WWLP NEWS COVERAGE 

On May 15th we celebrated graduation with Richard and Jose, who completed the stringent requirements of our Men’s New Life Program. This year, over one hundred men hit important milestones in this program but Jose and Richard completed every aspect of the curriculum and follow-on requirements making them eligible to graduate. 

Springfield Rescue Mission June 2011 – March 2012 program milestones:

• 19 men have attained 3 months sobriety
• 14 men have attained 6 months sobriety
• 11 men have attained 9 months sobriety
• 14 men have attained 12 months sobriety
• 3 men have attained greater than 12 months’ sobriety
• 4 men have improved one grade level in vocabulary
• 8 men have improved at least one grade level in math
• 11 men have learned how to prepare a resume
• 8 men have completed the Learning Center (3-9 months required)
• 121 men in the Emergency Shelter Program have obtained a job
• 35 men in the Emergency Shelter Program have obtained housing
• 15 men have completed the New Life I Bible Class (five months required)
• 8 men have completed the New Life II Bible Class (seven months required)
• 8 men have completed Biblical Studies (12 months required)
• 4 men in the New Life Program (Transitional Living) have obtained a job
• 4 men in the New Life Program (Transitional Living) have obtained housing

After Jodi lost his father to alcoholism his family was shattered. Jodi was introduced to drugs by an older brother. He kept the drugs "under control" and after high school joined the Navy. When Jodi got out of the military he started using drugs again. He got caught, went to jail and after he got out he discovered he’d lost his job. Home was now a tent.

On Saturday, April 7th we served Easter holdiay meals. We provided hundreds of Easter meals to the hungry and homeless who came through our doors.  Eggs, home fries, ham and rolls made for a warm, delicious breakfast.  We delivered almost 100 dinner meals to our elderly and disabled neighbors and served a home-style Easter dinner to those who came to our 19 Bliss Street facility. 

We gave out Easter baskets full of goodies to little ones came to dinner and passed out the remaining goodies on the street via our Operation SONshine mobile feeding program – what a blessing!

We encourage members of the community to fill one Hope Tote bag for a homeless or poor man, woman or child. Fill bags with NEW toiletry items (family size, regular or travel size):

• socks, T-shirts & underwear
• toothbrushes and toothpaste
• soap/body wash
• shampoo and conditioner
• deodorant
• lip balm
• brush/comb
• hand/body lotion and body powder
• disposable razors and shaving cream

ITEMS DUE NOW! Return filled Hope Tote bags to 19 Bliss Street, Springfield by March 31st or soon thereafter.

The filled bags are then distributed to those in need via our Operation SONshine community outreach van.

To pick up empty Hope Tote bags or receive further information please call Julie at 413.732.0808 ext. 114 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Attachments:

File	Description	File size
Frequently Asked Questions	Answers to Frequently Asked Hope Tote Questions	189 Kb
Operation Hope Tote Flyer	List of items to be placed in Hope Tote bags.	380 Kb
Church Bulletin Insert	Church Bulletin Insert	130 Kb