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From Our
Community Outreach Co-Chairs
Mike & Sue Hornby
We continue to see new faces amongst our many Outreach Breakfast and Thursday Community Luncheon volunteers. It is very rewarding to work alongside new volunteers and see the enthusiasm and energy with which they approach this new endeavor.
April 9-10 was our last Saturday and Sunday breakfasts until fall. During the Safe Harbor season we have the breakfast 7 days a week. As the Safe Harbor season ended April 15, our Outreach Breakfast reverted back to 5 days a week, Monday-Friday.
Food Rescue continues to be a major contributor of food for our meals each week. They keep improving the nutritional value of what we serve with fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry. We have also had the benefit of a volunteer, Jack Cooper, who is an astute shopper for the best priced eggs and milk in the area.
Many of you may be aware that on April 4 the Traverse City City Commission approved the sale of the 517 Wellington Street property to Safe Harbor. This is the property that Safe Harbor has been working on securing for over 2 years for their permanent shelter. Unfortunately this proposal turned into a very arduous, long drawn out process. But the property (building) will help the Safe Harbor organization house the homeless in one central location, rather than move from church to church for the five months. The constant relocation from one church to another over the course of the Safe Harbor season has been a major challenge for the churches as well as our guests. As soon as Safe Harbor is allowed to close on this property a Fund Raising Campaign will be implemented with a goal of raising $850,000 - $1,000,000 for improvements and renovations.
Also, please keep in your prayers Ferris Steinhauer. Ferris has been the steadfast volunteer dishwasher for our Monday Outreach Breakfast crew. Ferris has been volunteering for us consistently for quite a few years and, unfortunately, took a fall in the dishwashing room a few weeks ago. Our Monday crew wishes Ferris the best and our hearts are saddened by his absence.
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From Our
Community Outreach Coordinator
Lucy Diebolt
Community Outreach served 7,299 meals from the first of January through the end of March thus far. A special thank you to all our dedicated Outreach Volunteers that make this possible!
Now that spring is here and warmer days are ahead, Safe Harbor has ended for another winter. We at Community Outreach along with Goodwill Street Outreach coordinators continue to work together helping and supporting our neighbors that are experiencing homelessness; this past week we handed out over 50 tents, sleeping bags and tarps ... as our neighbors wait for connections for resources on affordable housing.
Community Outreach continues to become a hub for a place to receive a hot breakfast, shower facility and a place to meet with local community agencies that can offer assistance and support to their various needs.
I would like to take a moment to say "THANK YOU" to each and every one of you that continue to support Central’s Community Outreach Program; whether you volunteer your time, sponsor fundraisers for Outreach, bring in much needed donations or donate through your work place, it is so greatly needed and I can’t express enough how much it is appreciated.
As I will be retiring and stepping away this summer as the Outreach Coordinator, I will take with me many blessings and will always be thankful for the time I have been able to spend working with the Outreach Community. I believe it has helped me become a better person and has certainly helped me to become aware of homelessness and people in need of a meal in a way that I never would have imagined. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to work with all the Outreach Volunteers, supporters and especially all the people that I have gotten to meet and hear their life stories and work with them through the Outreach Program.
Thank you!
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From Our
Community Outreach Kitchen Coordinator
Geri Torno
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We have received word that the Health Department will be inspecting the CUMC kitchen in the near future. Once again we are hoping for a good report. Kitchen Volunteers are asked to continue to follow the Food Safety guidelines outlined by the Health Department. These can be found in the notebook on the cupboard under the bulletin board in the kitchen.
Important things to remember when volunteering:
* Never handle ready-to-eat food with bare hands, always wear gloves.
* Change gloves frequently, do not wear the same gloves all morning and don’t wash gloves.
* Wash hands frequently.
* Label and date any leftover food that is put in fridge, or when it was opened (ketchup, salsa, etc.).
* Put out small amounts of butter, peanut butter, cream cheese, and any types of breads. Anything that isn’t consumed that morning must be thrown out. Putting out small amounts means less waste.
In the dishwasher room:
* If working in the dish room always wash your hands when going from handling dirty dishes to handling clean dishes.
* All dishes should be rinsed before going in the dishwasher - including glasses and cups.
Thank You to all our volunteers who help ensure that our kitchen as well as the Fellowship Hall are safe and clean areas to enjoy a delicious meal.
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From Our
Community Outreach Interviewer
& Committee Secretary
Kaitlyn Troutman
Introducing Outreach Neighbor
Stephen Thompson
 Steve describes himself as a friendly Polish guy from Cedar. He grew up in Leelanau County, and has been in this area his whole life.
He recently fell victim to homelessness just over one year ago, and has been coming to Community Outreach meals ever since. He has also utilized Safe Harbor for the past two winters. Steve writes for 'Speak Up Zine' (a monthly magazine that provides the poor and powerless with a voice and a job opportunity), and peddles his wares throughout Traverse City.
With the help of Community Outreach workers, Steve was recently placed into a new apartment in Carson Square apartments (affordable housing off South Airport and Barlow). Steve still wants to continue coming to Outreach meals even after he moves into his apartment, because he loves the sense of community he finds with other Outreach neighbors and volunteers.
He loves interacting with people, telling jokes, and getting to know the volunteers. He is a talented musician, and entertains us all with beautiful piano tunes from time to time. His favorite part about Community Outreach are all the wonderful volunteers. Steve is extremely grateful for their generosity and hospitality.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Community Services
Outreach Coordinator
*Part-Time -- 25 hour per week*
Central United Methodist Church
Job Summary:
The Community Services Outreach Coordinator represents Central Church and its Core Values in working with needy persons in the community. The Coordinator helps direct and connect persons to available resources and creates an environment of welcome and support to those in need. Demonstrated personal commitment to Christian belief and values are needed.
Work Habits and Experience Desired:
Experience or familiarity with social services
Firm compassion
Mature sense of personal boundaries
Decision-making ability
Tenacity (ability to follow through)
Desire to work closely with and empower volunteers
Letters of interest and resumes may be emailed to:
darcy@tccentralumc.org
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If you are interested in volunteering your services to assist our Community Outreach ministry, please contact Lucy Diebolt by calling (231) 946-5191 or emailing her at: ldiebolt110@att.net
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