Merry Christmas to all the staff, both paid and volunteer, of the Tacoma Rescue Mission.  You have made this year a great success-changing many lives and making the world a better place-and we can’t thank you enough.  In addition, the board and staff of the Tacoma Rescue Mission would like to pass on our gratitude and appreciation to all the partners and supporters that make it possible to serve the poor.  Merry Christmas to everyone.  (please post Christmas wishes) 

Many people are asking how the snow has affected the Mission and our operations.  Well, for one thing we are very full.  New Life Square has allowed clients to stay around the clock in order to stay warm and safe.  Over 140 each night in the shelter, with many on cots and mats.  The important thing is to make sure that no one is sleeping in the elements during this weather.  Thanks to staff at the Family Shelter as well – they are dealing with many calls and are working with the ‘freezing nights” fund to make sure no families are out in the cold.Also, a big thanks to all the staff of the Mission who keep braving the weather to come into serve others.  Please use common sense and don’t take any risks.   David 

We’re proud of our friends Mike Stoner and Frank Jackson for their work being highlighted on the front page of the News Tribune today.  Mike and Frank went out yesterday to see if they could bring anybody in from the cold- they’ll be heading out again today- and the News Tribune followed along.  Here is the link so that you read the story:  http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/568788.html

Frank Jackson and Mike Stoner from Emergency Services went outside today to try and see if there were any camps or homeless folks who were not yet in a safe place during this cold weather.  Frank reported to me that they did find one homeless man who was in Wright’s Park, wet and cold, who steadfastly refused to come in from the cold.  It was heartbreaking for Frank and Mike, and for me when I heard it, but I appreciated their efforts to make sure this person would be warm and fed.  This reminds me of a encounter I had last winter when I sought to bring in a homeless man on a snowy, cold night.  He refused me and suggested he was “ready to meet his Maker”.  Hard as it is to believe, some people will not seek or accept necessary help.  TRM will keep trying.  As far as the New Life Sq., its open 24/7 for those who seek to get out of the cold and need a place to sleep.  Thanks to everybody for pitching in.  David 

Thanks to the Building Changes Program for a new grant for Tyler Sq.!  Congratulations are in order to Lynnette Grubbs for putting together a grant to Building Changes for a Career Coach at Tyler Sq. that was awarded yesterday.  The Career Coach will help Tyler Sq. residents get jobs, get into school, provide enhanced services to residents who need support.  The great thing about this grant is that it runs for 10 years and doesn’t have to be renewed yearly.  Thanks to all the great people at Building Changes and to the people who served on the committee.  Great things are happening!  DC

Wednesday nights Encourage Pierce County event was a great success and special thanks to all you who prayed for and attended the event.  Over 600 people came to pray and be encouraged about the state of our economy and their specific financial situations.  My brother, Dean Curry from Life Center, organized the event and has been on television and radio a few times this week talking about the event.  I thought you might be interested in hearing some of these events.  KIRO:  http://www.mynorthwest.com/resources/audio_headlines/audio_player.php?a=4724&f=/kiro/2008/12/p_Ron_and_Don_Show_20081211_4pm.mp3KMPS: click on Pastor Dean Interview http://www.kmps.com/pages/1941044.php 

We are very grateful and happy to announce that Pierce County has awarded an additional $160,000 to the Adams Square Family Center.  The county has different funding accounts with which they could fund worthy project and this was from the 2060 fund.  We are very pleased and thank all the great folks who support the program on the 2060 committee and the leadership of Pierce County.   DC 

Seems like most every day someone asks me how we are doing here at the Mission with our financial support.  This morning I’m headed to the Economic Development Board Breakfast and I expect all those bankers and economists will be asking more of the same.  I can’t blame people for being curious, with all the news outlets focusing on the bailout situations it certainly has a ripple affect.  Added to the fact is that there are real layoffs and we all know someone who has been affected in some way.  Personally, I have friends and family that are deeply touched by the mess on Wall Street, some may lose their homes or businesses.  But I remain optimistic and the Mission is meeting it’s financial goals to this point.  The comforting truth is this:  We remain dependent upon the faithfulness of God’s provision even in the best of economies.  Looking back at the years past we have had months that we don’t make our projections and months where we exceed our projections.  We make our budgets and plans prayerfully, then we do all we can to make sure we are communicating our message and letting our supporters and partners know where we are at, and then we just trust and God will provide.  Sometimes we make tough decisions when we have less than we want, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t in control.  My approach since this economic hurricane hit has been to be cautious with spending, but positive in the face of nay-sayers.  We are doing great, meeting our goals and moving forward.  My hope is that every team member of the Mission, volunteer or paid staff, will focus on serving the people and keep a positive outlook based faith in God’s plan and provision.  I personally have been making an extra point to read positive scripture, books, listen to positive audiobooks, and talk with positive people.  Don’t let this world get you down.  In God we Trust.dc  

The past few weeks have brought a lot of concern about the future financial situation in the USA and around the world.  I personally have gotten lots of emails and articles sent to me about how bad it’s been for the non-profit world and how its going to get worse.  On top of all that, I know that many people have lost value in their homes, stocks and businesses.  It all adds up to be pretty scary and overwhelming.  Even while I know all that is being said, I want to encourage you to stay positive.  DO NOT put your faith in institutions, news media, and nay-sayers.  God has a plan for you life, family and the Tacoma Rescue Mission too.  The bible is full of encouragements to “fear not” and “don’t be discouraged”, at times like this we must remind ourselves and others of these admonitions and be encouraged.  The truth is this:  This is a time of great opportunity!  Keep your head up and look for the guidance and direction of the Lord.  Look for ways to encourage and serve others.  If you do this, you will find many blessings and opportunities.  For the many people who are facing really difficult financial struggles, we are supporting an event called ENCOURAGE PIERCE COUNTY.  This event takes place Wed. Dec. 10th at 7 in the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center.  It is an opportunity for people who are in need of prayer to come and have your specific financial concern prayed for, and to receive encourage and direction from the Lord.  There is no offering, no limit on how long you must stay, just come be a part of this event to help cultivate a spirit of faith and courage in Pierce County.  ENCOURAGE PIERCE COUNTY, WED. DEC. 10TH 7-9pm GREATER TACOMA CONVENTION & TRADE CENTER. 

Saturday Morning I received a very touching email from a former Tyler Square graduate and his family who had attended last weeks graduation ceremony.  I got his ok to share it with you.  DC  “Hello everyone.. My name is James Rooth. My family and I are past graduate’s of Tyler Square.. Our good friend Tiffany Salese invited us to the graduation ceremonies on Friday night. My wife and I are so very happy we went. It brought back the memories and gratitude of what the Tacoma Rescue Mission gave to us.    In October of 2004 I was a hopeless drug addict. My only choices in life surrounded getting and using..I lost my job due to using and I received a eviction notice and felt like I was the biggest loser in the world. I didn’t know how to be a husband or a father. And surely I didn’t know how to love myself or have hope for a future. I was in a deep dark hole and just wanted out. I started calling the family shelter while we were packing our belongings and moving them to storage. We were living in our empty home with 2 days left when we were told there was a space for us. We were scared and didn’t know what lay ahead. My family and I came to the shelter with some clothes and was given a room. I knew that God was working in my life. I thought that God had given up on me but the fact was that he had been there all along. I had given up on myself. I had always had the thought that the shelter’s were for people that lived on the streets and just didn’t want to better themselves. I met people that were like me and had just given up and wanted a way out. People that had lost there home’s due to injuries. In fact I had always just felt that I was unique and different. My sister in law was a resident at Tyler Square and we knew we had to go through the shelter to get there. Brandie helped us with the paper-work and after 40 days at the shelter we were accepted at Tyler Square. A brand new start and a new way to live. A-2 was our new home. We immediately jumped in and did everything we needed to do to stay there and more. I finally had hope and faith in a future. I was out of that hole that I had been in for so long. My children were able to look at me instead of down at me. Shortly after arriving at Tyler Square we found out that my wife was pregnant. With the help of staff she got through a very long and difficult pregnancy.My wife and I were asked to participate in a documentary that was being done on the Tacoma Rescue mission. The people from Tacoma TV 12 came to our apartment and interviewed us. All I could do was to give gratitude and tell how much this program had given us. I went back to school while living there and got my CDL to drive truck. We attended meeting’s in a 12 step program. While at Tyler Square the new part opened and we were allowed to move to G-3. I started working and before we left I had gotten a job that exceeded the limits to have section 8. It was time for us to graduate and move on in life. They did not have graduation like they do now when we left. It was such a very special thing at the graduation tonight to honor those people that have come out of the darkness and back to the light. We have since moved back into the very same home that we lost in 2004. We have been here for 3 years. God has given us so much. I give thanks to him 1st and thank-you to all the staff at the Tacoma Rescue Mission. Since leaving we have taken a lot of left’s when we should have gone right but life is about learning from your mistakes and God has kepted bringing us back to the right path. I have been out of work on work injury since February 14, 2008. I had surgery on August 8th to my neck and may have to have another.  My wife does a fantastic job of managing the money and getting the bills paid. Gratitude is a big part of our life today. Listening to the speaker last night gave me that push to remember that. We have so much more than the still suffering addict or alcoholic that is on the streets.Or the mother and children that are being abused.  May God bring him or her to a new beginning at the Tacoma Rescue Mission. I just watched that video from Adam’s Square that is being built. What an awesome thing. I hope that someday I will be able to give back just a little of what the Tacoma Rescue Mission has given me. The satisfaction and pride that you must feel to watch someone climb out the darkness and spread there wing’s and fly. Anyway after attending the graduation I just needed to write this. Happy Holidays to you all and God bless..” James and Angelique Rooth