Author: Richard Bahr

Four Families Spared from Homelessness

17 March 2015
Richard Bahr
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Categories: Thank yous, Threshold to New Life

A nice “thank you” from Grace at Simpson Housing. Threshold to New Life got involved financially to support four families when their support ran out. We’re blessed and loved….so we bless and love others.

Grace from Simpson Thank you 2015-03-02

Leon is Grateful

14 March 2015
Richard Bahr
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Categories: Threshold to New Life

Here’s the text Leon sent after we met last night. He is working two jobs, getting caught up on his debt and living within his means. He has a nice apartment that is VERY organized. T2NL provide a matching grant to help Leon get caught up on his rent – he paid 1/2 and T2NL paid half:

“You folks are so totally awesome. I wish that I could have met you sooner in life. But by the grace of God he allowed both you and you wonderful wife in my life and I am so grateful for that. I want to thank you for what you have given me. And that is your time of day. Again I thank you.”

What a kind a gracious note! We’re grateful to God for providing the means to see Leon through this ‘gap’!

So….how we doin’?

28 February 2015
Richard Bahr
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Categories: Threshold to New Life, Updates

This ministry completed its first full year of operation in December 2014:

Served 33 named clients, 23 with specific financial support

– Rental assistance (rent, security deposits and application fees) – Food / Gift Cards – Clothing (basic needs and interview clothing) – Basic household items – Bus passes – Utility payments – Storage locker fees – Gas cards – Two vehicles including doing repairs and full safety check

Also provided to hundreds of others in need were:

– Backpacks, socks, hats, gloves, jackets, shoes, clothing, personal care kits cases of soap, shampoo, McDonald’s gift cards and faith-based reading materials

In the eight weeks since January 1, 2015:

– Fielded five (5) referrals for housing needs (rent assistance, security deposit and application fees), provided one (1) lead on an apartment, researched utility grants for two (2) clients, covered storage fees for one (1) client, provided transportation for grocery shopping for one (1) client, job interviews for two (2) clients and job training for one (1) client.

We contribute to this ministry and serve with our time because we were first served and loved by Christ. During this Easter season, we contemplate the love He showed by His sacrifice on the cross and all the events leading up to this. He did all this while being both man and God. Feeling the pain, anguish, feelings of separation from God and his friends and yet did this for you and me. He loved us that much. So we serve and give because He did first.

See our website for more information at www.threshold2newlife.org and to donate go to https://threshold2newlife.org/donate.html

We serve in His love,

The Threshold to New Life Team

Young man gets needed rest

20 December 2014
Richard Bahr
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Categories: Threshold to New Life

Mom reached out for help from Grace Fellowship and was referred to T2NL. We’ve recently placed a few beds – why ‘beds’ are the thing right now, who knows? She needed a bed for her son who has a medical condition requiring constant monitoring. Our beds were already placed, so we had nothing in inventory. We put the word out to our friends and followers and wouldn’t you know it, no bed donation, but two very generous people stepped up to split the cost of a NEW bed, box spring, frame and 10 year warranty! We give the glory to He who is so deserving for connecting us to people that love to share with those who have less. Thank you!

Wheels needed

30 November 2014
Richard Bahr
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Categories: Testimony

Tim survived a heart attack earlier this year. He is physically no longer able to work. He and his wife have assistance to help financially however their car failed recently. We had a GENEROUS donor step up and provide a nice van for them. T2NL provided funding for the vehicle check along with some small repairs. Thank you to all who support us in our efforts to share from what we have with those having less!

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Personal care kits for shelters

24 November 2014
Richard Bahr
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Categories: Giving, Threshold to New Life

Volunteers packing pc kits 2014

Our volunteers packed 200 personal care kits that will be distributed at two shelters during the holidays. Each kits contained a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, razor, shaving cream, bar soap in a smaller ziplock bag, comb, and a scripture tract. After we finished packing, we talked about how in the book of Acts, it discusses the culture of the members of the early church. How they shared with one another…those having more shared with those having less. We prayed over the cases of packed kits….that God will use this small, good work for His glory.

Save a Buck

22 October 2014
Richard Bahr
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Categories: Threshold to New Life

Tim Buck suffered a massive heart attack while dancing with his wife, Fatima, at an outdoor public event in Coon Rapids this summer. Thanks to the work of volunteers and the local authorities, Tim was revived, has received bypass surgery and is now returning to health. We found out about Tim’s situation via Facebook. After a brief interview, we recognized the need, prayed and launched into action. T2NL provided financial assistance to Tim and Fatima to establish a new home as well as some additional funds to set up the place. Thanks to some generous folks for being moved by their situation and deciding to share with those having less.

Tim and Fatima interviewed by local newscast
Tim and Fatima interviewed by local newscast

Closing a gap when entering new housing

8 October 2014
Richard Bahr
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Categories: Housing, Threshold to New Life

LaTonya was staying at the People Serving People shelter when we met. We found her to be very gracious and ambitious. Her son is extremely well-mannered and helpful. She needed help furnishing her new apartment. T2NL located some furniture (couch, table, chairs and inflatable beds) as well as a TV set (with digital adapter) and a entertainment center, all from generous donors.

Benefits interrupted and T2NL steps in the gap

22 July 2014
Richard Bahr
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Categories: Threshold to New Life

With the birth of her new baby, Loreal experienced an unexpected stoppage of her benefits and needed a little help with her rent. She had a wonderfully cooperative landlord who was willing to work with us. She sent a nice thank you card…”Thank you for everything”. We thank the source and great Giver of all we have for His provision that we are able to share with these folks.

Mom approved for housing in suburbs

10 July 2014
Richard Bahr
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Categories: Housing, Threshold to New Life

Kia has two school-aged children and found refuge in Maple Grove, once having been approved for housing. Our volunteer, Denise, stepped in to help enroll the children in their new school and take them school clothes shopping. Now that the kids are off to school, mom is looking to do the same at Hennepin Technical College.

Carla Bahr

SECRETARY/TREASURER & ADVOCATE

Carla co-founded Threshold to New Life with her husband, Richard, in 2013. Carla handles the day-to-day operations for the organization dealing with partner organizations and working directly with clients.

She has spent a career in providing administrative support for executives at a number of prominent Twin City companies, which developed her organizational skills as well as the heart of a servant.

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Richard Bahr

PRESIDENT & CHAPLAIN

Having led and grown a leading capital equipment manufacturer with installations in 27 countries serving 17 of the top 20 pharmaceutical firms in the world, Bahr became determined to dedicate more of his time, talent and treasure to helping “the least of these."

He has a B.A. from Augsburg University in Business and has served on the boards of and has actively worked with several charitable organizations throughout his career. As a licensed minister, he volunteers as a chaplain at various homeless shelters along with providing leadership for 2.4 Ministries of Grace Fellowship, serving a daily breakfast to the homeless. He is also a published author. His most recent book, Those People, shares stories about his homeless friends. More about Bahr can be found on his website at www.richardbahr.com.

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Sheila Daniels

DIRECTOR

From Homeless to Faith – Following her experiences in dealing with both homelessness and chemical dependency, Sheila committed her life to Christ in 2004. As God began pulling the pieces of her life together, she began working for a non-profit homeless shelter in 2007, then earned her B.S. in Human Services in 2018. Following multiple promotions, she now is the Program Director at Hope Harbor at the Salvation Army in Minneapolis.

Sheila is originally from Chicago and has resided in the Twin Cities since the late ’90s. She is married and a soldier in The Salvation Army. Her empathy for those struggling with addiction, homelessness, and mental illness has oriented her vocation and volunteering to step in to help those in need.

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Danell Gibbins

DIRECTOR

Danell is a hands-on executive with several decades of senior level experience in the wholesale industry. Born and raised in North Dakota, she has lived in the Twin Cities area for more than 30 years, and she and her husband call the northern suburbs home.

In addition to volunteering with Threshold to New Life, she supports a number of other organizations which reflect her heart for poverty, food and family insecurity, and homelessness: World Vision, Common Hope, and Unseen among them. She loves to cook, eat, and make others feel welcome. She translates this into preparing and serving food at Simpson Shelter, Minneapolis, alongside her friends from Grace Fellowship, Brooklyn Park, MN.

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Denise Morrisette

DIRECTOR

A life-long Minnesotan, Denise is married to John and has two wonderful daughters and a son-in-law. She has spent her career as an elementary school teacher in a Title 1 school in a Twin City area school district.

Along with volunteering with Threshold to New Life, she has helped with several other homeless ministries. She sponsors children through World Vision and is currently a coach and mentor to the Girls on the Run organization, which promotes good self-esteem, positive role models, and moral education along with physical activity to girls in grades 3 – 5.

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John Morrisette

DIRECTOR

Also a life-long Minnesotan, John is married to Denise and has two wonderful daughters and a son-in-law. He has been an Environmental Scientist and has been operating his own business for 22 years.

Along with volunteering with Threshold to New Life, John has learned the joys of serving by being a Big Brother since 2012 and is currently a tutor at Sharing and Caring Hands. He has worked with at-risk teens at Maple Grove High School in the STRIVE program. He has also coached youth gymnastics and soccer for many years.

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Rob Van Beusekom

DIRECTOR

Rob was born and raised in the Minneapolis area and currently lives in the Northwest suburbs of Minneapolis with his wife, Nancy. He has a B.S. Degree in Finance from Saint Cloud State University and has spent the last 30 years of his career in corporate financial management and planning.

In addition to his role on the Board of Directors of Threshold to New Life, Rob is involved in several other non-profit organizations. He teaches financial literacy classes for several organizations, serves on the speakers’ bureau of Feed My Starving Children, and is a Compassion International and Campus Outreach sponsor. He is also involved in his church, Grace Fellowship in Brooklyn Park, where he serves as a church elder, men’s group leader, and small group leader.

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Nancy Van Beusekom

DIRECTOR

Nancy was born and raised in Wisconsin and has lived in the Twin Cities for over 35 years. She lives in the Northwest suburbs of Minneapolis with her husband, Rob. She has a B.S. Degree in Finance from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and has spent the past 30 years of her career in business systems support and project management within the Financial Services Industry, where she recently retired.

In addition to her role on the Board of Directors of Threshold to New Life, Nancy teaches financial literacy classes for several non-profit organizations, ran the church bookstore for 4 years at Grace Fellowship Church, and is a Compassion International and Campus Outreach sponsor.

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Sherri Larson

DIRECTOR AND ADVOCATE

Sherri was born and raised in WI before moving to MN thirty plus years ago. She met her husband Dave on a blind date and they have 2 adopted children. Now both retired since 2018, she and Dave enjoy their respective and joint hobbies, spending time at their cabin, doing road trips and visiting with their children.

After working in the corporate world supporting the divisional VP for many years, Sherri was looking for something that helped people, not a corporate bottom line. She has been a volunteer advocate with Threshold to New Life since 2019. She is also a Drop Off Site co-leader with her husband at Grace Fellowship Church for Operation Christmas Child, collecting shoebox gifts from the surrounding community for children around the world, spreading the good news of Jesus to the children and their families and friends. She has also sponsored several children over the years thru Compassion International.

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Dave Larson

DIRECTOR

David was born and raised in northern Minnesota and has lived in the Twin Cities for over 35 years. He is married to Sherri and has two adopted children, a son and daughter. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Bemidji State University and had a variety of roles in the technology industry over the past 30 years.

After retiring in 2018, he now spends free time volunteering for various organizations and activities. He is a Drop off lead for Operation Christmas Child, providing leadership for shoebox collections at his Grace Fellowship site. In addition, he leads a small group at Grace Fellowship, as well as providing various staff support functions. During the summer months, he spends as much time as possible at his cabin in northern Minnesota.

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