Opportunities to serve the community
Thursday October 27, 2016 Family Literacy Night with Making It Better (for Walnut Bend Elementary School). Assist with a special event in the evening. Please contact Deacon Mary for details.
Saturday November 5, 2016 Lunch with Friends-preparing, serving, dining with and cleanup for lunch with the residents of Mission of Yahweh. Signup in the Narthex in the Volunteer notebook. Service from 11am-1:30pm with some food preparation
At another time.
Saturday November 19, 2016 WHAM-repackage bulk food items for distribution to clients. Service is from 9am to 12pm. Please sign up in Volunteer Notebook in the Narthex.
OPEN TABLE-we are breaking ground in the diocese helping to pioneer this mentor program here. It has been most successful in other areas of the country and in San Antonio. This program will enlist a small team (6-8 mentors and a few administrative people) who will work weekly for one year with one person. We have elected to work with someone who is aging out of Foster Care. We will work as a team to assist this person find their way as an adult-when they have no other visible support system to help them. We expect this will include the basics of how to find an apartment, get a job, provide meals for themselves, figure out transportation. These individuals need positive influences and resources to help them make good decisions and make a good place for themselves. Anyone interested-please contact John Searle or Deacon Mary.
WALNUT BEND ELEMENTARY OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2016-2017
Reading Intervention-work alongside a professional tutor with 4 students from K-2nd Grade. You will serve as an enrichment assistant to the tutor an activities as assigned. 45 minute sessions
Parent Partnership-held at Making It Better apartment in the Belmont Apartments (across the street from Walnut Bend on north side). Work with mothers and their preschoolers to educate them in ways to support literacy development through reading and games.
Steps 2 Success-after school program where the goals are to develop leadership and positive relational skills through literacy lessons and activities. The ratio is 6 students per adult. There are instructed lessons, field trips and art activities.
Lunch Bunch-this program runs from October-April when school is in session during the student's lunch time. The students are in the 4th or 5th grade. Thee will be 4 same gender students assigned to an adult for a 30 minute session. The focus is on life skills and literacy.
Breakfast Buddies-work with 3-4 students from 7:30-8:00 once a week over breakfast. Topics will be provided-social enrichment, manners and relationships.
Training for these opportunities will take place the first week of October. All of the above are based on weekly participation during the school year. For some of these positions it is possible to volunteer as a team of 2, trading off as you decide. Please indicate your interest by signing up in the Volunteer Sign Up Notebook in the Narthex. Contact Deacon Mary with any questions.
This year there will also be opportunities of shorter duration....the month long Read Aloud program for the 1st and 2ned grade; Family Literacy Nights and we are developing some events for the Christmas and Easter seasons and other times. Please indicate your interest in serving in these in the Volunteer Sign Up Notebook in the Narthex.
TRIP TO VOLUNTEER AT THE BEACON- the Beacon is a ministry for the homeless located in downtown Houston across the street from the Cathedral. We will be working on August 18th at the 7:15 to 10:30 shift either in the kitchen or the laundry. This is a complete day center for the homeless-offering showers, laundry, meals, a day room to sit, a chaplain (Father Jim Morgan) and many other services. Sign up the the Volunteer Sign Up Notebook in the Narthex-directions and instructions will be sent to you in advance.
WHAM (West Houston Area Ministries we have established an ongoing ministry on the third Saturday morning from 9-12 of sending in a team to repackage bulk items for distribution in the For Pantry. Please sign up in the Volunteer Sign Up Notebook in the Narthex of the church. There are sheets ready for every month of the calendar year. Find some friends and go as a team!
A.+D.I.O.S. EVENTS
These are planned events when the church goes out into the community to serve together.
April 9, 2016 work at WHAM in the Food Pantry or Second Blessings store. Saturday is one of their biggest days of the
week to serve clients. Each person in the Food Pantry must have a volunteer with them. Sign up sheets
are in the narthex.
April 10, 2016 Special worship service at 10:30. Please come in casual clothes so you can join in the activities after the
service. We will be working on:
...preparing packets for the faculty and students at Walnut Bend Elementary to cheer them on during
STAAR testing
...colleting donation items for Second Blessings at WHAM-we will have a huge truck in the parking lot
so you can conveniently drop things off. We will have donation slips for you. Big sellers for them now
are household items and children's clothing, but all is welcome, even furniture. Spring cleaning time!
...cooking freezer meals to take to those in our congregation in times of need.
...planting and working on the church grounds.
...help us call members to update our prayer lists and catch up with our elderly not able to attend
services regularly.
...light lunch will be served.
July 1, 2016 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION for the residents at The Tremont- a senior residence facility. We will take a
party to them from 2:30-3:30 pm. Ice cream plus extras, games and chatting with them. Plan to join us
dressed in red, white and blue.
MINISTRY PARTNERS
These are organizations we have a continued relationship with providing funding and volunteers. They are in our immediate neighborhood and our closest circle of concern.
Walnut Bend Elementary School
...we send volunteers into the school for Lunch Bunch and to assist professional reading tutors
...we assist with Family Night
...we sponsor the first grade classes and send in readers for the Read Aloud Month celebrations
...we gather donations to give required school uniforms to students who cannot afford to buy them
...we are "on call" for special occasion needs from time to time
Most of these activities are organized around the school year and are ongoing. Plan to contact Deacon Mary before the end of the summer to be sure to be a part of these efforts. Training and background checks are required.
WHAM aka West Houston Assistance Ministries
This group is sponsored by churches in the area to assist with helping those in our neighborhood who are in need. They provide a wide variety of essential ministries far more robustly than the churches can do individually. We are very fortunate to have them close to us. They offer food, clothing, living assistance of all kinds as well as education to every age group in our area. Please consider joining us support them with:
...donation items for Second Blessings (they pick up furniture)
...Fill The Box on the first Sunday of every month in the Narthex. All of these food items go to WHAM.
...Donate your time-once a week or once a month (and take friends for more fun) in the Food Pantry or Second
Blessings. Call Ella at 832-413-5983, she will schedule you and train you at your first visit.
*****please note-WHAM asks we identify ourselves as part of Ascension when we donate items or time. They keep track of it!
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
These are organizations we work with and or support during the year. They all are inspirational ministries-chose among them according to your interests and talents.
Connect4Literacy....this is the action arm of the Barbara Bush Foundation that works on literacy. You sign up and train on line...then you volunteer for opportunities of all sorts on individual dates. If you have an erratic schedule-this is a great one to support. They do have opportunities every week to go to Walnut Bend Elementary and work one on one with a first or second grade student. go to connect4literacy.org
The Beacon-the homeless ministry sponsored by Christ Church Cathedral next to the Diocese headquarters downtown. They sponsor a day center where the homeless can eat, have their clothes washed, take a shower, get counseling and they also have a clinic. They have critical needs on Thursday and Friday in the kitchen and the laundry. If they do not have enough volunteers-they have to cut services. schedule online at helpthebeacon.com
Houston Food Bank-We have the best food bank in America (seriously-they got an award!). While they have thousands volunteer each week, they still have lots of needs. Right now there is a critical shortage in sorting frozen meat on Fridays. They also have areas like packing children's backpacks where the children are welcome to volunteer too. go to houstonfoodbank.org to sign up to volunteer....it is amazing. You should go once for sure!
The Center- a warm and wonderful atmosphere for adults who are mentally challenged. We love to take parties to them and just hang out...but they also need some volunteers to visit with a resident as a mentor/friend. They do not get out often and just love to have company. They also sell some wonderful cookies on their website to fund their facility. go to thecenterhouston.org
Houston Hospice-Houston's oldest not for profit hospice, located in the Medical Center. They have regular training classes (the best in town) in this type of care. Volunteers after training can work in a variety of different roles for the hospice, including visit patients in their care.
Houston:reVision-a group who works with gang affected and adjudicated youth as well as working with youth at risk in middle schools in Spring Branch and Katy. After training, and background searches-volunteers work with youth as mentors to assist them reconnect to society. If you have any questions...ask Deacon Mary-this is her briar patch for sure! for information about the program go to houstonrevision.org
Mission of Yahweh-a group who ministers to women and children. They have a variety of areas where volunteers are needed. go to missionofyahweh.org
WALNUT BEND ELEMENTARY OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2016-2017
Reading Intervention-work alongside a professional tutor with 4 students from K-2nd Grade. You will serve as an enrichment assistant to the tutor an activities as assigned. 45 minute sessions
Parent Partnership-held at Making It Better apartment in the Belmont Apartments (across the street from Walnut Bend on north side). Work with mothers and their preschoolers to educate them in ways to support literacy development through reading and games.
Steps 2 Success-after school program where the goals are to develop leadership and positive relational skills through literacy lessons and activities. The ratio is 6 students per adult. There are instructed lessons, field trips and art activities.
Lunch Bunch-this program runs from October-April when school is in session during the student's lunch time. The students are in the 4th or 5th grade. Thee will be 4 same gender students assigned to an adult for a 30 minute session. The focus is on life skills and literacy.
Breakfast Buddies-work with 3-4 students from 7:30-8:00 once a week over breakfast. Topics will be provided-social enrichment, manners and relationships.
Training for these opportunities will take place the first week of October. All of the above are based on weekly participation during the school year. For some of these positions it is possible to volunteer as a team of 2, trading off as you decide. Please indicate your interest by signing up in the Volunteer Sign Up Notebook in the Narthex. Contact Deacon Mary with any questions.
This year there will also be opportunities of shorter duration....the month long Read Aloud program for the 1st and 2ned grade; Family Literacy Nights and we are developing some events for the Christmas and Easter seasons and other times. Please indicate your interest in serving in these in the Volunteer Sign Up Notebook in the Narthex.
TRIP TO VOLUNTEER AT THE BEACON- the Beacon is a ministry for the homeless located in downtown Houston across the street from the Cathedral. We will be working on August 18th at the 7:15 to 10:30 shift either in the kitchen or the laundry. This is a complete day center for the homeless-offering showers, laundry, meals, a day room to sit, a chaplain (Father Jim Morgan) and many other services. Sign up the the Volunteer Sign Up Notebook in the Narthex-directions and instructions will be sent to you in advance.
WHAM (West Houston Area Ministries we have established an ongoing ministry on the third Saturday morning from 9-12 of sending in a team to repackage bulk items for distribution in the For Pantry. Please sign up in the Volunteer Sign Up Notebook in the Narthex of the church. There are sheets ready for every month of the calendar year. Find some friends and go as a team!
A.+D.I.O.S. EVENTS
These are planned events when the church goes out into the community to serve together.
April 9, 2016 work at WHAM in the Food Pantry or Second Blessings store. Saturday is one of their biggest days of the
week to serve clients. Each person in the Food Pantry must have a volunteer with them. Sign up sheets
are in the narthex.
April 10, 2016 Special worship service at 10:30. Please come in casual clothes so you can join in the activities after the
service. We will be working on:
...preparing packets for the faculty and students at Walnut Bend Elementary to cheer them on during
STAAR testing
...colleting donation items for Second Blessings at WHAM-we will have a huge truck in the parking lot
so you can conveniently drop things off. We will have donation slips for you. Big sellers for them now
are household items and children's clothing, but all is welcome, even furniture. Spring cleaning time!
...cooking freezer meals to take to those in our congregation in times of need.
...planting and working on the church grounds.
...help us call members to update our prayer lists and catch up with our elderly not able to attend
services regularly.
...light lunch will be served.
July 1, 2016 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION for the residents at The Tremont- a senior residence facility. We will take a
party to them from 2:30-3:30 pm. Ice cream plus extras, games and chatting with them. Plan to join us
dressed in red, white and blue.
MINISTRY PARTNERS
These are organizations we have a continued relationship with providing funding and volunteers. They are in our immediate neighborhood and our closest circle of concern.
Walnut Bend Elementary School
...we send volunteers into the school for Lunch Bunch and to assist professional reading tutors
...we assist with Family Night
...we sponsor the first grade classes and send in readers for the Read Aloud Month celebrations
...we gather donations to give required school uniforms to students who cannot afford to buy them
...we are "on call" for special occasion needs from time to time
Most of these activities are organized around the school year and are ongoing. Plan to contact Deacon Mary before the end of the summer to be sure to be a part of these efforts. Training and background checks are required.
WHAM aka West Houston Assistance Ministries
This group is sponsored by churches in the area to assist with helping those in our neighborhood who are in need. They provide a wide variety of essential ministries far more robustly than the churches can do individually. We are very fortunate to have them close to us. They offer food, clothing, living assistance of all kinds as well as education to every age group in our area. Please consider joining us support them with:
...donation items for Second Blessings (they pick up furniture)
...Fill The Box on the first Sunday of every month in the Narthex. All of these food items go to WHAM.
...Donate your time-once a week or once a month (and take friends for more fun) in the Food Pantry or Second
Blessings. Call Ella at 832-413-5983, she will schedule you and train you at your first visit.
*****please note-WHAM asks we identify ourselves as part of Ascension when we donate items or time. They keep track of it!
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
These are organizations we work with and or support during the year. They all are inspirational ministries-chose among them according to your interests and talents.
Connect4Literacy....this is the action arm of the Barbara Bush Foundation that works on literacy. You sign up and train on line...then you volunteer for opportunities of all sorts on individual dates. If you have an erratic schedule-this is a great one to support. They do have opportunities every week to go to Walnut Bend Elementary and work one on one with a first or second grade student. go to connect4literacy.org
The Beacon-the homeless ministry sponsored by Christ Church Cathedral next to the Diocese headquarters downtown. They sponsor a day center where the homeless can eat, have their clothes washed, take a shower, get counseling and they also have a clinic. They have critical needs on Thursday and Friday in the kitchen and the laundry. If they do not have enough volunteers-they have to cut services. schedule online at helpthebeacon.com
Houston Food Bank-We have the best food bank in America (seriously-they got an award!). While they have thousands volunteer each week, they still have lots of needs. Right now there is a critical shortage in sorting frozen meat on Fridays. They also have areas like packing children's backpacks where the children are welcome to volunteer too. go to houstonfoodbank.org to sign up to volunteer....it is amazing. You should go once for sure!
The Center- a warm and wonderful atmosphere for adults who are mentally challenged. We love to take parties to them and just hang out...but they also need some volunteers to visit with a resident as a mentor/friend. They do not get out often and just love to have company. They also sell some wonderful cookies on their website to fund their facility. go to thecenterhouston.org
Houston Hospice-Houston's oldest not for profit hospice, located in the Medical Center. They have regular training classes (the best in town) in this type of care. Volunteers after training can work in a variety of different roles for the hospice, including visit patients in their care.
Houston:reVision-a group who works with gang affected and adjudicated youth as well as working with youth at risk in middle schools in Spring Branch and Katy. After training, and background searches-volunteers work with youth as mentors to assist them reconnect to society. If you have any questions...ask Deacon Mary-this is her briar patch for sure! for information about the program go to houstonrevision.org
Mission of Yahweh-a group who ministers to women and children. They have a variety of areas where volunteers are needed. go to missionofyahweh.org