Light of Life Rescue Mission

Some of our team had the privilege of connecting with staff from other rescue missions across the northeast region at the Citygate Network Liberty District Conference. Here's a key takeaway from our Executive Director, Rev. Jerrel T. Gilliam: "One of the things we talked at this year's regional Citygate Conference was the feeling of those experiencing homelessness. Because they are in unfamiliar surroundings and situations, they feel unfamilied. When we thought about that, it really goes to one of our core values of loving people well. The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, but community. We're so proud of the fact that at Light of Life, we focus on building community and a family, a place where everyone is welcome."

Meet Deontre, our Food Pantry intern and client in our Men's Long-Term Mental Health Program.👋 Deontre chose to complete an internship because he knew it would get him back to where he needed to be. He came to Light of Life after struggling with his mental health. His mental breakdown took a lot, including a way of providing for himself, and he started at the Pantry because he wanted to get himself back to who he was before everything happened. "My internship at the Food Pantry has been a blessing," Deontre said. "They fully engage me and my program and give me a lot of support. I needed rules and structure and the Food Pantry gives me that. It helps me to understand what Light of Life is trying to accomplish and learn more about the people we serve." Deontre plays a crucial role in helping our Pantry deliver thousands of meals each week.🍓🥗🥖 Please join us in celebrating Deontre and his commitment to help others while on his own path toward life recovery! #FoodPantry #Internship #Hope #Healing

Our Executive Director, Rev. Jerrel T. Gilliam, was honored at the New Pittsburgh Courier's Men of Excellence Class of 2024 ceremony!  Jerrel said, "As a young boy, I delivered the Courier and Jet magazines. My father was a staunch supporter and my uncle worked for the Courier. I wonder if they dreamed that I would be honored in the paper they loved. I am very mindful that they endured adversity and societal challenges, yet paved a hopeful path that life would be better for their offspring. I stand on their legacy. I accept this honor on behalf of the great work we do together at Light of Life Rescue Mission and in memory of my father who modeled being a man of excellence through the grace of God."  Our Mission is driven by people like Jerrel who lead with courage, honor and Christ's love. We are so grateful for his dedication to supporting our city's homeless!

Join us in congratulating Matt Jenkins on his 5-year anniversary as a Light of Life team member! You might recognize Matt if you've visited our Donation Center. He has been instrumental in growing our gift in kind opportunities, allowing more people than ever to receive the items they need through our Mission. Thank you, Matt, for your dedication and the energy you bring to everyone you meet!

Meet Tawnya, a client in our long-term women and children's program who's interning in our kitchen!👩🍳 Tawnya's journey is one of strength and determination. After growing up in a broken home and battling addiction herself as a mom of five, she sought help through rehab and was referred to our shelter. Since joining our long-term program two years ago, she has learned positive life and parenting skills, and reconnected with her children.👩👧👦 Tawnya said she finds joy in being of service and giving back through her internship. She said she's proud of the skills it has helped her develop in preparation for a full time job, including time management and responsibility. Please join us in cheering on Tawnya on as she continues her journey to complete life-transformation!👏 #Internship #Recovery #Hope #Healing

Twenty-one people celebrated a milestone on their journey to life recovery at our Fall Graduation ceremony last night!🎓 Here are some powerful reflections from our graduates: 🎉"Light of Life is such a blessing. I left the place that I was broken, coming out of a relapse. It's during that time that I started to seek out Jesus. It connected with my heart and my life has never been the same." 🎉"I learned so much from the staff here. They taught me so much about religion, about God, about rules, how to be a better person, a better woman, they made me stronger. Next week, I'm going to be going back home. I've been saying since I started that was my goal because family means everything to me." 🎉"My mom died in October and I fell into a deep depression. If it wasn't for Light of Life, I'd probably be dead right now. Light of Life is literally the manifestation of God's grace and mercy. All I've ever wanted is a family, and you guys gave me a family." These moments are the heart of our Mission. Witnessing the growth, resilience, and transformation each person has undergone is truly inspiring. Thank you to all of you who support us and make life transformations like these possible. Let's cheer these graduates on as they step confidently into the next chapter of their lives, moving closer to independence! #Graduation #Celebrate #Recovery #Hope #Healing #LightOfLife

"Since the pandemic, we're seeing increasing mental health issues. There's not enough beds in our mental health system to treat them properly, so they end up on the streets." said Rev. Jerrel Gilliam, executive director of Light of Life. "The system has failed since we eliminated all of the mental health hospitals. We made a promise then that there was going to be a safety net, and that safety net has not worked." The number of unhoused people in Allegheny County has increased from 631 to 1,026 in the past five years. An estimated 75% of Allegheny County's homeless population is mentally ill, suffering from addiction or both. Thank you, Andy Sheehan and KDKA-TV, for shining a spotlight on needs of Pittsburgh's homeless. Watch the full story using the link below.

Today, Alan is in phase three of our Men's Long-Term Recovery Program. Before he came to Light of Life, he was in rehab, recovering from addiction that stemmed from his mother's passing. He said he went down a bad road and just got tired of being tired. "Light of Life saved my life," Alan said. "You know that saying where God puts you somewhere you're supposed to be? This is where God put me, and I'm so thankful that He did." Alan is determined to maintain his recovery, reconnect with his kids, and travel to see more of the world. Please join us in cheering him on as he continues his journey to life transformation!

Registration for our More Than A Meal Gala closes next Friday, September 13th! Don't miss your chance to be a part of this inspiring evening Join us to celebrate the ways that Light of Life provides a life-saving safe place that brings hope and healing to the men, women and children experiencing homelessness in our city on Friday, October 4th at 5:30 p.m. at The Westin Pittsburgh. Event Highlights: 🌟 Live and silent auction including trips, artwork and experiences 🌟 Music by Jason Washington 🌟Program with powerful testimonies from our alumni Register today: https://ow.ly/16xs50ThpSq

"I was angry when I came to Light of Life," Earnest said. "I was more hurt than anything. But once I got here, I decided to change completely. When we moved into the new building at Ridge Recovery Place, it felt like the old me was gone and the new me was here." After his housing situation fell through, Earnest found himself staying with his nephew in Pittsburgh. He was in a lot of emotional pain that led him to drink. Earnest's nephew told him to go to rehab, and that's when he knew something needed to change. Now, Earnest is in the final stages of our Life Recovery Program and working in our kitchen as an intern. Earnest said through the work he's done in our program, he no longer lets his anger get ahold of him and snaps at people. He's embraced a new way of living and has built positive relationships. Now, when he sees his family, they can see how far he's come and are proud of him. Please join us in cheering on Earnest as he continues his journey to complete life-transformation at our Mission!