Recovery and Transformation
FIVE YEARS AGO, Tim Leusink overdosed on heroin three times over the course of about four months. “I figured I was running out of chances,” says Leusink, who had struggled with addiction for most of his life. Leusink's mother told him about the Milwaukee Rescue Mission (MRM) and begged him to join its addiction recovery program. MRM is an emergency shelter that offers short-term stays for those who are homeless, as well as long-term residential programs. The New Journey program includes addiction recovery, among other resources. Leusink, realizing another overdose could be his last, enrolled. “I've done lots of different treatments in my life,” he says. “They were never long enough for me to create habits of success.”
New Journey lasts for a year. The goal of the first few months, according to Leusink, was just to start thinking clearly again. Each morning, the group met for classes, some of which were about addiction while others were about life skills. The rest of the day consisted of exercise, studying, helping to clean and more. MRM is a Christian organization, and the services provided are available to those of all faith backgrounds and walks of life. Leusink says that practicing his faith with other believers helped him overcome the struggles of withdrawal. “We really believe there is a spiritual element to this,” says Patrick Vanderburgh, MRM's president. “We believe God is transforming these individuals, and we're just providing the place for that to occur.”
After a year, Leusink graduated and left MRM sober, and remains so to this day. He has since returned to MRM as an employee, supervising its donation distribution center. “All the staff here embraced me,” Leusink says. “God transformed my life in this place. It's a positive place to be. It's become a family to me.”
New Journey is one of several programs MRM offers – all of which are completely free of charge and funded by donations. MRM's shelters for men, women and children currently house around 200 people every night and Cross Trainers Academy, its K-12th grade Christian school, serves 500 students from low-income families. Cross Trainers Academy is part of the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. “If you're concerned about the brokenness in society, the Milwaukee Rescue Mission is a place where you can invest,” Vanderburgh says. “We're laboring to help men and women allow God to put that brokenness back together and leave our shelters with what they need to go forward.”
What We Do:
MRM provides emergency aid, such as food, shelter and clothing, as well as long-term rehabilitation programs to men, women and children who are struggling. MRM also addresses the root causes of poverty. MRM's long-term programs include education, job training, counseling, addiction recovery, biblical instruction and life-skills classes.
MRM also runs a K-12 Christian school serving low-income families in Milwaukee.
Where Your Money Goes:
MRM receives no government funding for its shelter programs and depends on support from the community. Donations provide food, shelter and care to those in need. MRM accepts monetary or stock donations, items purchased through its gift catalog, sponsorships, matching gifts, and more.
Central Campus, 830 N. 19th St. North Campus, 1530 W. Center St. 414-344-2211 milmission.org