August 11, 2010 – 2:49 pm
The Access Operation Second Mile (OSM) caseworkers are presenting a Benevolence 101 workshop on Tuesday, August 24 from 7-9pm at Sherman St. Church (1000 Sherman St. SE, Grand Rapids). The OSM caseworkers will share how they can best work together to meet the needs of our community including the following topics and more:
* Setting boundaries
* What information should you gather?
* How to empower, rather than enable, your clients
* Stewardship of your benevolence budget
To sign up or for more information, please call 774-2175 or email caseworker@accessofwestmichigan.org
On Sunday, August 15, Grand Rapids First Church will be hosting “totally FREE” – an event giving away groceries, backpacks and school supplies following the 11:00 am service. Tickets will be given out at 11am on a first come, first serve basis. Please invite anyone who could use some free groceries and/or school supplies! Grand [...]
My last blog focused on how sometimes our good intentions to ‘help’ can really ‘hurt’ a person’s chances to clear up a debt and get a fresh start. By having someone first apply with agencies who may be able to offer financial assistance, there is a greater possibility that multiple sources of assistance could help [...]
Sitting across the table from someone who is facing an eviction or utility shut-off, a natural first reaction would be to fix it, especially if there are children at home. As Christians, we all struggle with the challenge to see everyone as Jesus. We need to believe that Jesus is among us, that He walks beside [...]
I am looking for blog ideas all the time. Several weeks ago, our minister made a comment that I have been tossing around in my head, trying to find a way put this message in a blog. Today, another sermon, by a guest minister, gave me the connection I have been looking for. If you [...]
Be Positive! Refuse to participate in the recession. A local printing company (Fast Signs on 29th St) are giving free bumper stickers with this message on them. While it might seem like a simple concept, I truly feel that it has merit. With all the doom and gloom we are being bombarded with about the [...]
OSM Safety Awareness Brown Bag Workshop (Learning How to Safely Help Others) An individual approaches you for money and they get angry and aggressive when you say “no.” What do you do? How can you protect yourself? How can you prevent such a thing from happening? Lt. Patrick Merrill from the Grand Rapids Police Department [...]
Just as your family needs to develop it’s own, individual safety plan, the faith community has come together to determine the tasks and responsibilities of how to meet the long-term needs in the event of a major disaster. As much as we would like to think we are all safe and secure from any major [...]
ACCESS of West Michigan began over 25 years ago out of a need to have a central database to record those who had received help from congregations. The first official employee was a Caseworker, to coordinate and offer assistance to churches who were being asked for financial assistance. Now, many years later, we know that the need for this [...]
As I am putting together the information from the OSM Survey Monkey (thanks to all those who took the time to participate) I thought would comment on some of the confusion out there on how ACCESS Caseworkers can best work with Congregations. First of all, both caseworkers use voicemail and email to respond to inquiries. [...]
By Marcia Szumowski
|
Tagged ACCESS, ACCESS Benevolence, ACCESS of West Michigan, ACCESS Operation Second Mile, ACCESS OSM, benevolence, Caseworkers, Communication, Database, Operation SecondMile, OSM, Questions, Referrals
|