Pierce County contributed another $200,000 to the Adams Sq. Family Center.  This brings the final total contributed by PC to over $600,000.  We are so grateful to all the great people who were a part of this decision making process.  This means our total comes to $6, 262,793!!!  When we hear an affirmative from the state we’ll start digging.  We keep working in faith, God has a plan.  David

James Leet is filling in at the Challenge Learning Center and he had some of the guys from the New Life Program post poetry on a blog.  Pretty cool idea, they learn how to post stuff on the web, learn about poetry and get to express themselves in a creative fashion.  Way to go.  Check it out right here.  DC

Hi friends.  Every so often I like to give you a few insights into what I’m reading, listening to, watching or surfing on the web.  With the recent re-make of the Challenge Learning Services and our focus on teaching based upon learning styles, I’ve been paying close attention to what makes a great customer experience.  Of course, in the Rescue Mission our clients perhaps aren’t your typical customers, but I think everybody wants to be treated with the same dignity and respect.  

One of the places I’ve been considering is the Apple Store at University Village.  They have a different concept from other stores and it makes for a great customer experience.  This being the case, I took a group of Mission dept. Directors on a  road trip last week to visit an Apple Store and see what lessons we could take away.  Here are a few of the ideas I had:  1.  multiple points of interest – when you walk into an Apple Store, you can go to any of the different display tables that have product to play with.  All the displays are interactive and you can just jump right in and use the product.  It makes for an immediately point of contact and interest.  2.  Genius Bar/One-on-One tables – the Apple Stores have a “Genius Bar” where you can sign up to ask a computer geek anything your heart desires.  This is a great idea and I’ve used it several times.  It takes the fear out of computer ignorance and makes the user experience bette.  I’m thinking of how we can use this concept in our learning center, but I think it would be useful for churches as well.  Like an info desk, but with a useful, interactive purpose.  The One-on-One table is where a customer can get coaching on how to use the product.  It’s non-threatening and personal.  Both of these concepts turn the ‘retail’ idea on its ear, because you are being served, not just being sold.  3.  Check out – Apple has a instant check out where a handheld scanner allows people to check out with out standing in line for your product.  This is great.  There are just three ideas I picked up from the Apple Store.  I’m not totally sure how some of them are applicable to Rescue Mission work just yet, but I know that by seeing what works in other contexts, I can dream and imagine what might make us more effective in the service of others.  We have many different contexts where we can be applying learning.  In our school, food service, drug rehab program, case management, donor relations, and more.  I challenge you to be looking for ways you can innovate and improve in your area.  You don’t need permission to be great, just do it.  I also encourage you to add any lessons I may have missed from the Apple Store or share an experience where you have learned something from another company.  DC

There are a lot of great things going on at the Mission everyday, and today will be no exception.  My encouragement is to focus on the positive and be prayerful about every person you talk with.  As far as operational details, here is a morsel of “inside info” about an upcoming project.  Soon we’ll have a new website!  The Mission is updating it’s website in just a few short weeks.  In fact, it is already under design.  More than just a facelift, this design will bring more content to those who view it.  What I mean by that is this:  Rather than information – a few short paragraphs – about the New Life Program, I want viewers to see video interviews with , listen to podcasts of lessons and have an opportunity to really see and experience the ministry of the New Life Program.  That’s just one example of who it will be different.  The challenge is not to design a website to have these elements, the challenge is for each department to begin to look at how their lessons, events, classes, and services can be translated for the web.  All staff should begin to experiment with how they might podcast, video, blog, etc.   It’s important to get comfortable with the technology. That’s one of the reasons why I am encouraging every staff person to get onto Facebook or twitter.  (if you’re not on Facebook yet, check out this blog) It will help to acclimate you to the media outlets that are available for sharing information.  More about this later….DC

Early this morning I went to a super store in order to buy a plant for the Challenge Learning Center.  It was a big heavy plant, and I was having a hard time picking it up.  So I began to look around for someone to help me get it up onto the cart.  Even though I eventually found someone after several minutes, I was a little surprised at the lack of support from the store.  As I made my way to the check out at the front of the store, I quickly saw why I couldn’t get any help – all 30 of the store’s staff was gathered at the front to talk about “Customer Service”!  It gets better from there.  I had to wave at someone to get to checked out and made my way past several others rushing to the meeting as I lugged it into my car.  Not once did anyone offer to  help.  Our goal at the Tacoma Rescue Mission is to help transform lives.  Whether as a volunteer or paid staff, each day we need to come to the Mission with a heart set on service in order to break though all the barriers that our clients put up.  Some are struggling to trust and feel  like they have been kicked around, so they are acting out against us and against society.  We must look to serve them from a heart that recognizes God’s love for them and their value to Him.  No matter where you are serving today, don’t walk right past a chance to serve someone today.  Let me know if you’ve had a great customer service experience that will inspire us.  David

Years ago, while discussing the importance of environment for the homeless people at a shelter, a social worker here in Tacoma (but not at the Mission) said, “If they don’t care, why should we?”  To the contrary, I think an environment of Beauty, Inspiration, Cleanliness, and Orderliness is important to the spiritual development of those who have been living in total chaos on the streets or in their cars.  When they come into the Mission I want them to experience “Restful Places” and a sense of beauty around them.  That is why we work so hard to create comfortable, clean spaces for the the people we serve.  What does beauty do for us?  1.  It let’s us know that there is a God.  The Bible says that nature itself, beauty, points us towards God.  So it in when we care and beautify the buildings of the Tacoma Rescue Mission or any ministry.  Some churches and sects over the years took on a plain, austarity approach to beauty in response to the idol worship they saw around them.  Often ministries keep it plain for financial reasons, or so they think.  But I contend that beauty is no more expensive than austarity.  Often it is just a matter of thoughtfulness, patience and work.  2.  Beauty creates spaces where we can relax.  3.  Beauty inspires us.  How many times have you seen a sculpture, piece of art,  or photo and been inspired to a more positive emotion or state of mind?  It happens all the time.  I’m sure there are more reasons.  Add onto this list.  DC

If you are following me on Twitter or Facebook you already know this (hint: you should be following), but last week I met with the GREAT architects at BCRA to see how things were progressing on the Adams Sq. Family Center.  On behalf of inquiring minds, let me give you the straight rundown on how this works.  TRM:  Bob Killmer is our point man on dealing with BCRA and has been working on getting all the details, right down to lighting fixtures and outlets, onto blueprints.  Even though we have had official blueprints for sometime, Bob keeps working it and working it until it is just right.  I must say, this is where Bob really shines.  You’d be proud of how hard he works to get the Mission staff just what it needs. I’m so glad he’s on our team.  Then Bob meets with the contractors to make sure they are willing and able to build according to our specifics.  CE and C are the contractors who are working with us and they are great people.  They helped us do Tyler Sq. phase 2.  BCRA:  Kent McLaren is the lead architect on the project and is the key part of making the building becoming a reality.  We’ve met over and over to talk about what we would need, but Kent is the one who puts it all together.  Current Status:  We will have final permits any day now and are technically ready to build.  The final hitch, as is always the case, is nailing down the last chunk of money needed to complete the building.  When we begin the construction the building will be 100% paid for.  We have grant requests into the State Housing Trust Fund, the Murdoch Trust and others that will take us to our total if they are accepted, which we are believing in faith will happen.  The Mission will continue to raise funds for the furniture and operating expenses, but construction will begin as soon as we receive positive final confirmation on those outstanding requests.  You can see a video of the layout of the building here to refresh your memory.  We’ll have a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14.  More about that later.  DC