Mission Outreach

Introduction
This page has been prepared by the 2008 Mission Outreach Committee.  It is our hope that it will be used as a resource to help you know more about the programs annually designated to receive funds from Calvin's Mission/Benevolence budget.

Most of the programs described herein have come to our attention over the years by members of Calvin's congregation. We invite and value input from the congregation in this regard. Many of the programs that Calvin supports financially are also supported by our congregation through active involvement of our congregation members. As a committee and as a church, we believe that such dual involvement is critical to the success of all such programs. To give financially is important, to give of one's time and talent completes God's circle.

This page also includes information about mission projects supported by Calvin's Women's Association, our Christian Education classes and the youth of our church (the H.Y.C.'s and the S.P.Y.'s).

Additional information can be found in Calvin's Annual Report available in the church office.

We hope that this information will contribute to your understanding of where your mission dollars go. As you become better informed, we pray that you will consider becoming even more personally involved with "Calvin In Mission".
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Chechon Children's Home
c/o Gay & Dave Kearin
1242 Townline Road
Maple Plain, MN 55359
(612) 479-2010

Jane White, originally from Madison, WI, felt the calling to be a missionary as a young adult. At age 26, she left home and eventually settled in Chechon, Korea. Here she found her specific calling, helping the children of Chechon as the abandonment rate of young children was extremely high in this rail center. Her first child came to her on February 13, 1963 and the Chechon Children's Home began. It has grown from a modest four-room rented Korean-style home to a modem three-story red brick building. Jane has taken the best of her American culture and the best from her adopted Korean culture and blended them into the orphanage it is today. In this Christcentered Home the children learn that they can always rely on their Heavenly Father even if their earthly fathers (parents) can't care for them.

To date, Chechon has taken in 1, 15 6 children and of this number 765 have been adopted in the U.S.A., Europe & Korea and 176 have been returned to their families.

Calvin first became involved with Chechon in 1972 because of the adoption of two children by a congregation family. Calvin continues its support of this important mission work.
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Courage Center
3915 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55422
(763) 588-0811

www.courage.com

Courage Center is a nonprofit organization that has been a leader and innovator in rehabilitation services for all ages for almost 80 years.  Courage provides individualized therapy, recreation, fitness and vocational opportunities throughout our community.  The goal is to provide comprehensive coordinated care that is easily accessible and meets the needs of each client served. 

Therapy services are available at several locations.  The Golden Valley and Stillwater sites provide service for all ages.  The Burnsville and Forest Lake facilities specialize in therapy services for infants, children and teens.

Participants live in the residence center while working toward living independently in the community.  The residence at Courage Center is a short term transitional rehabilitation facility.

Courage Camps provide children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to have fun, try something new and build self esteem and confidence.  Regional summer day camping is offered to children in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.  Adult camping programs offer recreational and social activities in a rustic setting.
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Habitat for Humanity

3001 4^th St. S.E.

Minneapolis, MN 55414

612-331-4090

www.habitat.org

Habitat for Humanity was founded in Americus, Georgia in 1976 with the goal of eliminating sub-standard housing throughout the world.

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity builds homes in partnership with families who demonstrate need and willingness to work with Habitat for Humanity by helping to construct their own housing. With a safe, decent and affordable home to call their own, families are then free to concentrate on parenting, employment, education and community engagement. Each Habitat build provides a setting for people from all walks of life to work side by side in partnership with future homeowners—finding common ground as they create quality, affordable housing.

Twin Cities Habitat relies on volunteer labor and tax deductible contributions of cash, materials, professional services and property to build simple, decent homes with low-incomes families. Working under the principle that no profit should be gained from assisting those in need, Habitat for Humanity charges no interest on the mortgages that it issues to homebuyers. In operation since 1985, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has built more than 650 homes in the seven-county metro area.

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Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners
110 Grand Avenue South
Wayzata, MN 55391
(612) 473-2436

I.O.C.P. is a community-based "grass roots" outreach organization serving the communities of Plymouth, Wayzata, Long Lake, Orono, Minnetonka Beach, Hamel, Medina and Medicine Lake.

Founded in 1979 as an ecumenical outreach program, I.O.C.P. evolved into a cross-sector outreach partnership of area churches, schools, local government, civic/ community groups, foundations, businesses, corporations & individuals.

From it's modest "zero budget" beginnings it has grown into a sophisticated community generalist - the local First Call for Help - with it's own debt-free facility, an annual operating budget of $715,000, a staff of 7 full-time AN "AN and 4 part-time professional, 550+ volunteers and a donor base of 5,000+.

A Their programs provide a service continuum that helps people move from CRISIS to CHOICES to CHANGE. This continuum begins with a broad spectrum of emergency services (information, referral, advocacy, food, clothing, shelter, financial assistance, physical & mental health interventions) all of which focus on response to need in times of crisis with an emphasis on achieving stability & includes short and long term support and subsidy for people working towards self-sufficiency goals.
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Loaves & Fishes, Too
1917 Logan Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 377-9810

"They serve good food and treat you like a human being."

Loaves & Fishes, Too is a congregate dining program with 6 different dining sites. Anyone in need of food or hospitality is welcome at any of their locations.

Loaves & Fishes serves 1,600 guests each night (Monday through Friday) of which 46% are female, 50% are Caucasian, 13% are senior citizens and 1/3 are children. More than 10,000 volunteers have purchased, prepared and served more than 4 million meals since 1982.

Volunteer serving teams are organized from a wide variety of groups including churches, synagogues, corporations, businesses, universities and city employees. Loaves & Fishes receives in-kind donations of food and labor of nearly $1,000,000 each year.

Calvin volunteers (along with teams from Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Coon Rapids & First Presbyterian Church of Maple Plain) serve dinner at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church site in north Minneapolis on the first Tuesday of each month. Home-baked cookies, bars & cupcakes are always needed - as are servers!

(The quote is attributable to an unknown but grateful guest.)
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Orono Youth Connection
Area Youth Leader - Kim Marshall (612) 473-1818

The O.Y.C. is a consortium of six local churches connecting" to care for local youth. Their vision is to impact the community with the relevant presence of the churches in Orono and to provide support, resources and activities for the youth in our community.

They have developed a "Local Church Resource" guide and they are developing a master calendar so that youth groups can become aware of and join activities in other churches and student groups. They hope to develop strong inter-church youth activities.

In 1997 they sponsored a "Kick-Off Extravaganza", a "Summer Sizzle", & a "See You At The Pole" rally.

In 1998 O.Y.C. held a "Mid-Winter Beach Party", a "Volleyball & Concert of Prayer" and an "End of School Celebration". This September they will host a "Back to School Barn Dance" in Calvin's parking lot.

Approximately 130 area youth have been "connected" and have experienced at least one of these events. The O.Y.C. committee meets on a monthly basis. A monthly prayer breakfast for area youth is being sponsored on the first Saturday of every month.
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Presbyterian Church (USA)

Each governing body of the PCUSA supports numerous mission works. For example, our presbytery supports:

• "The Spirit Speaks" a series of poetry and art workshops for underprivileged youth 8 to 18 helping young people discover God though the arts;

• multi-cultural training of teachers in the church-run daycare center at Valley Community Church;

• The God Squad which offers an after-school ministry in Hager City, WI;

• Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Home Chaplaincy Program reaching at-risk youth;

• an ecumenical youth group in Red Wing, MN.

A prime example of our Synod's mission is the help it gave as a partner in the regional and church wide response effort in the Dakotas and Minnesota during the floods of 1997.

Our General Assembly supports services and programs such as: Ecumenical Partnerships, Global Service and Witness, Health Ministries (U.S.A.), the Hunger Program and World Service and Disaster Relief

More information can be found in "The Mission Yearbook" which is available in the church's library.
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Presbyterian Clearwater Forest
3312 Crooked Lake Road N.E.
Deerwood, MN 56444-8173

Clearwater Forest is a program, retreat, conference and camping ministry of the Presbyteries of the Twin Cities Area, Minnesota Valley, Northern Waters, Northern Plains and Synod of Lakes and Prairies of the Presbyterian Church (U. S. A.).

Its purpose is to provide facilities where faith in God and his son Jesus Christ is nourished and renewed.

The facilities and programs are designed for everyone - children, youth, families, women, men, senior adults, clergy and other church leaders.

Its 1,000 acre site (120 miles north of the Twin Cities) is a place which allows greater access to the beauty of God's creation so that people of all ages can deepen their experience with Jesus Christ.

Calvin's youth experience the wonder, beauty and religious nourishment of these facilities every year. The facilities are open year-round and available, by reservation, to all congregation members and their families as well as other nonprofit organizations.
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Reformed Church of Kero
Kero, Romania

In 1995 Calvin along with 5 other Presbyterian churches sponsored a speaking tour by the Rev. Csongor Szabo. Rev. Szabo and his wife spent one week with each of the 6 involved churches and profoundly affected each congregation.

As a result and in conjunction with the other sponsoring churches, the Szabo Task Force was born. Its mission was to fund the building of a church hall/community room for this rural and impoverished community. This structure was completed in the summer of 1997 and the dedication service was attended by two members of Calvin's congregation.

The new structure accommodates Rev. Szabo's Sunday School program, computer classes (Hungarians are not allowed access to computers in the public school system), a multi-purpose room for visiting Bible programs, three dormitory rooms for visiting Bible program students and pastors as well as church socials and other Christian gatherings. Bishop Csika, the local bishop, was so impressed with the Christian opportunities provided by this structure that he has indicated that it will be used as a small conference center for the entire valley for youth Christian education.

Through contributions from the supporting churches the Szabo Task Force sustains the on-going maintenance expenses of the community hall and other future needs.
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Samaritan Center for Counseling and Education
125 E. Wayzata Boulevard.
Wayzata, MN 55391-1621
(612) 473-2984

The Samaritan Center for Counseling and Education, located in Wayzata, is an accredited and ecumenical agency sponsored by ten Protestant and Catholic congregations in this area.

Services include counseling, psychological testing and workshops for adults, children and teens. A special program STAF (Strengthening Teens and Families) features counseling and workshops to help parents intervene effectively and strengthen family relationships.

Other specialties include marital and career counseling, women's issues, school problems, divorce adjustment, step-families, depression and anxiety. Fees are based on a sliding fee scale when insurance benefits do not apply. Clients can usually be seen quickly and without a long waiting time for an appointment.

Samaritan counselors seek to integrate the disciplines of psychotherapy with the healing dimensions of personal faith and spirituality to care for the mind, spirit and body.
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Simpson Housing Services
2740 1st Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 874-8683

For 16 years, Simpson Housing Services has offered shelter for a night or a path to dignity and self-sufficiency to thousands of men, women and children. In 1983, S.H.S. began operating an emergency shelter. Each night since then, S.H.S. and countless volunteers have provided free, secure overnight shelter, hot meals, showers and laundry facilities as well as health, advocacy and support services to thousands of single adults.

Since 1983 S.H.S. has provided from six months to two years of transitional housing for families. Program requirements include weekly or bi-weekly meetings with staff case managers, active participation in school or employment and attendance at Kids First! Classes.

R.I.S.E. (Reaching Independence through School and Employment) provides 12 months of support services and financial assistance for those completing S.H.S. transitional housing. Certain program requirements must be met by each participant.

Kids First! provides developmental activities for children and classes for their parents that address the needs of healthy family relationships, self-esteem, budgeting, conflict resolution and self advocacy.
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Sojourner Project, Inc.
P. 0. Box 272
Hopkins, MN 55346
(612) 935-7007

Sojourner Project is a program for battered women and their children. The shelter houses 12 to 16 women and children at a time and their stays can range from one night to 2-3 months. The average stay is 3-4 weeks. There are no residency requirements to stay at the shelter and about 350 people a year are served. Children from infancy to age 18 are accepted. The children go to school by being transported to their home school, attending Hopkins schools or by being tutored at the shelter, depending upon the situation.

Sojourner Project also offers a community program to western Hennepin County. Support groups are available for women and children who are not shelter residents.

The Project is also involved in legal advocacy which includes helping to write restraining orders. Sojourner Project, Inc. is contacted by the police whenever a domestic assault occurs and they keep in touch with the situation and the women involved throughout the court proceedings.

Sojourner Project is a member of the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women (MCBW) which is a statewide network.
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Vail Place
1412 West 36th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 824-8061 (TDD)

A guaranteed right to a place to come, A guaranteed right to meaningful work, A guaranteed right to meaningful relationships, A guaranteed right to a place to return.

Vail Place serves mentally ill adults. Its mission is to provide ways for its members to actively participate in their growth toward independence. Vail Place runs two clubhouses (in Minneapolis and Hopkins) where members participate in all aspects of running the clubhouse and its programs. The day program focuses on a work-ordered day, while the evening/weekend program offers social and recreational activities. Both clubhouses are Hennepin County Regional Community Support Service Centers.

Transitional and supported employment are offered, as well as a Job-Seeking Skills Club. Vail Place provides a number of apartments and also helps members locate and maintain their own apartments.

Vail Place staff provide instruction in everyday living skills, medication monitoring, crisis assistance and help in obtaining other needed services (such as a county case manager or Rehabilitation Services Counselor).
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Wayzata-Plymouth Meals on Wheels
Ann Gehrman - 473-5534

Wayzata-Plymouth Meals on Wheels provides noon meals to assist senior citizens and the disabled. Its service area covers Wayzata, southern Plymouth, Long Lake, Medina and Hamel.

Though affiliated with the nationally known organization, Meals on Wheels, and Senior Linkage Lines, this branch is privately funded.

Meal service depends on the schedule chosen by the recipient as to the number of times per week. There is a sliding fee scale depending upon the recipient's ability to pay.

Volunteers participate by delivering meals. Each volunteer driver usually has 8 to 10 recipients and delivery hours are I I A.M. to I P.M. Regular meals are prepared by Carlson Corporation and special diet meals are provided by Hillcrest Health Care Center in Wayzata.

Volunteer drivers are always needed. The drivers choose, according to their own schedules, to drive anywhere from one or several times per month.
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Youth Investment Foundation
1865 W. Wayzata Blvd.
Long Lake, MN 55356
(612) 449-0004

The Youth Investment Foundation, founded in 1970, is a non-profit Christian outreach organization helping teenagers develop values and mature into happier and more productive adults. Their purpose is twofold:

• To effect new attitudes and behavior as needed in youth through a growing faith in Christ and by supportive staff relationships.

• To create a sense of purpose, belonging and community with young people, emphasizing self worth, forgiveness, accountability and a balanced perspective of authority and freedom.

Peers experiencing similar struggles work in a variety of groups, including Bible study, drug aftercare, and "care & share" groups with trusted staff members.

YIF combines a variety of community-based programs with a year-round camping program through its Timber Bay Camp located near Onamia. At Timber Bay youth work on camp crew projects and live in community .groups which build self-esteem, a sense of accomplishment and contribution.

YIF is always available to parents and families and works with juvenile authorities and agencies to reach young people who might benefit from the program.
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In Addition . . .

The Christian Education Committee supports and encourages "Birthday Pennies". Each child on their birthday is asked to bring their age in pennies. These monies are collected and forwarded to Chechon Children's Home.

• serve at Loaves & Fishes (& bring cookies)
• attend Presbyterian sponsored Mission Retreats
• sing at worship service
• babysit in our Nursery
• serve coffee and cookies after church
• host an annual Halloween Haunted Walk and Mystery Dinner
• are valued teachers/helpers at Calvin's Vacation Bible School.

Besides contributing to many of the listed charities, Calvin's Presbyterian Women are involved in:

• Sponsoring bingo parties at Long Lake Nursing Home twice each month.

• Each year the Women's Association hears & responds to a special need close to home. In 1997 they contributed funds to the Mendenhall Presbyterian Women of East Grand Forks, ND to help repair damage to their church caused by the floods of 1997. In 1998 they contributed to the Presbyterian Church in St. Peter so this church can begin rebuilding after the devastating tornado.

• Every Circle at Calvin collects for Least Coin. Fellowship of the Least Coin is an ecumenical and world-wide network of women. Its focus is on prayer, justice and reconciliation as Christian women everywhere prayerfully offer their country's smallest coin.

• Each year Presbyterian women offer thanks for their many blessings through a special "Thank Offering". Forty percent of this offering is allocated for health ministries for the "most needy of God's community." The remainder is used to fund proposals that deal with issues such as child care, the elderly, violence, hopelessness and injustice.

• The Birthday Offering celebrates the birthday of all Presbyterian Women by funding programs not otherwise financed by the General Assembly. The projects must "meet the needs of hurting people." No guidelines are suggested for this offering other than "give as you are blessed."

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