Outreach impacts...

Outreach Ministries is the department of Water Street Ministries that was probably the first to see the impacts of the economic downturn in terms of people seeking services. At Outreach, we provide food, clothing and furniture to families in need in our immediate community. We do this through partnerships with local churches and social service agencies, and through direct food distribution at our Prince St location. We routinely see over 300 individuals or families coming each week to receive food to assist with their household needs.

Successfully serving so many people depends heavily on the hands and hearts of faithful volunteers. The following videos give you a chance to learn a little about some of the volunteers that help Outreach Ministries work...

Thoughts from Conrad, OM Director:

Meet some volunteers:

AH HA! Moments

Since I arrived at the Lydia Center 2 ½ years ago I have always thought of the Learning & Career Center as a place where I would have an opportunity to see the real person as they worked through some frustrations but also it would be a place where I could encourage the ladies to see God in the practical everyday things in life – reading, writing and arithmetic.

Every day we begin our classes with prayer and we ask God to give us “AH HA” moments. We need Him desperately to show His power to overcome some very painful (and for some what feels like hopeless) barriers in learning. We have had ladies with a wide range of academic skills come through our doors. Many come with not only low academic levels but with little or no belief that they could even learn anything because of either poor experience in school, years of drug / alcohol use or a combination of these.

One particular young woman tested with a 3rd grade math level. Almost her entire school experience was filled with being told that she was stupid, she would never be able to learn and other degrading things. She had a huge fear of not only me (being an instructor) but of the academic work. There were many times I had to do a lot of coaxing to just get her into class. It took a lot of encouragement for her to even allow God to do with her academic work what He was already doing in her emotionally and spiritually.

I will never forget the day that in the middle of class she yelled out, “I GOT IT! I FINALLY GOT IT! I never thought I would EVER get this”. What a breakthrough for her (and those who were around) to experience God in an area that had once brought much frustration and pain. She got to experience God in a very practical way. God is SO big and has a heart and desire to be known in His fullest.

- Carrie Libonati, Lydia Center

Mentors matter

Mentors are a special part of the addiction recovery programs at Water Street Mission. Serving as a sounding board and friend, mentors help clients walk through and live out what God’s teaching them. Ultimately, mentors are established as a healthy relationship for a client’s transition back into society.

Here are some comments that Lee, a mentor, recently shared about Don, his mentee.

“Don has made great progress and looks forward to the completion of his GED. You folks at [Water Street Ministries] have poured new life into him – and he is really grateful to you! Perhaps I just came on for the time to assist what you at the Mission have been doing!

It was interesting to me that Don said that he was concerned about me. I think that that is really a great focus change for him – when he starts being interested in other people and their difficulties. We can praise God for grace abundantly showered and provided for Don.”

Days full of joys and sorrows...

Working at Water Street, friends often comment about "how rewarding our job must be." Sometimes I feel like responding, "It depends on the day." Honestly, if our job satisfaction depended on heartwarming outcomes, we'd all be a bit manic-depressive. Thankfully, there is a greater hand at work. Our receptionist, Eunice Kolb, shares below about the ups and downs and her source of hope:

Last week, I happened to meet a former client as I left at the end of the day. He had been a “featured testimony” some years back. He had gone through the program, he developed a hunger for the Word and was eager for fellowship with brothers in Christ. He even got a job, got married, had a lovely child and an apartment.

...Then somehow he was back in jail! What a disappointment! But here he was, now, out of jail, working on getting back what he had lost.

Another day I got a phone call from a former client who became an employee of the Mission for a time. He was going on with the Lord, happily married, established in a church, and rejoicing in the Lord.

...Yet on the same day there were some violent altercations on our campus.

The days are full of joys and sorrows. I am glad that, "my Help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2)

Sharing life over lunch

As I sat discussing the day’s event with a co-worker during lunch a man placed his tray on the table and sat down next to me. We exchanged greetings at which time I found out his name was Geoff. Then he commented on the meal, saying “great food we have up here”. The phrase with the words up here made me question where this man may be from. Geoff said he was originally from Pennsylvania, but had been living in Alabama most recently.

The conversation continued with Geoff sharing how he was led to come to Pennsylvania in search of a job. In fact he had an interview that very afternoon. He spoke with such confidence about finding employment. It was somewhat surprising. Here was a man who had nothing. He was living in the emergency shelter at the mission after hitching a ride from Alabama. It was obvious he had not shaved, nor was he neatly groomed, but he knew he was going to impress the socks off of the person he would be speaking with about a job.

For the next 20 minutes I sat and listened to this man tell his story. A story of how he once lived the high life with a top level job, great house, nice cars and a family. How an addiction had caused him to throw all that away. How after seven years of drifting and doing whatever he could to survive he was ready to change. He had been broken and now he was looking to make amends.

He also revealed the true reason he had come to Pennsylvania. He was indeed looking to land a job, but before he could start a new life he needed to make restitution for his past. There were outstanding fines and other unpaid debt Geoff needed to tend to. This resulted in Geoff spending some time in jail. A price he was willing to pay for the Bible told him he could not be set free until he repaid his debt. Not unlike the price which was paid for our sins.

After serving his time Geoff tried to reconnect with his family and explained his new outlook on life. With nowhere to go Geoff came to Water Street and while staying in the emergency shelter he answered an ad for a job. Despite his disheveled look Geoff must have made a positive impression at his interview that day. Four days later Geoff was offered the job. A very long journey was about to end in peace for a man who had trusted his heart to the lord.

- Keith Shetter, Development Department

After 50 years... a new start

After 50 years of living for drugs and men, Christine* now has a changed life! She’s living drug-free, setting healthy boundaries in relationships and getting involved in a local church. She will soon move into an apartment all her own, a real change for a woman who has only ever lived with friends, family or even strangers. Knowing that the presence of money is a trigger for her returning to drugs, Christine has a payee to help her manage her income and bills.

Christine says she wants to live her next 50 years differently. “I’m filled with gratitude for this place,” she says of Water Street Rescue Mission.

*Name has been changed.

Nap-Time?

Being in school for a full-day can be exhausting for a 4 year old. Because of that, we incorporate a short "nap time" into our full-day pre-K classes at Wonder Club. Sometimes the kids have other ideas...





"The other day at nap time there were about five children that just did not want to nap. You know, feet up in the air, going to the bathroom 1-2 times. They simply would not rest. Nap time was almost over, when I was doing some work. I started to softly sing "White As Snow, my sins are forgiven." Half way through, I forgot the rest of the words so I stopped singing. To my delight I continued to hear the song being sung by five soft voices. When they were finished I started to sing more songs which they joined in. The other children woke up and joined into the song. We had our own little hymn sing, how precious!"

- Karen Smith, Wonder Club, Assistant Pre-K Teacher