"Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God".  Mark 10:14

Did you know that nearly half of the homeless we receive at our shelter are children? It is sobering to think of innocent babies, toddlers, elementary, middle-schoolers and teenagers wandering the streets with their mothers because of abuse, neglect, poor decisions or a crisis that left them homeless. We welcome them at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, helping them to discover the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. During their stay with us, we feed them three nutritious meals each day, provide them with bedding and personal hygiene items, clothe them and support them while they learn new job skills and find work. The women and children who stay with us have a bedroom, bathroom, lounge/common area, dining area, playground and laundry facilities to use while they are here. We can accommodate up to 54 women and children and they typically stay for an average of 30-45 days.

Self-sufficiency is one of the critical things we aim to impart to the women who stay with us. By teaching basic life skills, we help them understand how to budget their finances, assist with personal hygiene, guide them on social interaction and teach them accountability. We provide weekly one-on-one personal conferences and counseling if needed. Our staff is motivated to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the light of His truth shines through daily chapel services, support groups and Bible studies.

Your prayers are needed so that our program continues to be an effective outreach to women and children who so desperately need to know Jesus Christ. Ongoing material donations needed include:

• Underwear (new)
• Socks (new)
• Toiletries
• Towels
• Washcloths
• Bus Tokens
• Hats
• Coats
• Gloves

Volunteer opportunities are always available; time and a willing heart are all we need. Call our volunteer coordinator at 269.324.2974 ext 250 for more information.