Fresh Start Tutoring Video

Fresh Start Tutoring’s New Year

Here’s an update from Ann Weller about the Fresh Start tutoring program – and a request for new volunteers – as the new school year kicks off.

Yes, it is August; school buses are soon to rumble down our streets.  The “Fresh Start” Tutoring leadership committee has been tweaking the format from last year and adding a few new twists and support items for our volunteers.  We are excited for what God has in store for us this year.  Answers to prayer – the new principal at School 48, Carmen Sharp, has opened her heart to our ministry, seeks our prayers for her beginning, and has invited Jane McClelland and me to address the parents of School 48 at their first Open House.

Tutoring Calendar Update:

1. Training Session – August 20th from 4 – 5 PM

Note: This is for EVERYONE – new and returning volunteers.

2. Math Workshop - Thursday, August 27th - 2 – 3:30 PM for the K – 3rd grade volunteers and 4 – 5:30 PM for the 4 – 6th grade volunteers.  Kris Gable will lead!

3. Tutoring begins September 17th at 3:45 – 5:15 PM.

4. School Year Calendar – we will follow the IPS calendar.  Thursday’s 3:45 – 5:15 PM

Note: In the training sessions, we will equip you with necessary information and skills.

I have been invited to attend two functions at School 48 in August to speak to the parents and teachers about our ministry and to pre-register students.  We are anticipating a strong demand for our ministry.  We will be matching volunteers with a student in their preferred grade level / same gender.  After registering the first 40 students, I will develop a waiting list until the volunteer base is confirmed. Please prayerfully consider your involvement for this upcoming school year. In addition, our registration materials will also be placed at The Oaks Academy, Raphael, and Mid North Food Pantry.  My leadership team has been calling our former students over the summer as well. Our feedback has been very positive; excitement is brewing.  In the days ahead, pray for the students and families that might walk through our doors this fall.  Pray for each potential volunteer as they decide if this is the ministry where they want to invest their time ~ and energies.  Pray for the staff at School 48 as they once again open their doors to a new year.

Blessings, Ann Weller

Indy Grace Place

Indy Grace Place, Inc.

3624 Guilford Ave
Indianapolis, Indiana 46205
Phone: (317) 925-4850

Mission: To provide a nurturing, encouraging, biblically based environment for men emerging from prison and quip them for independent living.

Purpose:  To provide a transitional residence accompanied with mentoring and accountability for men who need assistance in establishing patterns of living that will glorify God and enable them to be self-supporting.  Targeted time of residence is six months.

What we offer:

1. A comfortable small-group home environment in a quiet urban neighborhood where men learn to transition back into society.  Men will either have a private room or share a room with one other.  From this setting the resident is able to have an address, a message phone, and a place to call home.  There are three bus lines within two blocks of the home.
2. Goal setting assistance.  Each week’s activities are assessed in light of the stated goals for each resident.  The resident is expected to create realistic goals and modify them as needed throughout his stay.
3. Social services are provided through a combination of partnerships and in-house services.  These include counseling, addictions treatment programs, resume preparation, job search assistance, etc.

 

How Can I Help?

Here is a list of some items that a useful to the house:

• Paper products: plates, napkins, towels, TP
• Cleaning supplies: glass cleaner, room deodorizers, floor cleaner, disinfectant, bathroom cleaners, mops, all purpose cleaners, etc.
• Bed items: pillows, sheet sets (twin size), mattress covers, blankets
• Any food donations (food is currently supplied by the house members, almost exclusively, which is sometimes a strain.)
• Lap-top computer for business use and presentations
• Sponsorship for unemployed resident(s) unable to pay weekly rent ($60 / week)
• Financial gifts of any size for ongoing operational expenses
• Set of four kitchen chairs
• Flat-screen TV (42”)

 

Care to volunteer your time or talents?  Here are some suggestions:

• Become a friend to a resident: take them to dinner or a game, or just talk.
• Become a mentor.  There are programs that offer formal training if you want to get involved at that level.
• Develop a program that uses your special gifts or training.  Some suggestions: A budgeting training class; Organize an addictions group; Lead a bible study.  Be imaginative, and let the Spirit lead!

Email: dan@indygraceplace.org
Web site: www.IndyGracePlace.org
Transition housing for ex-prisoners

The Open Door at TAB ~ Stirring Together the “Spiritual” with the Nutritional

The Open Door Ministry at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church is just that ~ an Open Door to our Mapleton Fall Creek neighbors. The side door that leads straight to TAB’s kitchen is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for lunch and Thursday night for dinner. Tab’s kitchen manager, Rodney Bebley, has been stirring up steaming hot kettles of soup for seven years, though the ministry has been going on now for over 25 years. Rodney shared with me the goal of this ministry, “We are here to feed the public.” And that they do, both spiritually and nutritionally. Rodney is closely assisted by Tyrone Drake (assistant kitchen manager) and Ann Reynolds (missions director), as well as, a rotation of TAB volunteers. Throughout the years many members have joined the kitchen crew to help.

A Snapshot of this Ministry: The doors open at 11 AM. Pastor Joe Reaves begins each lunch with a fifteen minute devotion. Warm soup and bread awaits those gathered at the close of this inspirational time. Rodney keeps the doors open for food until 12:30. The attendance fluctuates from the beginning of the month (approx.60) rising to around 100 as the month progresses. However, Rodney envisions cooking for 400! He not only serves each person something warm for lunch but allows them to take home four bowls of soup, bread, and something sweet for their families’ evening meal. Everyone has the choice of “eating in” the dining room or “carrying out” their warm lunch to their home. Thursday night dinner reaches out to extend that same arm of nutrition balanced by an opportunity to feed our neighbor’s souls.

Special Highlights: Once a year on a Saturday, the Gleaner Food Truck rolls into TAB’s parking lot. As the doors of the truck open wide, a long line of families are ready to receive many needed items to fill their cupboards. In addition, Rodney shared that the Thanksgiving feast is his favorite meal of the year. When asked about what makes this ministry special, he just smiled at me and simply said, “It’s the peoples’ faces.” Yes, the many faces, filled with joy each day, keep Rodney and Tyrone cooking and help sustain this vital ministry.

Open Door’s Wish List: Large Soup Pots, new sharp knives, a rack to display the serving utensils, newspapers folded in half ready to be placed in the bottom of a handled paper grocery bag, and paper grocery bags with handles.

Final Thoughts: As I reflected on our conversation, I couldn’t help but think about my life. We are all called to listen and pray when Jesus prompts us to use the unique gifts he has uniquely given to each one of us. He calls us into living “doing” lives for His kingdom. Just imagine the peace Rodney Bebley and his staff will have when Christ asks, “When did you feed me?” Those involved in the Open Door Ministry can smile deep inside and know in their heart the simple answer to that question.

If you have an interest in this ministry, feel free to contact Ann Reynolds – ann.reynolds@tabpres.org or Rodney Bebley – Rodney.bebley@tabpres.org.
Submitted by Ann Weller

“Fresh Start” Tutoring Program

Vision Statement – Christ and Academics – keys to a brighter future.

Matthew 5:41 – And whoever should force you to go one mile, go with him two.

Brief Overview:

Average Weekly Attendance: 30 + children (fairly constant)

Volunteers: 40 plus volunteer pool (30 regulars)

Time Commitment: Students arrive by 4 PM with our closing song at 4:55 PM to finish by 5 PM.
Volunteers spend from 3:50 –5:15 PM.

Questions: Contact Ann Weller and Ann Reynolds (email tabministries@gmail.com to be connected to them)

Ministries Requests:

Volunteers: As with any ministry a dedicated team of volunteers is critical. We currently have 45 individuals that are on our volunteer list, but new substitutes and regulars are always needed. Our student base has continued to grow as the year progressed and a one on one experience is our goal for every student. Feel free to try our ministry and see if this is a match for your gifts.

Restocking of School Supplies and Donations: Our goal has been to run a program without adding a financial burden to TAB’s budget. Through generous donations of “after school snacks” and school supplies, we have had a successful first year. All school supplies are either used on a weekly basis or given out to our students as a need arises. Often times by January, backpacks are splitting and paper and pencils/pens are needed for students to be adequately
prepared for school. Calculators are also in demand. We have been blessed with donations throughout the year, and likewise we have used them to be a blessing to the children in our program.

Donations: In addition, Kristine Greene (TAB treasurer) will accept donations written to Tabernacle Presbyterian Church with “Fresh Start Tutoring” in the memo line.

Volunteers Speak Out:

Beau Brown: “The cross-generational and cross-cultural relationships being built through Fresh Start are truly a foretaste of God’s Kingdom.  This program is as much (or more) of a blessing for the tutors as it is for those being tutored.”

Christine Gall: “Fresh Start tutoring has been a wonderful opportunity for me to use the tutoring skills that God blessed me with years ago. I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with a young girl who really struggles in school.  She loves the one on one attention and I love seeing the smile on her face when she succeeds!”

David Kingsworthy: “The program invigorates me every week; it makes me think I am in contact with ‘the least among you’ – for which I feel fortunate.  I am also humbled that the noble young man with whom I work allows me to spend that time with him each week.  My prayers for our time together seem to be answered every week….the blessings are many and overwhelming.”

Mary Mills: “One particularly frustrating day when I felt that I was making very little significant impact on my student’s life, he and two other children ran up and hugged me as I was leaving.  That was a wonderful reminder of why I was there.”

Marjie Williams: “At Fresh Start, I see committed adults who love, listen, encourage, play, and explain while children respond, learn, laugh, sing, and share. I am delighted to be a part of this meaningful ministry.”

Celebrating Heart Change’s First Graduate

Heart Change Ministries
would like to introduce you to
our first graduate from Mother’s University 

Interview by Dori Morton

After a morning of singing, Bible studies, and lunch, Elizabeth and I slip out to find a quiet place to talk.  Just as we settle down in the adult classroom, we are interrupted by the beginning of tutoring.  The children are enjoying reading and quiet time in their classrooms after a busy morning of Bible stories, crafts and outside play, so we take our chairs into the small kitchen for a wonderful conversation.

Elizabeth joined Heart Change in early October 2008, when she went to the Wheeler Care Center looking for help.  After attending for a week, she knew Heart Change was the place for her.  “Everyone was so nice.  They welcomed me.  They opened up my heart to change.”  Her initial hope at the Care Center was to get a house and eventually enroll her girls, now two and three, in school.  Now she wants to have a home where people walk in and know that “God is in this house!”  She wants her children to attend a Christian school that will strengthen their walk with God, and she wants to become one of the leaders of Heart Change so that she can help other women in the community.

Just five months ago, Elizabeth was practicing multiplication with flashcards.  Now she knows she is smart as she makes final preparations for her GED exam.  Elizabeth points out that tutoring is about more than just the GED.  “Its about reading, counting, driver’s license, and Jobs Partnership.”  Looking forward, Elizabeth sees herself passing the GED, graduating from Jobs Partnership and finding a meaningful job.  Through the children’s program, Elizabeth sees her children becoming more respectful, eager to look pretty for God, and excited about playing with the other children.  One of Elizabeth’s favorite parts of lunchtime is having her children share what they learned in class that morning.  Plus she enjoys watching her children try new foods and develop healthier eating habits.  “Now we are eating carrots and celery with peanut butter at home instead of chips and dip.”

The spiritual lessons are following her home as well.  “My family had a Bible at home when I was growing up, but we didn’t read it.”  Now Elizabeth reads the Bible with her children and prays with them throughout the day.  She says she is much more patient with her children now and much more fun.  Everyone is happier!  Life isn’t different, it’s drastically different, she says.  Now Elizabeth wants to walk with God, to be with the family of God.  Through the women of Heart Change, Elizabeth is seeing firsthand actions matching words.  She is not alone anymore.

“The world is not a good place.  It’s scary when you are being tossed around in the water.  It’s a lot better when you are walking with God and can get in the boat with people who care about you and are there to encourage you.”  Elizabeth continues, “Here there are women who walk alongside you, multiple people to encourage you.”

About Heart Change:

Founded in February 2006, Heart Change Ministries comes alongside women in crisis pregnancies to encourage them in their spiritual walk and impending motherhood. Their desire is to disciple these new and/or future believers just as someone had done for each of us in our early walks. Concern for the quality of life for the child to come was as important to us as desire to see these women grow in their faith and discover the woman God created them to be.  For more information, see their website at http://www.heartchangeindy.org.  

Neighborhood Ministries online

During this year’s Tab@Home retreat, we will explore God’s heart for the poor and what scripture says about serving others in the community. We’ll look at Tab’s history of service and what’s going in Mapleton-Fall Creek right now. The retreat begins Friday evening, February 27 and concludes with a special worship service on Sunday, March 1. The retreat is open to the public, and the cost is only $25. Registration is required. For more details or to register, download the brochure.

Kit Danley will be our weekend’s guest speaker. Kit Danley is the founder and president of Neighborhood Ministries, a family-based comprehensive holistic ministry that combines community development with evangelism and church planting efforts. The heart of Neighborhood Ministries is to bring hope and resources to a severely under-served, low-income community. Its commitment is to have an indigenous presence providing multiple programs, which aggressively tackle the problematic condition of the permanent underclass in metro-Phoenix.

To get a better feel for Neighborhood Ministries’ work, visit their website, or check out their channel on YouTube.  Their 5-minute overview video is below: