You’ve probably seen this declaration framed and hanging on a dining room wall — maybe even in your own home:

Christ is the Head of this home, the Unseen Guest at every meal. This statement reflects the heartbeat

of Kansas City Rescue Mission. More than a mission, more than a shelter, KCRM represents “home” for many who have nowhere else to turn. It’s a home where, for over 60 years, God’s providence, protection and provision have been evident. And each time the food is

prepared and the tables are set, it is with the conviction that Christ Himself is being served. For Donnie, KCRM became his home the day Joe Colaizzi, KCRM’s executive director, reached out his hand and said, “Welcome to the family.” It was Donnie’s second time to join the Mission’s residential recovery program for men and he had come with renewed purpose.

“The first time I came here, I just wanted to see how long I could

stay sober,” Donnie recalls. “But this time I completely turned my heart over to God and let Him change me.” It’s a real and lasting change that is evident in Donnie’s smile, his helpful spirit, his peaceful heart. Truly at home with his KCRM family, he has been able to find a peace that eluded him for years. “Fifteen years ago this fall my baby sister … well, she was in her 30s but she’ll always be my baby sister … was brutally

murdered,” Donnie tearfully remembers. “It’s never been solved, and I’ve struggled to be able to forgive. “Here at the Mission, they’ve listened to me and counseled me and helped me to let go of my unforgiveness,” he continues. “This really is my home, my family.” Christmas is a time for home and family and, for that reason, it can be an especially difficult time for the homeless. The staff and volunteers of KCRM are working hard to make each one who comes seeking help feel genuinely at home. As a sort of “older brother” around the KCRM family, Donnie is doing his part this Christmas, too, even helping lead a group Bible study among the men. As for himself, he already has what he wants for Christmas. “This Christmas the gift I’m most excited about is that I have a changed life and a new beginning because of Jesus.”

Christmas Eve has always been a big deal for the Colaizzi family. We gather together, we tell our

favorite “when I was a kid” stories, we sing carols, we eat (and eat!). We pass out hugs and gifts. We retell the story of Jesus’ birth. We enjoy being together, being with family.

And the best part? We do all this at Kansas City Rescue Mission. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

I love Christmas at KCRM. I love watching weatherworn, care-creased faces transform into smiles. I love hearing a Christmas hymn sung with off-pitch, heartfelt emotion. I love the echo of a hearty, gravelly “Merry Christmas!” a hundred times over. You’ve never seen anyone so thankful for a reindeer-shaped cookie or a new pair of thermal socks!

It’s a family reunion, and everyone is welcomed home.

This Christmas we will welcome into our KCRM home some faces we have never seen before. In fact, over the last four months 84 of the

The Connection Newsletteris a publication of

Kansas City Rescue Mission1520 Cherry

Kansas City, MO 64108-1530

(816) 421-7643

kcrm.org l info@kcrm.orgHoliday 2012 l Volume 11, Number 5

l From a Facebook fan personally touched by KCRM’s ministry: “When you help a gentleman regain his standing or footing, you are helping everyone they touch as well.”

l In an email from a church leader who just heard about the new KCRM Women’s Center: “I was excited to hear there was a program to get housing and care for homeless women of KC at KCRM. We are glad to be a part of this hand of God reaching our neighbors with love and compassion, encouraging and challenging them to believe in the One who created them with a purpose and a great deal of value in His eyes.”

l From a C-COR graduate standing next to a bright red car: “Do you like my car? I just got it! And I’m moving into my own place in Quality Hill next week. Man, God’s been good to me.”

Overheard ...

Marilyn and Joe Colaizzi

men who came to our door had never been seen at any shelter in the city. That’s 21 men each month who most likely are experiencing homelessness for the first time.

It’s scary to be homeless for the first time. The feelings of disappointment, loss, failure, fear and despair are overwhelming. For these newly homeless ones, Christmas Eve at KCRM will certainly not replace the home they’ve lost, but it will be a light in the dark that says, “You are not forgotten. You are loved.”

On the next page you’ll find some practical and vital ways you can help KCRM make this Christmas special for our neighbors in need. Please join me and my family to tell the hurting and homeless, “Welcome home.”

Here’s a fun and creative way to help KCRM decorate for Christmas and to send an encouraging note to our homeless guests!

1. Go to www.kcrm.org/ornaments.pdf and download the KCRM Encouragement Tree Ornaments sheet.

2. Print and color the ornaments and write a note of encouragement on the back.

3. Then follow the directions on the sheet to send your artwork to KCRM, and we’ll hang them on our Encouragement Tree!

Help Us Deck the Halls at KCRM!

Deb Dribben and members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church make it Christmas year-round when it comes to giving to Kansas City Rescue Mission, collecting and shopping for hygiene items and other special needs each quarter! “We do this because we care about others and want to help though we are not a large parish,” explains Clay Glenn, the church’s outreach chairman. “Our outreach to KCRM started when Debbie Dribben transferred to St. Peter’s and brought the program from another parish with her. Without her dedication and concern, St. Peter’s would not be aware of the simple needs of KCRM and their clients.”

CRM is preparing special Christmas activities that share God’s love and compassion. Individuals, families and groups will deck our halls and supply holiday cookies while churches provide special programs. To join the fun, call our volunteer department at (816) 421-7643, ext. 134 or email volunteer@kcrm.org. Or, bring your donation to 1520 Cherry Street, Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Gifts for Homeless GuestsKCRM will provide gift packages for 125 homeless guests who seek shelter with us over the Christmas holiday. Can you help? l Backpacks or totesl $5 food gift cards l Bus passesl Small devotionalsl Notebooks, pensl Water resistant winter glovesl Emergency rain ponchosl Single-serving fruit, snacks

l Pocket plannersl Thermal underwearl Antiperspirant l Disposable shaversl Bandanasl Christmas stockings!

Gifts for Residents KCRM’s 40 residents will receive gift packages chosen specifically for them. You can make sure our residents enjoy a special Christmas blessing when you give from this list (new, please):l Sweatshirts or hoodiesl Polo or dress shirtsl Walletsl Devotionalsl Hardbound journals with pens

l $10 coffee or food cardl $10 AMC movie passesl Watchesl Robes

l Slippersl Flannel pajamasl Sunglassesl Dress socksl Shaving cream

Gifts for All When you make a cash or in-kind gift from this list, you’re giving to meet a long-term need that affects everyone at KCRM every day! (Costs are approximate.) l Chapel projector .......$1,200l Fax machine ................$100l Color printer ...............$1,000

K

Each fall Gary Nelson and his family pass out fliers in their neighborhood inviting folks to “Give a Gift to God.” Last year, the Nelsons collected 20 boxes and bags of Christmas gifts listed in the holiday issue of Connection newsletter for KCRM’s homeless guests. This year, the family has already donated 40 new coats, 30 boxes of assorted gifts, a donation of cash and more! “This has become a ministry to us,” Gary says. “We have a passion for it!”

Take Note! It takes only one person to get a church, a business or an entire neighborhood involved in helping the homeless! Are you that one? To learn more, contact KCRM’s development department at (816) 421-7643 or email jlarocco@kcrm.org. Thanks!

Giving Gifts to God

l Laptop.............$400l B/W printer ....$200

Dear Friends,

Just a few short weeks after Christmas, Kansas City Rescue Mission will have the privilege of unwrapping your gift to single, homeless women on our city’s streets! The long-awaited KCRM Women’s Center will open its doors to receive its first guests because you responded to their need for a place of peace and hope.

In the safe, secure environment of the Women’s Center, our case managers, advocates and counselors will help traumatized, often addicted and mentally ill women overcome the pain of the past.

We thank you for answering God’s call to give … for saying “yes!” when you saw the need … for making this gift available to dozens of hurting women in 2013.

On behalf of the staff of Kansas City Rescue Mission’s Men’s Center and Women’s Center, may you have a blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with love.

In His Name, Rev. Joe Colaizzi and the staff of KCRM

Women’s Center Christmas Wish ListThese items will be used or distributed to homeless women throughout the year. l Cotton pajamas, undergarments (new, please)l Underwear, socks, (new, packaged, please)l Recovery Bibles, NIVl Housekeeping suppliesl Push mower, riding mower, weed eaterl Cash gifts to purchase kitchen items and

office supplies

We’re making progress at the Women’s Center! Visit kcrm.org and click “KCRM Women’s Center” for updates.

Your Year-end Gift to KCRM

Now more than ever, Kansas City Rescue Mission needs you to help us build a strong financial foundation for the future. Please consider making a year-end gift of cash,

stock, non-cash assets or a deferred gift through your estate or other planned gifts. To learn more about giving a tax-deductible, year-end gift to support KCRM’s ministries, contact Julie Larocco, (816) 421-7643 or jlarocco@kcrm.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

The KCRM Women’s Center will need folks to bring meals, teach life skills, mentor, sort clothing and so much more. Visit kcrm.org after January 7, 2013 and click “How You Can Help” to discover all the ways you can get involved!

Take Note! We are now accepting applications from church groups and businesses wishing to serve evening meals at the KCRM Women’s Center. Please email us at volunteer@kcrm.org to get started.