Recently, a local marquee stated, “City kids are our kids, they deserve better.” But is “better” even enough? We believe through the Erie City Mission Youth Ministry program, our kids deserve the best! This summer nearly 135 students participated in our Bonkers 4 Jesus (B4J) summer camps at Pfeiffer-Burleigh and Wayne Schools. Through these camps, our students can experience life-changing opportunities that are often difficult, if not impossible, to find in many inner city neighborhoods.

This year’s B4J camps offered new courses like Robotics, Woodworking, Stained Glass Art, Culinary Arts, Sewing, Golf, Blogging, Drumming and Fitness. Popular returning courses included Medical Science, Video Production, Dance, Sign Language, Martial Arts, Music and Tennis. For many of our students, our programs are the only opportunity they will have to participate in enrichment courses or extracurricular activities.

Along with offering excellent courses, we focus on building mentoring relationships, with a 2:1 student to volunteer ratio. In addition to our many local volunteers, three mission teams from Washington, PA, Kirkwood, MO and Ft. Wayne, IN, joined us in our ministry efforts. Nearly 50 out-of-towners made their

way to our city’s “backyard mission field” to help us create extraordinary learning experiences and share the gospel with our 1st-8th grade campers.

Our 2016 summer theme focused on II Corinthians 5:17 and what it means to be “changed”, becoming a brand new person on the inside. Through personal testimonies and team building activities, messages of encouragement and hope were shared to shape students in their understanding of what a life of faith really means and although the camps exist to benefit the children, nobody, volunteers included, left these camps unchanged.

While our summer camps have come to a close for the year, we remain devoted to offering Erie youth the best. We are now gearing up for Urban University, ECM’s after school program that is offered to junior high students at Wayne and Pfeiffer-Burleigh Schools through two 8 week semesters. We hope you will join us in making a positive change in the lives of our local students.

* To learn how to support our youth ministries, or to join our volunteer teams, please contact Program Director, RoseMarie Lackey at 814.452.4421 Ext. 226 or rmlackey@eriecitymission.org. UU is currently seeking support team mentors for sewing, photography, horsemanship, outdoor exploration, tae kwon do and auto mechanics.

ERIE CITY MISSION YOUTH MINISTRIES

Making a difference, one child at a time.

August 2016

S reetThe WORD on the

Stephen Westbrook

Over 300 people gathered in support of the Erie City Mission and its Grace House, women’s ministry, during its first Designer Handbag BINGO fundraiser. As one the area’s most sought after events, Designer Handbag BINGO works like regular BINGO with the winning prizes being actual designer handbags.

Guests enjoyed 16 games of BINGO, food, flavored lemonades (courtesy of Max and Erma’s restaurant), auctions and an evening of fun all in support of a very special project to transform the Grace House backyard into a therapeutic and healing space.

Mark your calendars and look for more information on our next Designer Handbag BINGO fundraiser scheduled for May 2017. You won’t want to miss this exciting event!

Upcoming Events

August 9 – Erie Gives & Summer MixerSeptember 1 – Thanksgiving Turkey Bag Collection BeginsSeptember 25 – Annual Crop Walk at Presque IsleOctober 13 – 105th Annual Banquet, Bayfront Convention CenterNovember 1 – Dine 2 Donate, Applebee’s – West 12th St.November 15 – Dine 2 Donate, Applebee’s – West 12th St.November 21 – Thanksgiving Turkey Bag DistributionNovember 23 – ECM’s Thanksgiving MealDecember 1 – A Month of Christmas Caroling BeginsDecember 10 – Christmas 4 KidsDecember 22 – ECM’s Christmas Meal

Another Successful Celebration!

ECM in collaboration with AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania, the Primary Health Network and lead by the Martin Luther King Center would like to thank everyone who participated, along with the nonprofit vendors, community businesses, partners and volunteers that aided in the success of the 2016 Summer Celebration.

In its second year, this FREE family outreach not only provided our guests with fun summer activities and a great picnic lunch; it also connected families to community resources showcased by local nonprofits.

Join in the celebration! As we begin planning for next year, consider joining us as a nonprofit vendor or volunteer. For information contact the Erie City Mission at 814/452-4421 or development@eriecitymission.org.

CELEBRATIONSUMMER

Looking to partner with us this holiday season?

There are many ways to help those we serve during the holidays. We make it easy and fun for you to get involved. Join us this year as we spread joy to others.

Thanksgiving Turkey BagsBless a family in need this Thanksgiving by filling a bag with all the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal. The Erie City Mission will distribute these bags along with a turkey to over 1,200 families in need.Pick up your bag(s) at the Mission’s main administrative office, 1017 French Street, beginning September 1. Shop for the items listed on the “grocery list” provided and return them to the mission no later than November 11.Due to limited storage, monetary donations to purchase turkeys in bulk quantities is suggested and preferred.

Holiday MealsVolunteer your time this holiday season by prepping and serving one of our holiday meals during the months of November, December and January.Contact our volunteer ministry at 814/452-4421 to view available dates.

Christmas CarolingSchedule your singing or musical group in December, to sing Christmas carols during our public lunch. Contact our volunteer ministry at 814/452-4421 to sign up.

Christmas 4 KidsGet involved during our Christmas 4 Kids program, scheduled for Saturday, December 10 at our Family Care Center. Donate towards the event or join our volunteer team that day.Contact our Chaplin at 814/452-4421.

More information is available on our holiday outreaches by calling the Mission at 814/452-4421 or visiting our website at www.eriecitymission.org.

Looking Ahead to the Holidays

Did You Know?Your monthly giving can be done online through the secure donation page on our website. Visit us at www.eriecitymission.org and click on the donate button located at the top right. Donations can be made using a credit or debit card. Your giving receipt will be emailed directly to you.

Giving Statistics April - June 2016Because you gave...

Bags of Groceries provided through our

Food Pantry

17,766Youth educated

through our Youth MInistry

180

Volunteer Hours

12,243Meals

Served

39,452Shelter bed nights

(Men, Women, New Life)

9,019Households served

through ourClothing Pantry

450

TEENAGERS MAKING A DIFFERENCEEvery Tuesday and Thursday, at 9am, Jack and Grace Walbridge show up at the Erie City Missions Family Care Center, ready to start a busy shift volunteering to help meet the needs of the public.

The building quickly fills to the brim with families and individuals in need, and the siblings get to work; Jack calmly ushers clients through the food pantry, helping them find what they need in a matter of minutes. Grace works in the Kings Kloset clothing pantry, sorting and organizing the clothes and assisting clients.

They are among the youngest regular volunteers here. Certainly, they could be out enjoying the summer weather, as many of their peers are, but they choose to serve. When asked why, they say that they truly enjoy volunteering and find it fun.

Grace (18), and Jack (15) with Family Care Ministries Director, Andy Kerr.

Both siblings plan to return each summer, and recommend the experience to any other teens interested in serving.

When asked to sum up why she is devoted to serving with the Erie City Mission, Grace has this to say:

“Everything they do here is for God and it’s also for the people and when you put those two things together, it’s a really cool experience and it makes your heart feel good.”