Threshold to New Life

Under-employed, mom and three kids need groceries

6 September 2013
Richard Bahr
No comments
Categories: Groceries, Threshold to New Life

Sheila is working hard at her part time job. She has a home under a program that provides an opportunity for her to own it at some point (sorry, didn’t get the name of the program). As can happen, she got behind on some bills and was coming up short for the month. The good news had just come that she would be going full time at her job shortly. But what to do to make it in the meanwhile? T2NL took Sheila shopping for the grocery items needed to bridge the gap. We also left her a grocery gift card, so she could get whatever else she might need until her first, larger paycheck arrives. Sheila told us “things are looking up”. We’re looking up and praising God for His provision…how He always loves and cares for us. We’re glad to have the opportunity to do the same for Sheila’s family.

Family in crisis

1 September 2013
Richard Bahr
No comments
Categories: Threshold to New Life

Through our connections on Facebook, we met William and his children…five to be exact. Lots of domestic turmoil and a sad situation for sure for the children. William is sightless, so imagine raising five kids on your own, with limited means and being blind. Lots of challenges. The immediate need was for temporary housing. We found an extended stay residence that bridged the gap between the previous living situation and the next one arranged. Additionally, T2NL provide groceries and clothing for the children. William said not only the financial support but the “love you showed us” meant everything. That’s what Jesus does…He loves those with less.

Interview clothes provided

15 August 2013
Richard Bahr
No comments
Categories: Threshold to New Life

Jerry made the connect to T2NL through a referral from the staff at High Ground in Minneapolis. He was set to interview for a new job on Monday and on Thursday, came to the realization that he didn’t have the clothing required to make the positive impression he hoped for. He is a big man, so finding good business-casual attire would be difficult. We did some research and found a store specializing in consigned business wear (Turnstyles). With a trip there, a stop a JC Penny’s and a meal following, we were able to help Jerry get outfitted for his professional interview. Yes, he got the job!

Washcloths provided for homeless shelter

12 June 2013
Richard Bahr
No comments
Categories: Threshold to New Life

As we’ve gotten to know the staff at the High Ground shelter in Minneapolis, we’ve learned about some of the shortcomings in the supply system. No doubt the need is great and the resources are scarce! One of the security staff mentioned they could really use washcloths for the men staying in the overnight shelter. There’s a system to ‘check out’ a towel and washcloth, but its difficult to maintain and the washcloths disappear. We have a connection (thanks, Larry D!) that allows T2NL to buy product from Sysco at good rates. So, in this instance we bought and provided 300 new, white washcloths for the shelter men. Since then, we’ve continued to provide shampoo and bars of soap whenever possible.

Van donated to family

2 May 2013
Richard Bahr
No comments
Categories: Testimony, Threshold to New Life

A generous local family donated the van to another family in need of transportation. Threshold to New Life provided for a complete safety check as well as some minor repairs (thanks to Central Auto in Osseo, MN) and delivered the van to the family in need. This will provide much needed reliable and safe transportation to this family who now has two working parents and was in need of a vehicle to help with their busy schedules. God is good all the time and provides us with all we need.

Dental work needed

16 March 2013
Richard Bahr
No comments
Categories: Threshold to New Life

Kirk is working full time, however through a temporary agency. This means no health or dental benefits are available to him. On Friday evening while having dinner, he broke a molar off…way in the back of his mouth. Not only was this painful, it is now susceptible to infection. T2NL got the call. We found a dentist in the southern suburbs that was open on Saturdays and was willing to work with us on the cost of the procedure. Kirk had the remainder of the tooth extracted and made it back to work on Monday.

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.

Here can be your custom HTML or Shortcode

Dismiss ad

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.

Here can be your custom HTML or Shortcode

Dismiss ad

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.

Here can be your custom HTML or Shortcode

Dismiss ad

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.

Here can be your custom HTML or Shortcode

Dismiss ad

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.

Here can be your custom HTML or Shortcode

Dismiss ad

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.

Here can be your custom HTML or Shortcode

Dismiss ad

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.

Here can be your custom HTML or Shortcode

Dismiss ad

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.

Here can be your custom HTML or Shortcode

Dismiss ad

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.

Here can be your custom HTML or Shortcode

Dismiss ad

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.

Here can be your custom HTML or Shortcode

Dismiss ad