Thanksgiving is coming!

Dear Friend,

It’s easy to be thankful when everything is going right. But if you lost your job and your home, could you still be thankful?

For most residents at Hope Gospel Mission, the answer is “Yes!” They’re thankful for simple things like a good meal and a warm place to enjoy it. They appreciate the sense of family they find here. Most of all, they’re thankful to see better days ahead.

When a homeless neighbor comes to Hope Gospel Mission, they’re all out of hope. With each hardship that brought them to this point in their life, hope got a little farther out of their reach.

Your support for Hope Gospel Mission brings hope a little closer with every meal, every hour in class, every friendly greeting they receive. Soon, life doesn’t look quite so desperate. And as hurt turns into hope, our residents find more to be thankful for ... every day of the year.

This Thanksgiving season, I wish you more blessings than you can count. You have blessed us and our residents. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Sandi Polzin
Executive Director

P.S. Your friendship means so much to everyone at Hope Gospel Mission. If you have time, please come by for a meal and tour and say hello!

Drake became chemically dependent on hard drugs at the age of 13. For years he relied on a needle to get his fix.

By the age of 28, he had lost everything. His family lost all hope for him. They didn’t know how to help him anymore, and he became homeless. He stayed in a shelter, going in and out of rehab. No one had hope for him.

One day, he heard about a friend whose life was transformed at Hope Gospel Mission. Everyone in Drake’s life encouraged him to give it a try. He had spent so much time looking for a way out of his addiction and poor lifestyle choices. Nothing had worked, but he was willing to try.

When he walked through the doors, he didn’t know what to expect. What came was nothing less than miraculous. By the grace of God, Drake has remained sober since that day.

Drake got connected with a great church and worked hard at recovery for a year and a half. He completed the Renewed Hope Program in July 2019.

“You learn a lot — from vocational to spiritual.”

Drake is now reunited with his family. They are incredibly proud of him. Now, he strives to share his story with those in the same place he was two years ago. He is currently in the Discipleship Transitions Program, preparing to serve the Lord wherever God calls him.

Drake knows he is blessed. His powerful encounter with God set him free from addictions he thought were unbreakable.

The recovery programs provided free of charge at Hope Gospel Mission are a true expression of the generosity of friends who care. Thank you for that. You are part of giving new life to people held captive by addictions. They and their families thank you from the heart.

“Somehow, I feel like God eased me into the program and eased me out of the withdrawals and symptoms. It seemed abnormal, but I knew God was working.”

Names and photos in stories may have been changed for privacy.

We will soon celebrate our very first Thanksgiving in the Hope Renewal Center for Men. We have a wonderful new kitchen and larger dining room for hosting Community Dinners, nightly dinners for residents and monthly Celebration Dinners. The new facility has space to accommodate 46 men while they participate in our three recovery programs.

1. Short Stay: While in the Short Stay program, those in need receive clothing, food and a place to sleep. During their stay they address short-term problems in their lives, such as transitioning between jobs or housing situations. Some residents decide to take a bigger step of commitment to growth by joining our long-term Renewed Hope program.

2. Renewed Hope: Residents work with counselors in eight different areas of life to help them become all that God created them to be. Academics, addictions, finances, life skills, mental health, nutrition/fitness, spirituality and employment are all addressed to help each person holistically build a new foundation for their fresh start.

3. Discipleship Transitions: Upon completion of the Renewed Hope Program residents have a job and receive a car. Then they have the ability to continue living at Hope Gospel Mission for an additional year to further learn and grow in faith as they transition to independent living. The new Hope Renewal Center for Men now has an area specifically designed for this program.

We are looking forward to our first Thanksgiving Community Dinner in the new Hope Renewal Center for Men!

This event is a highlight in our community where many come together to give thanks and enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal. No one should be alone on Thanksgiving. Our doors are wide open to welcome all.

Preparations start the week before and continue until Thanksgiving Day. And many volunteers help to make this day a success.

If you are interested in volunteering to make this Thanksgiving a day to remember, please contact Linda, Community Relations Coordinator, at 715-491-0905 for more details.

Linda can also help you get connected with other Mission volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

You are very much a part of blessing our community and especially those going through hard times.

Once a week, Trinity Equestrian Center opens their barn doors to women staying at Hope Gospel Mission.

Like people, horses are social beings. This innovative therapy allows for women to connect with these perceptive creatures.

With the horses' responses and the team's guidance, we work on: communication, triggers and coping, setting boundaries, overcoming fear and creating trust. The outcome is a beautiful combination of hope and healing.

Gifts given in Memory

Persons being honored are listed first.

Adeline Kelly Campbell, Matt and Deborah Campbell
Al Corneiller, Floors 'n More
Alec Johnson, Daniel L and Isabelle Johnson
Andrew Brame, Kim and Mark Chandler
Anita Cooley and Ruth Hanson, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hanson
AZA, Carol and Donald Sandberg
Bernard and Lucille McDonald, Mary McDonald
Bernice Gessner, Allen Gessner
Brent Talledge, Jinny Juntumen
Bruce Bigelow, Ramona Joy Purnell
Carl Sudbrink, Lori Sudbrink
Carol Bump, Gene Bump
Carolyn Olkives, Alan and Shirley Olkives
Castella White and Dale Kinney, Chuck Johnson
Charles Peck, Dan and Patricia Jankee
Charles Peck, Robert and Karen Hayes
Charles Peck, Frederick C Peck and Joanne L Schilling
CJ Robinson & Lynne Farmer, Justin & Heather Knutesen
Darlene Yarrington, David L Yarrington
Darrin W Plantz, Gregory and Dorothy Plantz
Daryl Dahl, Rick A Nelson
David "Woody" Woodruff, William L Hrdlicka
David "Woody" Woodruff, Julie and Randall Woodruff
David "Woody" Woodruff, Charles Rasmussen, DDS
David "Woody" Woodruff, Craig and Sarah Conklin
David "Woody" Woodruff, Don and Kathlyn Geissler
David "Woody" Woodruff, Dorothy McLernon
David "Woody" Woodruff, Neil and Lori Lundgren
David "Woody" Woodruff, Joan Peterson
David "Woody" Woodruff, Roger and Marilyn Engen
David "Woody" Woodruff, Barbara Woodruff
David "Woody" Woodruff, Anonymous
David "Woody" Woodruff, Ronald and Patricia Morning
David "Woody" Woodruff, Dunn County Sheriff's Dept.
David "Woody" Woodruff, Terry and Patricia Bengtson
David "Woody" Woodruff, Konrad and Sandra Thorson
David "Woody" Woodruff, Joseph and Kelly Burgess
David "Woody" Woodruff, Federal Foam Technologies
David "Woody" Woodruff, Charles and Janice Lorentz
David "Woody" Woodruff, Berwyn and Janelle Cadman
David "Woody" Woodruff, Mavis and Gary R Anderson
David "Woody" Woodruff, Chris Springett
David "Woody" Woodruff, Steve and Debbie Nutzmann
David "Woody" Woodruff, Roger and Lois Van Someren
David "Woody" Woodruff, Jennifer L Luchtenburg
David "Woody" Woodruff, Bill and Jennie Stewart
David "Woody" Woodruff, Timothy L Burgess
David "Woody" Woodruff, Heidi Leigh Glaza
Deborah Konkel, Carolyn Hathaway
Don Pardun, Margaret Pardun
Don Pardun, Margaret Pardun
Donald Hodges, Marn Gene Myers
Donald Hodges, Calvary Baptist Church
Donald Hodges, Barry and Kathleen Mitchell
Dorothy Walters, John Walters
Doug/Deb, Steve/Jen, Dave and Jack, Bonna Maypark
Elroy and Barbara Gunderson, Peter Gunderson
Elroy, Barbara, Patrick, and Karmen Gunderson, Peter Gunderson
Erling Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hanson
Fred Doepke, Jr, Marjorie Erickson-Ongna
Gloria Lauer, Harold and Gloria Lauer
Gordon Hong, Sr, Angie Hong
Gordon Pederson, Kayleen Pederson
Gregory John Bredlau, Dennis Bredlau
Idella Rutschow, Linda Rutschow
Jake Mikkel Brown, Jeff and Vicki Iverson
James Banker, Hall Realty Group LLC
James Bedell, Gail B Bedell
James Conrad, Pamela M Stumm
Jean Luc Ngbwa, Guy Ngbwa Ngbwa
Jeanette Janke, Sally Malecki
Jerome Markham, Sharon and Randy Cook
Jesus Christ, John and Karen Knickerbocker
Jewel Myers, Marn Gene Myers
Jim Glover, Eunice M Glover
Jo-anne and Brian, Sarah Walters
Joe Eder, Linda Skoug
John Shinners, Scott and Gina Kircher
Joshua J Boote, Carol J Petersen
Judith E Tarr, Robert Becker
Karen H Fremstad, Katheryne Franson
Kathryn Stella-Floren, Samuel Floren
Kathryn Stella-Floren, Doris Johnson
Kathryn Stella-Floren, Jerilyn R Mulcahy
Kathryn Stella-Floren, Andrew and Lydia Floren
Kathryn Stella-Floren, Dennis J Trooien
Kathryn Stella-Floren, Grace A Tillotson
Kathryn Stella-Floren, Drake and Terry Talbert
Kathryn Stella-Floren, Todd Hostager
Lavon Bullard, LaVon Bullard
Leen Geske, Jerome and Gladys Geske
Leo Sommer, Wanda Sommer
Lorraine Hagen, Susan Hartzell
Lucy Cota, Loren and Debra Hane
Marla Fedie, James and Valerie Fedie
Mary Larson, James Larsen
Moms & Nancy Allen, Lisa K. Fields
My Children, Alan Aarestad
My sisters, Pat & Judy, and my parents, Josie & Ben, James and Linda Dahm
Our Family home with Jesus, Suzanne Bennett
Pam Neitzke, Pamela Diekmann
Patrick Grant, Sheila and Anthony Kvapil
Paul Freeburg, Alfred (Stan) and Janelle Freeburg
Pete Adler, Ellen Adler
Robert Moelter, Susanne Riley
Roger Kucksdorf, Avery and Linda Burton
Ruth Blake, Kelly and Michael Blake
Shirl Martin, Terry and Susan Miller
Shirley K Stewart, Bill and Jennie Stewart
Susan Malek, Anna Stanway
Susan Malek, Tari L Peters
Susan Malek, Meghan or Jean-Jodi Price
Susan Malek, John and Julie Reiter
Tim Pabich, Katherine Zimmerman
Tom Livingston, Todd A Holmen
Vera Erdmann, Nanci & Ross Nelson
Wayne Nero, Ruth Schutz
William E. Hitzemann, Sr., Katrina and Douglas Clary

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