Christ Church Outreach News: December 29, 2023
Christ Church Donates $600 to Help DreamBuilders Prepare for Puerto Rico Trip
Two parishioners will represent Christ Church on the next DreamBuilders (DB) trip to rebuild and repair housing destroyed during a natural disaster. Cathy Gold and Amanda Kirkpatrick will be in a group going to Puerto Rico from Sunday, Jan. 14 to Jan. 20.
After Hurricane Maria ripped through Puerto Rico in 2017, it left hundreds who still live in damaged homes or crowded in with relatives until housing can be made livable. DreamBuilders will be making its fourth trip to work with SBP-Puerto Rico on repairs.
On the third trip to the island last January, Gold led the Christ Church contingent as its representative to DreamBuilders, accompanied by Seminarian Mike Looney and The Rev. Denise Schiavone. Deacon Denise wrote about it in a blog, "What is Your Destiny?" on Jan. 19, 2023.
Christ Church is one of five interfaith partners in DreamBuilders, which offers multi-generational experiences to the congregations’ youth groups and adults. The summer trip next June will be a return to a part of Kentucky that had been devastated by floods. You'll also find other DB news elsewhere in this post.
The Christ Church Outreach Commission at its November meeting approved donating $600 to DreamBuilders for its upcoming trips. These are vestry-approved Outreach budget funds derived from parishioners’ donations to Christ Church. On behalf of those whose homes will be restored, please accept this expression of thanks!
Christ Church Gives Funds for Eviction Relief and Utility-Cutoff Prevention
The nonprofit organization, Bridges to Housing Stability takes many actions to fulfill its mission of “Solving Homelessness with Housing.” One is eviction prevention. According to its online statistics, Bridges has prevented 55 evictions in the past 12 months. Thanks to you, Christ Church will help carry that effort into 2024. The Outreach commission recently approved a donation of $500 to Bridges for eviction prevention.
Winter brings another threat to stable housing as some in Howard County find they can’t pay utility bills. The commission also approved a donation of $300 for energy assistance to the Community Action Council (CAC) of Howard County. Thanks on behalf of struggling residents for contributing to vestry-approved Outreach budget funds.
CCC Closes Sites for New Year’s But Reopens Its Pantry for Deliveries
Columbia Community Care (CCC) reminds recipients and volunteers that its distribution sites will close on Saturday, Dec. 30, for the holiday. But the CCC shoppers pantry will reopen for home deliveries. Check the CCC Facebook Group for updates. CCC has paused taking any new delivery orders until it erases a big backlog. That’s why it continues a plea for delivery volunteers. Here is the CCC SignUpGenius link.
To help CCC keep up its inventory of diapers and wipes, put them along with sanitary and personal care items in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. Our point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bin and delivers its contents.
Please Donate All Kinds of Grocery Non-Perishables and Toiletries to FISH
FISH of Howard County needs non-perishable foods and toiletries. FISH provides committed support to select families in need. Please put donations in the basket at the altar or in the marked yellow bin on the breezeway between Old Brick and Parish Hall. The neighbors you help give thanks for all you do in their support.
DreamBuilders: Save the Date!
DreamBuilders will be having its General Meeting on Sunday, February 4th from 3-5 p.m. at Temple Isaiah in Fulton. We will be talking about our upcoming Kentucky trip this June, when we hope to "blitz build" THREE Houses in one week! It’s going to be great fun, and we’ve got lots of pictures from last summer’s trip to show you at the meeting, so mark your calendars - see you there!
In general, if you have suggestions about ways to help the community, if you want to get involved, or if you need assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.
