"I hope that God will bless you, for doing your good deeds.
 Now I want to thank you, for your helping hands in my time of need.
 God has given you open eyes to help the world to see,
 That compassion and empathy are the actions that have bonded you to me."

Thank you, Julia

These moving words of a near-homeless woman, written in appreciation, made me weep.

Julia jumped out of the car, barefoot and with her baby, after her boyfriend started an incident of road rage. Scared and not knowing where to turn, she approached my husband, Pete, who was working in our yard. We took this young mother and her precious baby to her apartment just a few blocks from our home yet it was a world away. Filthy, dark, moldy, and not fit for a young mom and her baby.

We said our goodbyes, leaving with heavy hearts. The next day, we found the above poem on our door. I was ready to go scoop her up, pay for a nicer apartment and give her everything she needed, and yet I believe I heard God say, "Stacia, don't rescue her. Be her friend." So that is what I did.

Throughout the next several months, Julia began joining us at church. Several caring people provided a car, insurance, food, and childcare assistance. She learned relationship and parenting skills. The outpouring of Christian support made it possible for Julia to become employed and pay her utilities. Month by month, the compassion and love she received helped her to see that God saw her as a valuable, lovable worthy woman and mother - thoughts she had never before considered.

It has been three years since Julia jumped out of that car and her life has changed dramatically. She and her new fiance have moved to Texas with her daughter, where they will both have jobs with benefits and the support of Christian grandparents. Julia is now an independent, strong, confident young woman, who never fails to thank those who made her new life possible.

Brevard Rescue Mission was born out of this incredible journey with Julia. Our mission is to break the cycle of homelessness by ministering the love of Jesus Christ to those in need in our community by providing assistance in the areas of shelter, food, clothing, health care, guidance, counseling, job training, and education resulting in independent living.

Our strategy will be to focus our efforts toward homeless or near-homeless women and children.