We are almost to the big day! Degage is thrilled to have over 85 runners and walkers participating on our behalf! We can’t wait to see you all on May 8th!

We are also excited to announce that our Road Warrior, Adam Barr, as scheduled a benefit concert on behalf of Degage! On Tuesday, May 4th bring your friends and family to Bobbarino’s in The B.O.B to hear “Men Not Rabbits,” a local Grand Rapids band. You can come and eat, relax, and enjoy the music. If you like what you hear we encourage any size donations to benefit Degage Ministires and our programs. We will see you at The B.O.B on May 4th!

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In the month of March, many patrons who have visited the Referral Desk have had the pleasure of sharing with us very exciting news: they have finally found housing! The long battle for housing can often take up a majority of someone’s mind and time if they are really focused on it, and so the relief and rejoicing that one feels when finally getting an apartment can sometimes be stifled by unforeseen needs…Johnnie had this exact thing happen when she received the keys to her apartment this March. She went up to look at it and realized something she had not considered: it would be empty. After staying in shelters for an extended period of time, she did not have anything to put in it except for what she carried with her. Thankfully, the Referral Desk at Degage had made a connection previously to a ministry called Covenant Church Furniture Ministry, a church that collected used furniture available for people who had experienced natural disaster, unemployment, or homelessness and needed furniture to put in her home. Though this ministry, we were able to petition on Johnnie’s behalf for the furniture that she needed, finally making her apartment seem more like her home instead of an empty space. We are so thankful that we have this connection, and are able to provide such an essential service to our patrons who are taking such important steps further in our lives. Johnnie’s trials are not over, but she is grateful that she has somewhere quiet to sit and pray so that she has the strength to take them on.

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Most people like a nice long shower after a good run. Can you imagine what it would be like if you didn’t have access to one?

Many people in Grand Rapids do not.

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There is something about running that makes you feel alive! When you finish a run or a good race, you are reminded of how good it is to be capable of such of feat. And that is something to be celebrated.

At Degage, we also like to celebrate the lives of those we serve. Many of our patrons do not have connections to family members and friends. They don’t receive any birthday cards, nobody sings them “Happy Birthday,” and they do not get a birthday cake.

Well, we decided to change that! Several years we began giving everyone a gift bag on their birthday. On the last Tuesday of every month, we host a big birthday party. We decorate our dining room with balloons, buy a big cake, eat pizza, sing “Happy Birthday,” and celebrate the beautiful people God has created us all to be!

Today we had the honor of hosting the birthday party for February.

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Mars Hill Running Group donated baskets for those who were previously homeless, and just got into new apartments. These baskets are filled with the essentials that we often take for granted: sheets, towels, glass and bathroom cleaners, toilet paper, paper towels, air fresheners, sponges, all the way down to safety pins. We consider giving out these baskets not only a pleasure, but an honor. Every time we bring a basket to someone, we get to see their reactions to the generous gift of this group: surprise, joy, and thankfulness.  These donors, as well as many others, donate their resources to Degage without being able to experience the effects that they have—sometimes lifelong effects. I know that the recipients of these baskets will never forget the generosity of donors that have never, and will never meet. Thank you to all of the donors of this organization who never experience the first-hand effects of their generosity.

THANK YOU MARS HILL RUNNERS!

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Dégagé Ministries is thrilled to be a Charity Partner for the 33rd Fifth Third River Bank Run! Last year we raised over $15,000 and this year we hope to exceed that amount!

Money collected will help support the programs that take place every day at Dégagé Ministries for homeless and low income individuals in our community such as overnight shelter for women in crisis, low-cost and free meals, hygiene facilities, referral services, and much more! Every day, 400-500 people come through our doors for assistance.  Check out a video about our organization here: Degage Ministries

We would love for you to consider running or walking on our behalf. We have put together some great materials that can be found on our website at www.degageministries.org/event. Go there to find participant packets, posters, an event brochure and much more.

Participants from 2009

Participant from 2009

Participant from 2009

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