I found from Jesus to other people... Man, Ashley, a believer, talking about love and Jesus, I would've never thought it, but here I am." This month's newsletter highlights the powerful story of transformation for one of our Changing Lives Center graduates, now a Street Outreach Case Manager. To read Ashley's story, visit https://lnkd.in/gzhzdPYA

The path to transformative healing looks different for everyone, but the first step is the same - feeling safe, loved, and supported. Yet for a survivor of domestic violence, getting to that first step is often the hardest part. Overseeing both our residential men's and women's programs, Ta'Mella Pierce explains how Phoenix Rescue Mission focuses on these foundational principles that allow a person to start on the path to healing.

Meet Leecia, one of our Case Managers at the Changing Lives Center. ➡️For the last 2.5 years, she has worked closely with clients in our recovery program. Her aim is to gift clients the space to feel safe physically and emotionally as they process and heal. ➡️She likes working for the Mission because she gets to share Christ with our clients - where complete, whole, and everlasting healing comes from. ➡️ As an important topic to Leecia, she wants to remind domestic violence victims that they are not alone in their story and there are many women who have gone through the CLC that are living testimonies of survival. ➡️Her goal is to continue to support women as they find complete healing and a new life.

Every fall, Phoenix Rescue Mission staff dedicates a week to refreshing - spending time together in reflection, prayer, and worship. This year, our team got together for a full-day retreat, allowing time to recenter our focus on the why behind our work and praising God for his faithfulness. Individually, we spent time with the Lord in prayer and also spent time as teams in fellowship and community. A very special thank you to Marcus “Goodie” Goodloe, Ph.D. and April L. Diaz who facilitated workshops and exercises that kept us grounded in the Word.

Today is World Homeless Day. Recognized globally, the challenge of homelessness is profound and widespread. For many of our neighbors here in Arizona, it is a day to day reality. The 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count reported there are 𝟗,𝟒𝟑𝟓 people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County as of January 2024. Ranging in ages from children to the elderly, homelessness does not have regard for age, race, background, or situation. Today we ask that you take a moment to pause and pray. Pray for each person experiencing homelessness, for every organization fighting to end homelessness, and that God's love and healing will prevail in it all.

Every Tuesday morning for the last 13 years, a group of volunteers have been leading a Bible study for the women living at our Changing Lives Center. At our recent graduation ceremony, we recognized the hard work and dedication of this group. They have impacted hundreds of lives for the better through their support, mentorship, and love. Thank you ladies for being partners in serving the Lord with us. And to every volunteer that serves alongside the Mission, we cannot do this work without you, thank you.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. While a heavy and serious topic, it is deeply connected to the heart behind what we do here at Phoenix Rescue Mission, and why we keep working to transform lives around the Valley. We will share more throughout the month but want to take a moment for our Chief Clinical Officer, Ta'Mella Pierce, to share her story on why raising awareness around domestic violence is important, necessary, and deeply personal.

This is what it is all about! Last Thursday, we had 9 women and 38 men graduate from our Transformations Program. Each of these men and women have worked incredibly hard to change their lives and God has blessed them with His transforming power. Join us in prayer for these graduates and for our alumni who have graduated in the past. May God provide them with protection, strength and peace as they go on to live the lives He has called them to!

Joy, laughter, and smiles were abundant last week on our campuses as 11 women and 19 men were baptized! Please join us in celebrating these men and women who publicly declared their faith in Christ as their Savior.

Our Rescue Assess Place program is the first stop for every man, woman, and child who comes to a Phoenix Rescue Mission campus. It is a pivotal starting point in each person's journey to changing their life. Over the last many years, the continued support from Thunderbirds Charities has allowed the R.A.P. program on our men's campus to thrive. By providing a large portion of funding for building improvements and ensuring the program stays supported, you truly make a difference at the Transforming Lives Center. Thank you for believing in our mission Thunderbirds Charities and allowing us to continue providing a place of hope and healing for people in the Valley!