Presbytery of PhiladelphiaO-1
March 23, 2010
Presbyterian Community Ministries of DelawareValley
(PCMDV)
Annual Report to the
Presbytery of Philadelphia
March 23, 2010
PCMDV Is pleased to present a report to the Presbytery of Philadelphia. PCMDV is nearing the completion of three years of oversight governance to Chester Eastside Ministry (CEM), Head Start Learning Tree (HSLT) and John Gloucester House (JGH). We acknowledge with gratitude time given by volunteers who serve in governing these ministries. We are fortunate to have Directors who have effectively managed the day to day operations of these ministries, and have embraced a collaborative model of oversight, governance and management. The leadership of these ministry Boards have guided with skill, focus and commitment. We recognize the Chairs of these boards-Allen Becton (CEM), Todd Stavrakos (HSLT), and Francene Brown (JGH) whose activities are presented later in this report.
CHALLENGES
- Board membership-PCMDV has been challenged over the year in recruiting needed expertise for Board Membership, but in recent months has succeeded in attracting needed expertise. Our hope is to have full compliments for all Boards by the fall of 2010.
- Money—as with all not-for-profit organizations, fund raising is difficult. These ministries desperately need the financial support of the churches in the Presbytery, even as they are grateful for current and past generosity. The needs outpace the resources. The growth, indeed, the success will depend upon the priority of the Presbytery of Philadelphia.
PLAN
On May 15, 2010, PCMDV will sponsor its first public fund raising event- “Hymn Singing”-at First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. Please save the date.
MINISTRY REPORTS
Chester Eastside Ministry (CEM)
Overview: In 2008, Chester Eastside Ministries adopted as its mission to:
- Minister to the spiritual, social, and physical needs of all who come to us, treating all with dignity and respect.
- Nurture the gifts of all for the realization of their full potential.
- Bring urban and suburban communities together with a view to bringing wholeness to all.
- Empower the powerless, give voice to the voiceless, and raise the visibility of their challenges and concerns in the wider world.
Throughout 2009 and TODAY, these ideals continue to serve as the nucleus of our ministry – its programs and services. Guided by Jesus’ mandate to love our neighbor as ourselves and empowered by the Holy Spirit, our ministry serves as a doorway to hope and help through empowerment for all who enter. In all that we do, TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! Listed below are some of the highlights of the past year.
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Chester Youth Perspective: CEM began the New Year by leading a group of Chester Youth to witness the Inauguration of our nation’s first African-American President. Accompanied by Rev. Bernice Warren and other chaperones, youth from CEM and Thomas M. Thomas Memorial Presbyterian Church prepared a photo journal of the events and activities surrounding this historical event. Under the direction of Rev. Jim Ley, a CEM board member, students from an areaHomeSchool Program received instruction in Digital Photography.
BOKAMOSA Youth Ensemble, an energetic troupe of singers and dancers from South Africa, returned to CEM in late January for the third year. “Bokamosa” means “future”. BOKAMOSA members shared their faith, courage and musical gifts to tell their stories of survival amidst poverty, crime, despair and the AIDS epidemic in South Africa. Bokamosa also visited ChesterHigh School and the CEM Saturday School Program.
Care Closet/Food Cupboard: We have noticed a significant increase in the numbers of individuals and families visiting our Care Closet and seeking food assistance. Often our
desire to make a difference in the lives of people who depend on our ministry and its services is outweighed by our resources; but thanks to the generosity shown by
individuals, agencies and churches throughout our Presbytery and beyond, our children and their families get an opportunity to see more of God’s love in action.
During Thanksgiving, more than 228 meals were distributed. In addition, our Food Cupboard has sponsored “The Mothers’ Club” a gathering of area mothers for discussion and resource information. Guests are treated to a delicious brunch and baby items and children’s clothing are made available. Everybody’s Birthday – celebrating the birthday of all CEM volunteers is also held quarterly.
Special clothing drives yielded donations of new and/or gently used coats and other clothing items. Several adults and some children also asked that donations be made to CEM in lieu of Birthday or other holiday gifts. Representatives from several area community service agencies visited CEM to make referrals and to share information. These included a representative from Community Action Agency of Delaware County who visited monthly and representatives from WidenerUniversity’s Physical Therapy Department who conducted blood pressure screenings and examined wheelchairs, scooters, canes and other aids.
Our Annual Christmas Bazaar is organized by Anne Pike, one of our Care Closet volunteers and provided more than 75 families (representing more than 224 children) with Christmas packages including new toys, books, clothing and other gifts. In addition, parents were given an opportunity to select new hats and gloves for each child and to select items from an assortment of gently used household articles. Our Annual Christmas Party is a celebration for staff members, board members, volunteers and community residents.
Adult Education Program: Continues to prepare youth and adults to improve literacy skills and to complete the requirements for GED attainment. There were 8 students, including 3 parenting teens, and 2 adults.
Library/After School Program: Thanks to the combined efforts of Joy Clauss, program coordinator and Kathryn Kelly-Redd, program director, our program remains a viable safe haven for parents in the community. Thirty-eight children were served. Participants receive homework help, tutoring, mentoring, cultural arts, music, wood- working and a nutritious snack. Volunteers from WidenerUniversity, Swarthmore
College, StrathHavenHigh School and area churches lend their time, talents and resources toward making this program productive and fun. Prior to closing for the year,
Art Instructor, Jennifer Elam showcased her students’ talents in a special art show. Members of the Digital Photography Club also had their pictures on display.
Summer Enrichment Camp: Our summer camp was very successful; there were 40 children enrolled. The goals of our camp were: (1) to strengthen reading, math, library and computer skills; (2) to provide diversified cultural enrichment experiences; and (3) to expose children to new experiences through field trips and other activities. Thanks to a special grant and donations from churches, we were able to provide scholarship assistance, hire teachers in the areas of reading, math, and computer applications and to provide summer employment for 4 college students and 3 high school students. In addition, several of our children participated in an Equestrian Camp in Boyertown, PA, for three weeks. The children were taught how to groom the horses, employ basic riding techniques and were introduced to fundamentals of dressage. There were several field trips, including an overnight trip to CampKirkwood, operated by our Presbytery. Other field trips included RehobothBeach, The Spirit of Philadelphia and weekly swimming at the Swarthmore Swim Club.
Peace Arts Camp: Realizing a need to introduce our young people (and some of our adults as well) to peaceful alternatives to violence, CEM hired a conflict resolution consultant who trained our staff and worked with the children throughout the summer. CEM has enjoyed successful collaboration with Peace in the Streets – Peace on Earth for many years and in 2010 we envision a more intensive Peace effort that will combine the talents of our youth in a Youth Arts and Peace Initiative.
Life Skills Mentoring Program: The Saturday School Program (SSP) was operated by CEM in partnership with the Chester Upland School District (CHS), for ninth (9th) and tenth (10th) grade students. The students evidence excessive tardiness and chronic absences. SSP provides non-academic support to address the underlying, non-curricular factors in students’ personal, familial and social lives that act as potential or real barriers/challenges to their academic and life success. Last year approximately 220 students received services. The challenge remains to attain CHS support and the documentation needed to ensure greater program success.
Worship: Thanks to the continued support of Swarthmore Presbyterian Church and the diligence of our seminarian, Bernard Downing, our Worship services have become much more powerful, providing the impetus for more inclusion of community volunteers throughout the ministry. We have garnered the support of area musicians who count it a “JOY” to lend their musical talents to our Worship Services on the third
and fourth Sundays of each month. Bible Study is conducted weekly and a prayer room
has been designated to allow time for personal and private reflection. In addition, Friday Movie discussions with the community help to build fellowship, improved attendance at the Worship Service, recruited people who now volunteer in the ministry and also helped them to understand the gospel and apply it to their lives.
Seeds of Hope Begun in 2009: Prospective Ventures
As a result of the continued collaboration with Bokamoso, plans are being formulated for a trip to South Africa for a group of our students
A new relationship was forged with Metropolitan Christian Council and they have agreed to provide financial support toward this endeavor
Plans are to hire a Violence Prevention Coordinator
Fiscal Solvency: Given the demands on our services and the decrease in individual and congregational giving for 2009, it looks like we finished the year about $5,000 in red.
Income = 218,964
Expenses 223,689
Balance = - 4,726
We praise God for all that He allowed us to accomplish and we will continue to look to Him for the energy and creativity to enhance our ministry – its program and its services. “To Him who by means of His power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask or even think of; to God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever.”
Ephesians 3:20-21
Head Start Learning Tree (HSLT)
Head Start Learning Tree has embarked upon two new initiatives for 2010.
- Last year, HSLT was granted expansion funds as part of the stimulus package. After much discussion, it was decided to expand the program into S. Philadelphia, an area that is presently underserved. A partnership was formed with Christ Presbyterian Church at 10th and Kimball and work is presently underway to build classrooms, improve kitchen facilities and install a security system. HSLT received $100,000 to complete this work. Presently, HSLT is in discussion with the Regional Office on the funding for the program at ChristChurch. We hope to have two classes, about 30-40 children, in the HSLT program at ChristChurch. (At present we serve 780 children throughout West, Southwest and South Philadelphia.)
- In the year 2013, all lead teachers will be required to have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. HSLT is partnering with local colleges such as ChestnutHillCollege to help assist teachers in obtaining this degree. While it is possible that the 2013 deadline set by the federal government might be pushed back, HSLT will continue to use 2013 as our own date to insure that our children receive the best education they can.
On fiscal matters, last year, stimulus funds help to fund a cost of living adjustment. Initially these funds where to be a one year increase, however, HSLT recently was informed that these adjustments will continue into the future and the HSLT grant will be increased to cover these adjustments.
Pertaining to the Board of Directors and Policy Council, both have begun intense governance training to insure that the appropriate oversight is conducted. A goal has been set to implement new management structures and board oversight procedures by September 2010.
An ongoing stress to the program is the need for improved facilities. This winter has seen a number of building issues such as leaky roofs and failures of heating systems. We will continue to aggressively pursue alternatives to insure that the children have a safe and secure environment in which to learn and grow.
John Gloucester House
John Gloucester House Board of Directors is grateful to the Kairos Development Group, LLC for the July 2009 written assessment of the Point Breeze community needs and assistance with strategic initiatives to address the identified needs. The outcome of the report has helped the Board to determine and develop programs and to hire a director to assist with planning and implementation.
The JGH Board worked throughout the summer to recruit and interview director
candidates. Henry Weaver was hired as Director in September 2009. At the conclusion
of three months satisfactory employment he was appointed permanent Director of John Gloucester House.
The after school tutorial and enrichment program began in September, averaging 20 children each weekday. Eleven volunteers serve the program; 6 volunteers are high school students. Enrichment activities include monthly visits to the neighborhood library for structured activity, monthly spelling bee, and weekly computer instruction, physical fitness, and book report presentations. Art instruction will begin in March.
In March 2010 the Director will launch two new programs. The SaturdayAcademy will operate from the hours of 9am to 12pm. The students will range from 12-18 years of age. The program will consist of Body and Brain Builder, educating students surrounding health issues such as obesity, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. The body and brain builder classes will also instruct the youth how to properly exercise and maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. Life Calisthenics isdesigned to increase social skills; develop poised and mentally independent children, prepared to lead an integrated life in a complex urban setting.
Project Lifeline is the second new program that will begin in March 2010. The purpose of the Project Life Line is to promote positive interaction among family members through educating and enriching adult males.The program will operate from the hours of 6pm.-8pm, Tuesday evenings. The participants will be male, ranging from 18 -80 years of age.
The 50+ Bible Study group continues to meet weekly on Monday. A single volunteer facilitated the group study for the past year. Beginning in March 2010 three new volunteers will facilitate the study sessions on a rotating basis.
Plans are underway to develop a summer camp program.
Finally, there has been great success at recruiting almost a full Board of Directors who are committed to the mission of the ministry. The capabilities and expertise of Board members include a seasoned manager in the human service field, a retired labor relations specialist, a money management vice president, an administrative assistant, a retired nurse/coordinator, a municipal court judge, a coordinator/manager in biomedical research, an executive assistant in a multi-institutional health system, and a retired dept. of human services commissioner.
Submitted by: Delores F. Brisbon, President of PCMDV
for PCMDV Board of Directors
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