Press Release

For Immediate Release - September 12, 2008

Frederick, MD, 12 Sept 2008 — It was a celebration at the Frederick Rescue Mission this morning as five men received diplomas of completion, and fourteen others received certificates of acknowledgement from the Changed Life Recovery Program at the Frederick Rescue Mission.

“There’s been a huge amount of change in their lives,” comments FRM Executive Director Arnold Farlow. “This translates into changed families. We have five men who were creating a problem in the community, but are now going away to add value to the community. Their lives are totally different.”

All five graduates entered the program struggling with addictions to drugs and alcohol over a year ago, and have been completely clean and sober since. Four men have secured jobs while the other is working to complete his GED. Two have moved to transitional housing that the Mission supplies until they find something more permanent.

“I’m very proud of the men,” said Carlton Hill, Resident Coordinator. “We’ve had a few surprises throughout their time here, but they all stuck through it.”

There are two graduations held throughout the year at the Mission, with the fall graduation typically being the smaller. Each resident goes through two phases before completing the program.

“It’s wonderful to have 19 men who have experienced life changes; to go from hopelessness to a real hope,” said Farlow.

The Changed Life Recovery Program at the Frederick Rescue Mission seeks to holistically heal men who are struggling with addiction and are many times homeless. Some of the goals of the program include being victorious over addiction, obtaining a GED or equivalent, reconciliation with family, and being placed in a financially sustaining job.

“Now they move on to Phase 3,” said Hill. “It’s where the real test starts. They got enough here to prepare them for the real life issues they will face. If they don’t turn back, they’re going to make it through.”

The Frederick Rescue Mission: rescuing the least, the last, and the lost from a life of poverty, hunger, homelessness and chemical dependency.