| Igniting Hope. Restoring Lives. |
Read online.
|
 |
| Dear Friend, |
| With rising food costs and the far lasting effects of the pandemic, the basic needs CityTeam is called to meet haven’t really changed. Our focus continues to be on hope. |
| For the individuals and families we serve, the holidays will be far from perfect — often a reminder of what people have lost. But for us, this special season will be an opportunity to extend a hand up so neighbors in need can experience a different kind of Christmas: one filled with peace, celebration, and, yes, HOPE. |
| We want our neighbors to know that no matter what’s happening in the world, they can count on CityTeam and you. Thank you for standing with us through your prayers and support. |
| Merry Christmas! |
 |
| Glen Peterson, President & CEO |
|
 |
| “Ready to Get My Life Back Together” |
| After a bad injury prevented Daryl from playing football in college, he began partying instead. But it didn’t bring meaning to his life — it brought addiction. Eventually, drinking cost him jobs, key relationships, and everything that was important to him — including his freedom. |
| He sobered up in jail, but upon release soon experienced a devastating series of crises. “My mom died, my best friend died, I lost my job, and I got in a really bad motorcycle accident.” |
| It wasn’t long before Darryl was homeless and living in his car. When the car was stolen, Darryl’s only relief from all the anguish was drinking. |
| Realizing he had finally reached rock bottom and had nothing — not even a change of clothes — Darryl made the decision to get help. “CityTeam saved my life,” he says. “There is a purpose for me. I knew that. But I didn’t connect with God anymore. I knew when I walked in, there was some reason to keep on going. There’s a reason why I’m here. Now I’m stable enough to make some correct decisions.” |
| Rebuilding His Life |
| Thanks to you and other CityTeam partners, Darryl has found sobriety, is back in school, and is training for employment that will pay him a living wage. Most important, he has connected with God and grown spiritually in ways he never believed possible. |
| “I was a real angry man when I got here,” says Darryl. “But now I have more happiness than I ever had. I’m going forward instead of being stuck. Everything out there was fake. I was in the wrong crowd. But I have a good crowd here.” |
| Today Darryl can say, “I’m still working on me. I’ll never be perfect, but God will send me in the right direction. I’m ready to get my life back together.” |
| Thank you for joining with CityTeam to help people like Darryl experience new life. |
|
 |
| Still Time to Provide Holiday Meals! |
| For many families in our community this Christmas, hope will be hard to find, especially in the face of poverty, hunger, and fear. But you can help change that when you join our all-out push to bring our community together to provide food, transforming services, and more to people experiencing homelessness and hunger. |
| Your gift can be the first step toward new hope this Christmas. That’s why we’re inviting struggling individuals and families to contact us for holiday groceries or presents for the kids to open on Christmas morning. |
| Please partner with caring people across our community to provide as many holiday meals as you can. Your generous support will help share unexpected joy with someone in need. |
|
 |
| CityTeam’s Annual Toy Drive |
| No child should feel forgotten on Christmas. But many will because their parents are struggling just to put food on the table and keep the lights on. Parents in crisis won’t be able to buy presents for their kids. |
| You can bring joy to a child and family in need when you share unwrapped, new toys for kids ages 1 to 12. |
| For a toy list and drop-off locations and times, visit CityTeam.org. |
|
 |
| Provide 10 Holiday Meals for Just $20 |
| CityTeam is a place where individuals and families facing hard times can find food, toys for kids to open on Christmas morning, a kind word of encouragement, and prayer to help them get through the season. |
| For many, a visit to CityTeam will be the first step toward stability and self-sufficiency. We’re expecting to serve 11,069 meals between November 1 and December 24. So don’t miss your chance to help a man, woman, child, or an entire family in need. Your gift might open the door to other life-transforming services — including shelter, education, job-skills training, and help overcoming addiction. |
|
|
|
|
