Thirty years ago, a small but dedicated

Transcription

1 APRIL 2006 ISSUE NO. 96 EDITOR PETE AGES Rehoboth, the Lord has made room INSIDE He moved from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, Now the Lord has made us room and we will flourish in the land. Genesis 26:22 NIV 3 Three Hills Celebrates 4 Celebrations in Grande Prairie REHOBOTH OFFICES Avenue Stony Plain, Alberta T7Z 2J7 (780) (Administration Office) Box 1312 Coaldale, Alberta T1M 1N1 (403) #106, Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta T1Y 5W4 (403) Box 602 Three Hills, Alberta T0M 2A0 (403) Avenue Ste Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V 7T2 (780) Thirty years ago, a small but dedicated and enthusiastic army of visionaries, having encouraged a large Christian community across Alberta to support the concept, registered a society in the province of Alberta under the name, Rehoboth, a Christian Association for the Mentally Handicapped of Alberta on April 19, That July, the first Rehoboth summer camp week was held, staffed by 30 volunteers and serving 25 children and adults who live with disabilities. From that humble beginning, the Lord blessed the work of the association and its volunteers, staff, and supporters, allowing Rehoboth programs to stretch from Grande Prairie to Coaldale, serving over 180 individuals on a daily basis and expanding the Rehoboth Camp Ministry to five weeks serving nearly 200 campers each summer. The Lord has made room room for children and adults who live with various disabilities every day of their lives; room for caring, dedicated and committed staff, room for volunteers, room for prayers and gifts of support for the ministry, room for the community to include those we serve as friends, neighbours, and employees; and room in His Kingdom for those who we treat with dignity and respect as His image bearers and who He calls His children. On behalf of the Board, Staff, and most significantly those who benefit daily from Rehoboth s services, I thank you for your faithful support over these past thirty years and trust that you will continue to assist us in making room well into the next thirty years. Wally Mulder CEO/Executive Director Coaldale greenhouse is bursting into colour, come check it out

2 Notice of Annual Meeting Date: Saturday, June 24, 2006 Time: 2:30 PM Place: Three Hills Community Center (222 Main Street, Three Hills) The Board of Directors invites the membership of Rehoboth Christian Ministries to attend this milestone Annual Membership meeting celebrating Rehoboth s 30th year of operations and Rehoboth Three Hills 10th Anniversary. Agenda items will include: Presentation of the Annual Audited Financial Statements for the year ended March 31, 2006 Presentation of the proposed Annual Operating Budget for the fiscal year 2006/07 Nomination/Election of new Board members Recognition of retiring Board members Presentation of employee length of service awards Highlights of Rehoboth s programs In recognition of both Rehoboth Christian Ministries and Rehoboth Three Hills anniversaries, a Celebration Banquet will be held following the Membership meeting at 6:00 PM at the Community Center. Tickets, at $12.00, can be purchased/reserved by calling (403) Limit of 200 tickets are available CALL FOR NOMINATIONS The following Board members are eligible for, and have accepted, re-nomination for a second term of service: Otto Salomons Lethbridge Barb Slomp - Edmonton The following Board members have completed two three-year terms of service and are not eligible for reelection: Walter Noot After serving in the capacity of Board Treasurer for over 25 years, Walter Noot has indicated his desire to retire from voluntary service to Rehoboth Christian Ministries. We acknowledge Walter s invaluable service and leadership and thank him for his countless hours of volunteer work on our behalf. Nominations will be accepted from the Membership for the above positions, either by mail or on the floor of the AGM, provided the nominee has provided written confirmation of willingness to accept the nomination. Written nominations should arrive at the Rehoboth Administration Office, th Avenue, Stony Plain, Alberta, T7Z 2J7, no later than April 29 in order to be included on the mail out ballot. Rehoboth s Annual Membership Campaign Results From September 1, 2005 January 31, 2006 we have raised $85,560 in donations and $44,910 in memberships for a total of $130, Thank you once again to all the Contact Persons and Canvassers for all your hard work in this 30th Anniversary year Membership Campaign. This brings our Rehoboth Membership to 4524 members for the 2005/2006 year! Thank you for helping us reach and surpass our goal! If you have not been contacted by a Contact Person or Canvasser in your church, and would like to renew your Rehoboth membership before June 1st and give a contribution, please send it directly to the Rehoboth Administration Office: Avenue, Stony Plain, AB, T7Z 2J7; or you can donate online at Rehoboth Christian Ministries Mission Statement In obedience to the will of God, Rehoboth shall convey God s love to persons with disabilities and their families by making room for them through personal support, advocacy and public education and by providing them with opportunities for personal growth and meaningful participation in society. Financial Policy Spending of funds is confined to Board approved programs and purchases. Each donation that is designated toward an approved program will be used as designated with the understanding that when any given need has been met, designated donations will be used where most needed. All donations are acknowledged and receipted with a tax-deductible receipt. REHOBOTH APRIL

3 30 YEARS REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES THREE HILLS Three Hills Celebrates 10 Years Rehoboth Christian Ministries in Three Hills is celebrating 10 years of service in 2006 by hosting a banquet and celebration on June 24, June 24 will also mark the day of the AGM to be held in Three Hills that day prior to the banquet. Danish Museum Although Rehoboth became active in supporting individuals with disabilities in 1996, several families had networked 6 years prior to this date to form a group, which was named the Achievers. This group served to provide social and leisure group activities, personal learning and growth and eventually volunteer opportunities. Within a short period of time families recognized the growing need for residential supports and a full day program. They approach Alberta Family and Social Services with their needs, and based on their particular preferences were referred to Rehoboth Christian Ministries. By 1996 plans were formalized and Rehoboth Christian Ministries opened the Vocational Program on March 26 and Kneehill Residence on April 1, The program opened with 7 individuals in service, 5 in residence and 7 in day program with a staffing compliment made up of 10 positions. Gradually over the 10 years the program has grown, with Rehoboth presently supporting 8 individuals in the Kneehill and Barnabas Houses and 13 individuals in the Vocational Day Program. Staff positions have grown in proportion and now are comprised of 28 positions. The Residential Program seeks to provide growth in personal and living skills as well as access to community activities desired by individuals. The residential settings have encouraged social growth and involvement, personal development in living with others and a comfortable home situation for clients and their friends. Some individuals live in a Supported Independent Living situation in which they have staff support for part of the day but, because of higher functioning ability, do not have overnight staffing or full day supports. The Vocational Program seeks to fulfill the desires of individuals for their day time activities. Some individuals have chosen to seek employment while others choose to volunteer or work in Rehoboth training placements. Over the years these placements have included desired activities such as working at Guzoo, Three Hills Recycling, IGA food store, Three Hills Health Care, Super 8, Care a Lot Day Care, Three Hills Play School, Prairie Bible Institute, Hunt s Kleen Sweep, Town of Three Hills, Loonie Store, Bethel Evangelical Missionary Church, Prairie Tabernacle, Kananaskis Village and others. Rehoboth Christian Ministries has developed and maintained other activities such as a dog walking business, phone book delivery, New to You used clothing store and E-cycling, in which clients are employed to dismantled and recycle computer parts. Rehoboth also assists clients to engage in social outings such as holidays to William Watson Lodge, Camp Rehoboth, Edmonton and Calgary, outings to Calaway Park, Calgary Stampede, Sylvan Lake Paddle Boats, Markerville Creamery, Heritage Park, Spruce Meadows, Flames and Stampeders games. All of these outings are planned in response to individuals wishes and plans that they put forward in their yearly planning meetings. Upon completion of these 10 fulfilling and meaningful years Rehoboth Phone book crew Continued on page APRIL 2006 REHOBOTH 3

4 Continued from page Disneyland 2005 GRANDE PRAIRIE Christian Ministries Three Hills is planning to host the Annual General Meeting on June 24, Later that evening Rehoboth will host a dinner with honored guests and supporters to celebrate 10 years of faithful support to the Three Hills community. Everyone is encouraged to purchase tickets and enjoy this celebration of success. Submitted by Gaylene Archibald, Regional Manager Celebrations in Grande Prairie! The Grande Prairie Program presented an evening of food, fun, and fellowship on February 21st at People s Church. Seventy- five people joined in celebrating Rehoboth s 30th Birthday, Grande Prairie s 5th year, and the successful attainment of Accreditation. The event included door prizes, musical entertainment, Grande Prairie s 2006 Making Room Award, power point presentation, words of encouragement and congratulations from Rehoboth s Wally Mulder and PDD. Action Songs, led by three energetic song leaders, proved a big hit, and was the participation event of the evening! Families, individuals with disabilities, staff, volunteers, and Host Rehoboth Golf Classics 13th Annual Rehoboth- Coaldale Golf Classic Saturday, May 27, 2006 at Paradise Canyon Golf Club $130.00/golfer 16th Annual Christian Credit Union Rehoboth Golf Classic Saturday, June 3, 2006 at Stony Plain Golf Course $130.00/golfer Get your registration in soon limited space available! 9th Annual Rehoboth- Calgary Golf Classic Saturday, September 9, 2009 at Wintergreen Golf Club at Bragg Creek $135.00/golfer Families shared their evening in an enjoyable Rehoboth family atmosphere. Submitted by Barbara Shumik, Regional Manager Barb and staff accept the Accreditation Certificate A festive atmosphere 4 REHOBOTH APRIL

5 30 YEARS REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES Your Donations at Work Rehoboth Christian Ministries received donations totalling $386,775 through December 31, These donations are used to subsidize Rehoboth s transportation services, housing and program space for individuals enrolled in our programs, the cost of utilities and maintenance for our facilities, Rehoboth s Camp Ministry and Rehoboth Gull Lake Camp. In addition to this many donations are received for specific projects and fundraising causes. Following is a brief summary indicating how Rehoboth Christian Ministries uses your donations to help cover costs not funded by provincial government or user fees associated with support services. Transportation ($22,225) Three of the five regions in which we offer support programs do not have sufficient public transportation services available to clients we serve in our day programs. Rehoboth owned vehicles are used to transport individuals from their home to daily vocational programs, recreational activities, shopping, church activities, and medical appointments in towns where no public bussing system is available. Others are used as work related vehicles for our mobile work crews and to transport materials and products produced in our Vocational Services programs. The cost associated with purchasing and operating these vehicles is partially recovered from transportation fees contributed monthly by the individuals using this service. Meeting the remainder of the operating costs and new vehicle purchases is dependant on donation revenue. Affordable Housing ($64,107) and Facility Based Programs: ($126,813) Clients live in a variety of living situations throughout the province. Living on a fixed income restricts the money an individual has available for housing. When required, donation revenue is used to assist individuals living in homes with the costs of rent and utilities. In addition to this, Rehoboth receives very little funding for the operation of the facilities that house our day programs. Donation revenue is used to assist with the ongoing cost of operating these buildings for client programs. Rehoboth Camp Ministry ($14,648) and Rehoboth Gull Lake Camp ($28,605) Each year Rehoboth Christian Ministries provides a summer camp experience to over 200 individuals from across Alberta at our Gull Lake Camp facilities. Over 200 volunteers serving as counsellors, cooks, music coordinators, craft coordinators, nurses, or directors, make this experience a truly enjoyable one for all campers. Rehoboth endeavours to keep the individual registration fee affordable for each camper. The cost of camp operations exceeds the revenue received from registrations fees and is made up through donations. Additionally, the development and improvements to the Gull Lake Camp annually are not funded by any government source. All construction, maintenance, and operating costs incurred by Rehoboth Gull Lake Camp depend on a combination of rental revenue from groups using the camp facilities during the summer and through donations. Capital Purchases & Project Specific Donations: ($130,377) Each year in the budget Rehoboth allocates dollars for Capital purchases. This is needed because we do not receive funding for Capital. In addition to this we receive donations for specific projects. This amount reflects both projectspecific and capital expenditures. The LORD has blessed Rehoboth with the financial means to continue to support adults and children with developmental disabilities all across the province of Alberta. We praise Him for all his marvellous wonders and works and thank Him for not only the financial support but the prayers and volunteer work of His people. Submitted by Kelvin VanDasselaar, Director of Operations Transportation 6% Affordable Housing 17% Capital Purchases 34% Facility Based Programs 32% Gull Lake Camp 7% Camp Ministry 4% APRIL 2006 REHOBOTH 5

6 COALDALE Coaldale Capital Campaign Campaign Goal: $450, Rehoboth would like to thank all those who contributed to the Coaldale Building Fund to date; a total of $127,000 has been contributed by individuals, churches, and corporations. Donation revenue was received this year for this project that is now in the final stages of completion. Rehoboth/Coaldale has been a busy, busy place over the past 7 months! Our facility has been pretty much turned upside down with the renovations it has been chaotic! Nevertheless, staff and clients have maintained a positive attitude and have worked exceedingly hard, under stressful conditions, towards making our new addition a reality. Although the project is not yet complete, the workshop crew is now enjoying working in their bigger, better and brighter space! Wonderful windows allowing for lots of sunshine, and new washroom facilities are only two of the improvements that are providing a cheerful new environment. Your gifts, designated for this project, would be greatly appreciated. Gifts can be sent to either the Rehoboth- Coaldale office at Box 1312, Coaldale, Alberta, T1M 1N1 or the Rehoboth- Stony Plain office at th Avenue, Stony Plain, Alberta, T7Z 2J7. CALGARY Calgary Capital Campaign Our Rehoboth-Calgary day program and regional administration offices have been leasing space in northeast Calgary for the past five or six years. While the facility and location have served us well, it has always been our intention to provide the Calgary program with a permanent home of sufficient size to accommodate growth and allow for flexibility in programs. We are currently faced with the dilemma of needing to turn away applicants for service due to lack of space. The choices are to lease additional space or purchase/build our own facilities. The Rehoboth-Calgary Advisory Committee has been exploring several options, including the purchase of land or property with an existing building on site. Whatever option we eventually determine to be best for the individuals we currently serve, we will require funds to make this project a reality. Your financial support would be greatly appreciated. Contributions designated for the Rehoboth-Calgary Capital Campaign will be set aside for eventual use in purchasing an existing property or for purchase of land and construction of a new facility. We are both blessed and challenged by this need for additional space to meet the needs of individuals the Lord sends to us for support and training. 6 REHOBOTH APRIL

7 30 YEARS REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES Rehoboth Christian Ministries Foundation The Rehoboth Christian Ministries Foundation was established in 1997 to serve as a partner to Rehoboth Christian Ministries in sustaining quality care and securing the future for the programs offered by Rehoboth throughout the province. The Foundation is a registered charity, (Charity or Business No.: RR0001). Donations of any size are most gratefully received and will be receipted for tax purposes. The Foundation encourages support through wills and estate planning, gifts of property, as beneficiary of a life insurance policy, or any other form of contribution. By working together with Rehoboth, the Foundation aims to strengthen Rehoboth s position of financial security by committing to assisting Rehoboth in retiring $1,500, in long term debt through the solicitation of designated donations for this purpose, and to build a sufficiently significant financial base to allow for future capital projects with out the need to borrow funds. This may seem like a very lofty goal, but we believe that strength in unity between Rehoboth, the Foundation, and our faithful supporting community will insure the financial stability of this ministry to individuals in Rehoboth s care. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Eccl. 4:12 NIV The Rehoboth Christian Ministries Foundation th Avenue Stony Plain, Alberta T7Z 2J7 Camp Cabin and Site Upgrade W ork is proceeding at camp with the construction of the new cabin near completion. Additional donation revenue has been received to assist with costs that have occurred. The other cabins were moved into a semi circle, a new sidewalk connecting the cabins was built, numerous trees and stumps needed to be removed from the property and field landscaping and drainage need to be completed. Donations are still welcome for this project. Calendar of Events Stony Plain May 20 Pancake Breakfast and Garage Sale June 3 Golf Classic Coaldale Saturday, May 13 Open House and BBQ Saturday, May 27 Golf Classic Friday, June 9 Pork Roast December 2 Pancake Breakfast and Poinsettia Sale Calgary July 8 Stampede Breakfast September 9 Golf Classic December 6 Christmas Open House Three Hills June 24 Tenth Anniversary and Rehoboth 30th Anniversary Dinner Camps July 1-7 Adult 1 July 8-14 Adult 2 July Independent July Youth September Camp Volunteer Reunion Check the website for more information APRIL 2006 REHOBOTH 7

8 30 years of camps for persons with disabilities Rehoboth Camp Ministry is truly blessed from above. If you would like to be a part of this awesome summer camp experience, you will need to plan ahead. Contact Pete at for more information or check out the Rehoboth web site at We hope to see you at camp this year! Gifts Gratefully Received Individuals/Corporations/Groups/ Clubs/Societies: A & A Houweling Coaldale - Coaldale Building Project Art s Consulting St. Albert ATCO Gas Christian Stewardship Services Ontario Dorcas Ladies Aid Neerlandia CRC Frank s Sandblasting and Painting Nisku Granum CRC Ladies Aid Inglewood CRC GEMS Land s Happy Marts Ltd. Newman Investments Ltd. Proceeds from the Hollandse Kertzangdienst December 9, 2005 Rejoice In The Lord Choir Choir Sunshine Auxiliary Supreme Steel Ltd. Coaldale Building Project Supreme Steel Ltd. Employees Christmas Gift The Dekker Family Shalom Foundation The Leder Charitable Foundation United Way of Alberta Capital Region Walter W. Kubitz Professional Corporation Rehoboth Camp Ministry Willow Spring Construction Church Donations: Barrhead Canadian Reformed Church Bethel Christian Reformed Church 2006 Camps Adult 1 ~ July 1 7 Adult 2 ~ July 8 14 Independent ~ July Youth ~ July Volunteer Application forms available on-line at If you play guitar, the Camp Program needs you call Pete. Bethel United Reformed Church Calgary Brooks Christian Reformed Church Burdett Christian Reformed Church Coaldale Buddhist Church Coaldale Canadian Reformed Church Covenant Christian Reformed Church Calgary Covenant Christian Reformed Church Edson-Peers Christian Reformed Church Fellowship Christian Reformed Church First Christian Reformed Church Grace Reformed Church Leduc Immanuel Canadian Reformed Church LaGlace Christian Reformed Church Maranatha Christian Reformed Church Nobleford Christian Reformed Church Orthodox Reformed Church Parkland Reformed Church Ponoka Rimbey Christian Reformed Church SonRise Christian Reformed Church Ponoka St. Albert Canadian Reformed Church Taber Canadian Reformed Church Taber Christian Reformed Church Trinity Reformed Church Lethbridge West End Christian Reformed Church Wolf Creek Community Church Woodynook Christian Reformed Church Lacombe Board of Directors John Bekkering President Lethbridge Tony Bouma Vice President Calgary Mike Vos Secretary Edmonton Bert Kamphius General Alternate/ Treasurer Edmonton Al Brander, Calgary Jane Brouwer, St. Albert Marianne Penner, Three Hills Otto Salomons, Lethbridge Barb Slomp, Edmonton Annie Visser, Lacombe Wally Mulder CEO/Executive Director Office: Avenue Stony Plain, Alberta T7Z 2J7 wally.mulder@rehoboth.ab.ca The Music of our Hearts The newest recording of the Joyful Noise Choir is still available! Get your copy while supplies last! To date, a total of $22,500 has been raised in support of Rehoboth s Gull Lake Camp facility. The Music of our Hearts is available at: Rehoboth Christian Ministries all local offices; The Christian Credit Union branch; Christian Book & Record 8 REHOBOTH APRIL