people - Ruth and Naomis Mission

LIFE at the Mission
From April 1 we have operated our NEW 30 Day Shelter
Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz, Chilliwack Fraser Rotary Club President Gary Armstrong
and Mission Executive Director Bill Raddatz together cut the ribbon and open our new
30 Day Step Inn Shelter April 1. We are very grateful for the support, endorsement and
funding from the Rotary Club and The City of Chilliwack. The new Shelter now houses 12 men and 4 women. They work with our trained Intake Workers on life
issues such as housing, addictions and employment. “Since opening we’ve been blessed with a great core of new Residents. We can now handle a far
wider range of needs. I enjoy seeing Residents engage their challenges with our help,” said Intake
Manager Kevin Slingerland. Ruth & Naomi’s Mission is now able to offer vastly more hands on social services along with our longer
term Residential Recovery programs, and daily services to the community.
“I now feel there is HOPE!”
‘Sam’ grew up in Aldergrove and has been at the Mission as a
Resident for 4 months. He is very willing to share his journey. “My
challenges have involved socially isolating myself, depression and
increasing alcohol abuse. I have felt so blessed by everyones
kindness plus the Christian programs have really helped. I now feel
there is HOPE!” Sam’s self esteem has markedly improved. “Being
around people has been good for me - it is uplifting,” he said
Dean Dumont is our new
Kitchen Manager (Cook) people
at
the
Mission
“I opened my life to the LORD… and I feel His joy!”
A restauranteur, his history
‘Judy’ has been at the Mission as a Resident for 3 months. She
includes time on the street.
would not describe herself as a ‘street person’ however, as for
“God could not have given
many of us, life can quickly unravel. “Because of my addictions I
me a better job, I feel
lost my job and then had no money or food - I was desperate and
privileged to cook for those
hadn’t eaten in 3 days. The Mission has saved my life and helped
who come to the Mission.”
me help myself. It’s a loving environment that has allowed to be
get closer to God. One week ago I opened my heart to the
LORD for the first time and now feel His joy and peace!”
"He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward
him for what he has done." Proverbs 19:17
volunteers at the Mission
EVERY DAY…
We welcome and appreciate scores of VOLUNTEERS at the Mission. They include Main
• WELCOMING –
250+ people
• SERVING –
200+ meals
• APPRECIATING–
20+ volunteers
Meal teams, those that wait on tables, others sort produce & clothing, clean, drive & simply
help. Below are this years awesome Volunteer Award winners who have given over 500
hours; Sue, Kay, Janet, Wilma, Stephanie and Pam (+ Liz Faccini absent).
• HOUSING – up to
26 in Residential Recovery
16 in Temporary Housing
PLEASE CONSIDER a
DONATION
The one unchangeable thing about life is that it always changes!
by Dr. John Gray
I recently picked up a new Resident placed here by the courts from Surrey Pretrial (jail). ‘Mike’ is 40 and was born and raised on a
local Chilliwack reserve. As we talked he openly acknowledged his struggle with current domestic and addiction matters that have
controlled his life and landed him in jail.
He spoke of the pain of witnessing (and being the victim) of domestic violence and witnessing the drug overdose death of his
uncle at age 10. His mother died of drug overdose on his 13th birthday, his father subsequently also attempted suicide. Mike has
felt responsible for these losses and has carried this false guilt and shame throughout his entire life. It is these internal matters that
continue to fuel his anger and addiction. By some standards, Mike doesn’t stand a chance. But he has come to place his life in our
care at the Mission.
Our 30 Day Shelter and Recovery Centre is full of people dealing with similar childhood traumas. Addictions aren’t the main
problem; managing a broken spirit is! Thank you for partnering with us to restore dignity to broken people.
staff at the Mission
We do not often mention our great STAFF TEAM. Over the last 3 years the Mission has grown significantly. We now need to
employ 10 full time staff to cover our 24 hour/365 day operation with 3 locations. Working with Guests and Residents takes
dedication. Our team bring experience, faith and training to their respective areas.
Bill Raddatz
Executive Director
John Gray
Director of Residential
Services / Chaplain
Peter Biggs
Director of Community
Services / Chaplain
Cheryl Giesbrecht
Administrative
Assistant
Please PRAY for us all.
Dean Dumont
Kitchen Manager
Sharon Holburn
Women’s Program
Manager
Steve Rowley
Men’s Program
Manager
+ relief & P/T
weekend Staff
Kevin Slingerland
Intake & Assessment
Manager
Graeme Isbister
Intake Coordinator / Chaplain
ranmission.ca
for
Kevin Findlay
Night Supervisor
Brenda Ballantine
-Clark
Night Supervisor
Heather Horvath
Weekend
Supervisor
Albert Merrick
Weekend
Supervisor
online donating along with news, info, pics and full financial annual statements
P.O. Box 327 STN MAIN, Chilliwack, BC V2P 6J4
(Please note our new postal address)
604-795-2322 www.facebook.com/RuthandNaomis