Dear Friends,

      We have a lot to be thankful for right now at the Open Door and Next Door.  I want to share with you some of our reasons for giving thanks.

 Gratitude for Seven Years of Sobriety

      We just had a party for one of our Next Door guests.  She received gifts and cards from guests, volunteers, and staff.  We were celebrating that she the next day she would reach the 7-year mark since she quit using drugs and alcohol.  

     Each time we congratulated her on 7 years of recovery she reminded us she still had one more day to go.  While the party wound down, she slipped out to a 12-step meeting.  One day at a time.  

     She just paid the deposit for a one-room efficiency apartment with money she saved while living at the Next Door.  This will be the first time she has ever lived in her own place.   

     While she stayed with us she went back to high school and got her diploma.  She found a job and has worked steadily at it for over a year.  She saved enough money to buy a vehicle and got everything properly licensed and insured.  Most importantly, she grew stronger emotionally and in her sense of self-worth.  She expresses in beautiful and direct ways her gratitude for God’s care for her.  

     How could we do anything else but give thanks to God for the wonderful grace in this guest and her life? 

 Gratitude for High School Graduations

     Four of our guests went back to get their diplomas or GED’s  this year and participated in High School graduation ceremonies last May.       Our Open Door & Next Door Honor Roll includes Earlene (33), Onnie (19), Gerritt (21) and Daniel (21).   

 Gratitude for Ron Bush

      Ron was one of our founders in 1970 and he has remained an active part of this ministry.  In the mid-90’s Ron became our Executive Director.  Later he redeveloped and led the men’s program at the Open Door.  Ron has trained and guided all the men currently serving on our staff.

     Earlier this summer Ron retired.  (Well, almost. He still takes care of the yard at the Next Door.)  In June we had a picnic with guests, staff, board members, family, and friends to celebrate Ron’s tremendous service over the years.  Thank you, Ron, for leading us and for teaching us so much.  

 In Loving Memory of Joanne Bush

     Just before Easter, Ron’s wife, Joanne, passed away after a long struggle with cancer.  Joanne chose the Open Door & Next Door as one ministry for memorial gifts in her honor. 

     In the last edition of the newsletter we published the names of those who had contributed to Joanne’s memorial.  Gifts have continued to come in.  New donors to Joanne’s memorial are:

• Kirk and Lois Boeskool

• Dr. and Mrs. Michael Bush

• Darrel and Marci Bushhouse

• Bob and Lois Engelsman

• John and Robin Gissal and family

• Ray and Terri McKinnon

• Mark and Jean Miersma

• Jennifer Montgomery

• Steve and Susan Ossewaarde

• Dan and Denise Osterhouse

• Evelyn Ponitz

• Jan and Bob Ryder

• Bruce and Jean Sech

• Steve and Margaret Vanderwoude

 Gratitude for the S.W.A...T! Team

(Service With Attitude, Today!)

      The 2003 class of “Leadership Kalamazoo” wanted to start serving the community together right away after completing this program sponsored by the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce.  This group of professionals made a commitment to help our guests find employment and develop careers.

     In July the group hosted a picnic on the lawn at the Next Door with financial help from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation.  Leadership participants led us in a game, served hamburgers and bratwurst grilled on our new grill (donated by Wagener’s Fireplace and Grill Shoppe), and built relationships.  The group also gathered professional clothing for our female guests to wear job hunting.  Next, the team is organizing a career fair for our guests & Jeter’s Leaders. Check the Chamber web site for photos!  

Gratitude for the Sharp Smile Center  

      One of our guests desperately needs major dental care. All her teeth need to be removed and replaced with dentures.  We tried several different avenues to get this work done, to no avail.  Finally, we asked Dr. Michael Sharp.  He and his dental office team have taken on this project as a gift to our guest.  They are serving her with grace, enthusiasm and a contagious sense of compassion and joy.  Thank you Dr. Sharp, Marcia, Patti, and all the staff at the Sharp Smile Center (2914 S. Burdick).  Thank you Dr. Gissal for performing the necessary oral surgery.  As Veronique said after a recent visit, “Those people are angels!” 

Gratitude for Open Door Ministries  

   Open Door Ministries, one of our supporting churches, is a Church of God in Christ congregation on Kalamazoo’s eastside pastored by Rev. Milton Wells.  Four women from the church have been leading voluntary Bible study discussions at regular intervals with Next Door guests.  They  have provided a safe and caring gathering for our guests to share deep wounds and fears, and to receive healing and hope.  Thank you Mother Scales, Sister Reynolds, Sister Woods, and Sister Burns for the blessing of your partnership with the women at the Next Door.

   Minister Maurice Reynolds serves once a week at our men’s shelter getting to know the men, staffing the house during our staff meeting, and providing us with insights into faith and life.       Thank you, Open Door Ministries.    

 Art Opens Doors 

   Finally, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church is holding an auction of art donated by local artists as a  benefit for the Open Door & Next Door.  Please note the invitation enclosed with this newsletter and join us! 

   These are some of the blessings I wanted to share with you.  See why we’re thankful?          

            Gratefully,            

             Rick Stravers, Executive Director

 

HEARTY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO CONTINUE

TO MAKE THIS MINISTRY POSSIBLE

 

Received through July:  $120,676

Still needed in 2003:  $86,273