Page 50 November 2 016 By Michelle Donati-Grayman Turning the impossible into possible isn’t anything new for the Phoenix Rescue Mission. For more than six decades, the Valley nonprofit has provided hope, healing and new beginnings to those in the community with no place to turn. Two years ago, the Mission launched Mission Cookies, its first social enterprise at its Changing Lives Center. Kathy Cocca, executive project manager of Phoenix Rescue Mission, said the project started by asking clients and staff to bring in favorite cookie recipes for the enterprise. The recipes were perfected by several women enrolled in the Mission’s vocational skills and development program. The program helps women overcome addiction and homelessness while equipping them with marketable skills to help them gain employment after completing the yearlong program. “There are a lot of things that keep the homeless homeless,” Cocca said. “Through the Changing Lives Center, we can turn them back to society healed spirituality, mentally and physically.” Once recipes were perfected, cookies were tested and narrowed to the four most popular, which were then named: Changing Lives Chocolate Chip, Cin-No-More, Life By Chocolate and Transformation Trio. Cookies are baked fresh daily in the nonprofit’s state-of-the-art industrial kitchen and are sold online at missioncookies.org. Proceeds go back to the mission, which helps offset program costs for the Changing Lives Center. For $24, you can choose between a dozen large, gourmet cookies or two dozen regular-size cookies. Cookies are also stocked in suites at Talking Stick Arena and at the markets at Grand Canyon University. “Our cookies can compete with anyone in the industry,” Cocca said. The Mission’s cookie sales support Cocca’s claim. In fact, in the past year, about 36,000 cookies were sold. Cookie sales support the Mission’s clients, like Rita, who went from running a successful company to having a nervous breakdown, battling addiction and ultimately losing her family, home and business. “I went from having what I thought was everything to living in a box on the street,” Rita said. “This place gave me all the love and support I needed when I needed it most. It saved me.” Rita was among the Mission’s first Food Service Management course graduates. Since graduating, she has dedicated her life to helping others find the same hope that she found at the Changing Lives Center. She also found a job at a local restaurant chain, and was recently promoted to general manager. Stories like Rita’s are why Cocca asks for people to turn to Mission Cookies instead of their cookbooks this holiday season. “Use us because every dollar gives back, so it’s like giving two gifts,” Cocca said. “One goes to the recipient – be it a friend, neighbor, client – and the other goes to the community.” Mission Cookies help fund critical programs at The Mission

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