Fall 2017 - Spring 2018East Aurora

Uniting people to restore communities by mobilizing Christ-followers to be agents of compassion, justice, and love.

We strive to fulfill our mission through long-term commitments to communities with a focus on meeting immediate needs, building relationships, developing people, and addressing systemic issues that contribute to poverty and inequity. Our name comes from Ecclesiastes 4:12:

By uniting with others across cultural, racial and economic divides, we learn and grow together and better reflect the heart of Jesus.

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“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands

is not quickly broken.”

KIRSTEN STRAND Community 4:12 Director Email: C412@communitychristian.org Phone: (630) 388-5140

AMY PLUMMER Naperville Community 4:12 Coordinator Email: Amyplummer@communitychristian.org

REBECCA STINE Community 4:12 Partnership Coordinator Email: Rebeccastine@communitychristian.org

Amazon Smile

Support Community 4:12 when you shop Amazon! You can purchase all the same things at the same prices by going through smile.amazon.com (instead of just amazon.com). When you use the site for the first time, just select Community 4:12 as your preferred charity. Amazon Smile will then donate .5% of your purchase every time you shop through the site. Your Smile account will connect right to your current Amazon account. It’s as simple as that.

Support the mission of Community 4:12 to Unite People to

Restore Communities by donating at community412.org

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Community 4:12: Financial SupportCommunity 4:12: The Mission

Since 2003, Community 4:12 has partnered with East Aurora School District 131 and other non-profit organizations that serve children and families in the district. The East Aurora student population is 87% Hispanic with over one-third of students learning English as their second language. The population is 75% low-income and graduation rates hover at 64%. Despite statistics suggesting students need

more support to be successful, District 131 currently spends approximately $1,400 less per student than the state average due in part to Illinois’ current educational funding formula.

We believe that children’s zip codes should not determine the educational and extracurricular opportunities available to them. By bringing people from different communities together, we believe we can build on each community’s assets and diminish our collective deficits. Community 4:12 partners volunteers who offer tutoring, mentoring and/or financial resources with students and families who teach unique

cultural and life experiences. As we build relationships that bridge cultural and economic differences, all of our lives are enriched, and we experience what it means to restore God’s Dream for our world.

We believe that children’s zip codes should not determine the educational and extracurricular opportunities available to them.

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LEVEL 1:RELIEF

LEVEL 2:PEOPLE

DEVELOPMENT

LEVEL 3:COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENTResponse

Offer assistance through donations of time, money or supplies

Train, equip and empower individuals to alleviate poverty or suffering in their own lives

Advocate and work for long-term systemic change to restore entire neighborhoods or communities

CommitmentCan be done from a distance with no long-term relational investment

Requires building relationships and a long-term investment of time

Requires a focus on the “big picture” and a long-term commitment of time and resources

ImpactProvides immediate, short term results with no significant long- term impact

Results take longer to achieve but are longer lasting. Impact is focused on individuals, one person at a time

Results are incremental and often slow in coming. Impact is focused on an entire community, not just individuals

ExamplesDonate Christmas gifts, school supplies or foodServe at soup kitchens or sheltersProvide disaster relief

Tutor or mentor a studentTeach ESL or job skillsBe a foster parentBe a friendship partner to a refugee, senior citizen, or someone overcoming personal or medical challenges

Move to an under- resourced community or open a business thereServe on a non-profit boardAdvocate for marginalized, oppressed, or forgotten people

Response Levels for Community Restoration

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East Aurora

December 16

Giftmart partners with businesses, clubs and faith- based organizations harnessing our community’s generosity to do more than put presents under the tree at Christmas time. Since 2003, we’ve collected over 100,000 new toys to be sold at our Giftmart sites where parents are allowed to choose gifts for their children at a discounted price of $2 per toy. Over the past decade, Giftmart has helped low-income families reinvest more than $180,000 into their local schools resulting in the purchase of much needed library books, computers, musical instruments and other supplies. Our mission is to use toys to restore dignity, increase educational funding, encourage parental involvement in local schools and highlight the needs of the communities in our own back yard.

How to Get Involved:Join one of the planning or lead teams.

Serve at the event on December 16th and/or during set up the day before. Sign ups will begin in November at communitygiftmart.org/community412.

Help deliver collection boxes, pick up toy drives or box and sort toys in November and December.

Host a toy drive: Businesses, clubs, schools and other toy drive partners are essential. Involve your friends, neighbors or co-workers to help us fill five trailers of toys.

Donate toys with a value of $10–$20 at Community Christian Church locations the first two weekends in December or at the Yellow Box December 1–14.

Make a financial donation to the East Aurora Giftmart at communitygiftmart.org/community412 and let us do the toy shopping for you.

Contact Info:Website: communitygiftmart.org/community412Email: info@communitygiftmart.org Phone: (331) 444–2268Facebook: Community Giftmart

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East Aurora Giftmart December 16th

Community 4:12 Opportunities to Get Involved

OPPORTUNITY LOCATION / DATE / TIME

Saturday Stars

Assist 3rd–5th grade students who are working below grade level or who need some extra positive adult attention.

Brady Elementary focuses on academic development Bardwell Elementary focuses on mentoring/social skill development Both programs meet Saturdays, 10am–12pm Oct-April following the school calendar

Kids Hope Mentoring

Work 1:1 with a student at Brady Elementary to be a positive adult mentor, or partner with a mentor to pray for the child and mentor.

Brady Elementary School

1 hr/wk during the school day Pray anytime, anywhere!

OPPORTUNITY LOCATION / DATE / TIME

Buddies

Help in an elementary school classroom for one hour (or more) per week.

Brady and Bardwell Elementary Schools

During daytime school hours You choose the day, time and grade level

Dominoes Club

Help elementary students learn to play the game of dominoes that enhances academic development.

Brady and Bardwell Elementary Schools Fall (Bardwell): Tues 3–4:30pm

Spring (Brady): Wed 3–4:30pm

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Community 4:12 Opportunities to Get Involved

For questions, email volunteer@community412.org. To fill out a volunteer application, go to community412.org.

OPPORTUNITY LOCATION / DATE / TIME

Chess Club

Help elementary students learn to play the game of chess that enhances academic development.

East Aurora High School

Saturdays 9:30–11am September-December

Project Share Food Collection

Donate non-perishable food, toiletries and baby care items to help stock the shelves of the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry.

Community Christian Church Naperville Yellow Box

1st Sunday of the month

OPPORTUNITY LOCATION / DATE / TIME

Hesed House

Prepare and serve meals to approximately 200 guests in Hesed House’s shelter program. Donations are also needed to help cover the costs of meals.

Hesed House 659 S River Rd, Aurora, IL 60506 Oct 17th-18th Shifts available: 5–9pm; 9–11pm; overnight; 4–7am (Quarterly dates TBD in 2018)

Hesed House Early Childhood Program

Help provide an early childhood learning experience for homeless children ages 2-5.

Hesed House

Tuesdays and/or Thursdays 6:15–8pm

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Community 4:12 Opportunities to Get Involved (contd.)

For questions, email volunteer@community412.org. To fill out a volunteer application, go to community412.org.

OPPORTUNITY LOCATION / DATE / TIME

Habitat for Humanity

Help renovate homes in East Aurora.

Saturday, September 23rd and November 4th 9am–4pm

Various sites. Additional dates TBD.

Safe Families for Children

Provide temporary housing and care for children of families in crisis or provide support for other COMMUNITY families who do.

Location: Your home. Date/time varies.

OPPORTUNITY LOCATION / DATE / TIME

World Relief ESL ProgramAssist English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers as they teach English to adult refugees and immigrants. Or, help teach the basics of English to an adult refugee in their home as a weekly In-Home Tutor. World Relief training is required.

Wesley United Methodist Church, Aurora 1–4 days/week for 2 hours

ESL classes meet Monday-Thursday, 9–11am

World Relief Early Childhood ProgramHelp provide early childhood education for immigrant and refugee children in partnership with World Relief. Volunteers needed to work in infant, toddler or preschool classes.

Wesley United Methodist Church, Aurora

1–4 mornings/week Monday-Thursday, 9–11am

World Relief Citizenship Tutoring CenterHelp immigrants and refugees prepare for the test to become a U.S. Citizen.

Community 4:12 Office/Aurora Location

Tuesdays 7–9pm

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For questions, email volunteer@community412.org. To fill out a volunteer application, go to community412.org.

Community 4:12 Opportunities to Get Involved (contd.)

Email volunteer@community412.org for more information.

October 11th, 2017 Homeless Youth October 18th - Follow-up Advocacy Training November 15th, 2017 Early Childhood Education January 24th, 2017 Exploring Different Cultures/Religions Islam March 13th, 2017 Criminal Justice April 18th, 2017 Global Conflicts Israeli/Palestinian conflict

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson Criminal Justice Seeking Refuge by Stephen Baumen & Matthew Soerens Refugees Dream With Me by John Perkins Race Relations Compassion, Justice & the Christian Life by Robert Lupton Serving Responsibly Redeeming Sex by Deb Hirsch Sexuality & Spirituality Disunity in Christ by Christina Cleveland Hidden Biases

Join us throughout the year as we explore a variety of modern-day justice issues through film and panel discussion.

Select evenings 7–9pmCommunity Christian Church Naperville Yellow Box

Find out more and rsvp at communitychristian.org/justicefilms

Emmanuel HouseLifespringUrban Youth Ministry

Triple ThreatMission Possible360 Youth Services

Other Partner Organizations we can connect you to:

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Recommended Reading ListCommunity 4:12 JUSTICE FILM SERIES

Community 4:12 The Jesus Mission

Community 4:12 is a ministry of Community Christian Church whose mission is

HELPING PEOPLE FIND THEIR WAY BACK TO GOD.

We do this through the Jesus Mission of Reaching people who are far from God,

Restoring God’s dream for the world, and Reproducing the mission in others

Community 4:12 embraces the Jesus Mission by Uniting People to Restore Communities.

78 S. LaSalle Street, Aurora, IL 605051635 Emerson Lane, Naperville, IL 60540

communitychristian.org

CONTACTWeb: community412.orgEmail: C412@communitychristian.orgFacebook: facebook.com/community412