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Visit our websites atwww.cherishcenter.org

KCompassion and Care

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage

Paid Okoboji, IA

Permit No. 1003

Box 1003Okoboji, IA 51355712-338-3333

Address services requested

Physical Location: 1004 22nd Street, Milford,2 blocks south of Perkins712-338-3333 info@cherishcenter.orgMailing address: Box 1003, Okoboji, IA 51355

CHERISH HOUSE (maternity home for teens)

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING

PARENTS OF PREGNANT TEENS (support for parents)

RESOURCES FOR YOUNG MOMS (including pregnancy testing, coun-seling, adoption support)

MARRIAGE MATTERS Mentoring for married couples

PARENT CONNECT(young parents group)

MENTOR MOMS/MENTORS FOR MENEARN WHILE YOU LEARN (parent training)

THEE GARAGE SALE (providing low and no-cost items for those in need)

NO APOLOGIES FOR TEENS/TWEENS (sexual abstinence training for teens)

FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE

MOTHER/SON FUN NIGHT

Available at

downs of teenage life are compounded with an unplanned pregnancy. It is also not unusual for there to be struggles in relationships with peers, the birth father, and sometimes within the family. Our house parents try to find that delicate balance between providing loving and compassionate support, providing guidance, and helping the young ladies set goals for their future. It is not just the emotional roller coaster. There are also multiple issues regarding health, education, and employment activities that need to be carefully planned and monitored. House parents put many miles on the road, with medical appointments and emergency room visits which can be common

Continued from page 1 in late-term pregnancies. In addition, these young ladies need to be driven to and picked up from school or their place of employment. Schedules can start at 5:30 am and run until 11 at night, depending on the number of young ladies living at Cherish House. The week of the actual birth is also one of unpredictability, with multiple trips to the hospital for labor and delivery, along with the placement of the infant with adoptive parents, and the transition to returning to her former home or to a new apartment. None of this is easy, yet our house parents are committed to extending their hearts and lives to help these hurting young women. If you are a person of prayer, I encourage you to pray for our house

parents, our relief house parents, and the rest of our staff as they work with these young ladies.KMentor Moms AvailableMany young mothers can benefit by being linked with a mature woman who has walked the path of raising children. Call Cherish Center for more information about the Mentor Mom program.

Mark your calendars:

No Apologies on January 22 & 23 2013.

Keith Deltano will be here!

KIn this IssueVolunteers Honored . . . 2Capital Campaign . . . . . 2Cherished Gifts . . . . . . . 3

Providing a HOME and HOPE for young women in need

Compassion and Care

Volume 13, Issue 2 • Summer 2012

BY JAN TURNER

Kevin and Patti Johnson, our houseparents at

Cherish House, have just completed their two-year term and have agreed to continue their work with the teen moms at Cherish House. For that we are thankful. Finding those competent couples who sense the call of God on their lives to do this type of ministry is not easy. Maternity homes often close for periods of time as they search for just the right couple. It is not an easy position to fill nor is it an easy job to perform. The Johnsons, like other couples who serve in positions like this, leave the comforts of their own home to live with young girls who are facing crisis. While some of the these teens come from very loving and supportive families, others come from backgrounds of neglect and abuse. The houseparents, along with our counselor and client services director, work diligently to provide the right programming, personal support, and counseling that will best meet individual needs.The usual ups and

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The Board of Directors and the staff of Cherish Center and Thee Garage Sale have been evaluating space needs for the past 1 1/2 years. The hope is to solve some of the issues

that this growing organization has been experiencing.“We knew our building was limited in size when we built it,” said Jan Turner, director of the organization, “but the board and I have always been careful not to spend beyond our means. We take slow, cautious steps, not wanting to over extend.”Preliminary plans call for doubling or tripling the size of Thee Garage Sale so that more furniture can be displayed rather than being held in storage. “We are often running to our storage units to show customers furniture because we are limited in our display area of our current building,” said Warren Jager, manager of the popular thrift store. “This means it costs us more in volunteer and staff time. We also lose out on possible sales when the furniture isn’t in the store for the customers to see.”The store isn't the only part experiencing space shortage. The professional counseling program at Cherish Center has been expanded this past year, and more space is needed to provide the necessary offices and privacy. The current building was designed in such a way to add for the counseling program, but that means taking space from the store.Plans have not yet been released on whether the current building will be enlarged or whether more space will be acquired off the present site. Details will be announced as our plans are finalized.

Expansion Plans for Cherish Center & Thee Garage Sale

Celebrating Graduation and 1st Birthday

Being a student is not easy, and neither is being a young single mom. But with the help of caring

staff, the teen moms at Cherish House are often able to complete their high school education and get their diploma. Some of the young moms are also able to work on their post-secondary studies. This makes for full schedules at Cherish House, because these young ladies are also receiving education and training in several other areas, including personal finance, parent training, adoption, and other pertinent life skills. Just as importantly, the Cherish House family makes time to do short Bible studies to learn more about God and His great love for them and for their babies. As one young mom said, “I can’t thank you enough. You’ve helped me get my life back on track….”

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GIVING FOR OTHERSK KMission Statement

To transform lives, strengthen families,

enhance communities."...I know what I am planning

for you," says the Lord. "I have good plans for you,

not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good

future." Jeremiah 29:11"This is pure and undefiled

religion, to visit orphans and widows in their

distress..." James 1:27

BOARD OF DIRECTORSLaurie Simington, President Mark Leiss, Vice President

Dave Butterworth, Secretary Pastor Russell Muilenburg Brad Olsen, Shelly Robison

Aimee DietzenbachEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jan TurnerCHERISH CENTER

OFFICE STAFF Jane Loveall,

Financial Adm Coral Cochran-Bray,

Client Services Emily Parrott,

Office Manager Missy Graves,

Staff Counselor Karen Kosse,

Lead Mentor Mom and Baby Bottle Coordinator

HOUSE PARENTS Kevin & Patti Johnson

RELIEF HOUSE PARENTS Lyn Messer

Dianne Porter

PARENTS CONNECT Coral Cochran-Bray

Kevin Johnson Patti Johnson

THEE GARAGE SALE 712-338-3334

Warren Jager, Manager, Alice Leiss, Diana Jacobsen

Asst. Managers

CHERISH CENTER office 712-338-3333

info@cherishcenter.org www.cherishcenter.org

Six volunteers were honored early this summer by Governor Terry Branstad as he presented them with the Iowa Volunteers Award for their service at Cherish Center and Thee Garage Sale. Pictured in the group photo are: Leona Simpson, Sally Lawrence, and June Horstman. Skeeter Lawrence also received the award but was unable to attend the ceremony. This group has invested more than 10 years of volunteer service for the organization. Mary Hanson and Mavis Christoffer (not pictured) also received the recognition.

Do you appreciate having Thee Garage Sale? Do you believe in the mission of Cherish Center – to change lives and to strengthen families? If so, we encourage you to help us in our Capital Funds Drive for our expansion. Our hope is to raise $110,00. The remaining costs of the project would be covered by the projected increase of sales as a result of a larger display area.Our goal is not to just be bigger. Our dream is to be even more effective with the clients that we serve through Cherish House. There is a need for transitional housing for the young moms for whom moving back home is not a viable option. We don’t know how this will look yet and it is merely our vision for the future. Enlarging our store will generate additional sales which could help be the funding stream for the ongoing expenses of this transitonal housing. Please check out both sides of the card that is inserted in the newsletter. Your one-time gift for this Capital Funds Drive would be greatly appreciated.

Teenager Bethany Van Rees gives many hours during the summer months as a volunteer at Thee Garage Sale. She invites others to give of their time to make a positive difference.

Capital Funds Campaign Starts

No Matter Your Age, You Can Be A Volunteer

Iowa Governor Honors Volunteers

Leona Simpson, Sally Lawrence, and June Horstman

Skeeter Lawrence

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CARING FOR OTHERSK KBoard member Shelly Robison by Carolann FullertonEthan & Cherish Center by Tami BatscheletSidney & Brooklyn Peterson by Mel & Pat PetersonPatty & Grace Muxen by Vicki BrosnahanGabriel Murphy by Dan & Dee MurphyJan Turner by Rev. Karl & Rev. Jan WhitemanOur Lord & Savior by Brian & Pat RuehleMorgan & Owen by Gena RiphagenAlynn Ingledue & Taylor Wuebker by David & Jane KruseMarysa Bishop Umbrell by Jerry & Mary Ann BishopMy adopted granddaughter Mallory by Ruth HobsonSpenser, Steph, Sam & Sawyer Baskerville by Steve & Sandy BaskervilleStephanie Niccum by Karen Vander LaanStephanie Niccum & Aiden by Mark & Monica NiccumMy Mother by Susan DrummondSonja Kooiker & Luella Kruse by Ron & Wanda BechlerRonna Dirks by Donna StribleyEmily Mead by Marilyn HolcombMarjorie Wassink by Paul & Deona VandebergJeanette Roetman by Carla RoetmanCorinne Hoy-Holck & Joyce Meyer by Michael & Kim HoyMaevis Adams by Harlan & Sharon Betz

Cherished gifts can be sent to Cherish Center Box 1003, Okoboji, IA 51355

CherishedGifts

Carlyle Brandt’s 85th birthday by Skeeter & Sally LawrenceZander & Owen Johnson by Ron & Mary Ann Kliegl

In memory of:Joslin Winkowitsch by Darwin & Jo WinkowitschBrad Howe by Diane ThomasSon-in-law Mike Taylor by Skeeter and Sally LawrenceMike Taylor by Robert & Connie BronsMary Kroon by Lois & G. Boyd NortheyBobbi Jo Gross by Skeeter & Sally LawrenceMargaret Johnson by Judy JohnsonOur 4 children by Margaret ReimanTopsy Cramer by Joan SchneiderMerna Menke By Lori SmithMy son Joe by Deb BakerAnn Marie Lewis by Stewart & Julie LewisGraham Petty by Scott & Julie PettyDalton by Doug & Kary DeanOur parents by Mike & Sheryl PattenKristin Howe by Joe & Gayle Conover4 grandparents in heaven by Linnea LambertElena Jean Mathahs by Greg & Gloria GeerdesGracelyn Nelson by Tanya NelsonDon Bryan by Linda BryanFrank Lippon by Dennis LipponVerle Milton & Charles Gould by Steve & Lynne Milton

Hannes & Velva Klinker by Kella Klinker-SimoninOur moms Dorotha & Greta by Duane & Kay KrachtBradley Graham Jr. by Brad & Fran GrahamRobert Batschelet by Ruth BatscheletJami Thielen by Charlotte LunsfordGloria Katnis by Jim & Margaret RockDavid Stein, Sr. by Connie SteinCathy Hough by the Jason Hough FamilyFran Ross by Bob RossMike by anonymous donorRichard Stetzel by Cleo & Phyllis JohnsonDorman Leader by Skeeter & Sally LawrenceGil Esau by Skeeter & Sally LawrenceConnie (Fischer) Schmith by Ronald & Wanda BechlerElla Cooper by Dave & Carolyn Butterworth in honor of her babysitting & loving care of our children

In honor of:Helen Van Eman by Dean & Diane DreeszenJohanne Dalsgaard by Ellen HartLennase Brandt’s 85th birthday by Skeeter & Sally LawrenceGladys Zweifel by Donna HarmsFrieda Jorgensen & Edith Cook by Gordie & Mary Jo JorgensenAnna Krause By Joann HuntLora Marie Otte by Brian & Jane FordMary Haakinson by Betty ElginMaribeth Pearson, our adopted daughter by Beverly PearsonKenna Roan, Rilynn Mercer, Baby Miltenberger by Marietta Smith-KruseKaren Forbes & Jeanne Robison by David & Shelly RobisonStephanie Niccum & Aiden by Julie EbelPast Cherish House residents by Kevin & Patti JohnsonJan Turner by Rev. Donna GrayGene & Diana, Warren, Alice & all TGS volunteers by John & Sally RicePatricia Shipp by Mindy LeinbaughMy gift of adoption by Rich & Renee Egesdal

Make a "cherished gift" in honor of someone special!

Letter from a GrandmotherA big “thank you” for taking my granddaughter in and helping her through her pregnancy. I know she couldn’t have done it without Cherish House and all who helped her through. I want to thank all who were involved. I know there is a list of them. You all do a good job. Thank you. Thank you. God bless each and every one of you on your jobs.