EXTRA-Parish
Service Projects
Especially During Lent & All Year.
An Invitation to Social Service Providers in Washtenaw County Michigan:
Beginning each New Year, we want to renew our commitment of working with you to help the poor in Washtenaw County, Michigan.
The people at St. Francis Parish, Ann Arbor, are looking for meaningful-one-time service projects to help people, all year, and especially during the season of Lent-Spring, which begins Feb. 25, 2009, (and goes until the Easter season April 12 - May 31, 2009).
Please let us help you reach out to the less fortunate in our community.
Define a special service project, include the contact name & number or e-mail.
Please try to respond with your suggestions by February 11, 2009 (ideas are still welcome even after that date).
We will publicize a list of the opportunities in our weekly news bulletin FORUM, so, it is a great way for your organization to get the attention of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish community.
Our EXTRA-Parish Service Projects Opportunity List can be found at:
http://service4justice.blogspot.com/ or, at:
http://www.stfrancisa2.com/socialministry/serviceprojects.htm
A Project Could Be Accomplished:
-- by a group or class of students during their school hours, or evening religious education classes.
For example: card making, stapling, envelope stuffing, bag decorating, You Name It, You Define your project needs and we will try to do it.
-- by a group, a whole family, a single adult person, or a parent and child, for an hour or two after school, or for a few hours on a Saturday then we are especially interested.
For example: raking the yard, washing windows, picking up sticks, Food Pantry Programs, Hot Meal Programs, Shelter programs, Direct one on one service helping; Seniors, Children, Etc.
You Name It, then we will try to do it.
The service projects are a way for our people:
- to show care for our brothers and sisters in need, &
- to prepare our hearts for the joy of the EASTER season.
Thanks for your suggestions & ideas,
Scott Wright
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Scott Wright, BSW, M.Div., Parish Social Ministry Director,
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church,
2150 Frieze Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Fax 734-821-2102
Website: http://stfrancisa2.com/socialministry/
Phone: 734-821-2121 E-mail:
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7 comments:
The bi-annual “Point In Time” count where we go out and try to count all the homeless folks in Washtenaw County. We cover the downtown area and everyone goes out. Unfortunately, it is usually cold so the volunteers need to really bundle up. I’ll try to put them with the teams who go out to the camps as that would be most interesting to see how people live outdoors in the winter.
Flo A. Hepola, LMSW, CAAC of JPORT: Mental Health Professsional (734-222-3774)
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Catholic Social Services (CSS) - Food Pantry located at Northside Community Center (Announcement Posting Date: Jan 2009)
The Catholic Social Services (CSS) Emergency Food Program (809 Taylor, Ann Arbor inside the Northside Community Center 662-4462) open Tuesdays from 3-7pm, Thursdays from 9am-3pm and Saturdays from 4-7pm and could use volunteers anytime Tuesdays between 1-8pm, Thursdays from 8am-4pm and Saturdays from 4-7:30pm. One-time volunteers are welcome to show up and pitch in. Usually Kim Green is coordinating the program & she's the person they would check in with. Contact: 734-662-4462 or Soni Buda-Thornburg
SBuda @ csswashtenaw.org .
Valentine’s Day 2009
”Bags of Cheer”
The UM Cancer Center Volunteer and Community Resources Program is seeking your help creating Valentine’s Day ‘Bags of Cheer’ for adult cancer patients being treated at the University Health Center.
On Valentines Day, each adult cancer patient at the Cancer Center and in the hospital receives a bag stuffed with home-made valentines created by volunteers. Patients look forward to this event every year and are inspired by the thoughtfulness of those creating
these special cards of cheer.
Here’s how you can help……
Make valentine cards appropriate for adult patients. They don’t have to be fancy…it’s the thought that counts!
General Guidelines for the cards:
• Cards should be small enough to fit into a lunch bag
• No store bought cards please
• Avoid religious references to allow distribution to all of our diverse patient groups
• Avoid “Get well soon!” messages; though messages of hope and cheer such as “I’m thinking of you”, or “Hoping you have a great day”, are appreciated
• No glitter on cards for safety reasons
• No food attached to cards
• Do not place cards in envelopes
• Remember to sign each card with a first name or name of group or just “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Please send in valentine cards by February 6th (ATTN: Mary McCully)
Cards may be sent via:
-- Drop off: UM Cancer Center Lobby Information desk (Level B2 or Ground Level)
-- Campus Mail: 4th floor MIB, Rm C423B, SPC 5843
-- US Mail: UM Comprehensive Cancer Center
Volunteer & Community Resources,
1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Rm C423B MIB,
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5843.
Please include information regarding name of donor & mailing address
Need More Information?
Contact Mary McCully, Volunteer & Community Resources Coordinator, Phone: (734) 936-8307.
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"I was delighted to read the lovely Valentines! Please tell everyone involved that their efforts mean a lot to those of us going through difficult times. Every ray of sunshine and every smile is so important. Thank you very much."
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Border’s Recycling Project:
Project Description: Every week volunteers on behalf of SOS Community Services will go to the Border’s Group Inc. (100 Phoenix Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48108) to pick up cans. Recycled cans are to be picked up any day of the week and at any time of the day. This could be a 4 month commitment.
Last Year’s Highlights:
* Last year’s recipient organization was Big Brothers & Big Sisters and they raised between $2,500 - $3,500.
* Each week the organization picked up 5-10 large industrial-size bags of cans.
Tips for Project:
* Bring gloves to deposit cans.
* Generally Hiller’s, Kroger & Meijer will accept the large amount of cans as long as you tell them it’s for charity.
* Depositing cans each week should take 2 volunteers about 1 hour.
Contact: Mimi Weisberg
Volunteer Recruitment Specialist
SOS Community Services
101 S. Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Phone: 734.961-1210
SOS Main Line: 734.485.8730
SOS Housing Crisis Line: 734.484.4300
Want to reach out to homeless families and children and others in crisis in your community? Visit www.soscs.org to find out how you can volunteer and donate.
RSVP = Retired Senior Volunteer Program
Description:
RSVP is a volunteer placement program for adults ages 55 and up interested in contributing their time and talents to serve local non-profit organizations. A primary objective of the program is to consider the skills and interests of each volunteer to ensure a rewarding experience. Volunteer benefits include accident and liability insurance, training opportunities, newsletters, recognition for service, and if needed, transportation reimbursement.
To learn about volunteer opportunities, please see our Older Adult Services Spring 2008 Newsletter
To Get Started:
Call 734.712.3625 to become a volunteer.
SOS Community Services
Want to reach out to homeless families and children and others in crisis in your community? We have a Family Relationships Group on Monday evenings that teaches our homeless consumers about topics such as parenting, nurturing and caring within the family dynamic. We serve dinner to this group and we are looking for organizations that would make dinners in their kitchens and bring it to our daycare center in Ann Arbor on Monday evenings. The nutritious, kid friendly meal should serve 25-30 adults and children. Could you help us with this project? I have 10 dates still available! Would you cook for one of those Mondays for us? Contact: Mimi Weisberg (734.961-1210) Visit www.soscs.org to find out how you can volunteer and donate.
Habitat for Humanity Catholic House
sponsorship for spring 2009
Each parish representative in invited to meet with us on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 6:30 PM, at the Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley office, 170 Aprill Dr., Ann Arbor. (734-677-1558). RSVP is appreciated. Hope to see you at the meeting, Steve Polgar, Catholic House Leader CatholicHouse@CatholicWeb.com
(hm:734-485-1300) (wk:517-423-8774)
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