Christian Living Waiting List Expands

To make sure even more men can experience the Life Skills education provided in the Christian Living & Values Program, it recently increased the content of its Waiting List Phase. this should help more men enroll in the "Day Program" Phase, where their daily schedule is filled with classes aimed at helping participants achieve self-sufficiency.

Men on the Waiting List can have up to 9 weeks to wait to enroll in the "Day Program" Phase. They now have daily classes, Bible study, and community service activities scheduled to keep them productively engages until the next class session begins.

Jeff and Shane were among the first men to enter Christian Living's newly expanded Waiting List phase. Both men are in their early twenties, and have had difficulty finding work due to the economy. When asked about their future goals, both men stressed that they want to "graduate from Christian Living. This will be the first of many short and long-term goals the men will set for themselves in the Christian Living & Values Program.

You say "Tomato"...I say...

Back in April we offered tomato seeds to our supporters, as a reminder of the "Seeds of Hope" which are planted at the Mission, sown into the lives of the homeless men we serve.

The small packets had a great deal of potential; in the right environment, with care and nurture, it could yield up to 100 lbs of delicious tomatoes! We encouraged our supporters "feed your family, share with friends, and perhaps send a few to the Mission."

The tomatoes are starting to ripen, and we are grateful for our friends who are sharing with us. We continue to provide "homegrown" services for homeless people right here in the Lehigh Valley.

Personal Care Donations

Each year the Mission serves between 700-800 men, all in need of personal care products. We recently received a large donation of travel-size personal care items from a donor who travels for work. The size is perfect for men served in our Gateway Center. It's length of stay is 14-days. Larger size products are also needed, for men in our long-term program. Any item, big or small, is appreciated. You can find a list of needed items on the Mission's Needs List page http://www.allentownrescuemission.org/needed.php . Thank you to all our generous donors!

Formerly Homeless Emergency Shelter Guest Becomes Donor

Hollis had just moved to the Lehigh Valley from Quakertown and was working at a local restaurant. He was arrested and spent a month in jail before being acquitted of the charges. Long enough, though, to lose his job and housing, which was a month-to-month efficiency.

He came to the Allentown Rescue Mission's Emergency Shelter in September of 1994, and soon enrolled in the Christian Living and Values Program. He stayed in the program for 6 months, then moved into another local ministry, where he stayed for a month. Eventually, he went to live with a friend, which was not a good situation. He admits he "slipped" and needed help.

But Hollis used it as a learning experience. he says he again turned to God and went into a treatment program. Even then, he struggled. In 1996, he returened for a two-week stay in the Mission's Emergency Shelter until he saved enough to rent an apartment. He worked a variety of jobs: in a pizza shop, a car wash, and telemarking at a loan company. This last job opened doors for Hollis, as he worked his way up from telemarker to junior loan officer, to loan officer.

He was able to buy a house, and worked at a bank. Eventually, he bought a second house and continues to rent out the first one. Hollis consistently donates to the Mission through the years, first giving back the clothes he received when he initially came to the Mission. Then, he continued the tradition by donating other items the Mission needed, and as he was able, began donating cash.

Hollus considers it a joy to give back. "if it wasn't for the Mission, I wouldn't have two houses and be drug-free," he says. "The Mission planted inital seeds that the other places watered."

Mission and Mayfair

You can save $1 off Mayfair admission and help the Mission at the same time! Mayfair is collecting rolls of paper towels and spray cleaner at its admission gates for the Mission. Everyone who brings an item will receive $1 off regular admission or $2 off a multi-day pass! The Mission is grateful for this partnership; cleaning products are always needed at the Mission, to keep it clean for the homeless people we serve.

Mayfair Festival of the Arts showcases visual and performing arts in Cedar Beach Park in Allentown. The festival runs Thursday, May 27th through Monday, May 31st. For more information on the festival, visit http://www.mayfairfestival.org/.

Gunther's Left Wing/Right Wing Challenge Sponsors More Than 500 Wings!

"Egged on" by Bobby Gunther Walsh of WAEB AM 790, listeners participated in a friendly competition, calling in to sponsor either Left Wings or Right Wings at $5 each.

By noon on Friday, April 30th, the Right Wingers were soaring with 504 wings sponsored. The Left Wingers sponsored 32 wings, for a total of 536 wings. This raised $2,680--something to crow about--before the dinner began!!

Our thanks to Gunther, WAEB & its listeners for their support!

Chicken Feed Dinner to Support the Mission is a Success!

The Chicken Feed Dinner to support the Allentown Rescue Mission served 321 guests and raised over $19,000! Sixty-five volunteers pitched in to make this event a success.

Our thanks to our sponsors:

Super Chicken Sponsor:
Kutztown Folk Festival

Big Bird Sponsor:
Mr. Bill's Poultry Market

Nest Egg Sponsors:
Bethany United Methodist Church
Brownback Mason & Associates
Chicken Little & the Big Red Chicken
Embassy Bank
Foster Contracting
McAuliffe Hauling and Recycling
Pepsi Bottling Group
W.J. Stiver & Associates

Flock Sponsors:
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Balf
Gannon's Gourmet Foods
Karen Grim-Bogdan
Interstate Fleets, Inc.
Johsua's Tree
Michael Mutarelli
Thomas Nowakowski, Jr.
Brad & Janice Osborne
Melanie Sanchez-Jones
Stotz & Fatzinger Office Supplies
YMCA, Allentown

Wing and A Prayer Sponsors:
Jordan United Church of Christ, South Whitehall
St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Allentown

Chicken Nugget Sponsors:
Brickote
Bill Dickinson
New China Buffet
William Pummer, Jr.
Steven Ziminsky

A special thank you to Asbury United Methodist Church for hosting the Chicken Feed...And MANY thanks to our wonderful volunteers!