June 17, 2025 • 37 mins
This episode features the powerful story of Emily Monroe, a front desk team member at the Hope Center, who brings a deep sense of empathy to her role after walking through her own struggles with depression and anxiety. Her kindness and understanding help create a place where guests feel seen, valued, and safe—an atmosphere rooted in grace and second chances. “I understand what it’s like to feel like the world is against you and like you don’t have any value,” she shares, reflecting the kind of love that changes lives.
Hope Center Director, Rachel Flenniken, shares how the Hope Center offers more than shelter—it’s a pathway forward. Alongside the Guest Management and Housing teams, the center provides a structured program to help women, children, and families set goals, find employment, and move into stable housing. But the heart of it all is relationship—both with others and with Jesus. This episode challenges listeners to move beyond simply knowing about Christ and to pursue continual communion with Him. You can’t walk with one foot in the world and one with Jesus. True transformation comes when we seek His kingdom first and live out of an ongoing relationship with Him—every day, in every step.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Dear Heavenly Father.
We thank you, lord, for thisday and your blessings and
provisions.
God, thank you for this time,and Lord this podcast and all of
the listeners who are listening.
Lord, I pray your blessing overthem and Lord, just your
blessing over this conversation.
In your holy name we pray, amen.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Thank you for joining us for an edition of Our
Community, our Mission, apodcast of the Topeka Rescue
Mission.
This is your host today, barryFeaker, here on a Tuesday, june
17th of 2025.
And this is episode number 271.
Co-host with me today MarionCrable, deputy Director of
Supporting Services, topeka.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Rescue Mission.
It's such a long thing to say,isn't it?
I know golly.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
I'm not even reading that anymore.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
You know what?
I'm actually kind of proud.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
I got it down.
Yeah, finally.
So anyway, Miriam, we're goingto have an update from you
before we introduce our guests,but before that, again, the
Research and DevelopmentDepartment down here is
anxiously awaiting for us totalk about the importance of
June the 17th nationally andglobally.
And so, Miriam, you are a nurse.
I was One time I said you werea former nurse and you said once
(01:01):
a nurse, always a nurse.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Always a nurse.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
So you said once a nurse, always a nurse so anyway,
being a nurse today is a veryimportant day for health it is,
it absolutely is national eatyour vegetables day.
Yeah, yeah, whoever came upwith that sounds?
Speaker 3 (01:14):
like my mom, I know it really does sound like
something that somebody who justneeded their kids to do
something so I gotta plug mykids a little bit.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
My boys love vegetables, they love broccoli,
and yeah though.
Oh, that's good, that's amazingand I didn't have to push that.
They're just like naturallylike their vegetables.
I'm like all right.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
I know that.
See, that's wonderful.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
What's wrong with your kids?
Speaker 1 (01:36):
I'm blessed, I guess.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
I don't know sauces, yeah, all that other stuff that
makes it taste good, and bacon,Wash it down with right.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
So anyway, yeah, vegetables are great.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
So, anyway, it's National Vegetable Day, so if
you haven't had your, vegetables.
Yet this year, today would be agood day to start Well, and
this time of year it's reallygreat because you can go to the
farmer's market and get themfresh, and so it's always better
during the summer.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
But if you don't like the vegetables in your house
and you want to get rid of them,this would be a good day to
recognize this it's GlobalGarbage man Day.
Yes, so you've got to throwaway those old vegetables and
you know they don't last forever, right, so you've got to get
rid of them.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
If you don't eat them , you'll have to throw them in
the garbage, you'll still getGarbage man.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Global Garbage man Day.
Yeah, wow, we got a globalthing here.
Yeah, so we've gone beyond that.
So yeah, this just happens tobe in my neighborhood trash day.
Oh is it, but it's a day early.
Is there a?
Speaker 3 (02:34):
holiday or something, because there's a holiday.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Yeah, juneteenth is coming up, so everybody's taking
off that off.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
It's going to throw me off too.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Wednesday is the normal day.
Put it on Tuesday.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
I hope I got everything out I was supposed to
, so does that mean?
Mine, is going to be tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Probably, I don't know.
Mine's on Monday, so I didn'thave to worry.
You didn't have to worry.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Well, that'd be good, here's what I would do.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
I'd run home whenever .
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Well, no, today it would be two days early and I
don't want to do it becausethere's going to be storms and
then it'll end up all over yourneighbor's house.
Okay, national, hate yourneighbor.
Day One more, miriam, I knowthis is one that you really
enjoy.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
It's national mascot day Rock Chalk baby.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Oh my gosh, you're not a K, are you?
Speaker 3 (03:23):
I am not.
I am a KU.
Well, I did not graduate fromKU, but I do appreciate KU
basketball Okay.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
Well, it's been nice having you on the podcast today.
No, I do some consulting andworking with the folks in
Lawrence and I really like thefolks in Lawrence, except for
that thing on the hill overthere.
Because some of us are Wildcatfans.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
I know.
Anyway, you know, I can be aWildcat fan too.
I'm a little bit.
It depends on the sport, Uh-huh.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Yeah Right, who's winning, who's losing right.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
No, is it football or is it basketball?
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Yeah, if it's basketball, it's pretty good.
So, yeah, but National MascotDay it is celebrated on June
17th nationally.
There's a lot of differentmascots that have just grown
over the years.
But, miriam, this is really aquestion for you.
Okay, because you're a formerCali?
No, not really.
(04:17):
Yeah, you were.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Okay, I did live there, california.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Yes, so California is known to be the home of several
of the quirkiest and mostwhimsical mascots.
Did you know that when you wereliving out in California, or
was it just Californians?
Speaker 3 (04:31):
I think it was maybe just the Californians in general
, because I was in okay, okay.
For me it's not too much,because when I lived in the LA
area it was the USC Trojans.
That's not weird.
When I was in Bakersfield theywere the Oilers, which makes
sense because there's a lot ofoil, dairy.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
So she's defending California now, I know Well, I
kind of have to, because I'mtrying to think of which are
quirky.
Yeah Well, I don't know.
Do you know where the wordmascot was derived from?
I do not.
You should read it, it's righthere it was derived from.
I do not, you should read it,it's right here.
It was derived from the Frenchword mascotte.
No, that's not that was perfect.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Is that right?
I'm guessing that was notperfect.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Mascotte, there we go .
It means to bring good luck.
Oh see, that's right.
A mascot runs out on the fieldto bring good luck.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Okay, well, that's kind of cool.
Anyway, and just so you know,my high school mascot was a
wildcat.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Let's see hey, I got a weird one.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
So my mom grew up in West Plains Missouri.
Theirs was the Zizzers, theZizzers.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Do you know what a Zizzer is?
Speaker 1 (05:37):
No, it's a lightning bolt A.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Zizzer.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
But they were the West Plains Zizzlers.
I thought that was a sizzlerwhen you get hit by the light,
oh my gosh.
Yeah, okay, okay.
Our guests are going.
Why were we?
Speaker 5 (05:49):
invited to this today .
What is?
Speaker 3 (05:52):
happening Anyway one more thing, this is very serious
stuff One more thing, mary.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
We have an update on some really cool stuff going on
with the neighbors called Noto.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
You know, barry, one of the things that we're just so
fortunate to have is a reallywonderful relationship with our
folks, to the north of us withNODO Right.
I mean, and it always hasn'tbeen that way, it's been this
kind of this journey to build arelationship with the mission
that you actually started whenthey wanted to do some
revitalizing of the NODO areaand John Hunter and you really
(06:21):
worked well together to say thiscan be a buddy.
Yeah, this can be a partnership.
This doesn't have to beadversarial, and ever since then
it's just been on kind of thisjourney for growth.
Well, trm is in need of food,right?
So especially shelf stablefoods, whether it's canned goods
or pastas or canned proteinsall of those things we just have
(06:44):
a very significant need.
There's a lot of need in ourcommunity, and so Noto, as well
as others around the communitybut I'm going to talk about Noto
right now is doing some amazingfood drives.
So we just went and thoughtthat maybe they would do one for
us, right, just do a food drive, maybe at one of your art
exhibits, kind of thing.
(07:04):
Oh no, they went far beyondthat.
They are doing food drives atevery first Friday and they are
also doing it during theirconcert series, which is every
third Friday through September.
So they're and not only justlike the art center and Noto in
that way, but there's also sevenbusinesses.
Josh, give me the names ofthose.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
Yeah, so there's barrels at the Noto Art Center,
the Wheel Barrel, artismoGallery and Bistro, bradley's
Corner Cafe, kaw Valley Bank theone in Noto and Habitat Restore
.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
And isn't that amazing that all of those
They've got a lot to do on thosedays.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
on the concert time Absolutely.
They've got a lot to do onthose days, on the concert time
and those first Fridays, to addthat in also means they really,
really care.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
And they're so excited about it too.
You know wanting to set goalson how much food they're going
to be able to raise, and sowe're just so honored.
So watch our Facebook pages,watch the Noto Facebook pages,
because we'll be doing a lot ofpromotion, but we hope people
will come down and support Notoand while they do, it brings
some food that will benefit TRM,the people that stay with us,
(08:09):
as well as the community that weserve every Tuesday and
Thursday with food bags.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
So if you don't know about First Friday, it's the
first Friday of every month inNoto, rain or shine, yes, cold
or hot.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
And a lot of people come to it, and there's a lot of
people come to it and there's alot of activities going on.
I think it starts in midafternoon and goes into the
evening and it's come early,yeah, cause you'll be walking to
the event to go to thedifferent shops and different
things and bring some food.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
Absolutely Well and then the concert series which is
on third Fridays throughSeptember is free and it's in
red bud park, and so you justhave this opportunity to have
family time together, enjoy NODO.
There's food down there,there's all different kinds of
things that can just make it awonderful, not expensive right,
(08:58):
a way to spend time outdoors andsupport small businesses.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Support the small businesses.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
Because NODO is just, it's a really unique and
special place.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
It really is.
It was a good vision that wascast maybe 15 years ago, I'm
guessing and people worked hardto make it happen.
And here it is today and it'sreally on the map.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
And it's a good place to go.
It's good for the community ofTopeka and the surrounding areas
and if you're going to bring anon-perishable, it's National
Eat your Vegetables Day, so goahead and bring your vegetables,
but make sure they're in a can.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Exactly Okay, all right so very good.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
And especially canned protein.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Canned protein is very important.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
That's a big one that they're needing at the DC which
?
Is anything from canned tuna,canned salmon, canned chicken,
peanut butter.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
Beans, chilies.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
Yeah, beans.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Another good canned protein.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
Right, absolutely Okay so.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
National Protein Day.
We'll mix it in.
Maybe we'll see when that is Onthe first.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
Very good.
Well, thank you, miriam.
We've had a our guest today isvery special to us, but has been
on the podcast today.
It's not her first time.
She loves podcasts, she justlooks forward to these.
I remember the very first timeshe was shaking a little bit,
and then the second time she wasshaking a little bit.
I don't see her shaking muchright now, but anyway Getting
kind of used to this.
Speaker 5 (10:05):
She's getting used to it, she loves it, rachel.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Flanagan, who is the director of Hope Center for
Women and Families.
Welcome to our community, ourmission.
Speaker 5 (10:13):
Hey, hey yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
So tell us about what it's been like here so far this
spring, maybe this year, inregards to a picture of the Hope
Center.
Describe the Hope Center forpeople who may be your
first-time listeners.
People may know a little bitabout the rescue mission, but
not everything.
So what is the Hope Center andwhat's it like?
Speaker 5 (10:35):
So the Hope Center.
We serve single women, womenwith children, single fathers
with children and marriedcouples with children.
I mean basic needs food, water,shelter.
We also try to be veryencouraging, be very positive.
The guests are in a tough spot.
I tell them all the time andsometimes I feel like a broken
(10:57):
record, like we all have acommon reason that we're here,
but very different and uniquepaths and journeys that led us
to this place.
So there's a lot ofpersonalities, a lot of
characteristics, a lot of just alot.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Like every neighborhood yeah, just happens
to be, they're under one roof,right?
Speaker 5 (11:18):
So there and there's a lot of children and it's, you
know, some days it's crazy, somedays it's quiet.
You really just kind of neverknow.
Now that it's summer, honestly,I thought that we would have a
lot more and we've beenaveraging in the 130.
And now we're under 100.
So it's people are findingtheir forever homes, people are,
(11:40):
you know, just life ishappening.
But it has just been verypurposeful, very rewarding, and
you can't just have any averageindividual working at that front
desk.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
No, you cannot.
That's right, I'm going to getthat in a second.
Rachel, you mentioned therewere 130 or so now or 100,
population total people.
How many are children of that,would you guess?
Speaker 5 (12:03):
I would say about 35 to 40.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Okay, and they all have a parent or guardian that
they're here with, and so thatreduction of maybe 30 people at
this time of year, which isn'talways common, how much does
that have to do with the guestmanagement program and the
rehousing program?
Speaker 5 (12:22):
I would say a lot of it, and here recently we have
had quite a few people moving onto their forever homes.
I'm sorry that question thatyou asked about, how many of
them are going into housing,because it's just not a place to
stay.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Yes, it is not forever Shelter management is
important to make sureeverybody's got a good, safe
place to be, has all thesupplies, information they need,
has a bed to sleep in, cleansheets and those kind of things.
Then there is guest managementthat then kind of manages their
time at the Topeka RescueMission.
And then there's the housingprogram as part of that.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
Yes, so it's not a place that you can just be there
to be there forever, not aplace that you can just be there
to be there forever.
Like you mentioned, it is atemporary and the guest
management team is in place toguide you along the way, whether
that's gaining all of youridentification or going through
guest classes or gettingemployment.
There are different steps thateverybody is involved in and
(13:21):
they have weekly, bi-weeklycheck-ins to make sure that the
guests are going through thegoals that they have put in
place.
The ultimate goal is housingfor every family and every
single individual in thebuilding.
So the success of that is thatthey are following the
programming and then get tohousing and then housing is very
(13:43):
close with them and looking foran apartment or a home or
whatever it is that they arequalified for, and then they
move on and get to their homeand then the housing department
actually follows this guest forI believe it's up to 12 months
after they've moved out, onmonthly check-ins.
(14:03):
How are you doing?
Is there anything that you needhelp with, or do you need food,
or just making sure thatthey're still taken care of?
Speaker 2 (14:11):
That's kind of the secret sauce of all this, isn't
it Miriam To have that follow-upto make sure people are
stabilized and okay.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
It's absolutely the secret sauce and it works
because in the last year we'veplaced probably 90 households
and we've had zero evictions.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
That's amazing, it's remarkable.
It's not normal.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
It's really not and it really has to do with this
follow through, this helpingpeople until they've been able
to establish a new community,that we are still that
connection in there to be theircommunity, to be their, that
kind of thing.
Speaker 5 (14:51):
And it's amazing, like the accountability they're
expecting, like I know they'regoing to come and check on me
and I don't want to let themdown.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Like I need to keep going strong.
Because there's a relationshipthat's been developed right.
Yeah, well, it starts at thefront desk, yes, when people
first come in the front lines.
And so how important is that toyou as director, to have your
people that you really know,because you're on call 24-7,
basically?
Speaker 5 (15:21):
right.
When I'm not physically there,I am plugged in in every other
aspect.
How important is it to you tohave quality people working
front lines?
It's huge.
They are the first face thatour guests are seeing walking in
the doors and you have to havesomeone that is positive,
someone that is encouraging andsomeone that gets it.
Like I said, everybody hasdifferent, unique things that
led them here and we have tomeet them where they're at,
(15:42):
despite what they've done,despite what they're saying.
Some of them can be ratherchallenging, but it's.
Who are we to judge whatthey've been through or how
they're acting?
There's a lot more under thesurface than maybe what they're
really sharing.
So having someone that canaccept them for them is huge.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Yeah and so, and they don't always come in like, wow,
I get to be at the rescuemission you know I'm homeless.
I have nowhere to go.
Oh, this is a great day, and soyou come in with that kind of
like whoa and then you have tobe ready to help them right
where they're at Right.
So, rachel, you mentioned anumber of qualities.
You brought somebody here withyou today on the podcast to talk
(16:25):
to us First time podcaster,from what I understand and so
introduce our guest.
Speaker 5 (16:30):
We have our wonderful and amazing encouraging Emily
Monroe.
Speaker 2 (16:36):
That's pretty good, so, emily.
Speaker 5 (16:39):
No, she really just real quick.
She is the one that keeps mekind of in line.
You know, when you have 100guests and six or seven or 10
staff and there's a lot going onin one day, you never really
know what you're going to face.
She kind of hey, did you talkto so-and-so?
Or hey, did you make sure yougot this done?
Or hey, there she goes.
Do you want me to have her sitdown and wait?
(17:01):
Like she just, and I love itbecause she makes sure that
nothing falls between the cracksand it is really.
It's just really nice.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
So, Emily, how's that working for you?
Really well, so Rachel's got abig job and apparently you do as
well keeping track of Rachel.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Keeping track of Rachel Right.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
But yeah, so welcome to the podcast today.
Thank you for having me.
Yeah, so Emily, you're frontlines.
You were working on the frontdesk about two years now.
Topeka Rescue Mission whatbrought you to the Topeka Rescue
Mission?
I know that you were involvedin your church.
You lead in worship there sohow did you find out about TRM
and why now, two years?
Speaker 4 (17:41):
So I had previously worked at Vallejo and so I kind
of knew about TRM from that,just from taking people here.
I didn't know much about TRM.
I didn't even know that TRM wasfaith-based.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
Jesus saves.
Signs on top of the buildingRight, yeah, and.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
I missed it.
I don't know if you know howtall I am.
I'm not very tall.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
Okay, I'll give you a pass.
Speaker 4 (18:08):
But a good friend of mine, michael Union, was working
for TRM and he was just sharingwith me about how much he loved
it and he loved serving.
And even he didn't even shareit was faith based with me.
But I had just applied and Icame for the interview and I
didn't know then until theinterview that that you guys
serve and just how how much youguys implement faith and
(18:34):
pursuing the Lord and servingand all that you do.
And so I was called before Ireally realized what TRM was.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
And yeah, so you stayed two years now?
Yes, what have you learned?
Besides, there's a Jesus savesign on top of the building.
You've seen it now, right?
Speaker 4 (18:53):
Yes, I'm aware.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
What have you learned ?
In addition to, it's afaith-based ministry and I want
to ask you a few questions aboutthat.
But what have you learned?
Just uh, hope Center, managingpeople coming through that front
door, like Rachel said, anykind of situation, probably not
their best day, yeah, um, andthen, um, you know to help them
to be safe and move on to theirforever home.
Yeah, and then you know to helpthem to be safe and move on to
their forever home.
Yeah, what's that.
What's that?
What have you learned?
Speaker 4 (19:20):
So I think, from just working with Rachel and all my
other coworkers and just otherTRM staff in general, of TRM
loves to give people secondchances, chances.
Trm loves to show people mercyBecause, like you said, when
(19:41):
people come to the Hope Centeror to the men's side, this is
likely their worst day of theirlives.
And so to be able to be a partof when someone is coming in in
a terrible situation and thatcan just look like so many
different things and just to bea part of watching someone grow
you build relationships withpeople because likely they're
(20:04):
here for a while you know theycould be here for several months
and so you really get to seesomeone from where they were and
just be a part of the process,of how they're growing.
And then get to see them moveand accomplish their goals is
incredible.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
What's it make you feel like hearing that, Rachel?
Speaker 5 (20:23):
It's awesome and that's the part is the success.
You know, I came into the HopeCenter like I'm going to save
everybody, I'm going to get this.
We're going to have theseconversations, they're going to
move out and we're never goingto see them again.
And until you get in the HopeCenter, but one person's success
journey is awesome and we'veseen handfuls and handfuls of
(20:44):
success journeys.
People are very down and theyget so excited to tell you I got
a job, I got a car, I got ahouse or whatever have you.
It's just amazing theexcitement that they want to
share with staff or myself, likethey can't wait to tell you I
got approved for SSI or justwhatever it is that they're in.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
Cheering them on to that.
Speaker 5 (21:07):
Yes, how cool is that ?
Yes.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Yeah, it's kind of so people.
People may come in, emily, toyou.
You may be the first one theysee when they come through those
front doors, maybe not in thebest of place in life, but it
sounds like many, as they'releaving, would look back and not
only say thank you, but wantyou to be a part of their
journey going forward.
Because of what do you thinkthat is Obviously a smile and
(21:33):
you're nice and those kind ofthings.
Why do you think people wouldwant to share, as Rachel said,
hey, I just got this or I gotthis done.
Why do you think that?
Speaker 4 (21:41):
I really just think it's just building relationship.
It's, I mean, they're sharingsomething that's happening to
them that's so vulnerable.
They're sharing, you know,something that's happened in
their lives and they're openingup to you and to be able to just
minister to them, to encouragethem just throughout the whole
time.
You just build a relationshipwith someone you know and just
(22:04):
seeing you know them through thehard times and the good times.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
So the second chances being there, hard times, good
times being on the journey withthem.
Many people come into ahomeless shelter and they feel
pretty isolated, pretty alone,pretty like nobody cares.
And then it doesn't happenovernight though, does it,
Rachel?
No, it takes time.
What's the secret sauce in thatwhole thing?
Speaker 5 (22:30):
Consistency and conversation.
And the second chances is hugebecause you know sometimes it's
hard being the in quotations badguy.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Yeah, so explain why we would even need a second
chance.
Speaker 5 (22:43):
Well, we have to be accountable.
So we are a drug and alcoholfree environment.
We have to be respectful andthere are certain rules and
policies that we have to have.
In one building with so manypeople, so having to implement,
like, if there's any suspicionor behavior or anything about
(23:04):
drug use, we have to make surethat that's not the case.
So if this individual testsdirty, unfortunately they're not
able to stay, but we're notjudging you for that.
That doesn't make me look atyou any different.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
You just can't be here right now, right.
Speaker 5 (23:22):
But that's not no forever.
You can come back, and I thinkthat is huge because they're
already down.
We don't know what they've gonethrough.
We don't know why they'returning to the drugs or the
alcohol or whatever it is.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
It doesn't make them a bad person, correct?
It means that right now, thisis not good for this environment
.
Speaker 5 (23:41):
Right and oftentimes when those do go overlooked, it
is a disgrace because the nexttime it could get bigger and
bigger and bigger.
So holding you accountable ishelping you move forward.
You accountable is helping youmove forward.
(24:02):
And then seeing them come backclean and sometimes they have
the conversation of thank you somuch.
That helped me realize or thathelped me understand I had
nowhere to go and I didn't knowwhat to do, and it made me
really respect and beappreciative of this place.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
So you talk about second chances.
Is there ever a third one?
Speaker 5 (24:18):
Yes, and there's 10 or 20 or 30.
Okay, all right.
So we talked about secondchances.
It's never, ever, ever a hardno.
Speaker 2 (24:25):
So people sometimes have a journey that may last
several years back and forth.
Speaker 5 (24:28):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
Streets and drug houses and this, that and the
other thing to take a rescuemission.
But there's that, there's thatum, that lighthouse for them
that they know here's what theycan receive, here's what's
expected and opportunities to tomove forward in that Emily you
talked about.
Uh, you didn't know it wasfaith-based until you applied
and you started learning moreabout that.
(24:50):
How have you seen that beimportant to you personally work
in a ministry like this one andwhat have you learned in that
arena?
Speaker 4 (24:58):
So I really understand the power of prayer,
and so one thing that I justlove that we do is before every
shift, every shift change, wepray together, the coworkers, we
pray for each other, we prayfor our guests, we pray for our
leaders.
We just pray that God's will bedone, and then we are
(25:20):
encouraged to pray with ourguests.
So if someone comes and they'retelling about something they're
struggling with and I just askthem hey, can I pray with you?
That goes a long way.
People care about that.
I mean to be seen, to benoticed, to be heard.
They really care about that.
I mean to be seen, to benoticed, to be heard.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
They really care about.
So you got 10 people that youmeet within a day.
It's probably a lot more thanthat, but you have 10 people
interactions.
If you offered prayer to 10people, how many of the 10 would
say yes?
Speaker 4 (25:50):
I've never had anyone turn me down so far.
What do you think that is?
I think people love to be caredabout.
I mean to see that you knowsomeone here cares about them
and wants you know.
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
Yeah Well.
Speaker 4 (26:05):
I think it's hard.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
They say it's kind of a post-Christian era and then
faith has kind of gone by thewayside and you know, science
has stepped in and we need to bevery careful.
I remember, I know, when wewere doing Operation Food Secure
we started passing out foodboxes, food boxes, food boxes,
and somebody had an idea.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
Maybe we could offer prayer to people Not required of
course.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
it's not required at the rescue mission or anything
else, but it was like people gotin line to get prayed for
didn't they?
Speaker 3 (26:31):
They did, they absolutely did All over the 10
counties to get prayed for.
Yeah, they did, they absolutelydid All over the 10 counties.
And you know, I think I thinkwhat Emily said is so true.
It it helps people feel likepeople care about them.
Whether they believe the samethings.
That we might or not becomesirrelevant, because they know we
believe Right and so when we'rethen so, in some ways, we're
(26:54):
giving part of ourself and ourlove to them, because we care
enough to pray for them.
So I think what Emily said isjust spot on it makes people
feel like we care about them,and that's so important.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
And one guy one time said if you think I'm worthy
enough to go to your boss totalk about me, then that's
pretty good.
Go to your boss, yeah.
Got me in the boss, yeah.
And so that's how he kind ofinterpreted that.
You know was um.
You know he didn't necessarilyhave a belief, but if you want
to go to your boss on my behalf.
Go for it.
So so, emily?
Uh, two years now into it,you've um been able to see the
(27:29):
value of prayer, and and so whatelse about the-based piece of
this appeals to you.
Speaker 4 (27:36):
Well, jesus is everything in my life.
I came to the Lord in 2020.
I'd grown up in church but Ikind of fell away from the Lord
and it fell into a lot ofdepression and darkness.
And when I came to the Lord andhe just opened my eyes to who
(27:57):
he is, it changed everything.
So, in my opinion, I have toimplement Jesus into everything
that I do.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
When you say it changed everything.
You were in this period ofdarkness, You'd walked away from
the church, and the church is abuilding in some people's minds
and it's bigger than that andthe Lord has in mind.
It's his people.
And so when you say changedeverything, what does that mean?
Speaker 4 (28:21):
So before this, I was having an identity issue of I
didn't understand who I was.
I didn't like the person who Iwas.
For several years, throughouthigh school and then starting
college, I wrestled withdepression and anxiety and
suicidal ideation and self-harm.
(28:42):
I was in and out of thepsychiatric hospitals for it.
I just had this heaviness on methat just wouldn't leave and I
would briefly kind of come tothe Lord, but I wouldn't be all
in because I had like one footin with Jesus and one foot in in
the world.
I wasn't willing at the time togive up things that brought me
(29:05):
like temporary comfort.
And so then when I had thisencounter, it was June 20th of
2020.
I had this encounter.
It was June 20th of 2020.
My pastors I'd met with them andI just remember them asking me
do you know what's on you?
And I knew and they said do youwant it gone?
And I said yes, and they prayedwith me for over an hour and
(29:29):
when I stood up, it was like Iwas 50 pounds lighter.
I'm not kidding.
It really felt like colors werebrighter.
It just changed my wholeperspective and outlook on life.
I began to understand who Jesuscreated me to be and actually
like that person and justfinding my value comes from him.
(29:52):
It's not coming from what theworld says that I am, and so it
just changed everything.
I was delivered from depressionand anxiety.
That heaviness that I'd had foryears had left, and I was also
healed of a thyroid disorder.
I'd had to take medication foryears.
(30:13):
Anytime I tried to come off, Ihad to get right back on it, and
he healed me from that.
Speaker 2 (30:18):
Well, that's powerful .
So this is a very real to you,and so you see people that maybe
walk through the front doorsthat are kind of where you used
to be.
Speaker 4 (30:26):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
Yeah, so what do you do with your experience that
you've had with Christ, and howdoes that then translate to how
you help people here?
Speaker 4 (30:37):
So I'll be honest in saying like when I first started
I was kind of worried thatseeing people in that space and
that mentality would bring meback to a place where I was.
But I've found the completeopposite.
I found that Jesus completelyworks all things together for
(30:57):
good and so I've been able tohave compassion for people and I
mean I understand what that'slike to feel like the world is
against you and like you don'thave any value.
So I know that Jesus is helpingme to be able to minister, to
encourage and uplift thosepeople.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
Have you found people that kind of gravitate to you
because maybe they don't know,you don't know your story, but
there's a bond there of somekind.
They understand that youunderstand.
Speaker 4 (31:26):
I would say so.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
That's that spiritual empathy that comes out of
things that we can't even define, that people go no, this
person's okay because they getit, or maybe somebody that
doesn't get it.
You know, in helping people whoare in need, there is
relational and there's clinical,and clinical is important to
have some tools and look atthings as they are and have the
(31:50):
right kind of understanding ofthings.
But sometimes it stops thereand it's not relational and
people need the clinical helpbut they need the relational
help and so, yeah, so that's apowerful story that you know
some listeners out here rightnow would be saying, oh my gosh,
I'm where she used to be.
What would you say to them?
Speaker 4 (32:11):
I would say Jesus is the answer.
Jesus is the answer.
Jesus is the answer.
There's no other way.
There's no other thing that'sgoing to help you.
True peace is found in whoJesus is.
True healing is found in Jesus.
You can't live your lifeknowing just about him.
(32:34):
That was my problem.
I grew up in church knowing alot about Jesus.
I didn't have a relationship,and he wants a relationship with
you.
He loves you.
He created you, he designed youfor such a time as this.
He wants a relationship withyou.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
Okay, so you know about Jesus, but then Jesus is
the answer.
What does that mean?
He is the answer.
Speaker 4 (32:58):
Jennifer.
So Jesus is the answer and hehas the answer I've found for
every problem I face.
Before making any big decision,or really any decision, I come
to the Lord and I spend time inprayer and I don't just make a
decision and ask the Lord tobless it.
I come to him before making adecision and asking what is his
will, and I've found that hasled to life.
Speaker 2 (33:21):
He's not somebody just written about in some pages
to you, right.
He's somebody that you canactually talk to.
Speaker 4 (33:26):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
When you say he's everything.
You check in with him abouteverything, right?
Yes, that's pretty cool.
Yeah, and that's made thebiggest difference.
And I think that's where weoftentimes stop.
Sometimes we check in and wedon't want the answer.
Speaker 4 (33:41):
Right.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Yeah, because it may not be the answer, and I think
you said that's kind of whereyou were for a while.
Yeah, yeah, I'm part way in,but all the way in, and so this
is one last question.
Last question on that for me iswhat caused you to?
You mentioned the prayer andpeople praying over you and you
felt much lighter, lifted colorswere brighter, those kind of
(34:05):
things.
What has kept you focused onJesus being the answer and not
slip back into some of theproblems you've had before?
Well, I think it's a tough worldout here.
Still, yeah, it is, you're inheaven.
Speaker 4 (34:18):
Yet so before this and, like I said, I'd grown up
in church and I'd been to churchChristian summer camp what I
found was I was living fromencounter to encounter with the
Lord, with no communion inbetween, and I think for me that
has been key of living incommunion with the Lord, with no
communion in between, and Ithink for me that has been key
of living in communion with theLord and being consistent in
(34:39):
seeking him.
My favorite verse that I've justfound to be so true is Matthew
6, 33, seek first the kingdomand live righteously, and all
these things will be added toyou.
And what I love about thesescriptures is that some
translations even title thesescriptures the cure for anxiety.
And it's talking about you knowwell, what will I eat, what
(35:01):
will I drink, what will I wear.
And Jesus is saying if you justseek him first, all these other
things will fall into place.
And I've just found that to beso true.
When I've sought the Lord, whenI've given him my time, my
resources, and I just lay thaton the altar and I say Jesus,
have it all, have your way in mylife, you are the Lord of my
(35:21):
life.
I've just found that everyother thing in my life has just
lined up.
Speaker 2 (35:27):
I guess that's really the key.
Jesus is your everything andnot just part of your thing.
He's your everything and somany of us we make Jesus part of
our thing and want him to blesseverything.
It don't work that way and so,but he's patient, he's a second
chance, kind of God right, andthe third chance and a hundred
chances and so forth, just likeyou all give to the guests of
Topeka Rescue.
Speaker 5 (35:47):
Mission and just like we've been given and we've been
given, yeah exactly Exactly.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
Well, emily, it's good to have you on the team of
Topeka Rescue Mission and lovinghearing your story here today.
It's been absolutely uplifting.
I'm sure other people out therehave heard this today or will
hear it down the road, and it'sgoing to cause them to say, hmm,
I need to think about that moreand maybe even take that make
Jesus everything.
Anything else you'd like toshare today?
Speaker 4 (36:15):
I think that's pretty much it.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
Okay, rachel, nope, thanks for being here.
Okay, thank you both for beinghere.
Miriam, thank you, thank you.
People get ready for FirstFriday of no Toe coming up and
we're almost out of June andheaded to July.
Speaker 3 (36:27):
Actually the concert is this Friday.
Speaker 2 (36:29):
Oh, this Friday.
Speaker 3 (36:30):
So there's a concert series, one too, right?
Okay, we've got those too, allright, so we're talking on.
Speaker 2 (36:34):
June 17th this Friday yes, this is a Tuesday.
This Friday is the concert.
Yes, then first Friday.
Speaker 3 (36:39):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (36:39):
Then the first Friday of July.
Exactly Okay, Thanks forkeeping me straight.
I need an Emily too.
Speaker 3 (36:43):
I know.
Speaker 2 (36:49):
I know you do, from Emily Monroe, who is a frontline
worker at the Hope Center atTopeka Rescue Mission.
You've heard from hersupervisor, the director Rachel,
who is doing an amazing jobworking with women and families
and children, and pray forTopeka Rescue Mission, pray for
the workers, pray for the guestswho come through here and just
remember Jesus wants to be youreverything, because he is
(37:13):
everything to you and you're hiseverything as well.
If you'd like more informationabout Topeka Rescue Mission, you
can go to trmonlineorg.
That's trmonlineorg.
Have a blessed day.
Dear Heavenly Father.
We thank you, lord, for thisday and your blessings and
provisions.
God, thank you for this time,and Lord this podcast and all of
the listeners who are listening.
Lord, I pray your blessing overthem and Lord, just your
blessing over this conversation.
In your holy name we pray, amen.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Thank you for joining us for an edition of Our
Community, our Mission, apodcast of the Topeka Rescue
Mission.
This is your host today, barryFeaker, here on a Tuesday, june
17th of 2025.
And this is episode number 271.
Co-host with me today MarionCrable, deputy Director of
Supporting Services, topeka.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Rescue Mission.
It's such a long thing to say,isn't it?
I know golly.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
I'm not even reading that anymore.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
You know what?
I'm actually kind of proud.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
I got it down.
Yeah, finally.
So anyway, Miriam, we're goingto have an update from you
before we introduce our guests,but before that, again, the
Research and DevelopmentDepartment down here is
anxiously awaiting for us totalk about the importance of
June the 17th nationally andglobally.
And so, Miriam, you are a nurse.
I was One time I said you werea former nurse and you said once
(01:01):
a nurse, always a nurse.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Always a nurse.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
So you said once a nurse, always a nurse so anyway,
being a nurse today is a veryimportant day for health it is,
it absolutely is national eatyour vegetables day.
Yeah, yeah, whoever came upwith that sounds?
Speaker 3 (01:14):
like my mom, I know it really does sound like
something that somebody who justneeded their kids to do
something so I gotta plug mykids a little bit.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
My boys love vegetables, they love broccoli,
and yeah though.
Oh, that's good, that's amazingand I didn't have to push that.
They're just like naturallylike their vegetables.
I'm like all right.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
I know that.
See, that's wonderful.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
What's wrong with your kids?
Speaker 1 (01:36):
I'm blessed, I guess.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
I don't know sauces, yeah, all that other stuff that
makes it taste good, and bacon,Wash it down with right.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
So anyway, yeah, vegetables are great.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
So, anyway, it's National Vegetable Day, so if
you haven't had your, vegetables.
Yet this year, today would be agood day to start Well, and
this time of year it's reallygreat because you can go to the
farmer's market and get themfresh, and so it's always better
during the summer.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
But if you don't like the vegetables in your house
and you want to get rid of them,this would be a good day to
recognize this it's GlobalGarbage man Day.
Yes, so you've got to throwaway those old vegetables and
you know they don't last forever, right, so you've got to get
rid of them.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
If you don't eat them , you'll have to throw them in
the garbage, you'll still getGarbage man.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Global Garbage man Day.
Yeah, wow, we got a globalthing here.
Yeah, so we've gone beyond that.
So yeah, this just happens tobe in my neighborhood trash day.
Oh is it, but it's a day early.
Is there a?
Speaker 3 (02:34):
holiday or something, because there's a holiday.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Yeah, juneteenth is coming up, so everybody's taking
off that off.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
It's going to throw me off too.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Wednesday is the normal day.
Put it on Tuesday.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
I hope I got everything out I was supposed to
, so does that mean?
Mine, is going to be tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Probably, I don't know.
Mine's on Monday, so I didn'thave to worry.
You didn't have to worry.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Well, that'd be good, here's what I would do.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
I'd run home whenever .
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Well, no, today it would be two days early and I
don't want to do it becausethere's going to be storms and
then it'll end up all over yourneighbor's house.
Okay, national, hate yourneighbor.
Day One more, miriam, I knowthis is one that you really
enjoy.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
It's national mascot day Rock Chalk baby.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Oh my gosh, you're not a K, are you?
Speaker 3 (03:23):
I am not.
I am a KU.
Well, I did not graduate fromKU, but I do appreciate KU
basketball Okay.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
Well, it's been nice having you on the podcast today.
No, I do some consulting andworking with the folks in
Lawrence and I really like thefolks in Lawrence, except for
that thing on the hill overthere.
Because some of us are Wildcatfans.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
I know.
Anyway, you know, I can be aWildcat fan too.
I'm a little bit.
It depends on the sport, Uh-huh.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Yeah Right, who's winning, who's losing right.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
No, is it football or is it basketball?
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Yeah, if it's basketball, it's pretty good.
So, yeah, but National MascotDay it is celebrated on June
17th nationally.
There's a lot of differentmascots that have just grown
over the years.
But, miriam, this is really aquestion for you.
Okay, because you're a formerCali?
No, not really.
(04:17):
Yeah, you were.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Okay, I did live there, california.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Yes, so California is known to be the home of several
of the quirkiest and mostwhimsical mascots.
Did you know that when you wereliving out in California, or
was it just Californians?
Speaker 3 (04:31):
I think it was maybe just the Californians in general
, because I was in okay, okay.
For me it's not too much,because when I lived in the LA
area it was the USC Trojans.
That's not weird.
When I was in Bakersfield theywere the Oilers, which makes
sense because there's a lot ofoil, dairy.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
So she's defending California now, I know Well, I
kind of have to, because I'mtrying to think of which are
quirky.
Yeah Well, I don't know.
Do you know where the wordmascot was derived from?
I do not.
You should read it, it's righthere it was derived from.
I do not, you should read it,it's right here.
It was derived from the Frenchword mascotte.
No, that's not that was perfect.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Is that right?
I'm guessing that was notperfect.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Mascotte, there we go .
It means to bring good luck.
Oh see, that's right.
A mascot runs out on the fieldto bring good luck.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Okay, well, that's kind of cool.
Anyway, and just so you know,my high school mascot was a
wildcat.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Let's see hey, I got a weird one.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
So my mom grew up in West Plains Missouri.
Theirs was the Zizzers, theZizzers.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Do you know what a Zizzer is?
Speaker 1 (05:37):
No, it's a lightning bolt A.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Zizzer.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
But they were the West Plains Zizzlers.
I thought that was a sizzlerwhen you get hit by the light,
oh my gosh.
Yeah, okay, okay.
Our guests are going.
Why were we?
Speaker 5 (05:49):
invited to this today .
What is?
Speaker 3 (05:52):
happening Anyway one more thing, this is very serious
stuff One more thing, mary.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
We have an update on some really cool stuff going on
with the neighbors called Noto.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
You know, barry, one of the things that we're just so
fortunate to have is a reallywonderful relationship with our
folks, to the north of us withNODO Right.
I mean, and it always hasn'tbeen that way, it's been this
kind of this journey to build arelationship with the mission
that you actually started whenthey wanted to do some
revitalizing of the NODO areaand John Hunter and you really
(06:21):
worked well together to say thiscan be a buddy.
Yeah, this can be a partnership.
This doesn't have to beadversarial, and ever since then
it's just been on kind of thisjourney for growth.
Well, trm is in need of food,right?
So especially shelf stablefoods, whether it's canned goods
or pastas or canned proteinsall of those things we just have
(06:44):
a very significant need.
There's a lot of need in ourcommunity, and so Noto, as well
as others around the communitybut I'm going to talk about Noto
right now is doing some amazingfood drives.
So we just went and thoughtthat maybe they would do one for
us, right, just do a food drive, maybe at one of your art
exhibits, kind of thing.
(07:04):
Oh no, they went far beyondthat.
They are doing food drives atevery first Friday and they are
also doing it during theirconcert series, which is every
third Friday through September.
So they're and not only justlike the art center and Noto in
that way, but there's also sevenbusinesses.
Josh, give me the names ofthose.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
Yeah, so there's barrels at the Noto Art Center,
the Wheel Barrel, artismoGallery and Bistro, bradley's
Corner Cafe, kaw Valley Bank theone in Noto and Habitat Restore
.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
And isn't that amazing that all of those
They've got a lot to do on thosedays.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
on the concert time Absolutely.
They've got a lot to do onthose days, on the concert time
and those first Fridays, to addthat in also means they really,
really care.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
And they're so excited about it too.
You know wanting to set goalson how much food they're going
to be able to raise, and sowe're just so honored.
So watch our Facebook pages,watch the Noto Facebook pages,
because we'll be doing a lot ofpromotion, but we hope people
will come down and support Notoand while they do, it brings
some food that will benefit TRM,the people that stay with us,
(08:09):
as well as the community that weserve every Tuesday and
Thursday with food bags.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
So if you don't know about First Friday, it's the
first Friday of every month inNoto, rain or shine, yes, cold
or hot.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
And a lot of people come to it, and there's a lot of
people come to it and there's alot of activities going on.
I think it starts in midafternoon and goes into the
evening and it's come early,yeah, cause you'll be walking to
the event to go to thedifferent shops and different
things and bring some food.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
Absolutely Well and then the concert series which is
on third Fridays throughSeptember is free and it's in
red bud park, and so you justhave this opportunity to have
family time together, enjoy NODO.
There's food down there,there's all different kinds of
things that can just make it awonderful, not expensive right,
(08:58):
a way to spend time outdoors andsupport small businesses.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Support the small businesses.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
Because NODO is just, it's a really unique and
special place.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
It really is.
It was a good vision that wascast maybe 15 years ago, I'm
guessing and people worked hardto make it happen.
And here it is today and it'sreally on the map.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
And it's a good place to go.
It's good for the community ofTopeka and the surrounding areas
and if you're going to bring anon-perishable, it's National
Eat your Vegetables Day, so goahead and bring your vegetables,
but make sure they're in a can.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Exactly Okay, all right so very good.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
And especially canned protein.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Canned protein is very important.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
That's a big one that they're needing at the DC which
?
Is anything from canned tuna,canned salmon, canned chicken,
peanut butter.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
Beans, chilies.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
Yeah, beans.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Another good canned protein.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
Right, absolutely Okay so.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
National Protein Day.
We'll mix it in.
Maybe we'll see when that is Onthe first.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
Very good.
Well, thank you, miriam.
We've had a our guest today isvery special to us, but has been
on the podcast today.
It's not her first time.
She loves podcasts, she justlooks forward to these.
I remember the very first timeshe was shaking a little bit,
and then the second time she wasshaking a little bit.
I don't see her shaking muchright now, but anyway Getting
kind of used to this.
Speaker 5 (10:05):
She's getting used to it, she loves it, rachel.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Flanagan, who is the director of Hope Center for
Women and Families.
Welcome to our community, ourmission.
Speaker 5 (10:13):
Hey, hey yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
So tell us about what it's been like here so far this
spring, maybe this year, inregards to a picture of the Hope
Center.
Describe the Hope Center forpeople who may be your
first-time listeners.
People may know a little bitabout the rescue mission, but
not everything.
So what is the Hope Center andwhat's it like?
Speaker 5 (10:35):
So the Hope Center.
We serve single women, womenwith children, single fathers
with children and marriedcouples with children.
I mean basic needs food, water,shelter.
We also try to be veryencouraging, be very positive.
The guests are in a tough spot.
I tell them all the time andsometimes I feel like a broken
(10:57):
record, like we all have acommon reason that we're here,
but very different and uniquepaths and journeys that led us
to this place.
So there's a lot ofpersonalities, a lot of
characteristics, a lot of just alot.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Like every neighborhood yeah, just happens
to be, they're under one roof,right?
Speaker 5 (11:18):
So there and there's a lot of children and it's, you
know, some days it's crazy, somedays it's quiet.
You really just kind of neverknow.
Now that it's summer, honestly,I thought that we would have a
lot more and we've beenaveraging in the 130.
And now we're under 100.
So it's people are findingtheir forever homes, people are,
(11:40):
you know, just life ishappening.
But it has just been verypurposeful, very rewarding, and
you can't just have any averageindividual working at that front
desk.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
No, you cannot.
That's right, I'm going to getthat in a second.
Rachel, you mentioned therewere 130 or so now or 100,
population total people.
How many are children of that,would you guess?
Speaker 5 (12:03):
I would say about 35 to 40.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Okay, and they all have a parent or guardian that
they're here with, and so thatreduction of maybe 30 people at
this time of year, which isn'talways common, how much does
that have to do with the guestmanagement program and the
rehousing program?
Speaker 5 (12:22):
I would say a lot of it, and here recently we have
had quite a few people moving onto their forever homes.
I'm sorry that question thatyou asked about, how many of
them are going into housing,because it's just not a place to
stay.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Yes, it is not forever Shelter management is
important to make sureeverybody's got a good, safe
place to be, has all thesupplies, information they need,
has a bed to sleep in, cleansheets and those kind of things.
Then there is guest managementthat then kind of manages their
time at the Topeka RescueMission.
And then there's the housingprogram as part of that.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
Yes, so it's not a place that you can just be there
to be there forever, not aplace that you can just be there
to be there forever.
Like you mentioned, it is atemporary and the guest
management team is in place toguide you along the way, whether
that's gaining all of youridentification or going through
guest classes or gettingemployment.
There are different steps thateverybody is involved in and
(13:21):
they have weekly, bi-weeklycheck-ins to make sure that the
guests are going through thegoals that they have put in
place.
The ultimate goal is housingfor every family and every
single individual in thebuilding.
So the success of that is thatthey are following the
programming and then get tohousing and then housing is very
(13:43):
close with them and looking foran apartment or a home or
whatever it is that they arequalified for, and then they
move on and get to their homeand then the housing department
actually follows this guest forI believe it's up to 12 months
after they've moved out, onmonthly check-ins.
(14:03):
How are you doing?
Is there anything that you needhelp with, or do you need food,
or just making sure thatthey're still taken care of?
Speaker 2 (14:11):
That's kind of the secret sauce of all this, isn't
it Miriam To have that follow-upto make sure people are
stabilized and okay.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
It's absolutely the secret sauce and it works
because in the last year we'veplaced probably 90 households
and we've had zero evictions.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
That's amazing, it's remarkable.
It's not normal.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
It's really not and it really has to do with this
follow through, this helpingpeople until they've been able
to establish a new community,that we are still that
connection in there to be theircommunity, to be their, that
kind of thing.
Speaker 5 (14:51):
And it's amazing, like the accountability they're
expecting, like I know they'regoing to come and check on me
and I don't want to let themdown.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Like I need to keep going strong.
Because there's a relationshipthat's been developed right.
Yeah, well, it starts at thefront desk, yes, when people
first come in the front lines.
And so how important is that toyou as director, to have your
people that you really know,because you're on call 24-7,
basically?
Speaker 5 (15:21):
right.
When I'm not physically there,I am plugged in in every other
aspect.
How important is it to you tohave quality people working
front lines?
It's huge.
They are the first face thatour guests are seeing walking in
the doors and you have to havesomeone that is positive,
someone that is encouraging andsomeone that gets it.
Like I said, everybody hasdifferent, unique things that
led them here and we have tomeet them where they're at,
(15:42):
despite what they've done,despite what they're saying.
Some of them can be ratherchallenging, but it's.
Who are we to judge whatthey've been through or how
they're acting?
There's a lot more under thesurface than maybe what they're
really sharing.
So having someone that canaccept them for them is huge.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Yeah and so, and they don't always come in like, wow,
I get to be at the rescuemission you know I'm homeless.
I have nowhere to go.
Oh, this is a great day, and soyou come in with that kind of
like whoa and then you have tobe ready to help them right
where they're at Right.
So, rachel, you mentioned anumber of qualities.
You brought somebody here withyou today on the podcast to talk
(16:25):
to us First time podcaster,from what I understand and so
introduce our guest.
Speaker 5 (16:30):
We have our wonderful and amazing encouraging Emily
Monroe.
Speaker 2 (16:36):
That's pretty good, so, emily.
Speaker 5 (16:39):
No, she really just real quick.
She is the one that keeps mekind of in line.
You know, when you have 100guests and six or seven or 10
staff and there's a lot going onin one day, you never really
know what you're going to face.
She kind of hey, did you talkto so-and-so?
Or hey, did you make sure yougot this done?
Or hey, there she goes.
Do you want me to have her sitdown and wait?
(17:01):
Like she just, and I love itbecause she makes sure that
nothing falls between the cracksand it is really.
It's just really nice.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
So, Emily, how's that working for you?
Really well, so Rachel's got abig job and apparently you do as
well keeping track of Rachel.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Keeping track of Rachel Right.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
But yeah, so welcome to the podcast today.
Thank you for having me.
Yeah, so Emily, you're frontlines.
You were working on the frontdesk about two years now.
Topeka Rescue Mission whatbrought you to the Topeka Rescue
Mission?
I know that you were involvedin your church.
You lead in worship there sohow did you find out about TRM
and why now, two years?
Speaker 4 (17:41):
So I had previously worked at Vallejo and so I kind
of knew about TRM from that,just from taking people here.
I didn't know much about TRM.
I didn't even know that TRM wasfaith-based.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
Jesus saves.
Signs on top of the buildingRight, yeah, and.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
I missed it.
I don't know if you know howtall I am.
I'm not very tall.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
Okay, I'll give you a pass.
Speaker 4 (18:08):
But a good friend of mine, michael Union, was working
for TRM and he was just sharingwith me about how much he loved
it and he loved serving.
And even he didn't even shareit was faith based with me.
But I had just applied and Icame for the interview and I
didn't know then until theinterview that that you guys
serve and just how how much youguys implement faith and
(18:34):
pursuing the Lord and servingand all that you do.
And so I was called before Ireally realized what TRM was.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
And yeah, so you stayed two years now?
Yes, what have you learned?
Besides, there's a Jesus savesign on top of the building.
You've seen it now, right?
Speaker 4 (18:53):
Yes, I'm aware.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
What have you learned ?
In addition to, it's afaith-based ministry and I want
to ask you a few questions aboutthat.
But what have you learned?
Just uh, hope Center, managingpeople coming through that front
door, like Rachel said, anykind of situation, probably not
their best day, yeah, um, andthen, um, you know to help them
to be safe and move on to theirforever home.
Yeah, and then you know to helpthem to be safe and move on to
their forever home.
Yeah, what's that.
What's that?
What have you learned?
Speaker 4 (19:20):
So I think, from just working with Rachel and all my
other coworkers and just otherTRM staff in general, of TRM
loves to give people secondchances, chances.
Trm loves to show people mercyBecause, like you said, when
(19:41):
people come to the Hope Centeror to the men's side, this is
likely their worst day of theirlives.
And so to be able to be a partof when someone is coming in in
a terrible situation and thatcan just look like so many
different things and just to bea part of watching someone grow
you build relationships withpeople because likely they're
(20:04):
here for a while you know theycould be here for several months
and so you really get to seesomeone from where they were and
just be a part of the process,of how they're growing.
And then get to see them moveand accomplish their goals is
incredible.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
What's it make you feel like hearing that, Rachel?
Speaker 5 (20:23):
It's awesome and that's the part is the success.
You know, I came into the HopeCenter like I'm going to save
everybody, I'm going to get this.
We're going to have theseconversations, they're going to
move out and we're never goingto see them again.
And until you get in the HopeCenter, but one person's success
journey is awesome and we'veseen handfuls and handfuls of
(20:44):
success journeys.
People are very down and theyget so excited to tell you I got
a job, I got a car, I got ahouse or whatever have you.
It's just amazing theexcitement that they want to
share with staff or myself, likethey can't wait to tell you I
got approved for SSI or justwhatever it is that they're in.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
Cheering them on to that.
Speaker 5 (21:07):
Yes, how cool is that ?
Yes.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Yeah, it's kind of so people.
People may come in, emily, toyou.
You may be the first one theysee when they come through those
front doors, maybe not in thebest of place in life, but it
sounds like many, as they'releaving, would look back and not
only say thank you, but wantyou to be a part of their
journey going forward.
Because of what do you thinkthat is Obviously a smile and
(21:33):
you're nice and those kind ofthings.
Why do you think people wouldwant to share, as Rachel said,
hey, I just got this or I gotthis done.
Why do you think that?
Speaker 4 (21:41):
I really just think it's just building relationship.
It's, I mean, they're sharingsomething that's happening to
them that's so vulnerable.
They're sharing, you know,something that's happened in
their lives and they're openingup to you and to be able to just
minister to them, to encouragethem just throughout the whole
time.
You just build a relationshipwith someone you know and just
(22:04):
seeing you know them through thehard times and the good times.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
So the second chances being there, hard times, good
times being on the journey withthem.
Many people come into ahomeless shelter and they feel
pretty isolated, pretty alone,pretty like nobody cares.
And then it doesn't happenovernight though, does it,
Rachel?
No, it takes time.
What's the secret sauce in thatwhole thing?
Speaker 5 (22:30):
Consistency and conversation.
And the second chances is hugebecause you know sometimes it's
hard being the in quotations badguy.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Yeah, so explain why we would even need a second
chance.
Speaker 5 (22:43):
Well, we have to be accountable.
So we are a drug and alcoholfree environment.
We have to be respectful andthere are certain rules and
policies that we have to have.
In one building with so manypeople, so having to implement,
like, if there's any suspicionor behavior or anything about
(23:04):
drug use, we have to make surethat that's not the case.
So if this individual testsdirty, unfortunately they're not
able to stay, but we're notjudging you for that.
That doesn't make me look atyou any different.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
You just can't be here right now, right.
Speaker 5 (23:22):
But that's not no forever.
You can come back, and I thinkthat is huge because they're
already down.
We don't know what they've gonethrough.
We don't know why they'returning to the drugs or the
alcohol or whatever it is.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
It doesn't make them a bad person, correct?
It means that right now, thisis not good for this environment
.
Speaker 5 (23:41):
Right and oftentimes when those do go overlooked, it
is a disgrace because the nexttime it could get bigger and
bigger and bigger.
So holding you accountable ishelping you move forward.
You accountable is helping youmove forward.
(24:02):
And then seeing them come backclean and sometimes they have
the conversation of thank you somuch.
That helped me realize or thathelped me understand I had
nowhere to go and I didn't knowwhat to do, and it made me
really respect and beappreciative of this place.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
So you talk about second chances.
Is there ever a third one?
Speaker 5 (24:18):
Yes, and there's 10 or 20 or 30.
Okay, all right.
So we talked about secondchances.
It's never, ever, ever a hardno.
Speaker 2 (24:25):
So people sometimes have a journey that may last
several years back and forth.
Speaker 5 (24:28):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
Streets and drug houses and this, that and the
other thing to take a rescuemission.
But there's that, there's thatum, that lighthouse for them
that they know here's what theycan receive, here's what's
expected and opportunities to tomove forward in that Emily you
talked about.
Uh, you didn't know it wasfaith-based until you applied
and you started learning moreabout that.
(24:50):
How have you seen that beimportant to you personally work
in a ministry like this one andwhat have you learned in that
arena?
Speaker 4 (24:58):
So I really understand the power of prayer,
and so one thing that I justlove that we do is before every
shift, every shift change, wepray together, the coworkers, we
pray for each other, we prayfor our guests, we pray for our
leaders.
We just pray that God's will bedone, and then we are
(25:20):
encouraged to pray with ourguests.
So if someone comes and they'retelling about something they're
struggling with and I just askthem hey, can I pray with you?
That goes a long way.
People care about that.
I mean to be seen, to benoticed, to be heard.
They really care about that.
I mean to be seen, to benoticed, to be heard.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
They really care about.
So you got 10 people that youmeet within a day.
It's probably a lot more thanthat, but you have 10 people
interactions.
If you offered prayer to 10people, how many of the 10 would
say yes?
Speaker 4 (25:50):
I've never had anyone turn me down so far.
What do you think that is?
I think people love to be caredabout.
I mean to see that you knowsomeone here cares about them
and wants you know.
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
Yeah Well.
Speaker 4 (26:05):
I think it's hard.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
They say it's kind of a post-Christian era and then
faith has kind of gone by thewayside and you know, science
has stepped in and we need to bevery careful.
I remember, I know, when wewere doing Operation Food Secure
we started passing out foodboxes, food boxes, food boxes,
and somebody had an idea.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
Maybe we could offer prayer to people Not required of
course.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
it's not required at the rescue mission or anything
else, but it was like people gotin line to get prayed for
didn't they?
Speaker 3 (26:31):
They did, they absolutely did All over the 10
counties to get prayed for.
Yeah, they did, they absolutelydid All over the 10 counties.
And you know, I think I thinkwhat Emily said is so true.
It it helps people feel likepeople care about them.
Whether they believe the samethings.
That we might or not becomesirrelevant, because they know we
believe Right and so when we'rethen so, in some ways, we're
(26:54):
giving part of ourself and ourlove to them, because we care
enough to pray for them.
So I think what Emily said isjust spot on it makes people
feel like we care about them,and that's so important.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
And one guy one time said if you think I'm worthy
enough to go to your boss totalk about me, then that's
pretty good.
Go to your boss, yeah.
Got me in the boss, yeah.
And so that's how he kind ofinterpreted that.
You know was um.
You know he didn't necessarilyhave a belief, but if you want
to go to your boss on my behalf.
Go for it.
So so, emily?
Uh, two years now into it,you've um been able to see the
(27:29):
value of prayer, and and so whatelse about the-based piece of
this appeals to you.
Speaker 4 (27:36):
Well, jesus is everything in my life.
I came to the Lord in 2020.
I'd grown up in church but Ikind of fell away from the Lord
and it fell into a lot ofdepression and darkness.
And when I came to the Lord andhe just opened my eyes to who
(27:57):
he is, it changed everything.
So, in my opinion, I have toimplement Jesus into everything
that I do.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
When you say it changed everything.
You were in this period ofdarkness, You'd walked away from
the church, and the church is abuilding in some people's minds
and it's bigger than that andthe Lord has in mind.
It's his people.
And so when you say changedeverything, what does that mean?
Speaker 4 (28:21):
So before this, I was having an identity issue of I
didn't understand who I was.
I didn't like the person who Iwas.
For several years, throughouthigh school and then starting
college, I wrestled withdepression and anxiety and
suicidal ideation and self-harm.
(28:42):
I was in and out of thepsychiatric hospitals for it.
I just had this heaviness on methat just wouldn't leave and I
would briefly kind of come tothe Lord, but I wouldn't be all
in because I had like one footin with Jesus and one foot in in
the world.
I wasn't willing at the time togive up things that brought me
(29:05):
like temporary comfort.
And so then when I had thisencounter, it was June 20th of
2020.
I had this encounter.
It was June 20th of 2020.
My pastors I'd met with them andI just remember them asking me
do you know what's on you?
And I knew and they said do youwant it gone?
And I said yes, and they prayedwith me for over an hour and
(29:29):
when I stood up, it was like Iwas 50 pounds lighter.
I'm not kidding.
It really felt like colors werebrighter.
It just changed my wholeperspective and outlook on life.
I began to understand who Jesuscreated me to be and actually
like that person and justfinding my value comes from him.
(29:52):
It's not coming from what theworld says that I am, and so it
just changed everything.
I was delivered from depressionand anxiety.
That heaviness that I'd had foryears had left, and I was also
healed of a thyroid disorder.
I'd had to take medication foryears.
(30:13):
Anytime I tried to come off, Ihad to get right back on it, and
he healed me from that.
Speaker 2 (30:18):
Well, that's powerful .
So this is a very real to you,and so you see people that maybe
walk through the front doorsthat are kind of where you used
to be.
Speaker 4 (30:26):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
Yeah, so what do you do with your experience that
you've had with Christ, and howdoes that then translate to how
you help people here?
Speaker 4 (30:37):
So I'll be honest in saying like when I first started
I was kind of worried thatseeing people in that space and
that mentality would bring meback to a place where I was.
But I've found the completeopposite.
I found that Jesus completelyworks all things together for
(30:57):
good and so I've been able tohave compassion for people and I
mean I understand what that'slike to feel like the world is
against you and like you don'thave any value.
So I know that Jesus is helpingme to be able to minister, to
encourage and uplift thosepeople.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
Have you found people that kind of gravitate to you
because maybe they don't know,you don't know your story, but
there's a bond there of somekind.
They understand that youunderstand.
Speaker 4 (31:26):
I would say so.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
That's that spiritual empathy that comes out of
things that we can't even define, that people go no, this
person's okay because they getit, or maybe somebody that
doesn't get it.
You know, in helping people whoare in need, there is
relational and there's clinical,and clinical is important to
have some tools and look atthings as they are and have the
(31:50):
right kind of understanding ofthings.
But sometimes it stops thereand it's not relational and
people need the clinical helpbut they need the relational
help and so, yeah, so that's apowerful story that you know
some listeners out here rightnow would be saying, oh my gosh,
I'm where she used to be.
What would you say to them?
Speaker 4 (32:11):
I would say Jesus is the answer.
Jesus is the answer.
Jesus is the answer.
There's no other way.
There's no other thing that'sgoing to help you.
True peace is found in whoJesus is.
True healing is found in Jesus.
You can't live your lifeknowing just about him.
(32:34):
That was my problem.
I grew up in church knowing alot about Jesus.
I didn't have a relationship,and he wants a relationship with
you.
He loves you.
He created you, he designed youfor such a time as this.
He wants a relationship withyou.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
Okay, so you know about Jesus, but then Jesus is
the answer.
What does that mean?
He is the answer.
Speaker 4 (32:58):
Jennifer.
So Jesus is the answer and hehas the answer I've found for
every problem I face.
Before making any big decision,or really any decision, I come
to the Lord and I spend time inprayer and I don't just make a
decision and ask the Lord tobless it.
I come to him before making adecision and asking what is his
will, and I've found that hasled to life.
Speaker 2 (33:21):
He's not somebody just written about in some pages
to you, right.
He's somebody that you canactually talk to.
Speaker 4 (33:26):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
When you say he's everything.
You check in with him abouteverything, right?
Yes, that's pretty cool.
Yeah, and that's made thebiggest difference.
And I think that's where weoftentimes stop.
Sometimes we check in and wedon't want the answer.
Speaker 4 (33:41):
Right.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Yeah, because it may not be the answer, and I think
you said that's kind of whereyou were for a while.
Yeah, yeah, I'm part way in,but all the way in, and so this
is one last question.
Last question on that for me iswhat caused you to?
You mentioned the prayer andpeople praying over you and you
felt much lighter, lifted colorswere brighter, those kind of
(34:05):
things.
What has kept you focused onJesus being the answer and not
slip back into some of theproblems you've had before?
Well, I think it's a tough worldout here.
Still, yeah, it is, you're inheaven.
Speaker 4 (34:18):
Yet so before this and, like I said, I'd grown up
in church and I'd been to churchChristian summer camp what I
found was I was living fromencounter to encounter with the
Lord, with no communion inbetween, and I think for me that
has been key of living incommunion with the Lord, with no
communion in between, and Ithink for me that has been key
of living in communion with theLord and being consistent in
(34:39):
seeking him.
My favorite verse that I've justfound to be so true is Matthew
6, 33, seek first the kingdomand live righteously, and all
these things will be added toyou.
And what I love about thesescriptures is that some
translations even title thesescriptures the cure for anxiety.
And it's talking about you knowwell, what will I eat, what
(35:01):
will I drink, what will I wear.
And Jesus is saying if you justseek him first, all these other
things will fall into place.
And I've just found that to beso true.
When I've sought the Lord, whenI've given him my time, my
resources, and I just lay thaton the altar and I say Jesus,
have it all, have your way in mylife, you are the Lord of my
(35:21):
life.
I've just found that everyother thing in my life has just
lined up.
Speaker 2 (35:27):
I guess that's really the key.
Jesus is your everything andnot just part of your thing.
He's your everything and somany of us we make Jesus part of
our thing and want him to blesseverything.
It don't work that way and so,but he's patient, he's a second
chance, kind of God right, andthe third chance and a hundred
chances and so forth, just likeyou all give to the guests of
Topeka Rescue.
Speaker 5 (35:47):
Mission and just like we've been given and we've been
given, yeah exactly Exactly.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
Well, emily, it's good to have you on the team of
Topeka Rescue Mission and lovinghearing your story here today.
It's been absolutely uplifting.
I'm sure other people out therehave heard this today or will
hear it down the road, and it'sgoing to cause them to say, hmm,
I need to think about that moreand maybe even take that make
Jesus everything.
Anything else you'd like toshare today?
Speaker 4 (36:15):
I think that's pretty much it.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
Okay, rachel, nope, thanks for being here.
Okay, thank you both for beinghere.
Miriam, thank you, thank you.
People get ready for FirstFriday of no Toe coming up and
we're almost out of June andheaded to July.
Speaker 3 (36:27):
Actually the concert is this Friday.
Speaker 2 (36:29):
Oh, this Friday.
Speaker 3 (36:30):
So there's a concert series, one too, right?
Okay, we've got those too, allright, so we're talking on.
Speaker 2 (36:34):
June 17th this Friday yes, this is a Tuesday.
This Friday is the concert.
Yes, then first Friday.
Speaker 3 (36:39):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (36:39):
Then the first Friday of July.
Exactly Okay, Thanks forkeeping me straight.
I need an Emily too.
Speaker 3 (36:43):
I know.
Speaker 2 (36:49):
I know you do, from Emily Monroe, who is a frontline
worker at the Hope Center atTopeka Rescue Mission.
You've heard from hersupervisor, the director Rachel,
who is doing an amazing jobworking with women and families
and children, and pray forTopeka Rescue Mission, pray for
the workers, pray for the guestswho come through here and just
remember Jesus wants to be youreverything, because he is
(37:13):
everything to you and you're hiseverything as well.
If you'd like more informationabout Topeka Rescue Mission, you
can go to trmonlineorg.
That's trmonlineorg.
Have a blessed day.
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