The Mission developed its first comprehensive program for homeless people in 1993. About five years later, I began to bump into our graduates at places like the gas station and the grocery store. Sometimes I would see a graduate where he worked. One of the first times this happened was at a big retail store. One of our graduates, Joe, came bursting through the swinging doors from the storage room shouting my name and smiling. He was delighted to see me, and excited to tell me that he was working at this store. He said that he owed it all to the Rescue Mission. After that reunion, I wrote the first “Mr. Millspaugh’s Neighborhood” message in Tidings. Over the past 10 years, I have run into hundreds of our graduates, working and living in our community.

    The other day I went out for breakfast, and as I entered the restaurant I saw William, who graduated from our program about 10 years ago. I’ve seen William in the past working as a security guard around our area. That day he was having breakfast with two fellow security guards, all in full uniform. When William was with us, he was suffering from depression so serious that it rendered him unable to work and even function on a daily basis. He could hardly get out of bed each morning. After months of work and healing, William graduated from our Christian Living program, and now, he has been in the same job for several years.

    William, Joe and so many others are now restored from homelessness and are selfsufficient. They worked hard and accepted the guidance and encouragement of our excellent Rescue Mission staff. It’s great to be a part of this important and vital work. You deserve credit too, because this ministry depends on you: your support, your confidence in us, your prayers and partnership. Thank you for helping us change lives and on behalf of William, Joe and hundreds of others. God bless you.

In His Service,



Gary F. Millspaugh
Executive Director