December 2023

Ministerium Social Outreach and Planning Meeting

December 7, 2023

Welcome: Doug Lamb

Introductions:

Community Updates:

·       Borough is recommending a retired State Police

Informational Updates:

·       EACTC- Gail Viscome

o   Club Ophelia just finished for the year, and it was the largest attended yet.

§  Learn skills for communication, friendship, etc…

o   Atollo Program is finished for the fall.

o   Looking for a teacher to help run the PAWS and Think club.

o   Homework Helpers

§  Going well in the high school. Upper classmen are helping lower classmen as well.

§  Always look for mentors to help encourage kids to do their work. You don’t have to be have an expertise.

§  Wednesday 1:50pm to 3:30pm and Thursday is 1:50 to 2:40 is the middle school hours.

§  Thursday 7:30am to 8:30am is at the High School

o   Rx Takeback with the police, collected 70lbs of Rx drugs.

·       CPOW- Doug Lamb

o   ECHOS’ Winter Shelter opened Monday.

§  Had 4 people

§  30 beds are available for individuals.

§  12 beds in the family rooms.

§  Serve Etown, Mt. Joy, Marietta, Maytown, and Bainbridge Area (those who have a connection to those communities).

§  Looking for volunteers, need 70 volunteers a week.

§  Pray for this season, we may see a huge influx.

o   The Bridge House, managed by ECHOS

§  Waiting on punch list items and inspections and hoping to open soon.

o   The Clothing Barn

§  Ready to serve more people! They can get vouchers from churches, the school district, Blueprints, and Atonement House Ministries.

§  New location in the brick building.

§  New hours: Wednesday and Thursday 9am to 12pm, and evenings by appointment only.

·       UCEA-

o   Got $16,000 from

o   Looking to hire a marketing person.

·       Love, Inc.- Jay R

o   The Meal was a success, and they will have more updates in January.

o   The Metamorph is the next project happening.

§  Churches serving/helping organizations that serve the community.

o   Homes of Hope

§  Looking to work more with social services with networking.

§  Work with school districts and churches in the county.

·       Upcoming Events

o   Christmas Meal at West Green Tree Church of the Brethren- must make reservations by 12/18/23.

o   December 14th (instead of 12/21) - Catalyst Ministries for the Spiritual Enrichment and Light Breakfast meeting. They are located on S. Market St. where “Now Wear This”. Hoping to open in the new year.

o   Tom Barnett will be retiring by the end of the year.

·       Closing Prayer- Doug Lamb