Helping Up Mission allows a second chance those in need
Hopkins students work to help give others a second chance
Shaffar is proud to say he himself is a graduate of the Spiritual Recovery Program.
"Although I was religious as a teenager, earned both my bachelors and masters degrees, served our nation in the military, owned both a home and car, was married for 22 years and had two sons, I succumbed to alcohol addiction and eventually crack cocaine," he said.
"After a short destructive addiction to crack cocaine in 2005, a four month recovery period and a three day relapse, I went to Maryland General Hospital for help. The emergency room doctor referred me to the Helping Up Mission. At that point, I was open to going anywhere the doctor told me to go."
On average, one year after graduation, 80 percent of the Program's graduates remain employed, and 70 percent remain drug-free.
Hopkins students have become very much involved with the Helping Up Mission through the Hopkins Christian Fellowship, a member of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship.
Though the group does not solely dedicate itself to volunteering at the Mission, members spend considerable time there, either as volunteers or tutors.
Natalie Flora, an employee of Inter-Varsity and a tutor at the Mission, moved to Baltimore three years ago. Almost immediately she noticed the depravity and poverty that plagues Baltimore.
"I remember young men coming up to me everyday asking for money," she said. "I really didn't know what to do."
When she could, she would give money or provide food but she felt like there had to be a better way to help. Natalie heard about the Mission through friends at her chapel.
"At first, I helped mostly in setting up dinner and cleaning afterwards," Natalie said. "Eventually I became more and more involved."
At the Mission, Natalie teaches basic reading and math skills to programmers.
"You really do get a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction after working at the Mission," she said. "After hearing some of the programmers' stories, I have truly become more grateful for what I have."
"Not only are the programmers changed by the Recovery program, but so are the volunteers who help them out on their recovery," she said. "I am not only my brother's keeper but my brother becomes my keeper. I learn about myself through the programmers."
Grace Tan, coordinator of social justice at the Hopkins Christian Fellowship, has also enjoyed working with the Helping Up Mission.
"Last year, during Spring break, we volunteered at the Helping Up Mission as well as the Morphus women's shelter," she said. "I like the spiritual and Christian focus of the Mission. I will definitely volunteer there again this year."
Currently the Hopkins Christian Fellowship is trying to expand the tutoring program in the Helping Up Mission.
"Anyone interested in volunteering in Baltimore, who wishes to make a difference in the community, is more than welcomed here at the Mission," Shaffar said.
"Although I was religious as a teenager, earned both my bachelors and masters degrees, served our nation in the military, owned both a home and car, was married for 22 years and had two sons, I succumbed to alcohol addiction and eventually crack cocaine," he said.
"After a short destructive addiction to crack cocaine in 2005, a four month recovery period and a three day relapse, I went to Maryland General Hospital for help. The emergency room doctor referred me to the Helping Up Mission. At that point, I was open to going anywhere the doctor told me to go."
On average, one year after graduation, 80 percent of the Program's graduates remain employed, and 70 percent remain drug-free.
Hopkins students have become very much involved with the Helping Up Mission through the Hopkins Christian Fellowship, a member of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship.
Though the group does not solely dedicate itself to volunteering at the Mission, members spend considerable time there, either as volunteers or tutors.
Natalie Flora, an employee of Inter-Varsity and a tutor at the Mission, moved to Baltimore three years ago. Almost immediately she noticed the depravity and poverty that plagues Baltimore.
"I remember young men coming up to me everyday asking for money," she said. "I really didn't know what to do."
When she could, she would give money or provide food but she felt like there had to be a better way to help. Natalie heard about the Mission through friends at her chapel.
"At first, I helped mostly in setting up dinner and cleaning afterwards," Natalie said. "Eventually I became more and more involved."
At the Mission, Natalie teaches basic reading and math skills to programmers.
"You really do get a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction after working at the Mission," she said. "After hearing some of the programmers' stories, I have truly become more grateful for what I have."
"Not only are the programmers changed by the Recovery program, but so are the volunteers who help them out on their recovery," she said. "I am not only my brother's keeper but my brother becomes my keeper. I learn about myself through the programmers."
Grace Tan, coordinator of social justice at the Hopkins Christian Fellowship, has also enjoyed working with the Helping Up Mission.
"Last year, during Spring break, we volunteered at the Helping Up Mission as well as the Morphus women's shelter," she said. "I like the spiritual and Christian focus of the Mission. I will definitely volunteer there again this year."
Currently the Hopkins Christian Fellowship is trying to expand the tutoring program in the Helping Up Mission.
"Anyone interested in volunteering in Baltimore, who wishes to make a difference in the community, is more than welcomed here at the Mission," Shaffar said.
Be the first to comment on this story