Turlock Gospel Mission

TURLOCK -- Teresa Barcelles, 47, had some trying years recently.

"I lost my house to foreclosure a couple of years ago; ended up losing my job and my vehicle and became homeless, staying in abandoned houses," said Barcelles.

"I ended up drinking and doing drugs to hide the pain of what had happened and I just saw myself spiraling out of control."

Worse, Barcelles lost her children. "I just hit rock bottom to where I didn't know what to do from one day to another."

But one day she met pastor Jeff Woods, then director of the Turlock Gospel Mission.

"He told me about the mission and about Faith Recovery Home here and the rest was all Jesus," Barcelles said, relaxing on the front porch of the home.

This faith-based organization serves homeless and hungry people by offering food, shelter, compassion, educational, residential and employment services as well as other supportive services and referrals.

Address: 1030 East Ave., Turlock, 95380

Phone: (209) 656-1033

Web site: www.turlockgospelmission.org

Services provided:

• Meal Ministry operates 365 days a year serving meals to homeless and hurting men, women and children.

• Homeless Assistance Ministry offers daytime assistance and connects people with the right resources, agencies and individuals to help put them on the road to recovery.

• Winter Relief Ministry provides overnight shelter for up to three women and children each night from mid-November through early April.

How we help those in need:Individuals and/or families assisted per month:

• 170 women and children with shelter.

• 1,400 men, women and children with evening meals.

• 1,200 men, women and children with visits to the Homeless Assistance Ministry Center.

How a $10 donation can help:

1. Bus passes to help with transportation needs especially from Turlock to Modesto, where most of the necessary services for those we help are located.

2. Toilet paper is a never-ending need.

3. Coffee and coffee supplies. A cup of coffee goes a long way in building relationships and helping guests feel welcome.

$25 donation:

People using our services often do not have proper identification. A $25 donation will help provide a copy of a person's birth certificate, his or her California ID card and his or her Social Security card.

$50 donation:

1. Gas for the bus used to transport guests to dinner, the shelter and appointments.

2. Cleaning supplies.

3. Lunch on weekends (there are no weekend lunch programs in Turlock).

$100 donation:

1. Help pay the salary of the staff.

2. Help pay the overhead: utilities, insurance, vehicle maintenance.

3. Help build a full-time emergency shelter in the vacant building we purchased.

Volunteer update:

Volunteers are the lifeblood of this mission. Position descriptions for volunteer opportunities are posted on our Web site, www.turlockgospelmission.org