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2021 Impact Report Results from Your Partnership

Our mission is to declare and demonstrate the love of Christ through housing and programs for the homeless and less fortunate. We do that by creating environments where Christ-centered, Holy Spirit empowered inner-transformation leads to long-lasting, positive life change.

Because of your partnership, the following report contains demographics and metrics about the guests we served in 2021. But please know that the true impact of your partnership is often unseen - it lives and moves in the hearts of the men, women and children who walked through our door in search of hope.

*Some names and photos in this report have been changed to protect the identity of our residents.

EMERGENCY SHELTERS

Open Door Shelter Goal: to move guests to a more positive destination within 28 days.

Pathway Shelter Goal: to help guests find a job, stay employed, save money, make positive changes in their life, and gain permanent housing in 120 days.

Martha's Story

Martha initially came to Gateway Mission as a referral from the hospital. She had been hospitalized with COVID. Prior to that she had been living in her car. When she first came to us, she was placed in isolation at Gateway Mission due to her active COVID infection. Martha had virtually nothing when she arrived. A man in her life had been taking advantage of her disability income.

Since being at Gateway Mission, Martha has started working part-time to supplement her disability. She has saved over $1,700 and is now working with Michigan Rehabilitative Services to assist her with ongoing employment and skills training. Through our coordination with other agencies, Martha now has a Section 8 voucher and will soon be in her own apartment with the assistance needed to sustain living on her own.

SERVICE DEMOGRAPHICS

Sandy's Story

Sandy came to Gateway Women & Children's Center as a referral from drug court. She had exhausted all other options for a safe place to stay. She didn’t understand the many of the basics of life. In our Pathway Shelter, we helped her get a state identification, social security card and bank account. We coached her through finding and maintaining a job while keeping up with the requirements of the court. She has saved over $1,000 and like many others is seeking housing in this tight housing market.

GATEWAY ADDICTIONS & DISCHIPLESHIP PROGRAM

Goal: to help guests overcome life barriers (drug abuse, criminal history, or chronic homelessness) and nurture Christ-centered change through 40-weeks of classes, coaching, discipleship, and real-life work training & experience.

*During the pandemic, we were forced to limit new entries into our program. We're pleased to be back to 100% operation in 2021!

Maria's Story

"The Gateway Program has been a big blessing for me. I came into the program as an addict, and I’m happy to say that I am now 5 months free from addiction. Bible class has inspired me so much and has helped me see things I couldn’t see. It’s awesome to see the Word of God taught with so much love. My mind and thoughts are renewed every day. I learn something new every day. I came in not fearing God to fearing God. From losing my kids and granddaughter to God restoring my relationship with them. From feeling worthless to knowing that I am valuable. From not feeling loved to being loved. I’ve gotten a lot of support from coaches and staff since day one. Words cannot even express how grateful I am and blessed to have them in my life. It was all in God’s plan and I thank Him every day for the Gateway Program."

Tim's Story

"I can gratefully say that this is the best and most important thing I have done in my life. Not only for myself, but also those who are still in my life such as my daughters and parents. I am so glad I have been able to find Christ and because of this wonderful program and the trusted Christian friends who work and care for us with all of their hearts, I am able to become the Godly Christian man the Lord has always planned for me to be."

TRANSITIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (TDP)

Goal: to help program graduates continue their journey of spiritual, relational, educational, and vocational development.

Joe's Story

"When I was told about a Christian-based program called Gateway, I was excited to join. The Gateway Program has brought me closer to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Bible at Gateway class always filled me with joy and a sense of belonging. Gateway has helped me stay sober and I no longer want to live a life in wreckage. My program coach Alex helped me. Whenever I felt lost, I could always go to my coaches for advice and Biblical reading. Thank you Gateway."

Barb's Story

"When I got here and started Gateway, I felt so welcomed and felt at home. For the first time, I finally felt at home - mainly because of the Gateway staff. I have a new family through Christ. Gateway opened up a new life that I forgot all about. They taught me who Jesus was and is. They have shown me so much love and support emotionally and mentally. But God is who deserves all the praise. He got me here. He worked in all the staff to show no judgment and showed me forgiveness and mercy. Things I should have known but got I got lost. But now I am back continuing on my path. Gateway is awesome through the power of Christ."

GATEWAY CENTER STORE

AUTO SALES & DONATIONS

Goal: accept donated vehicles for resale to support the programs of Gateway Mission.

Auto Program Stories

"A customer purchased a cargo van that was converted into a carpet steam cleaning vehicle in order to startup his own business and provide for his family."

"Another local ministry connected us with an individual who purchased a vehicle. This man was on the verge of losing his employment because of a lack of transportation. The man was able to purchase a safe vehicle that fit his needs."

"A local church purchased a vehicle for a member of their church who was without transportation."

ALL ABOUT OUR VOLUNTEERS

Goal: to identify individuals with a desire to partner with Gateway Mission in its mission and vision to help the homeless and less fortunate.

In February 2021, Gloria emailed to inquire about serving meals at Gateway Women & Children's Center. She and her husband decided to take a tour to hear more about the ministry of Gateway Mission. While on the tour, one of our students shared with Gloria her recent celebration of being “100 Days Nicotine Free.” Gloria immediately stepped in and began sharing testimony of God’s goodness to encourage the student in her journey to quit smoking. As the tour continued, they came to the conference room where we explained that we would love to develop a prayer team to meet there and pray weekly for our students. Gloria asked if we could stop and pray at that moment. We spent the next 20 minutes praying over each Gateway student and staff member. That became the first of many times that Gloria would come in to pray for each student by name, and ask for God’s blessing over the ministry.

"My definition of volunteering is to give something freely without expecting anything in return. I asked myself, what do I have that I can give freely? Time. I also chose Gateway because I believe in the vision. I want to connect with others that share the same hope that I have for this city. I believe that when we share the love of Christ through a meal, a warm bed or giving a listening ear it will indeed make a difference one person at a time. I choose to see it more like an investment. As I invest time into this community, I know that our community, every person that lives here, will reap the benefits and will see and know the love of Jesus." — Gloria

2021 FINANCIALS

Gateway Mission is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that seeks to minister to the homeless of West Michigan. For more information, please visit www.hopefoundhere.org.