Hope for New York

The Bowery Mission Women’s Center is the newest residential program of the Bowery Mission, serving homeless women for over 4½ years. Women come to our Center for many different reasons – fleeing domestic violence, struggling with long term substance abuse, job loss, loss of home and other hardships. Their life stories often reflect great pain, disappointments, shame and broken relationships. All of them come to us at a low point in their lives – needing a safe place to rest, as well as a place to rebuild their lives. We long to be a place where hope is reignited through pointing them to Jesus Christ who loves them and has created them for significant purpose.

The 9-15 month program is geared to inspire them to believe that their lives can be restored, and to give them the tools to do so. The many classes and activities help address their issues, give them foundational Biblical principles for living, and help prepare them for employment, solid relationships, and to develop healthy living patterns. They become employed while at the Center, and begin to save for their future.

When I came to the Bowery Mission almost two years ago as Director, I was introduced to Hope for New York during my very first week when volunteers came to cook a mouth-watering Mexican dinner for us. I thought, “This is so good!” As the weeks and months unfolded, I began to experience the MANY good ways in which HFNY and its volunteers serve. HFNY provides significant grant money for our program’s operational costs, as well as providing professional workshops that equip programs like ours in becoming more effective in development and outcome measurement.

But the area that I’ve personally experienced the impact of HFNY most directly is the host of amazing volunteers who faithfully come into our center in many different capacities. I’ve worked in Christian recovery programs for over 22 years, and I had never seen anything like what HFNY does. They make it possible for us to do so much more than we could ever do without them. They prepare meals, tutor women working on their GED’s, teach computer classes, sewing and knitting classes, financial workshops, mentor women in their job search, participate in major cleaning and painting projects, give Christmas gifts, host fun recreational activities, and help with special events.

So many things…..But it’s HOW they do these things that seems very remarkable to me. There is a pervasive sense of humility and genuine servanthood that is communicated in everything they do. The leadership team of HFNY – Elise and her entire team - as well as every volunteer - seem to have as their DNA the heart to serve in a Christ-like and excellent manner. If actions speak louder than words – and they do – the actions of HFNY communicate clearly to us. Here are some examples:

* When they decorate the dining room on Valentine’s Day, and prepare a special meal with heart cookies and give each woman a rose – they communicate, “You are valuable and loved.”

* When they take the women ice skating or the museum or to Starbucks – they communicate, “I want to know you” and “Friendship is to be celebrated.”

* When they tutor a woman who dropped out in 9th grade or teach Microsoft Word or Excel classes – they communicate, “You can do it!

* When they share their own faith and love for Christ with our women, they communicate that God is real and personal, and that we are all in this together.

* And when they ask me what they can pray with me about, as one volunteer did last week, or type out a prayer in an email, as one staffer did a few months ago, they communicate, “We’re standing with you.”

Thank you, HFNY for standing with us. We feel it in such tangible and loving ways. I really don’t know how we would do it without you! Hope for New York has definitely brought hope and great joy to our little corner of New York City, and into the hearts of our women and staff. And I know that ministries all across this city feel the same way.

Many volunteers have commented about how their involvement at the Women’s Center has done more for them than that they have done for us. However, I think that’s debatable, because I’m not sure you could be blessed more than you have blessed us! But it is my prayer that Hope For New York will continue to experience great blessing and joy as you so generously invest your resources and energy as we work together to reach people in this great city with the Good News of Jesus Christ. God bless you all and thank you so much!