Safe Harbor Rescue Mission

People in My Life that Actually Care

Posted on February 22, 2013 by admin

Homelessness and addiction are not always connected, but they always have an implication of hopelessness and a fear of being trapped in a situation that may never change.

Change is what Safe Harbor is all about. At our day shelter, you can almost sense a change when they walk through the doors. Slumped shoulders straighten; looks of despair change to smiles; goals are set and reached; feelings are expressed and respected. “I can’t” turns to “maybe I can.”

In our residential program, families are put back together; new friendships are formed; the chains of a habit with a death sentence are dropped for wings of hope and promise for the future – for eternity and for today.

One of our residents recently wrote:

“My new found faith and knowledge of God gives me hope and something to live my life by. It is truly amazing. I have learned that I am beautiful and smart and that there are people in life that actually care about me. I have also learned that I am broken, way more than I first wanted to admit. I am learning to change my thinking and way of life here at Safe Harbor…..Thank you for blessing me with this time of healing.”

If you could offer this kind of hope for someone you know is struggling…would you want to? Please explores our “How Can I Help” page or click on Donate Now to reach out to someone who desperately needs your help.

Posted in general, Uncategorized | Tagged recovery center, rehabilitation, rehabs in Hickory NC, rehabs in NC, women's recovery in North Carolina | Leave a comment

The Tiny King

Posted on December 21, 2012 by admin

Yesterday I held a baby in my arms and rocked him to sleep while hearing the beautiful story of Christmas retold by a gifted and treasured friend. The story was told from another room in our day shelter, and in the nursery where I held the sleeping babe, I could hear the voices of women struggling through this Christmas season experiencing homelessness and alienation from their families. They were expressing hope and faith on a level that challenged my own. As I listened, I prayed. I whispered to the baby that Jesus knows his sorrow, because He was a homeless babe, too. I told him that Jesus put himself through all the struggles of his life so that he, little boy, could know hope and comfort. I kissed the child and in my heart, imagined it would be the face of God. I wanted to kiss away the suffering of Christ and the suffering of all humanity.

I envisioned the upcoming scenes in the homes of the women in our residential programs, spending time with their own children and families this Christmas – after years of being separated by chains of addictions. I marvel at the power of life and hope, held in the infant fingers clutching the soiled straw of a feed trough in which he lay as tiny King.

“Mary had a baby, tiny King, tiny King, and they say that His name is Wonderful, Counselor, the Lord of Light and Love…”

Moving into the New Year, women and children need the same amount of Christmas love and grace poured into their lives all year long! You can help keep hope alive, and the Spirit of Christ shining brightly in our community by donating to Safe Harbor.

Posted in program, Uncategorized | Tagged baby, children, Christ on Earth, homelessness, manger | Leave a comment

A Gift of Compassion

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Debbie Haynes

One of the most touching stories of the season so far was one that many of you may have paused to watch on national news. It was the story of an NYPD police officer who took the time and money to buy a homeless man a pair of socks and boots. If you missed it, here is a quick look.

This time of year always brings with it the outpouring of warm compassion toward those who are struggling. Most of us enter into the season looking for ways to bless others in a small but significant way. That’s why news like that of Officer Larry DePrimo stirs our hearts. Here at Safe Harbor, we not only hear stories of the women and children are struggling to find hope and help, but also of individuals who have cared enough to invest time, talents, and their own personal money to be a part of the answer to their prayers.

One of the most overlooked characters in Jesus’ nativity is his surrogate father, Joseph. The Josephs of this world, who are not always photographed and their actions recorded, are still a part of changing the world. Neil Strait and Stan Toler, in their book “Advent Moments,” remind us…”God always has a plan, but every plan runs through some Joseph…”

You can become a part of God’s plan of redemption right now, wherever you are. We would appreciate your gift to the life-changing programs here at Safe Harbor Rescue Mission. Just click the “Donate” button on the side bar of this page.

If you’d like to honor someone you love in a very meaningful way, at your request, we can send a them a special Christmas ornament that is handmade by the women at Safe Harbor. You may email us at info@safeharborrescuemission, or call our office at 828-326-7233.

Thank you for your interest in the work going on here…and may you have a blessed Christmas!