A Testimony of Transformation

Transcription

1 The C u r rent Spring 2016 Comment A Testimony of Transformation I showed up here with my T-shirt, pair of jeans, and work boots, Ken told me. That s all that I had to my name. This is the state of most of the men who arrive at Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven (SHSH), our long-term housing program for men who are homeless and have a diagnosis of mental illness. And what do they find at the Safe Haven? First of all, the basic necessities of life which many of us take for granted. A safe place to stay, food, and assistance in obtaining clothing and other necessities. But more than that, they find support. Accountability was the main thing that I found here, Ken said. Ken came to Safe Haven following a point of decision. After a lifetime of drug and alcohol addiction, he had reached a breaking point. I was either going to get some help, or it was going to be the end, he said. Thankfully, he decided to get help, going to the ER and spending two weeks getting his medication for depression stabilized. It was there that he learned about and was referred to SHSH, and he was able to be admitted directly upon his discharge from the hospital. It wasn t hard for Ken to find work, as he had worked many jobs in industrial maintenance and forklift driving. He had just not been able to keep a steady job because of his drug addiction. And he hadn t been able to kick his drug habit because every time he returned to the community from a drug rehab program, the only housing he could afford was in areas saturated with drug use. You can t get sober in a rooming house, Ken commented. But SHSH is not in the middle of a drug-infested neighborhood, and that seclusion was an important aid in Ken s recovery. He got a forklift job, and was fortunate to have a supervisor who drove by SHSH on his way to work, so he had transportation until he was able to save up to get a car of his own about six months later. Ken stayed clean and was able to move from the dormitory area of the Safe Haven up to the second floor where he had a private room and paid a portion of his income toward rent. Since there is no specific time limit for the amount of time that men can stay at SHSH, Ken was able to remain there until he felt confident in his financial and emotional situation. He reached that point this January after a bit more than 2 years at SHSH and moved out into his own apartment. Ken has a quick smile and deep laugh. I m doing better than I ever thought I would, he stated. He keeps himself busy, working overtime when he gets the chance, and staying away from anyone he thinks could drag him down. It s for guys like Ken that need not only a place to sleep, but a safe place to rebuild their lives, that the Safe Haven was built. His is only one of many stories that can be told of men who have been able to use their time at SHSH as a place of healing and transformation. CCU values your support so that we can maintain the high quality services of SHSH and our other programs that provide hope for those dealing with homelessness. CCU. A publication of Christian Churches United of the Tri-County Area Christian Churches United of the Tri-County Area 413 South 19th Street P.O. Box Harrisburg, PA ISSUE NO. 171 Phone: Fax: Info@ccuhbg.org CCU Ken (on the right) shares his big smile with Sterling Tarbert, Operations Manager at SHSH. Inside This Issue! Meet the new staff members at CCU and Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven. Learn how your church can receive money for new audio-visual equipment. Discover how you can use your lunches to help some of your neighbors in need. Spend an evening enjoying great gospel music and inspiring testimonies. Take a day off from work to practice your golf game, while supporting CCU!

2 THE CURRENT COMMENT Spring 2016 PAGE 2 CCU Ministry News Introducing Our New Staff Members: Iris Thomas, Program Director, Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven Iris Thomas I ris Thomas began serving others when just a teenager. The child of a pastor, she often observed at an early age the reward of helping others and seeing the blessings that come from giving and receiving. It is my personal belief that I should be the change that I want to see in the world, says Iris. When I come into contact with a person along their personal life s journey, I pray that I can make a positive difference. If so, I have done my spiritual work. Iris brings more than fifteen years of nonprofit experience to Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven. With a B.A. degree in Social Services, she has worked as an employment counselor, family therapist, life coach, spiritual advisor and manager of program systems. She also founded a nonprofit organization with residential housing for women dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues. Regarding her new role at Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven, Iris says, It is a privilege to be a part of this organization. Christian Churches United is extremely vital in the community and does wonderful work. I am excited about working with Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven (SHSH). In fact, I have another affirming acronym for Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven (SHSH) - Serve humbly to Stimulate Hope. S teven Burlew has worked in marketing, communications and public relations for twenty-five years. Since receiving his degree in communications and finishing seminary, he worked in a variety of positions that have included broadcast journalism, political media relations and marketing management at several companies and non-profit organizations. What brings him to Christian Churches United? Actually, it s a perfect fit, says Steve, if you look at my professional career blended together with my spiritual journey. Although Steve s Christian walk began years ago as an adolescent, he points to several difficult years in his life when his Christian faith was tested. During this time, Steve delved into the gospels, reading and re-reading them, with an insatiable desire to know Jesus more intimately. While doing so, he says that he gained a deeper understanding of the things that Jesus taught, and the life that we, as Christians, are called to live - feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, housing the homeless, ministering to prisoners. When first introduced to the work of Christian Churches United, I couldn t help but think, This is exactly what Jesus taught, and exactly what we, in the church, are meant to be doing. Steve welcomes any ideas you might have to help expand CCU s support base. Steven Burlew, Community Relations Steven Burlew We also have welcomed the following new part-time staff to our programs in the last month: Steve Carroll HELP Ministries Case Manager Lisa Scott HELP Ministries Case Manager Careim Williams Supportive Services Assistant, SHSH And said THANK YOU to Sara Chubb for 7 years of faithful service as Case Manager at SHSH, working almost all the way up to the due date of her third child! Correction: In our last newsletter, we stated that the Bridge Food Pantry serves 70 families each month. The correct number is approximately 175. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK! You don t have to wait until the next Current Contact to know what s happening in any of our ministries. Search for Christian Churches United of the Tri-County Area and follow us.

3 THE CURRENT COMMENT Spring 2016 PAGE 3 J oin us on Saturday, April 16 for an inspiring afternoon of worship and testimony, along with words of challenge from John Wetzel, Pennsylvania s Secretary of Corrections. Secretary Wetzel is widely recognized as one of the thought leaders in corrections today. He is also a national consultant and speaker with expertise in developing employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated offenders, population management, mitigating impacts on the families/children of incarcerated individuals and effecting system change. The concert will be hosted by Mistress of Ceremony, Shonyah Hawkins Cottman, and a host of area gospel choirs including The Agape Experience, G.A.T. Choir, Praise Him Singers, and Wesley Union Men s Choir. Resource tables will be available with information about the many local organizations seeking to help exoffenders succeed in their re-entry back into our community. Special thanks to our event sponsor, Messiah College, and host, the Historic Grace United Methodist Church. Upcoming Events CCU s Prison Action Committee invites you to: The 8th Annual Concert of H.O.P.E. Guest Speaker: John E. Wetzel, PA Secretary of Corrections Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 4:00 pm Mistress of Ceremony: Shonyah Hawkins Cottman Musical Selections by: G.A.T. Choir, Praise Him Singers, The Agape Experience, Wesley Union Men s Choir The Historic Grace United Methodist Church 216 State Street, Harrisburg, PA FREE PARKING at the South Street Parking Garage. Special thanks to our event sponsor: We hope you will come to worship and support the work of the Prison Action Committee through the freewill offering at the 2016 Concert of H.O.P.E. 39th Annual When: Monday, June 6, :30 a.m. shotgun Where: Sunset Golf Course, Middletown, PA Why: To enjoy a great day of golf and make a huge difference in the lives of people in need. SIGN ME UP! To register now, or get more information, call or sburlew@ccuhbg.org You Can Touch the Lives of Your Neighbors in Need! Every year, one of your neighbors has something happen to their health, their family, or their job. Many need a little extra to stay in their homes, or pay for much-needed medication. With your participation in events like the HELP Ministries Annual Golf tournament, you play a vital role in making it possible for us to help them. CCU s HELP Ministries provides shelter placement, life skills training, rent and security, deposit assistance, emergency travel, medication, home heating fuel assistance, and more right here in Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties. Help us, help them! Get a foursome together from your church and join this great cause! sburlew@ccuhbg.org or call

4 THE CURRENT COMMENT Spring 2016 PAGE 4 Get Involved Save the Date! CCU 2016 Spring Assembly Tuesday, May 17 5:30 8:30 pm Ridgeway Church of the Brethren 525 North Progress Avenue, Harrisburg (just south of the Progress Ave. exit of Rt. 81) Be a CCU Volunteer, and cruise the river? Why come? - Enjoy a FREE dinner, as our guest! - Hear the exciting things that CCU is doing on behalf of our Member Churches. - Be inspired to strengthen Reminder: Delegates from Member Churches need to be present for elections of new board members. Learn more, contact Steve at or sburlew@ccuhbg.org to get signed up for our alerts as the event gets closer. CCU coordinates a Worship Service on the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat, Sunday mornings, 10:30, June August. We need volunteer greeters, ideally to help one Sunday each month, to hand out bulletins, help with the offering, and enjoy the river. We ll provide orientation before it starts. While supporting people in halfway houses, we often need help transporting them to/from monthly Community Connections Breakfasts or weekly worship services. We can also use someone to help coordinate these transportation efforts. Can you help? Give us a call or drop an . Thank you! Special thanks to all of the Churches/Groups which helped make our Emergency Winter Shelter possible from December March. We thank each one of you! Camp Hill Presbyterian Camp Hill United Methodist Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick Grace Lutheran Epiphany Lutheran Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Harrisburg & Keystone Rotary Clubs Market Square Presbyterian Messiah Lutheran Mt. Calvary Episcopal Red Land Baptist Slate Hill Mennonite St. Joseph Catholic St. Stephen s Episcopal Trinity Lutheran, Camp Hill If you would like to learn about how your church or group can help at the shelter next year, please give us a call! Items Needed at Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven While there are many needs, this is a list of items most needed to help us meet the resident s needs within our budget. Contact Iris at to make a donation. Twin mattress sets and bed frames Protective mattress covers Under-bed storage containers Dressers Washing machine & dryer Carpet steamer End tables/small desk/small lamp Cleaning products (esp. Pine Sol) Kitchen towels Eggs, milk beverages, bottled water, product, condiments (food we often can t get from the Food Bank) Coffee, creamer, sugar, coffee filters Gift cards to local stores (Giant, Target, Wal-Mart, Kmart)

5 THE CURRENT COMMENT Spring 2016 PAGE 5 CCU Ministry News It s hard to believe that it s only March, but the Easter holiday is almost upon us. It seems that not long ago at all that we were celebrating Christ s birth and the incarnation of God s love among us. Now we re in the season of Lent, a season of selfexamination and repentance (which, of course, are things that are good to do anytime during the year). A focus during Lent for many Christians has traditionally been to give something up. In that tradition, CCU has annually encouraged our supporters to take the funds you may save by fasting for a meal or giving up sweets and passing that money on as a gift to support the work of CCU as we serve people like A number of years ago, the IDA W. BROWN TRUST was established to provide grants to churches and other non-profit organizations to promote religious, educational, and other character building activities and initiatives through audio-visual educational means. This trust is a great way to help fund educational programs that impact the local community. If your group is in need of projectors, screens, monitors, etc., that benefit the Would You Be Willing to Give Up Lunch To Help Neighbors in Need? broader community, consider applying. Requirements: To be eligible, organizations must qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applications must be submitted through the online grant application form or alternative accessible application designed for assistive technology users. Organizations must be located and/or provide services to residents within a Ken (see the article on page 1), who need a helping hand. We call this invitation to give: Let s Do Lunch. Your gift, whatever size, is a powerful way of witnessing to the ongoing incarnation of Christ s love that we are called to be as the church. Howver you choose to celebrate Lent or otherwise seek to live the gospel at this time, may you find your heart drawn to love and support someone who is in need of hope and a new beginning. Resurrection is coming! You can make your gift in the enclosed envelope or on our website, Is Your Church or Organization s Educational Program In Need of Audio-Visual Equipment? 15 mile radius of downtown Harrisburg. Average grant size: $500 to $15,000 Average number of grants per year: 12 Application Period and Deadline: Applications must be submitted online by June 30 to be reviewed at the annual grant meeting that occurs in September. Use the link on the CCU website to reach the application: CCU s ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Darrel Reinford Executive Director dreinford@ccuhbg.org Joanne White Director of Finance jwhite@ccuhbg.org Steven Burlew Community Relations sburlew@ccuhbg.org HELP MINISTRIES CONTACTS John Scarpato, III Program Director jscarpato@ccuhbg.org Dee Green Assistant Program Director THE BRIDGE Tanya Seidel Director Dauphin County Prison Damon Wagner Fields Assoc. Chaplain SUSQUEHANNA HARBOR SAFE HAVEN CONTACTS Iris Thomas Program Director ithomas@ccuhbg.org Willie Shell Case Manager Sterling Tarbert Operations Manager

6 Cur rent Christian Churches United Spring 2016 The The Current Comment A publication of Christian Churches United of the Tri-County Area Here s a quick list of coming events that we hope you will add to your calendar. We would love to see you join us soon. April 16: Concert of H.O.P.E. - Excellent gospel choirs and special guest speaker, John Wetzel, PA s Secretary of Corrections. May 17: CCU 2016 Spring Assembly - Free dinner, an inspiring speaker, and the opportunity to learn all about CCU. May 21: Healing Communities Training. Perhaps your church will consider becoming a Station of Hope. See details below. June 6: Annual Golf Tournament: Enjoy a great day of golf with friends while being a significant support to CCU s HELP Ministries. Congregational Ministry Opportunity CCU, in partnership with the PA Council of Churches, will be offering a Healing Communities training on Saturday, May 21, 2016 from 9am-3pm at a location to be announced. Healing Communities equips congregations to become a Station of Hope, providing training on building relationships of healing, redemption, and reconciliation in families and communities impacted by crime and mass incarceration. It is recommended that congregations interested in the training send at least three members to the oneday training. CCU will provide follow-up support to participants. For more information, contact the CCU office. CHRISTIAN CHURCHES UNITED OF THE TRI-COUNTY AREA 413 South 19th Street, P.O. Box Harrisburg, PA Current Comment Spring 2016 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED