City Union Mission

City Union Mission http://cumission.org/ City Union Mission: News, Media, Light... City Union Mission:. City Union Mission <info@cumission.org> City Union Mission http://newsite.cumission.org/favicon.ico http://cumission.org/ City Union Mission: News, Media, Light... http://cumission.org/ City Union Mission http://cumission.org/nid700-news_details.htm Shoe Kansas City to Benefit City Union Mission Please bring your new or gently used shoes to Elite Feet at 5017 W. 119th St (Hawthorne Plaza) Overland Park, KS, through September 15th, and you will receive a discount coupon or gift card.   Also serving as collection points only:       Stride Rite - 1829 Village West Pkwy (The Legends)      Stride Rite - 2035 Independence Center      Stride Rite - 11675 W. 95th St (Oak Park Mall)      Stride Rite - 5047 W. 117th St (Town Center Plaza) Shoe Kansas City to Benefit City Union Mission C U Mission http://cumission.org/nid698-news_details.htm 'Project Night Night' Benefits Family Shelter Children A group of women of St. Andrew Christian Church of Olathe responded to the national campaign of 'Project Night Night' and collected 50 canvas bags filled with a security 'blankie', stuffed animal, and a book to bless our children in our family shelter! 'Project Night Night' Benefits Family Shelter Children C U Mission http://cumission.org/nid664-news_details.htm The Mission is on Facebook and Twitter. Join us on Facebook and Twitter.          The Mission is on Facebook and Twitter. C U Mission http://cumission.org/nid684-news_details.htm Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbeque Bi-Annual Golf Tournament Sponsored by Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue, the popular golf tournament is scheduled for Tuesday, September 7, 2010, and funds raised will help the Mission provide food, shelter and life-changing recovery programs.  Registration is at 10 am, with a shotgun start at 12 pm. Click here for brochure. Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbeque Bi-Annual Golf Tournament C U Mission http://cumission.org/nid696-news_details.htm Local Pastor Asks His Congregation to Leave it at the Altar During the final week of his teaching series on the Book of Jonah, Associate Pastor for Adult Ministry and Group Life, Tim Overby of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, gave a very inspiring message from Chapter 4.  In each of the 3 services that weekend, Pastor Overby put listeners to a challenge. To their surprise, members were asked to get up and come forward and leave their shoes at the altar. He wanted it to be clear that this was not a "shoe drive", but rather an "act of worship" done by each person if they chose.  By participating, he shared that they were displaying their willingness to put aside their agendas and their comfort and give to the Lord.   One by one members responded, from the youngest to the eldest.  As a result, many shoes were given. Their large donation of shoes will bless church goers in Haiti, where many do not even own a pair of shoes. They will also share this large donation with their local partners, one of which is City Union Mission.  A special thank you to Paster Overby and Pleasant Valley Baptist Church for their generous act of worship. Local Pastor Asks His Congregation to Leave it at the Altar C U Mission http://cumission.org/nid686-news_details.htm 'Ride to The K' to Benefit City Union Mission The Annual Ride to The K will be Saturday, July 17th for the KC Royals vs. Oakland A's game. This year the event will benefit the City Union Mission!  Come join fellow bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts at Kauffman Stadium and help support the poor and homeless of Kansas City. Click here for more details and ticket information. 'Ride to The K' to Benefit City Union Mission C U Mission http://cumission.org/nid692-news_details.htm Youth Groups Brave the Heat to Serve Groups from House to House Ministries, Show-Me Missions and Calvary Temple joined forces last week to do some work outside our CLP and Administration buildings.  It was a HOT day, and we truly appreciate their efforts! Youth Groups Brave the Heat to Serve C U Mission http://cumission.org/nid693-news_details.htm Covenant Chapel VBS Focuses on the Mission   Covenant Chapel's missions focus for their Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS was the City Union Mission.  The children collected pool toys, beach towels and sun screen for City Camp.  In addition, each child who attended VBS raised $3 each for their drive 'Donate Change to Change a Life'.   In an effort to teach the children about serving, each child had the daily challenge of serving around their homes to earn change. The goal was that each child earn $3, enough for the purchase (1) Tot Lot Bible for Camp CUMCITO. The children succeeded!    They also worked during the week making  beautiful bible bags filled with bookmarks, pencil and a WWJD bracelet; decorating water bottles, and praying daily for the children who will be attending our camps this summer!       What an absolutely COOL way to engage children in the work of the ministry we all are blessed to be a part of!           Covenant Chapel VBS Focuses on the Mission C U Mission http://cumission.org/nid694-news_details.htm Youth from Cedar Falls, Iowa Lend a Hand!   A youth group of 10 high school students from St. Patrick's Catholic Church traveled to serve here at the Mission.  They mowed, shoveled mulch, dug footings for retaining walls, and sealed foundations.           It's tiring just thinking of all the work they accomlished!            Thank you St. Patricks! Youth from Cedar Falls, Iowa Lend a Hand! C U Mission http://cumission.org/nid691-news_details.htm Father's Day Celebration (Please be patient while video loads). The fathers in our Christian Life Program are working hard to get back on their feet and reunite with their families.  Although we could not share the happy faces of the children, we can share some of the smiles from our clients on that day!     Father's Day Celebration C U Mission http://cumission.org/light_main.htm City Union Mission - Light Magazine http://cumission.org/ard349-lgt66-light_article.htm From The Executive Director Dear Friend,       Each time I teach a class to men and women rebuilding their lives here at the Mission, I wonder about the situations that led these precious souls to seek our help. Often, I’ll simply ask, “Why did you come?” Their most frequent and honest replies are, “I was hungry,” “I had no place to sleep” and “My life had no meaning.” We believe those answers express the immediate needs of each person who walks through our doors, and we strive to follow the instructions Jesus gave His disciples when facing a hungry and weary crowd: “They don’t need to go away . . . you give them something to eat” (Matthew 14:16). We offer food for the body and nourishment for the soul. How could we ever do less?       I’m also aware of the far-reaching changes our guests are going through. One day living in a life of prostitution and the next in a Christ-centered environment, learning of a God who loves, forgives and recreates. One day living in a home with no utilities, no food and no hope— and the next in a safe haven with three wholesome meals for themselves and their children. Many who were far from a relationship with our Lord are now overwhelmed with His love.      What an example of compassion we see in our Savior! Thank you for acting with Christ-like compassion and helping care for those worn out by life and seeking a new direction! For His glory, Rev. Daniel J. Doty Executive Director From The Executive Director C U Mission http://cumission.org/ard350-lgt66-light_article.htm Honoring 30 Years of Commitment to Kansas City's Homeless For the past 30 years, City Union Mission has been blessed with the Christian leadership and service of Lorraine Minor, our Associate Executive Director, Programs and Administration. As she prepares for retirement in October, we asked her to reflect on joyful memories and accomplishments. What do you believe you accomplished over the past three decades? “I was privileged to see needs and be allowed to find solutions, including curriculum evelopment, learning centers and staff training . . . and doing whatever necessary to have the most impact on affecting lives, helping each one make the changes needed to honor the Lord. Although we’ve developed courses in decision making, problem solving and goal setting, I still yearn to find a better way to teach men and women how to think critically and evaluate what they see and hear through the prism of truth they learn here.” How has your life changed because of the Mission? “This opportunity has impacted my spiritual journey in so many unspeakable ways. Watching human suffering and the regular need for grace and mercy in life has left me profoundly grateful and glad that He has set eternity in my heart. I’ll miss the dayto-day, week-to-week evidence of God having His way in the lives of those who are seeking Him—clients, staff, volunteers and donors. This truly is a place where we get to see Him at work, regularly.” Please join the Mission in recognizing this good and faithful servant of God for her tireless endeavors on behalf of the Mission and the souls we serve. Honoring 30 Years of Commitment to Kansas City's Homeless C U Mission http://cumission.org/ard351-lgt66-light_article.htm A Place for Rebuilding a Christian Life      When Darrell was released from prison in 2008, he was homeless. Like so many of the ex-inmates who are released into society—and our community—after successfully completing their sentences, Darrell had no place to live, no way to support himself and no family or friends who could help. Studies show that without the appropriate life skills, education and necessary training to succeed in today’s workplace, many former prisoners will commit another serious crime within just a few years.      But Darrell was already committed to a different way of life. “I rededicated my life to God when I was in prison,” he explains. And he asked his probation officer if he could come to City Union Mission so we could help him nourish his body, restore his soul and rebuild a Christ-centered life. Darrell joined our Christian Life Program and says he would recommend it to anyone who is homeless and really wants to get next to God. Darrell is grateful for the peaceful environment of our Christian Life Center, the safe, clean beds and wholesome, healthy meals. Yet, he says, “Having people who love you and care for you—that’s meant the most to me.”       He also appreciates the program’s structure and discipline, and the staff’s patient guidance. “I’ve quit smoking since I’ve been here, so I get stressed out a little bit—but they help me deal with it. If something comes up, they have an open door policy.” With only an eighth-grade education, Darrell is learning computer and other workplace skills in our learning center, and he’s studying for his GED. “I just love it here,” Darrell shares. “God has been so good to me. Every morning when I wake up, I thank the Lord!”      After graduating from our Christian Life Program, Darrell hopes to help nourish the bodies and restore the souls of others who are homeless as he once was by opening a shelter in his home state of Arkansas. “It’ll be a Christian shelter—it wouldn’t be anything else,” Darrell says, with tears in his eyes. “I know it will take a lot of work and effort, but I’m going to get the training and help that I need, and then the Lord will show me where to put it.” A Place for Rebuilding a Christian Life C U Mission http://cumission.org/ard352-lgt66-light_article.htm Celebrating 86 Years of Nourishing Bodies and Restoring Souls Since 1924, City Union Mission has been blessed with generous donors and prayerful partners who have provided the means to rescue desperate souls like Darrell, renew their spiritual and physical health and restore their lives in Christ. As we celebrate our 86th year of service to Kansas City and prepare for the months ahead, we know the need for Christcentered recovery, counseling and education will remain steadfast, and we pray your support will too. Thank you for standing beside us in God’s life-transforming work. Celebrating 86 Years of Nourishing Bodies and Restoring Souls C U Mission http://cumission.org/ard353-lgt66-light_article.htm Bringing Hope to the Lives of Kansas City's Neediest Citizens      Where hunger ends, hope begins. Where fear ends, hope begins. Where loneliness ends . . . hope begins. Hope for a better tomorrow begins right here in Your City, at Your Mission! A plate of abundant, nutritious food quells the hunger pangs of a man dependent on dumpsters and a child relying on free school lunches for the little food they eat each day. A loving word and a reassuring hug bring hope for restoration to a mother who has exhausted all her options. With your faithful support, City Union Mission serves the hungry, the homeless and the hurting of Kansas City, 365 days a year. The reasons for poverty and despair have changed over the years, but our answer has remained constant—the hope of Jesus Christ. His compassion is reflected through your sacrificial giving and the services your giving provides: Food, shelter, clothing and medical services Counseling, case management and spiritual guidance Long-term Christian recovery Career-development and job-placement assistance Summer camp and wholesome year-round activities for impoverished children And so much more! With your help, City Union Mission will reach our CELEBRATE HOPE: Reach Out to K.C.’s Poor and Homeless goal to raise about $4 million—a significant portion of our fiscal year's annual gift income—between October 1 and January 31, 2011. Here are some ways you can support us in reaching this critical financial milestone. Respond to our mailings from now until January 31, 2011, with your generous and heartfelt gifts. Invite others to consider financial giving to the Mission. Bring your church for a service project or tour, or invite us to come to you. Then ask your group to make a financial contribution to help City Union Mission serve the homeless. Contact Dennis Chapman, Associate Executive Director, Development, to discuss a “challenge” or “matching” gift that might be made by you as an individual or through a group or workplace. Or ask how a donation of stock or collectibles such as coins, artwork or antiques could benefit the Mission, as well. Your faithful partnership with City Union Mission will make a difference in the lives of countless individuals who need hope. Please continue to give as God leads. You can send your CELEBRATE HOPE gift today in the envelope provided, or donate online at www.cityunionmission.org. Every dollar makes a difference! Thank you and God bless you. Bringing Hope to the Lives of Kansas City's Neediest Citizens C U Mission http://cumission.org/ard354-lgt66-light_article.htm Campaign Kicks Off with Virtual Banquet You’re invited to help City Union Mission kick off our $4 million CELEBRATE HOPE: Reach Out to K.C.’s Poor and Homeless campaign—in the comfort of your own home, at a time that’s most  convenient for you! During the month of October, visit www.cityunionmission.org to hear personal testimonies recorded by men and women whose lives have been transformed through your generosity. And this year, we’re inviting virtual banquet participants—like you—to respond online about how the Mission has impacted their lives through the acts of sharing time, talents, gifts and prayers. Then we hope you’ll consider a gift of $30 or more to help us meet our campaign goal, and more importantly, to help the hungry, homeless or poor of Kansas City. Remember—because there are no costs to cover as with a traditional banquet, every dollar you send goes directly to help those in need! You can make your gift online during the “event,” or send it today in the envelope provided. Be sure to mark “Virtual Banquet” in the memo field. Save the date—and invite your family, coworkers and Facebook friends to “attend” with you as you join City Union Mission online in October! Campaign Kicks Off with Virtual Banquet C U Mission http://cumission.org/ard355-lgt66-light_article.htm Volunteers, We Applaud You! City Union Mission is grateful for the hundreds of volunteers who share their unique set of skills, experience and insight with us in so many meaningful ways. In 2009, more than 1,100 individuals formed our volunteer corps. And in the first four months of this year alone, 557 youth and adults have lent their hearts and hands. We want to show all these compassionate partners how much they’re appreciated by the Mission staff and especially those we serve. If you’ve been or are currently a Mission volunteer, please join us for our Volunteer Appreciation Event on Sunday, October 24, at our Christian Life Center at 1 p.m. We’ll be pleased to serve you a light lunch, offer loving Christian fellowship and do our very best to convey how much your dedication means to our work. Volunteers, We Applaud You! C U Mission http://cumission.org/ard356-lgt66-light_article.htm Eagle Scouts Extend Their Service to the Mission Every Eagle Scout is charged with the responsibility of service. Here at City Union Mission, we are blessed to know four special young men who don’t take that calling lightly and have dedicated hours of assistance to the Mission as they work to achieve their Eagle Scout status. Andrew Dacus (above) collected 99 waterproof mattress covers for our Men’s Center. Stevie Spikler gathered multiple boxes of school supplies, Bibles, personal-care items, men’s underwear and socks, and box fans. Grant Rogers designed a shelving unit that is being built into a resource area at the administration building. And Adam Shulman collected pots and pans for the graduates of our New Life Program who need household items as they become established in their own homes. We’re pleased to learn Andrew became an Eagle Scout early this summer. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to him and the other young men working toward this great honor. If you know of an aspiring Eagle Scout looking for a service project at the Mission, here are some they might consider taking on: • Donating and installing a bicycle rack at our Christian Life Center • Donating or constructing a picnic table for our Christian Life Center • Donating and assembling a library cart at our Family Center • Remodeling rooms in the Mission’s Family Center including painting, installing new carpet and making minor repairs For details on these and other projects, e-mail Tammy Sharp at core@cityunionmission.org. We look forward to welcoming more young men of integrity—like Andrew, Stevie, Grant and Adam—to our volunteer team! Eagle Scouts Extend Their Service to the Mission C U Mission http://cumission.org/ard357-lgt66-light_article.htm Stuff a Truck with Hope! Beginning October 11 and running through October 31, City Union Mission will once again team up with Hy-Vee to Stuff A Truck and feed Kansas City’s homeless and hungry! Shoppers at any of the 21 local Hy-Vee stores can purchase vouchers the Mission will use to buy grocery items at cost for our shelters and meals programs. In 2009, shoppers provided more than $50,000 in vouchers, assisting the Mission in serving more than 350,000 meals to hungry people! The Mission also needs 100 volunteers for our Stuff A Truck weekend. On October 22-23, City Union Mission volunteers will visit all Hy-Vee locations to thank shoppers personally for their support. If you’d like to participate, you can register online at www.cityunionmission.org. Please join us for the fun and excitement as, together, we stuff a truck with hope! Stuff A Truck Together! Suggest your Sunday school class meet after church to do their grocery shopping together while purchasing vouchers to feed the homeless. Invite your children to shop with you and to use their change to purchase vouchers to feed hungry boys and girls in their community. Encourage your friends to sign up with you to be Stuff A Truck volunteers at your neighborhood Hy-Vee store.   Stuff a Truck with Hope! C U Mission http://cumission.org/ard358-lgt66-light_article.htm Write Us In - as Your United Way Gift Designation! During your workplace’s annual United Way fall campaign, consider directing your contributions to City Union Mission by simply writing “City Union Mission” as your designated charity. It’s a simple way to help! And here’s another way to boost the impact of your giving: Check with your personnel department to see if your organization matches employees’ charitable contributions. That means every gift you make to the Mission will be doubled. Thank you for your ongoing financial support. Write Us In - as Your United Way Gift Designation! C U Mission http://cumission.org/ard359-lgt66-light_article.htm Reserve Plaza Lights Christmas Cards from City Union Mission Once again, City Union Mission is offering beautiful “Plaza Lights” Christmas greeting cards—capturing the most memorable scenes from the Country Club Plaza lighting ceremony—to benefit the Mission’s programs and services for the needy of our community. Each card series features eight original photographs of lighted Plaza locations, taken by Dennis Chapman, Associate Executive Director, Development. The cards are packaged flat or boxed in sets of 16 that include two of each of the eight original prints. The inside of each card can be customized with your personal greeting. “The cards have special meaning because we’re able to take a holiday tradition that has become so beloved by the community and allow it to help the less fortunate of our city, ” Dennis says. If you’d like to share this Kansas City tradition with your friends and loved ones while helping the homeless or poor, order online now at www.cityunionmission.org. The cards are priced at $25 per box, plus $5 for shipping. Thank you for sharing your compassion in such a meaningful way! Reserve Plaza Lights Christmas Cards from City Union Mission C U Mission http://cumission.org/ard360-lgt66-light_article.htm Can You Help with These Top Five Needs? Number 5: Travel-size hygiene products like shampoo, lotion, deodorant and razors—our residents and overnight guests find these items simple luxuries! Number 4: New socks and underwear—these are provided to our residents and overnight guests, as well as distributed to needy families and individuals at Christmas. We also give these items to the more than 1,800 kids who receive back-to-school supplies. Number 3: Canned green beans and corn—nearly 1,200 cans each month are distributed to families in need and used in the meals we serve to the hungry and homeless. Number 2: Toilet paper—the Mission uses approximately 6,000 rolls a month throughout our facilities, and you know how expensive TP can be in your own home! And Our Number 1 Greatest Need Is . . . Cash—your tax-deductible financial contributions are always greatly needed to purchase items that aren’t donated, as well as meet budgeted expenses all year long. If you or a group you’re involved with would like to collect any of these items, they would be truly appreciated and may be dropped off at any one of the Mission’s three Second Chance Thrift Stores. Visit www.cityunionmission.org for locations and hours. Can You Help with These Top Five Needs? C U Mission http://cumission.org/ard361-lgt66-light_article.htm What's Happening at the Mission? Keep up with all the details on upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, lives you’ve helped to change—and ways to get others involved—when you follow us on Facebook and Twitter. What's Happening at the Mission? C U Mission http://cumission.org/Tune_Radio.htm City Union Mission - Media Programs http://cumission.org/mid60-MediaDetails.htm Church Ambassador Testimony Part One Hear what one Church Ambassador has to say about serving at City Union Mission - Part One. Church Ambassador Testimony Part One C U Mission http://cumission.org/mid61-MediaDetails.htm Church Ambassador Testimony Part Two Enjoy the second part of George Wall's testimony about why he serves as a Church Ambassador for City Union Mission.  Church Ambassador Testimony Part Two C U Mission http://cumission.org/mid56-MediaDetails.htm Royals Serve Thanksgiving Dinner at the Mission This day is the way the Royals want to say Happy Thanksgiving to all of the people...We want to give a big hug to all the people... Royals Serve Thanksgiving Dinner at the Mission C U Mission http://cumission.org/mid57-MediaDetails.htm Royals Celebrate Thanksgiving I come from this neighorhood... Royals Celebrate Thanksgiving C U Mission http://cumission.org/mid58-MediaDetails.htm Royals Associates I'm higly motivated after what I've seen here... Royals Associates C U Mission http://cumission.org/mid59-MediaDetails.htm Royals Serve at Mission I'll be back... Royals Serve at Mission C U Mission http://cumission.org/mid55-MediaDetails.htm School Distribution Day 2008 School Distribution Day is always fun! Hear what these moms and their kids have to say. School Distribution Day 2008 C U Mission http://cumission.org/mid50-MediaDetails.htm 90 Dollars for 90 Days Dennis Chapman talks with Ken Monroe of Bott Broadcasting about City Union Mission's summer campaign, 90 Dollars for 90 Days!  90 Dollars for 90 Days C U Mission http://cumission.org/mid51-MediaDetails.htm Caring for KC Part 1 Caring for KC's host, Jim Cunningham, interviews Dennis Chapman, City Union Mission's Associate Executive Director of Development, about the increase in demand for services along with a troubling decrease in donations. Caring for KC Part 1 C U Mission http://cumission.org/mid52-MediaDetails.htm Caring for KC Part 2 Part 2 of the interview with Dennis Chapman... Caring for KC Part 2 C U Mission