AGRM has just produced a video that depicts the work of rescue missions and tells about AGRM. The video uses part of the Nash 3 song, “Could You Spare a Little Hope?” Veteran songwriters Bill, Kim, and Jimmy Nash, friends of Star of Hope Mission (Houston, Tex.), recorded the song expressly for AGRM. A shortened version of the video will be played at Movement Day in New York City on September 27 for 1,500 church leaders from all across North America. Watch it online and let us know what you think.

Participating missions make Sock Drive a huge success

We want to thank all the participating missions who helped to make The Odd Life of Timothy Green Sock Drive a success! We're still counting socks and are already blown away by the numbers coming in—it’s far beyond what AGRM, Disney, and Hanes initially imagined. In more than 300 cities nationwide, individuals collected men's, women's, and children's socks in support of gospel rescue missions and the needy families they serve. The campaign concluded last Friday. If you haven't already done so, please send information about the total number of pairs of socks your mission collected during the drive to Nicole Daniels. Also, help us track the success of the campaign by capturing all social media and press coverage links, mentions, and hits. Please share with Nicole any pictures, personal stories, or feedback about the drive. Once again, thank you for your support of AGRM and this campaign. We’ll share the final number collected in the next issue of Street Smart.

One down, eight to go

The Northeast District held its fall conference at Word of Life in Schroon Lake, New York, last week. AGRM Director of Member Services Justin Boles was on hand for the event that brought in more than 90 participants from New York, New England, and New Jersey. A great spirit made it a great time of encouragement and learning. The Northwest and Southern Districts will meet later this week. AGRM President John Ashmen will be at the Northwest and Justin and AGRM Director of Member Engagement Selena Hayle will both be at the Southern. Go to www.agrm.org and click on the Attend an Event tab to find out when your district meets, and make plans to be there.

The U.S Department of Justice and United States Marshals Service has asked AGRM to spread the word about one of its Top 15 Fugitives wanted in the United States. Clyde M. Hall, Jr. is suspected of hiding in rescue missions, possibly in New York. To see the wanted poster for Hall, as well as to learn the known aliases he uses and various charges against him, click here.

EAUM chooses new chair

The European Association of Urban Missions (EAUM) held its convention in Stockholm, Sweden, two weeks ago. AGRM President John Ashmen was on hand and participated in seminars, the EAUM board meeting, and was the event’s last speaker. John Nichols of the London City Mission finished his term as the EAUM board chair. Replacing him is Zuzana Filipkova of Slezské diakoniein Český Těšín in the Czech Republic. Several city missions in Europe voiced to John Ashmen an interest in having a partner ministry in the U.S. To be clear, they would not expect this to be a financial resource, but a prayer and training relationship, with staff exchanges, and such. If you are interested, contact John directly.

AGRM has upgraded some components in its database to include a map search for member missions. Go to www.agrm.org and click Locate a Mission. Type in the state and click the search button. All of the missions in that state will appear. Gold pins represent Certified-Excellent mission and silver pins represent Certified missions. All other missions are shown as bronze pins.

Looking down the street...

Join us in welcoming Allentown Rescue Mission (Allentown, Pa.) to the AGRM family. Gary Misspaugh is the mission’s executive director.

Dennis Bender has been named executive director of Union Rescue Mission, Inc. (Wichita, Kans.). He has been serving as the interim director of the mission. He brings more than 15 years of nonprofit management experience to the position, including serving as vice president of the Arthritis Foundation, and as senior vice president of communications at Habitat for Humanity International. Welcome, Denny.

New York City Rescue Mission (New York, N.Y.) will celebrate its 140th anniversary on October 2. The event will honor Jim and Anita VarnHagen for their 22 years of leadership of the mission and install Craig Mayes as the new executive director of the mission.

James Harriger, executive director of Springfield Victory Mission (Springfield, Mo.), was named one of 20 men of the year in the community by the Springfield Business Journal. Victoria Queen, president of Springfield’s Victory Trade School was chosen as one of 20 Most Influential Women for 2012 by the same publication.

AGRM welcomes Anchor Packing Company (Birmingham, Ala.) as a new business member. Anchor is a distributor of plastic bags, rubber bands, tape, can liners, and packaging supplies for thrift stores.

Girl Scouts earn badges for fighting hunger

Long Island Cares and the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County have teamed up to create a new badge focused on raising awareness about and helping to feed the hungry in the local community. According to a Newsday report, the new badge will be known as the “Harry Chapin Hunger Activist Patch,” memorializing Long Island Care’s founder, Chapin, who was a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter. A Scout can earn the badge by doing various activities, including hosting a food drive, volunteering at a local food pantry, writing an essay about hunger in her community and sorting food at the food bank.

Boomers urged to test drive their retirement

As Baby Boomers are moving toward retirement, they're often called the silver tsunami. The nation's largest generation grew up in the turbulent time of civil rights, rock music, and counter culture; now, they're unwilling to settle for the retirement that their parents had. According to a USA Today report, however, most of the Boomers turning 66 still haven’t decided what their retirement future should be like. Some financial planners are urging Boomers to rehearse retirement while they're still working. One company has even launched a free online tool called Practice Retirement. The manual allows those considering retirement to see how long they need to keep working so they have a sound financial future. It also recommends making a gradual transition into retirement so they have a plan.

GM provides manufacturing leftovers to help clothe homeless

General Motors (GM) has begun donating leftover sound-absorbing material to be turned into cold-weather clothing for the city's homeless. According to a cnet.com report, GM has given more than 2,000 pounds of unused and leftover materials to the Empowerment Plan, a Detroit-based nonprofit aimed at providing the homeless of that city a job with pay and a coat. The coat, in this case, is not only self-heating, waterproof, and transforms into a sleeping bag, but is also made from the material donated by GM. The Empowerment Plan notes that in one of the coldest cities in the United States, a coat can go a long way. The organization employs eight homeless women full-time making approximately 150 coats a month.

While the tragic signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or battlefield concussion are evident among American combat veterans, even more alarming is emerging evidence that these former GIs and Marines in their 20s and 30s appear to be growing old before their time. According to a USA Today report, scientists are witnessing early signs of heart disease and diabetes, slowed metabolisms, and obesity—conditions more common to middle age or later. The research is in its early stages, and scientists with the Department of Veterans Affairs are rushing to understand it. If indeed the research points to a form of early aging, it seems most common to those with both blast-related concussion and PTSD, which includes about 30 percent of the veterans being studied in a long-term research effort. There is even imaging evidence of diminished gray matter in high-functioning areas of the brain, changes that shouldn't happen for decades, if at all. The Army, mindful of the strain, is allowing troops more time between combat deployments and has shortened deployments from a year to nine months. The numbers suffering brain injury and PTSD continue to grow. The Pentagon says that since 2000, 244,000 service members have suffered traumatic brain injuries ranging from mild to severe, both in and out of combat. And since the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the VA has treated about the same number of war-era veterans for PTSD.

Stress and depression could affect cancer survival

John Steinbeck once wrote: “A sad soul can kill you quicker, far quicker, than a germ.” Now researchers are closer to understanding why. According to a cnn.com report, a team of researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, found that symptoms of depression among a group of patients with late-stage renal cell carcinoma were associated with an increased risk of death. The chief suspects in the study: cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, as well as inflammatory pathways. Under normal circumstances, cortisol levels should be high in the morning and drop throughout the course of the day. But among patients experiencing chronic stress or depressive symptoms, cortisol levels remained sustained throughout the day, with less of a decrease in the evening. This led to an increased risk in mortality. Two other studies on how stress influences other illnesses shed further light on this process. A team of researchers at the Laboratory for the Study of Stress, Immunity, and Disease at Carnegie Mellon University, found that chronic psychological stress was associated with the body losing its ability to regulate its inflammatory response. The researchers found that over a prolonged period of chronic stress, body tissue becomes desensitized to cortisol and the hormone loses its effectiveness in regulating inflammation. The researchers note that inflammation is a good thing when it's triggered as part of the body's effort to fight infection, but chronic inflammation can promote the development and progression of many illnesses, including depression, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and cancer. The next step for researchers will be to conduct clinical trials by taking a population of cancer patients who meet the criteria for depression and anxiety, treating their mood disorders, and seeing whether outcomes are improved, compared to a control group that does not receive the same treatment.

Military sees increases in binge drinking and painkiller abuse

Alcohol and prescription drug abuse has increased among active members of the military over the course of the past few years. According to a U.S. News report, prescription drug abuse (mainly painkillers and other opioids) doubled from 2 percent in 2002 to 4 percent in 2005. From 2005 to 2008, abuse nearly tripled from 4 to 11 percent. From 1998 to 2008, binge drinking (five or more drinks on one occasion for men, four or more for women within the last month) increased from 35 percent to 47 percent, a one-third jump. According to the study, illicit drug use among active members of the military remained constant at 2 percent from 2002 to 2008. Enrollment in the armed forces’ substance abuse programs have increased over the past few years. In 2010, more than 23,000 soldiers enrolled in the Army’s substance abuse programs, a nearly 40 percent increase over 2006 numbers. During that same period, the number of sailors and Marines who entered substance abuse programs increased from 7,700 to 10,100, a 31 percent jump.

Back-to-School Backpack Success

Sunday Breakfast Mission (Wilmington, Del.) held its 10th annual Back to School event in August. More than 1,200 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed to students in the community. Executive Director Tom Laymon notes that 1,600 attendees listened to a skit about how Jesus conquers lying, cheating, drugs, and bullying, and some 225 children and some adults made decisions for Christ.

Hickory, North Carolina: Executive Director—Safe Harbor Rescue Mission (SHRM) seeks a visionary and compassionate Christ-follower to lead and direct the continued growth of the mission. Responsibilities will include administrative, fiscal, and development functions. Nonprofit leadership or senior management experience is required. Master’s degree preferred. Please submit résumés via email to safeharbor.edsearch@gmail.com. Added 9/15/2012

Salem, Oregon: Donor Relations Officer—Under the direction of the vice president of advancement, assist in overall fundraising and public-relations strategy to support overall ministry objectives. Responsible for newsletter production, website, and social media content updates, special events, and assisting in donor relations and community awareness. BA/BS degree (preferably in business, marketing, or a related field). Minimum three years’ experience in development/fundraising. Job description and employment application available online at www.ugmsalem.org/meet-ugm/jobs. Added 9/15/2012

Columbia, South Carolina: Program Director—Oliver Gospel Mission seeks a program director who is Christ-centered to oversee mission operations and programs. For additional details, click here. Please submit résumé via email to wfields@olivergm.com. No phone calls please. Added 9/15/2012

Tacoma, Washington: Chief Financial Officer/Controller (CFO)—The Rescue Mission in Tacoma, Washington, is seeking a Chief Financial Officer/Controller (CFO). For more information about the mission, visit www.rescue-mission.org. After consideration and prayer, candidates should submit a letter of interest to Linda.Brenna@rescue-mission.org. Added 9/1/2012

South Florida: Dispatch Supervisor—The Boynton Beach Campus of Faith Farm Ministries seeks an experienced dispatch supervisor to join our team. This position is responsible for all dispatch (pick-up and delivery) department operations, reports to the administrative staff member over dock/trucks/dispatch. Successful candidates will possess godly values, integrity, and qualities to serve in a ministry setting, along with supervisory skills and experience (three-plus years) to work alongside our men and women in the dispatch office. Must have knowledge of truck routing and scheduling systems; prefer experience in the greater Palm Beach County area. Education: High school graduate/equivalent minimum requirement. Position hours: Full-time, five days per week, flexible days/hours as required. Classification: Non-exempt. Basic requirements: Must be able to make a long-term commitment (minimum two years); must possess qualities to serve in a ministry setting; supervisory experience (three-plus years) with a proven track record of success; ability to communicate well and foster effective teamwork at all levels; customer service oriented with ability to reinforce and train on what good customer service looks like internally and externally; highly organized to effectively run the pick-up of donations and deliveries to customer(s) homes; ability to teach Bible classes and fundamental Christian principles to recovering chemically addicted students and counsel men where needed; must be computer literate (Outlook, Microsoft Office, and Excel; relies on judgment and experience to plan and accomplish goals; multi-task oriented; personable and reliable with a great work ethic; must be self-motivated and able to follow instructions; live off campus; confidentiality is a must. We seek individuals who have experience in helping men and women establish a strong, personal spiritual foundation, counseling, and coaching to help them rebuild their lives and become productive members of society once program service is completed. Leadership oversees resident work much like that of a foreman where ministry is done during work time with those they supervise. Service-oriented individuals who are willing to work alongside participants in the programs. Fax résumé to (561) 737-2355, Attention: Human Resource Department. Mail résumé : Attn: Human Resource Department, Faith Farm Ministries, 9538 Highway #441, Boynton Beach, FL 33472. Faith Farm Ministries of Fort Lauderdale Rescue Tabernacle, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Added 9/1/2012

South Florida: Dock/Trucks/Dispatch Manager—The Boynton Beach Campus of Faith Farm Ministries seeks an experienced dock/trucks/dispatch manager to join our team. This is a live-on position, reporting to the campus director. Successful candidates will possess godly values, integrity, and qualities to serve in a ministry setting with supervisory skills and the desire to work alongside our residents and employees. Previous experience with dock and box truck operations, driver and safety training, delivery and donation pick-up using company fleet, and supervision over dispatch services desired. Education: High school graduate/equivalent minimum requirement. Prefer counseling/ministry/business degree. Position hours: Full-time, five days per week, flexible days and hours as required. Classification: exempt/management level. Basic requirements: Must be able to make a long-range commitment (minimum two years); must possess qualities to serve in a Christian ministry; dock/truck/dispatch management experience (minimum three years) with a proven track record of success; highly organized to effectively supervise the dock area, train residents, and ensure safe and efficient pick-up of donations and deliveries to customer(s) homes; ability to communicate well with all customers (inside and out) and ability to foster effective team work at all levels; ability to provide biblical teachings and counseling with male program residents; must be computer literate (Outlook and Microsoft Office, Excel); relies on judgment and experience to plan and accomplish goals; serves as “officer on duty” in a weekly rotation; performs a variety of tasks and works under general supervision of the campus director; multi-task oriented; personable and reliable with a great work ethic; must be self-motivated and able to follow instructions; live on campus; confidentiality is a must. We seek individuals who have experience in helping men and women establish a strong, personal spiritual foundation, counseling, and coaching to help them rebuild their lives and become productive members of society once program service is completed. Leadership oversees resident work much like that of a foreman where ministry is done during work time with those they supervise. Service-oriented individuals who are willing to work alongside participants in the programs. Fax résumé to (561) 737-2355, Attention: Human Resource Department. Mail résumé : Attn: Human Resource Department, Faith Farm Ministries, 9538 Highway #441, Boynton Beach, FL 33472. Faith Farm Ministries of Fort Lauderdale Rescue Tabernacle, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Added 9/1/2012

South Florida: Intake Counselor—The Boynton Beach Campus of Faith Farm Ministries seeks an experienced intake counselor for our men’s program. This is a live-on position which reports directly to the campus director. Successful candidates will possess godly values and integrity along with Christian counseling abilities and admissions/intake experience dealing with drug and alcohol addictions. Responsibility over the intake process from application process through to discharge planning, and submitting healthcare and food stamp assistance requests through local county assistance programs. Education: High school graduate/equivalent minimum requirement; prefer counseling/ministry/business degree. Position hours: Full-time, five days per week, flexible days and hours as required. Classification: Exempt/management level. Basic requirements: Must be able to make a long-range commitment (minimum two years); must possess qualities to serve in a Christian ministry; admissions/intake/counseling management experience (minimum three years) required with a proven track record of success; ability to foster effective teamwork at all levels; Ability to provide biblical teachings and counseling with male program residents; Must be computer literate (Outlook and Microsoft Office, Excel); Knowledge of county assistance programs dealing with food stamps and healthcare; organized and able to communicate well; relies on judgment and experience to plan and accomplish goals; serves as “officer on duty” in a weekly rotation; performs a variety of tasks and works under general supervision of the campus director; multi-task oriented; personable and reliable with a great work ethic; must be self-motivated and able to follow instructions; live on campus; confidentiality is a must. We seek individuals who have experience with helping men and women establish a strong, personal spiritual foundation, counseling and coaching to help them rebuild their lives and become productive members of society once program service is completed. Leadership oversees resident work much like that of a foreman where ministry is done during work time with those they supervise. Service-oriented individuals who are willing to work alongside participants in the programs. Please note that potential employees must be able to successfully pass background check and drug test. Fax résumé to (561) 737-2355, Attention: Human Resource Department. Mail résumé : Attn: Human Resource Department, Faith Farm Ministries, 9538 Highway #441, Boynton Beach, FL 33472. Faith Farm Ministries of Fort Lauderdale Rescue Tabernacle, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Added 9/1/2012

Winston-Salem, North Carolina: Assistant Director—The Winston-Salem Rescue Mission is seeking an assistant director with the potential to advance to the executive director position. Responsibilities include managing and directing the mission operations with an emphasis on fundraising and development. A college degree and rescue mission leadership experience is required. Please submit résumés via email to dan.parsons@wsrescue.org. Added 9/1/2012

Kansas City, Missouri: New Life Center Program Administrator—City Union Mission seeks a program administrator for its New Life Center. Lead the team responsible for providing Christian-based counseling and life skills training to the homeless people in the New Life Program. Have a master’s degree in social work, education, or pastoral counseling, or equivalent. For more information contact Debbie Mance at (816) 329-1462 or via email debbie.mance@cityunionmission.org. For more information, visit www.cityunionmission.org. Added 9/1/2012

Warsaw, Missouri: Facilities Administrator—City Union Mission seeks a facilities administrator. This position will assist the director in the oversight of the Opportunity Farm and Camp CUMCITO facilities. Must be able to plan, organize, and supervise work projects for the CLP, such as construction, remodeling, and clean driving record. Must be able to teach Bible classes and provide Bible-centered counsel. For more information contact Debbie Mance at (816) 329-1462 or via email debbie.mance@cityunionmission.org. Visit our website: www.cityunionmission.org. Added 9/1/2012

To advertise in future Market Street Classifieds:

            
Members of AGRM can place a 30-word classified ad listing available positions in two consecutive issues of Street Smart at no charge; additional words will be charged at 50 cents per word. Non-members can place an ad for $25 per issue for a 30-word ad; additional words will be charged at 50 cents per word. AGRM members can renew ads after the second placement at $15 per issue for a 30-word ad. Ads are also placed on the AGRM website. Members can also sponsor Street Smart for $350 per issue. Email desired ad placement to Brad Lewis (subject line: Street Smart advertising). Ads are subject to editing to conform to Street Smart style, and AGRM reserves the right to reject any ads or sponsorships it deems inappropriate for members. All ads are due one week before issue date. 

Parts of the Body

Every day, donations are dropped off at the docks of mission thrift stores and food is distributed from mission pantries. People ride in mission vehicles to job sites, case managers work together to help someone in need, and dedicated community members who want to make a difference lead fundraisers.

I know these activities and many others go on at the mission where I serve, and similar events—large and small—occur at missions across North America. It amazes me how so many people interact every day throughout our facilities and in our communities to alleviate the impact of homelessness.

These many people working together in large and small ways to help those we serve overcome the hurdles they face reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s reminder to the church in Corinth:

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ…God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it (1 Corinthians 12:12; 24–26).

Contributed by Lisa Swallow, executive director of Cornerstone Rescue Mission (Rapid City, S.D.). Used with permission from The Cornerstone newsletter.
 

To contribute: If you would like to write a devotional thought for "Street Light," please make it about 200 words and include at least one Bible verse or passage, and submit via email.

Is something unique and exciting going on at your mission? Share your news with fellow AGRM members by emailing items for "Our Street" to Brad Lewis. 

           
AGRM is a nonprofit organization committed to furthering rescue missions. AGRM provides limited space in "Market Street" for advertising opportunities, services, and products to advance the cause of rescue missions. AGRM is not responsible for the claims made by its advertisers and reserves the right to select or reject any advertising, in the sole discretion of AGRM, for any or no reason.  
           
PRIVACY: Protecting your privacy is very important to us at AGRM. We will not rent, sell, or exchange your e-mail address with a third party for any purpose.
            
All Scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, unless otherwise noted. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
            

Street Smart is sent to you as a member service of AGRM, and is published on the 1st and 15th of each month (unless those dates fall on a weekend or holiday). The content does not necessarily represent the views of or imply endorsement by AGRM. To submit items for publication, e-mail editor@agrm.org. To unsubscribe, email unsubscribe@agrm.org.             

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