The Allentown Rescue Mission’s three step program provides homeless men with a critical commodity…time. While time does not heal all wounds, time coupled with inner-personal work and accountability can heal, and that is precisely what the Allentown Rescue Mission offers. When men arrive at the Allentown Rescue Mission, they live in the Gateway Emergency Shelter, where they can stay for up to 30 days. If they choose, the men can transition into the eight-week Transformation Program, where more profound healing can occur. After graduating from the Transformation Program, additional restoration time is offered to the men while working for the Clean Team.
A recent guest, Wayne, is a living testament to the power of time well spent. Arriving at the Allentown Rescue Mission, Wayne was an alcoholic and had lost everything, including his family and his faith. Wayne transitioned from the emergency shelter into the Transformation Program. During his stay, Wayne discovered time was a precious gift. At first, the Allentown Rescue Mission provided time to breathe and consider the direction he wanted his life to head, uncomplicated by daily struggles to survive. From there, he had time to focus on his sobriety and address the underlining causes of his alcoholism through classes and individual counseling.
As Wayne progressed in the program, he was granted time to rebuild his faith with God and restore relationships with his family. Wayne became a grandfather while at the Allentown Rescue Mission. And as a result of the time he spent working on himself, he got to be included in his granddaughter’s life.
Since graduating from the Transformation Program, Wayne obtained a job as a machine operator at a local company. By working and living at the Allentown Rescue Mission, he had enough time to save money. This money allowed Wayne to recently buy a car and move into his own apartment in the community.
The Allentown Rescue Mission is so proud of Wayne. We feel privileged to be able to offer men, like Wayne, time: time to forgive and be forgiven, time to rebuild their lives, time to find employment. Most of all, time to be rescued, rehabilitated and restored to their communities.
