Sometimes you don't ask but just thank

I was giving a “moment for mission” at a church , thanking the congregation for its support, updating them on the ministry, and sharing a recent client story. After the service, one of CCSC's volunteers came over and asked why I didn't use the time to also request donations of men’s and children’s clothing. She thought I missed a great opportunity to share this need. I was taken aback by her gentle scolding and fumbled a response.

I thought about her comment for several days. Yes, she was right: we do need those clothing items. We also need food donations, more volunteers, and increased financial support.

In the nonprofit world, we ask and ask and ask. We are efficient in processing donations. But I wonder if we could do a better job in saying "thank you", with no strings attached.

So I wish I had responded to our concerned volunteer that my talk at her church was only to say thank you. And to reassure her that we do also ask for the resources we need to keep CCSC moving along.

CCSC's Endowment Board gets an A+

CCSC has an endowment, and it helps cover some of our operating costs each year. We have a special board who oversees the funds, and today's meeting was the one in which they review the investment strategy to ensure the funds are properly invested.

We have a dedicated group. This year Gordon Arnold, Beth Bruce, Brian Grove, Don Miller, and Frank Wozencraft serve on this board, and they were thorough in analyzing, discussing and determining the best investment strategy, given today's economic climate. They made good decisions today and consistently do so, taking good care of these assets that are so important to the ministry.

Essentially, these assets translate into investments into human lives. For example, while the Endowment Board met, the food pantry next door was open and helping the community:

• We provided food for an elderly woman living on $958/month.
• We helped a mother who works for a major retailer, earning about $1,200/month to provide for her family of four. Her oldest son is currently studying to join the Marines.
• A disabled man came in asking for a new shirt because he only had one: the one he was wearing. He happily found four shirts that fit him.
• And then we helped a man who works for a well-known Houston restaurant who lives with a chronic disease. He was hospitalized last week for a flare-up, but is back at work now. He lives on about $1,000/month.

There were many others who came through the ministry today, at the other food pantry as well as the two employment programs.

These client stories illustrate our mission. And backing up our mission are lots of people serving on committees, overseeing resources, and helping to make decisions that propel the agency forward. Today I'm grateful to the Endowment Board, for their outstanding stewardship of CCSC's assets and commitment to our work.

See who we helped recently

Before CCSC’s Annual Meeting last month, our new Board President, Chris Martin, decided to immerse himself in our mission. Within 48 hours, he had visited JobNet, met with a group of current Martha’s Way students, sat through a client interview at one food pantry, and toured the other pantry, all while asking thoughtful questions.

From these field trips, he shared the following impactful stories at the Annual Meeting: 

At the food pantry, a gentleman came to us immediately after his chemotherapy appointment, understandably not feeling great. He had recently received custody of his eight-year old daughter who is the center of his life. During the interview process, he shared that finally having his daughter back with him is what keeps him going during these tough times. However, with the addition of his daughter and the medical expenses, he is struggling on his limited income.  CCSC helped this family with rental assistance and food.

At Martha’s Way, one of the students shared that she is starting her house-cleaning business to increase her income. Her daughter is currently a student at Baylor and plans to attend medical school, so she wants to make sure her daughter can pursue her dreams.

In the latter story, Chris noted that it’s a wonderful example of how CCSC’s assistance can be a long-term investment in a family.

Do you want to see how we helped other families in 2015? Click here to see a summary of last year’s work: https://www.ccschouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2015_CCSC_YiR1.pdf

 

 

 

Be careful with signage

I saw several signs similar to this one posted around the perimeter of a church parking lot. The signs also stated  "church parking only, violators will be towed".  The signage was sizeable and numerous.

(NOTE: This is not a CCSC church.)

While churches and ministries need to protect their properties, these signs made me uncomfortable. I'd prefer wording that was more diplomatic and didn't have an unwritten "go away" message communicated. 

I'm more drawn to hospitality because Jesus offered it so generously. For this reason, we are intentional in creating it at CCSC, especially in our communication style, even when we need to say "no".

The most important way to measure our success is to ask for feedback, both formally and informally. Below are comments we received in 2015 from those we served: 

• Thank you, I was treated with courtesy and respect.
• You showed sincere concern for me.
• This program has changed my life and my children's lives.
• This was the first time I needed assistance, and you were so helpful.
• I thank God every day for the peace and love in this place. (from a volunteer)
• Y'all showed me there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I started a job last week!

The unwritten sign we strive for at CCSC is "you are welcome here". I hope you feel it too.

No resolutions for me

I'm not a fan of New Year's resolutions, mainly because they tend to evaporate by February. Instead, I like to set goals (both big and small) on an ongoing basis. Don't laugh, but one of my recent goals is to read War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy. I'm on page 265 (out of about 1,100 pages) and am loving the book.

Our students in the Martha's Way program also set goals, and when I was at a recent graduation, one of the graduates shared her story. She is the single mother to a 3-year old boy and works in a factory to pay the bills. The hours are not ideal, and they limit the time she has with her son. She said the job also takes "energy from her", which negatively impacts all aspects of her life.

Then she heard about our vocational training program and enrolled. This has meant in the short-term that she is away from her son more. But in the long-term, she believes the program will enhance not only her financial security but her ability to be a present and engaged mother.

As she shared her story, she also named some goals:

• To start her own business and increase her overall income
• To make sure her schedule will be flexible so she has more time with her child
• To share her success with her family

I share her goals to inspire you. There's a mom out there trying hard to be the best she can be for her son, and CCSC is fortunate to be able to help her. For those of you who invest in our ministry, this is someone you are investing in.

So back to your New Year's resolutions: I say forget about them. Instead, think about some of the small and significant things you'd like to do in the next few months and work to achieve those.

The staff is laser-focused on mission

Every Christmas, our staff has a party to celebrate the year and exchange "white elephant" gifts. Pictured above is Karen Holloman wearing her new scarf, with Michelle Baker and Nia Simmons on either side of her.

During the party, we went around the room and shared moments in which each of us experienced CCSC's mission firsthand. Finance Director Judie Kochenower helped screen the vision of pre-schoolers earlier this year, and it touched her heart to see these vulnerable children because her daughter is the same age.

Carla, the Assistant Manager at Emergency Services-Central, told of an elderly client we help regularly with food and clothing. Her limited income is stretched because she has voluntarily chosen to provide for a non-family member who is mentally challenged. Carla shared her respect for this woman who is sharing her limited resources to help another person.

Brittni, our Receptionist, said her "mission moment" came this week. She had spoken with several difficult callers, with the last phone call leaving her feeling discouraged. She got off the phone to find a staff member of St. John the Divine Episcopal standing in front of her. The church staff was volunteering that morning at CCSC, and this particular person said, "I'm here to work for Jesus. Where do I go, and by the way, you are blessed to work at CCSC."

Wow. This was just what Brittni needed to hear and a nice reminder to all of us that we are here to do Jesus's work.

The hungry need help

If you're on the CCSC mailing list, you have probably received our year-end letter. I'm sharing the letter below to illustrate how prevalent hunger is as well as how important CCSC's mission is.

If you are a reader of this blog and would like to support our work (thank you!), click on this link to make a secure donation:  https://ssl2.webwize.com/ccsc/donations.html

I want to share an experience one of my neighbors had.  

He and his wife were in line to pay for groceries when the person ahead of them asked the cashier to stop because he had run out of money. There were items left in the cart, and when my neighbor looked in, he saw juice and bread and lunchmeat. This troubled him, so he quietly paid for the remaining food.  

When recounting the story, he shared his surprise at seeing hunger up close as well as his gratitude and understanding of why CCSC exists.  

Most of us are not going to be able to help someone as personally as my neighbor. Instead, we need a trusted system to operate on our behalf.  A system that addresses short-term and long-term needs, building in fairness and kindness.  

CCSC is that system. We maintain a healthy system to support our Christ-centered mission of addressing the effects of poverty: hunger, unemployment, children’s needs. And all this is done with a lean workforce, heavily weighted with volunteers. 

Many of us make our charitable gifts at year-end, so I ask for your support of CCSC’s work, pledging excellent stewardship and abundant compassion as we continue to fulfill our mission, one person at a time.