Celebrating 10 Years of Drug Court

June 4, 2009

Tonight I had the privilege of attending the Yuma County Adult Probation Office Drug Court graduation ceremony. Every drug court graduation is special but this one tonight was extra special. APO was celebrating the 39th graduation in 10 years. What a record. Retired Judge, the Honorable Tom C. Cole was the main speaker. Judge Cole was instrumental in starting drug court in Yuma County. I was thrilled to witness the 16 graduates receive their certificates of graduation. Families united; healthy looking people of all ages; tax paying citizens; and smiles indicating joy from the inside out. What a testament to change!

Crossroads Mission is proud to partner with Drug Court. Often drug court participants are court ordered to the residential program at the Mission. Once they complete the program at Crossroads, they return to the county program. The participants then complete the remaining “sentence” of the drug court program. The combined support of the residential program followed by the support of the drug court program reinforces recovery goals. Not everyone has or needs such an intensive program but the longer an individual can stay in a program, the opportunities for staying sober are increased exponentially.

Drug court programs across the United States have helped addicts deal with the disease of addiction. Learning to live with the disease or perhaps learning to live past the disease (a better way to say it) is a matter of using the tools of recovery to stay sober. Crossroads Mission philosophy is the principles of a 12-step program coupled with a spiritual “awakening” in Jesus Christ to help people move into the action stage of change. The residential program followed by the groups, accountability, and long term support of drug court provide ample support to people who might very well be dead or serving prison sentences. Please remember that prison itself is something but the prison “bars” created by the addiction itself are just as debilitating as any locked facility.

I was reminded tonight that there are several good programs in the Yuma community for the treatment of drug or alcohol abuse. Some might look at the so many programs as being competitive but when we help make healthier, safer, drug-free neighborhoods, we are united for the greater good—a better community. Drug Court in Yuma County has made a difference in this community for 10 years. Crossroads Mission has made a difference in this community for 50 years. Yuma County’s Adult Probation Drug Court collaborating with Crossroads Mission is paying dividends to this community. The Yuma County Board of Supervisors should be commended for continuing to support programs such as drug court.

We’re keeping busy at Crossroads Mission!

I haven’t blogged for several months and it is just plain procrastination.  Of course, having so many activities during our 50^th year celebration has had a great deal to do with it also.  We are focused on our capital campaign to raise funds for the new family shelter.  Having fund raisers in honor of our 50^th birthday has kept staff and volunteers very busy.  The family shelter is such a necessity.  For several years we have taken families in at the shelter who were requesting emergency shelter and just made do with what we have.  We have been over capacity for years.  Families are housed in one room and sleep on the floor.  While the shelter is crowded, we are proud to offer services that help people return to “normal” living.

Three department directors and I attended the 96^th annual Association of Gospel Rescue Mission’s conference this past week.  Each year it is held in a major city and this year’s hosting mission was the Denver Rescue Mission in Denver, Colorado.  These conferences are structured to be informative, educational, and spiritually refreshing.  The speakers and teachers are solely selected because of their expertise in the topic, heart for mission work, and professional qualifications.  This year’s conference was exceptional.  I hesitated to attend because of the economy but it was well worth the sacrifice.  The information and knowledge that we gained will be shared with the Board of Directors, staff members, and volunteers.  I admit that prior to the conference; I was suffering from burn out.  I am amazed at how God has so wonderfully designed our bodies, that we can be rejuvenated by rest.  The conference was jammed pack with sessions during the day and late into the night but I am home—rested and ready to implement many new ideas.  Thank you, God, for the opportunity to learn, get rested, and feel spiritually renewed!

What a way to end the year!

Crossroads Mission has participated in the Downtown Christmas Party for the Poor (DCPP) for many years so it was easy to accept the lead position at the request of the DCPP committee.  Not knowing what to expect, we decided to have only one day for the celebration this year.  Christmas Day came and left like a whirl wind.  The Mission property, shelter, and kitchen were full of volunteers, staff, Board members, and our guests.  God blessed us with beautiful weather which provided an opportunity for the many planned activities.  Of course, the voucher store was open.  The homeless and needy could shop for warm clothing, coats, and blankets.  The children got to visit Santa at his booth and each received a toy.  Cha-Cha the clown was face painting and was absolutely the most colorfully dressed person there!   I can’t forget the meal..  The kitchen staff went way beyond their normal routine as we served over 3000 meals.  That’s the most meals served on location at the Mission in the history of the Mission.  The volunteers were fantastic.  We try to find jobs for everyone but usually there are more volunteers than jobs.  Many folks had an opportunity to visit with our guests and each other. 

 

At the end of our Thanksgiving and Christmas events, I feel honored to be able to serve even though it’s my job.  Seeing people coming to gather to help us help the needy is overwhelming.    With two holidays almost back-to-back that focus on giving thanks and giving -period, it has been a blessed end of the year. 

Our 3-Days of Thanksgiving!

I know that I can’t always have it my way and I was reminded of that on the second day of our 3-Days of Thanksgiving celebration.  It rained!  In the desert, where you can take chances on almost any given day that it won’t rain, it rained!  I said a silent prayer to God and told Him that it was His day and I was only here to serve.  I thought that His reasons were greater than my reasons.  We would just work around that rain and would welcome it. 

 

We had invited the homeless, had staff and over 200 volunteers standing by!  I learned a valuable lesson that day.  Even in the challenge of feeding over 750 people, God’s grace is sufficient.  We managed to move that many hungry folks through the chapel in a couple of hours. Even some of the volunteers took time to “break bread” with us.  At the end of the day, I felt good about what we had accomplished.  The volunteers got to serve, the hungry were fed and we headed into the 3^rd and final day of the event.  No rain on the last day and once again we were outside with beautiful weather.

 

The 3-Days of Thanksgiving Celebration belongs to our community.  During those 3 days, we served over 2600 meals.  While some might frown on our 3-day celebration, we use that opportunity to help the homeless and needy of Yuma County.  This year we were pleased to have several agencies and organizations join us to provide services.  Cenpatico of Arizona was there.  This is the State’s Regional Behavioral Health Authority for this area.  This professional, helpful, agency helps people find assistance for a wide range of mental health issues and support.  The Humane Society of Yuma sent a veterinarian and staff to the event to give rabies shots and to schedule appointments for spaying or neutering the homeless folk’s animals.  Yuma City and County Housing Authorities were there to help people find permanent housing.  The Veteran’s Administration was there handing out clothing, shoes, and other items to our homeless vets.  Legacy Church and Generations Church stood by to minister to those who had questions or who were seeking to change their lives spiritually.  Greg Luna of “The Barbershop” was providing haircuts.  (Greg had a waiting line of over 2 hours and he gave 17 cuts!)  A big “Thank You” to all of them for attending and serving.

 

Also, during the event, Crossroads staff members are working to find those individual needs of the folks attending.  Case managers complete a survey that helps them  understand the individual needs of the homeless.  They are able to provide referrals for needed services or tell them how to go about receiving programs or services at Crossroads, The voucher store is open to provide clothing, shoes, household items, blankets and coats to folks who need these items.  This year over 21, 000 items were given out.  This was a record breaker!

 

If you missed serving, come see us next year or perhaps you would like to come down to visit us on Christmas Day.  We expect close to 3,000 that day for the Downtown Christmas Party for the Poor and Crossroads Mission’s Christmas Day activities.    Please don’t be worried about the rain or any bad weather!  God is doing His job and we will continue to do ours!

Homelessness as choice?

Of course my interest peaked, as I heard the “teaser” on television.  That channel’s investigative reporter had a startling headline story that Homelessness was Sometimes a Choice.  Being my cynical self, I could almost write the script on what the “big” story was about.  The reporter would be diligent to “uncover the truth,” and I knew it was unlikely that the truth would have revealed at all.  When a reporter seeks out someone who chooses to be homeless they must be careful to choose a person who has the mental capacity to make a sound decision.  The homeless are a vulnerable group and should be treated with respect and dignity. Anyone interviewing a homeless person should consider if the interviewee really understands the question.  Most importantly, does the interviewer understand their question?

 

After working at the Mission nine years, I don’t believe people make a choice to be homeless.  They are thrown into situations that force them into homelessness.  Loss of a job, divorce, domestic violence, loss of a home or any number of reasons that cause homelessness force the person into homelessness.  They learn to survive in their homeless state and then the choice is made to be homeless.  They really didn’t have a choice in the beginning.  There hasn’t been one homeless person I’ve interviewed that was sitting at home watching television and started thinking “I’m going to give up my job, my home, and my family, because I want to be homeless.”

 

Many homeless have low levels of motivation due to years of depression or mental illness.  They may be hiding from society because of anxiety from socializing with other people.  They may be hiding from the law.  Most of those I’ve talked to who tell me that are running from the law are paranoid.  Many of the homeless have been abused, neglected, or had a moment in their lives that something mental just broke.  I see many talking to themselves, even hitting themselves, or simply being by themselves in a world that has rejected them.    

 

There’s a man who I’ve seen walking the streets of Yuma.  Not once have I seen him at the Mission.  He’s very dirty.  His hair hasn’t been washed in months; maybe years.  His clothes are dirty and ragged.  His shoes are two sizes too big for him.  He’s usually deep in a conversation with some invisible person.  Recently, very early in the morning, I was entering a building for a meeting.  I had to climb up a flight of steep stairs.  As I turned the corner to climb up the stairs I noticed that he was sitting on the steps about ¾ of the way up in my direct path.  I hesitated for one a split second because I wasn’t sure what to do.  He looks fairly rugged.  I took the first step and he saw me.  I wondered if he felt the same way about me as I had when I first saw him because he quickly scrambled up the rest of the way.   I continued my flight up the stairs and heard him talking somewhere down the way.   He was crouched down behind the block wall by the entrance to the elevator.  I still hesitated because the man had not made eye contact and was talking rapidly now.  As I walked by him I kept an ever-watchful eye on him.  He was talking about spies, and subversive activities taking place somewhere in his mind.  He talked about government infiltration.    Was he a Veteran?  Did his family know where he was located?  Did he have any one who cared for him?

 

I also thought of the day that Jesus was getting out of the boat and a demon-possessed man approached him.  In Mark 5:1-9, we learn that this man lived in the tombs and cut himself with the stones.  He had been bound hand and foot but couldn’t even be held with chains.  Jesus was compassionate towards the man but unmerciful to the demons that possessed the man.  That man was homeless. 

 

I thought of the man on the stairway as the reporter would make her story line real to the listening audience.  Did she hurt our cause?  Does the average citizen really understand the homeless?   I believe that God intends for us to take care of those who can’t take care of themselves.  The majority of the homeless can’t take care of themselves just as the man in the tombs could not take care of himself during Jesus’ day.    

 

My message to the reporter:  get all the facts; you can call the Mission for information;  you can come visit the Mission and learn much about the homeless and the addicted.    I’m calling the reporter and inviting her to lunch.  Maybe she can get the big picture for her next story.

No easy answers in addiction

There are times that my job it is totally painful.  Working with heartbroken parents is probably one of the most painful.  I answered a call one day from a mother in Philadelphia.  She excitedly told me that she hadn’t heard from her daughter in two years.  Her daughter left home after being diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic.  The mother explained that she hadn’t known if her daughter was dead or alive.  She told me that when she had gotten home from work the night before she had the Crossroads Mission’s name and number on her caller ID.  Her daughter left a message but just enough to say, “Mom. It’s me.”  The mother told me that she understood that I couldn’t break confidentiality but if I could just see her daughter and tell her about what she looked like, tell her to call home again, tell her anything but try to make contact.  The woman was desperate.

 

I contacted the family shelter immediately.  I was so sad to hear that the young woman had checked out about 20 minutes prior to me calling.  She left no forwarding information for the staff.  I reluctantly told that mother that she was no longer at the shelter.  Confidentiality at that time seemed insignificant.  The mother told me that she would have to be satisfied with knowing that her daughter wasn’t dead.

 

Over these years of working at Crossroads, I’ve been to funerals and seen first hand the destruction of drugs and alcohol.  The mothers, fathers, siblings, spouses, and children of the addicted suffer greatly.  I know of one mother who begged law enforcement to arrest her son to save his life.  The officer told her she would be begging to get him out of jail after he was arrested. That officer treated the mother with distain.  I’m sure his curt treatment was the result of his experiences with desperate people looking for solutions to save their loved ones from eminent death. 

 

Family and friends are desperate for answers as they see their loved ones deteriorate physically and emotionally.  Most families have never experienced the dysfunction that is prevalent until drugs are introduced to the family through a member of the family.  Those children that used to sit in their laps, play patty cake, hit home runs at little league, bring home plaster molds of hands, and give the best hugs are now creatures that are strange.  Parents often thank God for giving them their child back after they have been sober for a while.

 

There are no easy answers when someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol.  The best answer is God.  Parents, children, and spouses who learn to rely on God have the greatest advantage—peace.  Sometimes that peace is illusive but God is never illusive.  If God failed us today, it would be the first time.  There is hope in God. 

 

Crossroads Mission’s recovery program, the New Life Program, offers a spiritual, 12-step approach to recovery.  If you know someone who needs help, please contact us at 928-783-9362.  God bless you!

Our birthday party for the homeless – what a blessing!

      Recently, we held a birthday party in conjunction with one of our appeals.   I never dreamed that something as simple as a birthday party could generate so much happiness.  In the past when we have sent out this appeal, we have had the party but it has been very low key.  This year we decided that it was a great way to get the homeless in to the Mission for services.  We didn’t know what to expect but we had advertised it well handing out flyers at dinner time and taking flyers down to the river.  We served cheeseburgers with fries, lettuce salad, potato salad, root beer floats, cake and ice cream.  Our recovery clients who work in the kitchen as part of their JOBS program made the cake from donated mixes.  They made a full sheet white cake, topped that with pudding, and topped that with a chocolate cake.  The end result was a 32 pound cake covered in chocolate icing and decorated with M&M’s.  It was a creative piece of food art. 

     I was working in the kitchen when I heard that we had folks lined out the door.  We served in the chapel on this day because we thought we might need the extra space.  It’s a good thing we did.  We were blessed to have 330 people to serve on this day.  Everyone received a present.  The men were given underwear, a pair of socks and a package of candies.  The women were given notepads, makeup, and assorted other items that women enjoy.  The children received notebooks.  All of these items for the presents were donated.  I don’t remember seeing so many happy faces, laughter, and smiles.  People didn’t want to leave the dining room.  Our friend, Steve Embry, played the piano while folks ate and talked.  His music added to the festivities in a grand way. 

     In the mist of telling folks happy birthday and clearing tables, I was suddenly overwhelmed.  My eyes teared up and I fought to keep the tears from running down my face.  I thanked God for the opportunity to make people happy.  I was sorry there’s so many homeless folks.  I thanked God that we used this simple act for an opportunity to share His love with people who are hurting, in need, mentally ill, addicts or alcoholics; people who face the harshness of rejection, poverty, and survival on a daily basis.  I thank God, in my weakness and inability to see beyond the work, that He takes us places that He wants us to go.  A place of love, peace, and goodness as we share His love and mercies!  God bless all of you who contributed to this event!

God’s in charge!

Tonight I’m writing while I’m visiting the Men’s Shelter.  It’s almost 9 PM. Bed signup has just been completed for the night.  Men are taking showers and getting settled down for the 10 o’clock lights-out curfew.  The humidity was intense in the shelter just like it is outside when I first came in.  Many men have spoken to me pleasantly and respectfully.  Several have expressed a hearty “thanks” for getting to stay at Crossroads because they didn’t know where they’d be if they couldn’t stay here.  Most are smiling but some look worried.  Many look tired and worn out from the heat or from working.  Many of the men are completing chores.  Trash is being taken out; the floors are being mopped and waxed.

 

One gentleman told me he has a job to go to tomorrow.  He feels grateful because jobs are scarce in Yuma in the summer.  Another man told me that he spoke to his family on an out pass and felt so good about getting to be involved with them once again as he continues in the recovery program.  Another man asked me for an Algebra book so he could practice for his GED.  I tried telling him about the education assistance available at the Vocational Career Center when another client began enthusiastically telling him about the educational services we offer.  One man asked for a towel but we were out of them.  The house manager told another guest where to get in the ones that are stashed away for instances such as this. 

 

Some man and woman brought in several bags of popcorn and the shelter case manager is handing it out.  The men are really thrilled over the popcorn.  Another guest just came in from the kitchen.  He had been re-filling the water cooler with ice and water.  We try to keep it full in the foyer so that we have no one getting dehydrated during this extreme heat and humidity.  We often run out of ice because the ice machine is more than 12 years old.  I think it spends more time down than up.  (We are currently looking for a good used ice machine or a donor who could help us with a new one.)  Ice is a commodity that’s hard to do without whether it’s summer or winter.

 

Tonight, in the midst of the need and poverty, there’s a peace here. This kind of peace only comes from God.  This kind of peace comes when needs are being met.  Needs are being met through the food, clothing and shelter that is provided by the kind donors who support Crossroads.  Tonight, I am reminded of how much I appreciate my job and how far God’s mercy extends.  I love being in a ministry that helps people change their lives. 

 

Tonight I’m saddened to know that the dorm is completely full and we have 36 men sleeping on the floor in the chapel.  That’s nearly 80 men that don’t have a place to sleep tonight except at this emergency shelter.  We have never had men sleeping on the floor during the summer time until last summer.  What changed?  Is it the weather?  Is it the economy?  Is the word about the emergency shelter services getting out there?  It’s probably some of all of those.  On the other hand, I’m happy to know that there are kind people who believe in what we do here at Crossroads and support us with prayers, monetary donations, and in-kinds donations. 

 

Last night I didn’t sleep well.  I worried about the Mission’s electric bill, gas bill, and all those other bills.  I worried about the heat and keeping the folks hydrated and out of the elements.  I certainly wasn’t relying on the SOURCE!  Tonight, I know that I’ll sleep better.  God’s in charge—Myra’s not!   Sometimes I forget that!

Why are the homeless homeless?

Recently, I’ve pondered why the homeless are homeless and most importantly why some of them don’t consider themselves to be homeless at all.  Why do they choose to remain homeless?  I’m sure there are some folks who think that if they want to be homeless, then let them stay homeless.  Is it a Christian’s obligation to interfere with what an individual has decided for themselves?  If you choose to ignore the Christian aspect of taking care of the poor, how about considering the idea of human beings alleviating human suffering?  As Executive Director of Crossroads Mission, I have many opportunities to talk to the homeless.  I consider it a privilege to hear first hand from them about their situations and what brought them to Crossroads.   

 

In the past few years, as I’ve watched many homeless come and go at Crossroads and today, I understand that homelessness is a disease.  Homelessness is not normal and it is a pathological living experience.  We know that drug addiction is pathological.  It’s a disease.  It’s debilitating.  It is suffering.  Addiction is a disease because it physically changes the brain.  Homelessness is the same.  I know of no studies that have been conducted to prove that homelessness changes the physical makeup of the brain.  However, seeing the homeless and working first hand with them, I know that their survival skills are different than the “normal” people.  They don’t think the way we do.  The disease of homelessness perpetuates itself in the person’s life.  It’s morbid.  It’s suffering.  It’s debilitating.  It is a manifesting condition.  In other words, the longer a person lives homeless, the less chance they have to become an engaged member of society.  The homeless person becomes as entrapped by their situation as the cancer patient is entrapped by their cancer without treatment. 

 

Engaged citizens vote, pays taxes, serve on a jury, and participate in what this society considers “normal.”   Most importantly, engaged, productive citizens have that all important experience of life as a human being and not in sub-human conditions.  Being homeless is a stark reality. Homelessness does not allow people to be engaged in the normal activities of life.   

 

Come to the Mission and see the faces of the homeless.  Weathered, wrinkled, grim and most with “empty” eyes tell the story of those who are permanently homeless.  Given a glimmer of hope, those grim faces become radiant with smiles.  Hope comes when help comes.  Crossroads Mission offers hope through the help we provide.  We could not do what we do without our partners and donors offering help.    Help us help them!

To blog or not to blog–that is the question!

I recently attended training on staying up-to-date with technology.  I must admit that I am “old school”.  I like typewriters and postage stamps.  I still write old fashioned letters on occasion and feel like I accomplished something great in doing so.   I was thinking about putting my message on the web site so hundreds might be able to read it and was a little unnerved.  Then I thought about the possibilities available through the computer.  My message may help someone understand homelessness or addiction.  My message may give hope to someone who has nowhere to turn and who feels hopeless.  My message, no matter how insignificant, may be that message that God uses to start a change in someone.  I believe that God gives us resources and it’s up to us to use those resources wisely and to the fullest extent. 

 

Blogging gives me the opportunity to share what I know about homelessness.  With nine years of working at the Mission, I have gained a great deal of knowledge.  Did you know that women and children are the fastest growing demographic in the homeless population today?  Did you know that as a city’s population doubles the homeless population will triple?  Did you know that many homeless can’t get a job because of mental illness or other physical ailments that keep them from doing so?  Did you know that most homeless folks never set out to be homeless?  Their situations dictated their homelessness.  Many who don’t receive help are likely to die homeless.  The Bible instructs us to take care of the poor and needy.   At Crossroads Mission our mission is to “rescue” those men, women, and children who need help. 

 

Blogging?  This wasn’t as hard as I thought but I think I’ll still write my mom a letter the good, old fashioned, snail-mail way!   I hope I shared something with you that gave you some knowledge about homelessness or addiction.  Until the next blog…