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“My last roommate was actively using, but what d

“My last roommate was actively using, but what do you do? You need an address to get a job, a place to send your mail... It was so hard and money was tight and rent was expensive. I needed to get out of this or I was going to relapse. I felt hopeless until I heard about CLDI."⁠
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Calvin Warren, a 53-year-old former PTA president and little guy football coach, recently became a CLDI tenant. A devoted father, Calvin has a degree in Psychology and was gifted in working with children. He spent 18 years working in residential treatment programs and group homes.⁠
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Unfortunately, an addiction to pain medication took over his life and he lost everything. In a dark hour, he tried to commit suicide. But, even that wasn’t rock bottom. Calvin found himself homeless at 45 years old. He recalls sleeping in boarded-up alcoves and pulling his hood over his face when he walked; the shame was overwhelming. Night after night, he tried to get wasted and secure drugs because it was the easiest way to numb and avoid the painful reality of homelessness.⁠
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Through some miraculous connections, Calvin was able to start battling his addiction. Though he now had mentors encouraging him to walk in sobriety, finding stable housing was proving a challenge.“My last roommate was actively using, but what do you do? You need an address to get a job, a place to send your mail... It was so hard and money was tight and rent was expensive. I needed to get out of this or I was going to relapse. I felt hopeless until I heard about CLDI.⁠
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Calvin has no doubt that God opened doors for him to secure an apartment at CLDI. “My home—it means more to me than words can describe. Stable housing is a game changer. ”In the last few years, Calvin has been able to rebuild his life and the relationships that make life worth living. “When you have solid housing, it gives you the energy to make positive choices. It really is amazing. My daughter came over last week and told me she was so proud of me. I’m so grateful for a God who never leaves you, my family, friends, and my home. CLDI has given me my second chance.

EXPANDING CLDI’S REACH⁠ ⁠ New Executive Dire

EXPANDING CLDI’S REACH⁠
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New Executive Director Kaleb Perdew shares his history with the ministry and vision for the future.⁠
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In 2017, CLDI’s Executive Director Eric Basye crossed paths with Kaleb Perdew, a Billings native and recent graduate from the University of Montana. Kaleb had a heart for leadership and had just accepted a job with InterVarsity’s ministry at Rocky Mountain College. The two struck up a friendship and through Eric’s mentorship and encouragement, Kaleb and his wife Kelsey decided to purchase a home on the South Side.⁠
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Over the years, Kaleb and Kelsey’s hospitality and investment in the South Side community has set their home apart as a neighborhood hub. Kids know where the Perdew’s live and can often be found tossing a football back and forth with Kaleb in the soccer fields adjacent to their home, or grabbing a snack from the readily stocked pantry.⁠
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In 2019, Kaleb accepted a role on staff with CLDI working with interns and the Youth Works staff. He spent his first week learning dances to perform onstage at Vacation Bible School.⁠
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Kaleb has since put away his dancing shoes, and now as our Executive Director, is looking forward to the opportunity he has to maximize and fine-tune staff capacity and influence.⁠
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CLDI has experienced rapid growth in the past five years and Kaleb is focused on helping CLDI shore up the foundation, ensuring the organization is sustainable for years to come.⁠
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While brick-and-mortar projects will move ahead in 2023 (completion of Tapestry, ongoing identification of dilapidated properties for infill development), Kaleb’s main focus will be on building up the people behind the projects.⁠
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He’s convinced that pouring into the staff, tenants, and apprentices will expand CLDI’s relational reach and give more people on the South Side opportunities to hear and experience the gospel in action.⁠
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“I believe the most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed. Helping people make the most of their skills, gifts, and talents is what I do best."

THE IMPACT OF MENTORSHIP | Volunteer Highlight by

THE IMPACT OF MENTORSHIP | Volunteer Highlight by Eddy Welch⁠
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Before becoming an apprentice mentor through Rail//Line Coffee, I was looking for a ministry to partner with. I wanted to help people not only to grow in their walk with Christ, but to further themselves in the professional world as well. Mentoring through Rail//Line Coffee has been the perfect marriage between those two worlds.⁠
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My mentee and I meet twice per month for an hour and talk about what it means to be a professional, set goals, and invest in the future. It is incredibly rewarding to see possibility and hope come alive in someone who previously struggled to see their own potential.⁠
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The experience has been eye-opening. I did not realize the advantages I had because of the environment that I grew up in. I’ve realized many things we often take for granted are incredible blessings that not everyone is afforded. Cars, computer skills, and basic financial knowledge are not nearly as commonplace as many assume.⁠
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I would strongly encourage others to get involved, especially other men. When I initially signed up, the director of the program mentioned that there are not many men who volunteer as apprentice mentors.⁠
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There is a great need for Godly men and women to step in and help these young people thrive financially, spiritually, and relationally and the mentorship program through Rail//Line Coffee is a great way to see that mission accomplished.⁠
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Interested in volunteering an hour of your time twice a month to invest in the life of a young person? Follow the link our bio to get started.

A Person Behind the Passion!⁠ ⁠ Alex Streeter,

A Person Behind the Passion!⁠
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Alex Streeter, a CLDI intern, recently shared exciting news and how things are changing for her...⁠
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"Sam and I at our new home! We have named the home, The Nampara House, based on our favorite TV show 'Poldark' who, in the show, uses his home as a starting place to bring about justice for the poor.⁠
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Changing my longings...⁠
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Change has become a recurring theme in my life over the last six months. There have been apparent changes, such as my occupation and living situation. However, beyond that is the change in my perspective in my worldview. One day after a challenging workout with my coach, Chantel, she asked everyone in the group about one goal we have and how we are taking steps towards achieving that goal. When it got to my turn, I was left speechless, not because I had no goals but because I was surprised at how deeply I felt my plans had changed. If you had asked me a year ago what my plans were, it would be to buy a place in Red Lodge, with lots of land and horses. It would be to have a family, travel once a year to a beautiful place, and have fulfilling work that pays well so that I could enjoy my weekends. None of these things are wrong! I would still love to own a piece of land in Red Lodge one day. However, my desires have slowly begun to change. Now I want justice for the marginalized, to adopt a family, be free of the chains of longing for money, and be known for generosity. I want to love mercy, do justice, and live a truly full and abundant life.⁠
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Ultimately, I told Chantel that my goal was to have a dining room table so everyone could come to my house and have a meal. I want hospitality, peace, courage, and an enriching and everlasting joy that I have and can share, knowing it can only come from submitting my life and plans to Christ. I want to leave you with a quote from a book we have been reading together called You Are What You Love by James K.A Smith that explains this exact transformation I seem to be walking out."⁠

YOU CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE!⁠ ⁠ Volunteers are a

YOU CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE!⁠
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Volunteers are a huge part of our impact on the South Side. We need volunteers to reach and love our neighbors. We would love your help making a difference in our community. Reach out, lean into your strengths and together we can increase our impact. ⁠
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Follow the link in our bio to take action today.

Experiencing authentic Christian community changes

Experiencing authentic Christian community changes lives! Alex, a CLDI intern, shared what this season has meant for her and her husband.

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EIN: 81-0397424

CONTACT US

Phone: (406) 256-3002

Fax: (406) 256-2387

Address: 24 S 29th St
Billings, MT 59101

Mailing address: PO Box 3381 Billings, MT 59103

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