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November 2009 | September 2009 | April 2009 |
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November 2009
Episcopal Charities' congregational outreach partners serve and make a real difference in the lives of thousands of men, women and children throughout the Diocese. Here are a few stories of transformation and grace that will make your heart glad!
Coconut Grove Crisis Food Pantry:
We are now seeing people from all walks of life, it's not just the perennial needy anymore," remarks a volunteer from the Coconut Grove Crisis Food Pantry. Clients receive one bag of non-perishable groceries every three weeks and the line to get the bags has tripled in the past year. The wait used to be about an hour; now people line up for two to three hours to get food. "One young man was so hungry that he asked for anything to eat, we gave him some cookies and a large can of juice. He politely asked to have the juice opened and went over to a tree beside the center sat down and devoured the cookies and drank the whole can of juice in just a few short minutes," a volunteer said. "Many begin eating as soon as they receive their bag of groceries opening pop-top cans of Vienna sausages and canned peaches and eating right out of the can. Two men in wheelchairs arrived begging for a change of clothes and some food. After receiving both they helped each other change into clean fresh clothes, a first for them in weeks. It was as if they had received a new lease on life", she added.
Coconut Grove Food Pantry
Christ Church
Family Promise of South Palm Beach County:
A young grandmother who has the sole responsibility of raising her granddaughter happened upon Family Promise of South Palm Beach County by a chance meeting. "I feel that the Lord gently placed this miracle upon my heart," says Jill*. Family Promise is joyfully celebrating its first year of creating a network of hosts and local faith communities working together to end homelessness in South Palm Beach County. Jill* continues: "I had lost my job in a day care center and, subsequently, my apartment. We enrolled in the Family Promise Program on April 2nd and graduated on Aug. 8th. We spent time with ten churches in the Boca Raton and Delray areas and were immediately wrapped in the arms of God. All the wonderful volunteers helped and supported us along the way. We now have our own apartment and my granddaughter is finally settled and happy. And I've recently secured a part-time job!"
Family Promise of South Palm Beach County
St. Gregory's Episcopal Church, Boca Raton
St. George's Soup Kitchen:
While serving at St. George's Soup Kitchen in Riviera Beach one Friday night, a volunteer noticed a late model SUV pull up and two young children dressed in soccer uniforms jumped out. "We all thought that they were coming to drop off groceries for the program but the children went to stand in line for a hot meal. As the parents emerged from the car, you could see that the family was living in their car because the vehicle was filled with all of their worldly belongings", she added.
Volunteer, St. George's Soup Kitchen
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, West Palm Beach
*Names have been changed to protect identities.
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September 2009
As the economy deteriorates, the needs of the poorest among us increase.
The outreach ministries of our congregational partners are witness to transformed lives. Here are just a few stories of grace.
"Timmy"* is a four-year old boy who is a full-time student at the Grace Jones Community Day Care Center. When Timmy's father abandoned his family, which includes another brother and sister, Timmy's mother took on a second job. She works 38 hours per week in a local K-Mart store and 24 additional hours cleaning motel rooms. Neither job provides any benefits. Straight out, Timmy comes to Grace Jones each Monday in what can only be called a famished state. Timmy is hungry because there is so little food at home and he shows it in how he acts, through his floppy attention span, and by his continuous requests for food. However, by Tuesday or Wednesday of any given week, after receiving 5 or 6 meals at Grace Jones, Timmy is usually stabilized and becomes a delightful, normal child."
Grace Jones Community Day Care Center
St. Columba Episcopal Church, Marathon
"Jane and Jack* are a married couple living in Palm Beach County, Roughly seven years ago they found themselves to be homeless. Not having an emergency shelter available, they moved into the woods. Woods? Well, what do you mean? Yes much of Palm Beach County has wooded areas covered with Australian pines, and there are people that live like this. I first met Jack and Jane at one of our daily meals. After talking for quite a bit, I was invited into their encampment. To this day they tell me that I was the only one other than the sheriff that has been in their home. Fortunately both now live in an RV. Jack and Jane rely on Holy Redeemer's Feeding Program for both the Food Pantry and our daily meals. When they check in at our registration table, they are given a sticker like all the rest of the recipients; however theirs reads with a letter "H" for homeless. This letter notifies the distribution line to give out only those items which do not require cooking as well as items with pop top lids. Both say that they are very grateful for our feeding programs."
The Rev. Christina D. Encinosa
Holy Redeemer Feeding Program — Holy Redeemer, Lake Worth
"Everyday at St. Laurence we pray for a miracle to happen, for clients to be reunited with family and friends or just be able to go back into society on their own. Johnny*, a regular client along with his cat for whom he was always searching for food, appeared one day after not being here for a long time. Looking frail and barely able to walk, he told us that on his last visit to the doctor that there was nothing more they could do for his cancer. He had found a home for his cat and that he would like to go home to the Carolinas to die. This was a request the Chapel could answer. We got him a bus ticket to his home in the Carolinas."
Episcopal Mental Health Ministries, Inc. (St. Laurence Chapel)
Broward County
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April 2009
St. Matthew's Seniors Ministry in Delray
Keeps Seniors Active |
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Imagine a Spring fashion show featuring models dressed in plastic trash bags (creatively and tastefully done), a Christmas pageant, Valentine's Day Dance and Juneteenth, a black history celebration. These are just some of the many special events that participants of St. Matthew's Senior Ministry in Delray engage in throughout the year. "Their creativity is just amazing," states Sylvia Ivy, Ministry Coordinator. "They've designed costumes for many occasions, formed choirs, done poetry readings, and have even performed their own comedy acts," Mrs. Ivy continues. Plans are also underway to include day trips to local attractions, cruises, motivational speakers, food preparation demonstrations and talent shows. There's enough activity to fill up any social butterfly's calendar.
Lunch is prepared by the ministry and is described as real "down home cooking". About 40 seniors show up weekly and sign in. If someone is absent, an individual is assigned to check on that person either by phone or a personal visit. Lunch is always followed by Bingo, a favorite fellowship activity. Prizes (which are all donated) include home made slippers, aprons, soap dispensers, flashlights and condiment dishes.
The program sprung from the vision of a few parishioners seven years ago who saw the need in their church and surrounding community for seniors to socialize with old and new friends. The group of about 40 seniors meets once a week from 10 am until 2 pm and encourages spiritual and emotional support of each other as they face the joys and the challenges associated with aging.
This "home away from home" outreach ministry of the church keeps seniors and parishioners involved in focused and healthy activities and are essential for their emotional mental health. In addition to the nutritious meals provided, some modest medical care and advice are given along with transportation to and from the Church.
Episcopal Charities of Southeast Florida provides a grant yearly for the program funding.
For more information about St. Matthew's Senior Ministry, contact Sheila Ivy at (561) 271-2856. |
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