bed bath beyond bridle registry

Special Edition
OPPORTUNITY
KNOX
A Publication of Knox Area Rescue Ministries
August 2013 | Volume 4 - No. 6
waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
“ Iand
he turned to me and heard my cry. He
lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of
the mud and the mire. He set my feet on
solid ground and steadied me as I walked
along. He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see
what he has done and be amazed.
Psalm 40:1-3
”
Kenny is living this scripture. He waited for the Lord to
help him. The Lord heard his cry, and he was lifted out
of the mud. However, Kenny’s journey isn’t over. He’s still
homeless, but there is exciting new hope! Once completed,
KARM’s transitional housing will give Kenny and others
like him an even firmer foundation for a new life.
After completing KARM’s four-week LaunchPoint class,
Kenny is singing a new song filled with hope for his future.
Through the class, he not only learned what his options are,
but he developed a realistic, Christ-centered action plan for
his new life going forward.
“Once the students graduate from LaunchPoint they
are ready to work their plan,” said Burt Rosen, KARM
President and CEO. “One key piece is still needed,
however, and that is transitional housing.”
housing represents solid
“ Transitional
ground.
”
-Burt Rosen
“Transitional housing provides the environment for a
person to execute God’s plan for their life. This floor
fills the gap between homelessness and a private home,
allowing the person to take the deliberate steps needed
to move forward, with the help of their mentor. The
combination of LaunchPoint and transitional
housing dramatically increases the likelihood of long
term sucess,” Rosen continued.
After LaunchPoint, graduates may choose to enter one
of our job training programs such as Abundant Life
Kitchen food service training, while others may seek
employment. By having the “firm ground” that
transitional housing offers, the men will move into
rooms that are designed for study and proper rest.
Continued on page 2
It can be overwhelming to face the mountain of obstacles
every day. But the staff and my mentor helped me take it
one step at a time.”
there is going through the
“Everybody
same thing. They’ll lift each other up.
”
-Randy Kelly
This “firm ground” includes a common area for group
meetings, mentoring space, laundry facilities, and other
features that foster the healthy relationships developed during
LaunchPoint.
“This is an important addition to LaunchPoint and to
KARM,” said Randy Kelly, a 2012 LaunchPoint graduate.
Randy, who is now employed, living on his own, and engaged
to be married, said, “Transitional housing will provide a solid
support system. People won’t be as likely to make bad
choices. Everybody there is going through the same thing.
They’ll lift each other up.”
While each resident of transitional housing will have a
different story, they’ll share the common goal to one day
have a safe home of their own, with homelessness
becoming only a part of their testimony.
As you walk the halls of this new floor, smell the fresh
paint, and envision the hope reignited, you’ll know in
your heart this is going to be a place where the old has
gone and the new has truly come.
“ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new
creation has come: The old has gone, the
new is here. ”
2 Corinthians 5:17
As he thought about his story, he said, “It’s hard to make
things happen. LaunchPoint teaches you the steps to get you
back on your feet.
Page 2
Randy, a former guest at KARM, now has his
own apartment and a job to support himself.
LaunchPoint students participating in class.
KARM’s New Ministry
Transitional Housing
Supplies are
needed to
furnish the
floor.
Help change lives by supporting KARM’s new transitional
housing ministry.
LaunchPoint graduates have a plan to end their homelessness. After completing four weeks of classes, students have
a new sense of hope for a successful future. They have life
coaches and volunteer mentors. And now, they have a new,
but temporary, place to live while they work their plan and
realize the future God has planned for them.
2-5 men in
each room.
LaunchPoint Students are
Moving Forward
I can and will get out of homelessness.
With God in my life , I know I will
be able to make it through this tough
chapter.
-Henry
Things have to change in my life .
And with the help of KARM and the
LaunchPoint program, I’m starting to
see change for the good!
- John
Being homeless doesn’t define me .
-Dedra
Through KARM’s transitional housing, LaunchPoint
graduates will now live in community with one another.
Together they will face the daily challenges and victories as
they seek employment, train for a new job, restore broken
family relationships, regain their health, and secure a safe,
affordable new home of their own.
But these new doors can’t open until the new rooms are
equipped. You can help by providing the bedding, toiletries
and general living supplies needed so that we can open our
doors this fall! See page four to find out how you can help!
LaunchPoint has been a great
stepping stone for me . I’ve been
introduced to many resource agencies
in the area and now I can get the
help I need to move forward in life .
-Chris
Want to help? See back for details!
Page 3
HELP
FURNISH
FLOOR!
THE
Visit our gift registry!
Here’s how:
1
Make a donation today OR
visit our gift registry at www.bedbathandbeyond.com
2
Search for KARM’s registry...
First Name: Knox Area
Last Name: Rescue Ministries OR
3
YOU CA
N
HELP!
Gift Registry #: 13472643
Purchase the item(s) you wish to contribute.
Bring your gift to KARM on September 29 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
and join us for an open house and tour the new floor.
“…many will see what He has done and be amazed.” Psalm 40:3
We hope you will “come and see.” You will be amazed!
Other ideas!
1. Host a shower at your church. Invite your church members to a “Shower to End Homelessness.” Arrange for KARM
to send a speaker to your event and your guests can bring shower gifts using the same Bed, Bath & Beyond gift
registry. KARM will also help you coordinate the pick-up and delivery of the gifts to the ministry.
2. Not a shopper? You can donate to the project, and we’ll purchase the gift registry items on your behalf.
3. Prefer to shop online? Visit KARM’s registry at www.bedbathandbeyond.com. You can order and ship your gift
directly to KARM (418 N. Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917; Attn.: Angie Sledge).
www.karm.org/transitionalhousing
Knox Area Rescue Ministries - 418 N. Broadway - Knoxville, TN 37917 - 865.673.6540 - www.karm.org