Bits & Pieces

Southside Success Stories

This fall a teacher at Mount Pleasant High School, and Neighborhood Ministries supporter, commented to a freshman student that his grades were improving. The teacher asked the boy if he was doing anything different that would account for the improvement. The boy said he had been attending an after-school program – Louie’s Place.

In December we received an unexpected check from Amgen Rhode Island for $5,000.00. We were delighted and wanted to determine how they had become aware of the work we do here at SPNM. We quickly realized that Spring Green Church member, Richard Austin, had recommended Neighborhood Ministries for the gift. He serves on the Amgen Rhode Island gifts committee and is familiar with our work through his wife who is on their church's mission committee and his children who have volunteered here. Thank you, Richard, for recommending that Amgen support our work here at SPNM.

Do you have a Southside Success Story to share? Call Maria, she’d like to hear it.

From the Director

The year 2003 was hard for Neighborhood Ministries in many ways, and the year 2004 looks as though it is going to be even harder. In 2003 needs for our services increased drastically, donations were down, and plans for improving our operations were frustrated. We are entering 2004 with a prospective budget deficit of $36,485.00.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that individuals and churches realized our situation and pitched in for Thanksgiving and Christmas distributions, so I don’t think our neighbors ever realized how tight it was. So I remember how Elijah fed the widow and her son for months on enough flour and oil for one meal and how Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fishes.

Now as we enter a year of transition for our youth program that will almost double its cost to run but will provide much better continuity of supervision and assurance of safety for the neighborhood children we serve, please pray for us. With your help, we can get through this difficult time and be better for it.

Faithfully,
Wanda

Thank You!!

Happy New Year! A new year means that we have completed another holiday distribution season. We send a big thank you to all the individuals, churches, women’s groups, youth groups, civic groups, schools, and businesses who contributed to our success and brighter holidays for our neighbors. This year, with the help of over 200 sorting and distribution volunteers and countless donors, we provided food for 388 families (1452 individuals) at Thanksgiving and presents, hats, gloves and socks to 376 families, 1016 children at Christmas.

Annual Fund Alert

Please make a donation or pledge when you receive our Annual Fund Appeal. As we prepare for 2004 we have many hopes and plans for the community. All these projects and dreams require your help financially. As state and federal budget cuts threaten our grants and costs of operation increase, we look to you to continue the support of our work.

Look for the Annual Fund letter from our board president to arrive in late February. Volunteers will be making phone calls in late March to speak with those we have not heard from.

Alan Shawn Feinstein Annual Match is available for gifts made in March and April. We look forward to your donation.

Exciting Announcement!

Due to the fantastic response to last year’s concert we have decided to do it again! This year’s Spring Benefit Concert will be on Sunday, March 14, held at Phillips Memorial Baptist Church as 6:30 p.m. Martha Sobaje will be the organist and Rev. Wes Smith will be the master of ceremonies for this Musical Extravaganza.

We are compiling an exciting, eclectic group of musical performances to enliven and entertain you.

We look forward to seeing you there. Please call Neighborhood Ministries for more information, 461-7509. Remember to bring a canned good for the Neighborhood Ministries food pantry. A free will offering will be received. Don’t forget to join us for refreshments immediately following.

Louie’s Place News

Big changes to the program benefit working families. Louie’s Place hours have been extended to 5:30 p.m. every day so that working parents can have more time before getting their children. In the future we will be offering full day programs during school vacations. We look forward to the possibilities a longer day bring.

Two new staff members, Janet Rivas and Amy Thomas, have joined the Louie’s Place family to guide homework help, games, problem solving and leadership activities.

Older youth from Louie’s Place went on two college tours on days they were off from school. They enjoyed the glimpses into their higher education and are anxiously awaiting further visits.

In cooking classes Johnson & Wales University students taught children to make pizzas, quesidillas, and baked potatoes. On Thursdays, a great volunteer, Charlotte Decker, kept the kitchen a busy place with baking basics.

Junior Counselors planned Friday afternoon activities for their younger peers. Throughout the week junior counselors plan the activity, compile a list of needed equipment, and write out game rules so that the activities would go smoothly. Among other things the youth organized a jump rope contest, a game of kickball, and a Halloween haunted house.

Scouting Scene

This fall the Girl Scouts have been working on a book badge and the art to wear badge. In addition, they’ve been painting pots, making gifts for family members by planting little pine trees in pots, and staying warm by making hot cocoa. They are planning a trip to the neighborhood library.

Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Venturers had a family night celebration this December where Cub Scouts received their earned uniforms, every Boy Scout received at least one earned badge and Venturers were given survival kits. Scouts also worked on the East Greenwich Rotary Citrus Drive and went ice skating.

Healthy Outlooks

Implementation of our Obesity grant has taken center stage within the Health program. There has been an exercise explosion on the Southside. Wednesday lunchtime “Walk away the Pounds” exercise started in the summer and has become more and more popular. Beginning January 26, the popular Latin Dance classes will return for their third year. They will be held every Monday evening from 5:30-6:30. A new winter addition is Pilates. The classes will begin January 23 and will continue Fridays at 10:30 a.m. through spring.

The Providence Department of Recreation has approached South Providence Neighborhood Ministries to assist them in creating adult programming within their ten recreation centers throughout the city. The Broad Street Path to Health Coalition of 47 community agency representatives are working on that and an outdoor track revitalization project.

English as a Second Language classes

English as a Second Language (ESL) classes will begin on Monday, January 26 and continue weekly on Mondays from 6:30-8 p.m.. Sally Gabb returns as ESL coordinator and has met with last year’s teachers to begin instruction again. Throughout the fall many neighbors expressed an interest in becoming students here. If you are interested in volunteering as a teacher, you are more than welcome. Classes are informal, one volunteer working with one – three students. We provide teacher training and all materials. Please call Maria for details, 461-7509 x107.

Sewing classes

Sewing classes have been very popular this fall! Elizabeth Carson has returned for her second year as sewing coordinator along with her volunteer assistant, Gloria Price. Each week a dozen women come on Friday mornings to work on projects of curtains, clothing and decorative items. These neighborhood women learn sewing techniques, save money by making things themselves, and forge friendships too. The women in the classes are also able to take part in special health programs held immediately following sewing and receive bread and vegetables before going home. It’s a great way to spend a morning.

Volunteers of the Month

September Felicia Byrd, Youth Volunteer Junior Counselor

October Paul & Vi Becker, Flea Market Volunteers

November Polly Erickson, Silent Auction Volunteer

December David Hammarstrom Thanksgiving Volunteer

Our volunteers are so important to the work of Neighborhood Ministries and the families we serve. This year over 80 volunteers were nominated by staff, volunteers, and neighbors for their dedication and hard work. All of you who volunteer either here or in your own communities and churches to help our work are so dear to us. We are always looking for new ways to show our appreciation. While we think, know you are loved.

Wish List

Cereal, Peanut Butter, Tomato Sauce, Dry Beans, Canned Meats, large plastic gloves, new freezer bags (gallon and quart sizes), hot drink cups, black ink cartridges (HP 45, HP 15)

A great way to get food for the food pantry is to take advantage of “buy one get one free” offers. Next time you’re shopping, buy one for you and get one free for us.

You’re Invited...

This spring we’d like to open our doors to you all. Maybe you come weekly to volunteer, maybe you’ve only come to holiday distribution, maybe you haven’t been here in years, or ever at all. Whatever category you fit in, we’d like to invite you to come by. We’ve been working hard to make improvements to our programs and the community. We can’t get them all into a quarterly newsletter and would love for you to come see what your support can achieve. Look for information on dates and times to come!

Don't forget Neighborhood Ministries when deciding on your will. Call Wanda for more information about bequests.

Staff

Wanda S. Michaelson, Executive Director
Maria E. Cimini, Assistant Director
Grace M. Wilcox, Direct Services Coordinator
Bobbi Houllahan, Minority Health Coordinator
Jen Ward, Louie’s Place Coordinator
Janet Rivas, Louie’s Place Assistant
Amy Thomas, Louie’s Place Assistant

Our mission

Our mission is to meet essential needs, enhance the quality of life for children and adults, encourage self-worth and self-sufficiency and foster community pride in a neighborhood of diverse ethnic, racial and social backgrounds.

Neighborhood Ministries staff travels!

We would love to speak at your church service, coffee hour, youth group, women's or men's society, or civic organization. Call (401) 461-7509 to schedule a speaker.