"I'm blessed by the Mission and the opportunities they gave me," DeLinda shares.

DeLinda knows about kindness firsthand. She remembers how close she came to homelessness, and how Northlands Rescue Mission stepped in at just the right time to provide her with love, encouragement and the resources she needed to move back toward independence and self-directed living.

DeLinda had lived in Minnesota most of her life and raised three children there. But as an empty nester, when she could no longer find employment in her hometown of Bemidji—and was told there were opportunities in North Dakota—she visited Grand Forks to look for work.

A few weeks later, with her new job going well, DeLinda decided to relocate to the area. She gave up her apartment in Bemidji, but before she could even find a permanent residence in Grand Forks, she was laid off. While staying with a new "friend," she discovered the environment wasn't safe and was forced to flee in the middle of a cold, dark night—with no place to go but the streets. "I was pretty desperate. I didn't know what to do," DeLinda says. "Northlands Rescue Mission took me in. I used to work in a homeless shelter, so I knew I would at least have a place to stay until I could find another job."

But, the Mission did more than simply provide shelter.

"I'm so blessed by this Mission," DeLinda says. "They helped me set up interviews and find a new job. They directed me to places for housing assistance, but I was turned down because I didn't have enough money to pay the first month's rent. So the Mission even helped me meet the financial requirements. These people are here to help. They have a generous spirit. The moment I walked in here, I felt safe."

DeLinda says she can't wait to get settled in her new home and new job. "I want to come back and help in the kitchen or with donated goods to serve others. I will always be grateful."