James Macklin, director of outreach for the Bowery Mission

James Macklin, 70, is a modestly dressed, simple black man with short, curly salt-and-pepper hair. He smiles as he shares his life’s story, a grandfather-like poise communicating a love for the people around him.

“One of my favorite sayings is ‘Never look down on another human being — whether man, woman or child — unless you’re trying to pick them up.’”

It’s easy to see why Macklin lives by this philosophy. Twenty-two years ago, the man lost his business and his home to cocaine and alcohol addiction. If not for what seemed to be a chance meeting with a woman on New York’s A-train at 2 a.m., Macklin may never have learned of The Bowery Mission — New York City’s largest spiritually based homeless outreach and a partner of the American Bible Society. It was the place where he would receive a second chance to take control of his life and come to know the transforming power of God’s Word.

“I found a new direction and perception,” says Macklin. As he holds back tears, his eyes reveal a life ravaged by many poor choices and pain. “I was given an undeserved opportunity to rebuild my life, and [since then] I’ve been dedicated to helping the least, the lost and the lonely.”

A a man receives help from the Bowery Mission (Photo by Drew Hood)

Macklin is now employed full-time with The Bowery Mission as Director of Outreach, having remained with the organization since 1987. He and his colleagues (most of whom used to be homeless) take to the local streets, churches and schools nearly every day, to talk about the redemption they found at The Bowery Mission.

For 130 years, The Bowery Mission has helped people like Macklin put their lives back together by providing compassionate care and life transformation to the homeless population of New York City.

Compassionate care is simple enough: providing shelter, food, clothing, medical care, drug rehabilitation and spiritual guidance to the homeless at no cost. Bowery’s life transformation is far more in-depth. As a homelessness recovery program, it helps beneficiaries stay clean and sober, find a job and a place to live, as well as remain connected to Christ and family.