A Letter from Rev. Joe Colaizzi, Executive Director
Faithful — that’s the word that strikes me as I think about celebrating the Kansas City Rescue Mission’s 60th anniversary of service to the homeless and hungry people of Kansas City.
God has been faithful since KCRM was founded in 1950 … providing donors, volunteers, staff and His guidance as we’ve navigated sometimes-rough waters over the years. Whether it was the difficult, but finally miraculous move from the River Market to our current location on Cherry Street — or the disappointments and triumphs of helping addicted men find hope after long years of pain, God’s faithfulness has prevailed.
His faithfulness was at work my very first day at KCRM back in 1985 when George, a long-time homeless guest of the Mission, met me at the door.
Who would have believed this gruff and ragged man would someday become “Grampa George” to my children and lead us in renovating our deteriorated old building from top to bottom!
Tim, a seemingly hopeless alcoholic, was beaten and left for dead in front of the Mission a few years after that. Tim had an answer for everything and stubbornly refused any help we offered, except an occasional meal or clothing. His “home” was the street or an abandoned building nearby.
God’s faithfulness was evident when, in 1994, Tim attended an AA meeting led by a KCRM staff member and allowed God to change his heart. Today, with 15 years of sobriety behind him, he is a treasured member of our staff helping others find sobriety and salvation, too.
And God is still faithful! In 2009, more than 1,500 individuals came to KCRM’s doors where they were warmly welcomed and received wholesome meals, safe shelter, medical care, case management and spiritual guidance.
Like George and Tim, each man we welcomed had his share of struggles and shame. And, just like George and Tim, each man needed God’s faithfulness in his life.
John is one of many men who found hope through our Christian Community of Recovery in 2009. After 20 years of alcoholism and homelessness, John joined our recovery community last summer. As 2010 begins, he has established a relationship with his 14-year-old daughter, a child he’d never met, and he has a new job, a new heart and new hope for the future.
And we know God’s faithfulness will continue as we — and friends like you — renew our commitment to care for, feed and shelter the homeless individuals who cry out for our help.
Will you partner with the Kansas City Rescue Mission again in 2010? Will you commit along with us to provide nutritious food, warm beds and hope for the future to these hurting people who seem so lost and alone?
We are counting on you — please, won’t you join us?
Blessings in 2010,
Rev. Joe Colaizzi
Executive Director
