Carissa lost everything... But you helped her find hope!
Constant hunger, nowhere to sleep, complete hopelessness…Carissa remembers her experience of homelessness like it was yesterday.
“I would be very hungry, have no place to sleep, and just feeling really, really hopeless,” Carissa admits. But the deepest sorrow that weighed Carissa down was the shame and guilt she felt at losing custody of her son. “Missing my child — not being in his life — the shame and guilt of that was really hard.”
Carissa blamed herself for all that had gone wrong. “I hated my life, really. I was a meth and alcohol user. I was also a sex worker.” And when the shame and guilt grew especially heavy, Carissa acknowledges, “There were days where I wanted to go to sleep and never wake up again.”
Yet, Carissa’s light in the darkness was a friend who was walking through Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission’s recovery program for women. “I remember talking to her and she was really happy. And she had hope. I knew that was something I wanted in my life.”
From that moment on, Carissa called the Mission every day until there was an opening for her, too. Finally, when a place opened for Carissa, she felt excited but nervous. “I was leaving my whole life behind as I knew it!”
With the love she received from the Mission’s staff, it didn’t take long for Carissa to settle into her new life. “I was treated with love and respect. That was life-changing for me because I didn’t feel like I was worthy of it.”
Slowly, Carissa began to believe that she was worthy of love. She let go of her shame and guilt. “Then, I got my son back. He came to live with me. And I learned tools to be a good mom, overcome trauma, and be open to healing.”
Now, after graduating from the women’s recovery program, Carissa has a new outlook on life. “I just want to give back to other people. I’m just really hopeful about carrying on the love I received to others who need it.”
Thank you for giving Carissa a place to go where she could turn her life around! This Easter season, you can help others who have lost everything find hope again.
Thanks to you, since the shelter’s opening, 248 women and 152 children have found the love and support they need for a new life through case management, resources for housing, employment assistance, Bible studies, chapel, and more! You’re providing women and children with a path to a new life!
President's message
Have you ever walked past someone experiencing homelessness and struggled to see past their rough exterior? It’s natural to view people through their outward appearance. But Scripture tells us that the Lord has a different perspective. God looks past our physical appearance…and sees our heart.
When God looks at our homeless neighbors, I truly believe that He sees His children. He sees a man or woman whom He knit together. He sees the person He’s created them to be. When you invest in helping our lost neighbors become found, you invest in helping men and women reclaim their identities. You help them restore their self-worth. You help them see themselves as loved children of God.
As we approach this Easter season, thank you for joining us in empowering men and women to get off the streets and step into the fullness of all that God has created them to be. Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, may they boldly proclaim, “I once was lost, but now I’m found!”
— Scott Chin, President of Seattle's Union Gospel Mission
Help others like Carissa find hope and healing!
Few would argue against the fact that the greater Seattle area is one the most beautiful regions in the world. Deep emerald trees layered against the sparkling Puget Sound take your breath away. But even more beautiful than the landscape are the people who call this city home — people like you who care for their neighbors. People who want to see every man, woman, and child thriving!
Your gift will help rescue a man, woman, or child experiencing homelessness. You’ll help deliver food, shelter, recovery services, AND hope that leads to physical and spiritual restoration.
This is the life-changing care our neighbors need to move from surviving to thriving! Thank you for your compassion and generosity.
