The club recognized its first MCAT Star Student, Ysabella Gonzalez, of the 2023-24 academic year. Plus, the expanded services of Gospel Rescue Mission were outlined in presentation by GRM's Bruce Beikman, director of public relations and development.
Rotary Club of Marana
Meeting Minutes September 19, 2023
Energy exuded during our fellowship today in anticipation of our first MCAT Star Student for the new school year.
Announcements:
- District Conference is October 6 and 7. Please register if you haven’t.
- We will have a table in the House of Friendship. Members, please consider what time you will be available to person the table.
- Marana Fall Festival October 21st from noon to 9:00pm
- Laura will send out an email to sign up for blocks of time.
MCAT High School Star Student Ysabella Gonzalez
Ysabella ("Bella") was accompanied by a wonderfully supportive family: her mother, grandmother, siblings, and siblings-in-law. She was introduced to us by Denise Green, principal of MCAT High School. Bella came to MCAT after a difficult beginning of middle-school and high-school owing to severe social anxiety that was exacerbated by the Covid lock-down at the start of her freshmen year. When she first entered MCAT, Bella did not speak or make eye contact. However, she became increasingly engaged after a time being paired with her sister and developing relationships with teachers. Soon she was blossoming in all areas: Academics, Attendance, and Attitude, and has proven to have invaluable leadership skills in the classroom and with her peers. Bella has ambitious plans for her future that include practicing law in areas of real estate and financial planning.
From how Bella presented herself, we have no doubt she will be successful in all her pursuits. We all join in a hearty Congratulations to Bella and her family!
Program: Gospel Rescue Mission, Center of Opportunity
Bruce Beikmen, Director of Public Relations, Gospel Rescue Mission (GRM) provided a program for us today on the history and services offered at GRM.
The beginnings of GRM came in the 1950s from the yard of the Southern Pacific Railway. Ray Chastain, a yardmaster for the railway felt so compassionate for the hobos that rode the rail that he started the GRM in 1953 to serve them. As GRM mission and service became increasingly known in the Tucson community, the Lopez Family donated building with a vision for expansion. In 2017 Humberto Lopez invited Lisa Chastain, granddaughter of Ray Chastain, to help create a one-stop center for the homeless.
Since 2017, Gospel Rescue Mission is in the former Holiday Inn Holidome. GRM is unique in that it is a collaboration with over 50 community partners. With the motto of Love, Grace, Dignity, and Respect, GRM and its partners provide:
- 350 Beds with a drug sniffing dog on premises
- Medical and Dental Services, partnering with El Rio
- Addiction Recovery
- Job Training and Placement, partnering with Pima Community College
- 100 Affordable Housing Apartments
- 50 Acute Care, Respite Beds, partnering with Catholic Services.
To come is an animal shelter.
Three categories of people use GMR services:
- 7-Day people who want a hot meal, bed, and shower.
- People whose housing has been displaced. These people can stay 3 to 6 months and participate in programs geared to work and regaining housing.
- People who engage in the GRM Addiction and Recover Program. This is a 12-month program with an additional 6 months of job training and transitional housing provisions. Participants in the Addictions and Recovery Program participate in a Christian focused recovery. Eighty percent of the users of GRM are in the Additions and Recovery Program.
The Gospel Rescue Mission is funded 100% by private donations. While it isn’t accredited by any national accrediting board, it collects user and outcome data and reports very good outcomes. GRM has been an important part of the Tucson Community since 1953.
Respectfully submitted by Mary Straus