Computer and phone lines are now up and running correctly. We had hoped for a seamless process. It wasn't. But, it's fixed now. :-)
Mike and his boys have been great to help us move! Michelle, Bill and Harvey have proven to be dynamite carpenters. Gwen was the extra hand we all needed. John and Allie toted and carried. James and his dad made a fantastic stage. We can't wait to have singings and outreach events to help bring the community together.
Everyone's been super to pitch in. You are how hope happens! I really appreciate all of your help.
Soon, we'll be announcing our grand re-opening.
See you then!
Gayle
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Angel Food Distribution Day!
Our first distribution in the new building went off without a hitch - despite being in the middle of the moving process. Twenty -two families received their Angel Food boxes from us. Eight volunteers were on hand to give out the boxes. We all laughed, joked and had a good time. I can't wait until next month!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Office is down during move.
Today through Saturday our office is down. We will be transitioning into our new space. The internet is off today but will be (hopefully) back on with our new carrier tomorrow. Please excuse the dust and activity. We are trying to get ready to serve you better.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Hope for Healing.Org Angel Food distribution video on You Tube
What's in an Angel Food box? Is it really worth $30? Watch our video now to see for yourself. (We're still learning with the new video camera. Let us know if you want to see more videos about how we make hope happen by leaving a comment. Thanks!)
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Easter Reflections..
Like some, today I attended a sunrise Easter church service. It's always interesting to arrive in darkness and leave in daylight. That's why Jesus came. He brought light in the darkness. Too often I fail to grasp this. Easter sunrise services are always a needed reminder.
Today's message focused on the women who found Jesus' tomb over 2,000 years ago. I wonder what they were thinking as they approached in the darkness. An earthquake rolled the stone away.
A few years ago a tree fell on our house. When darkness fell we had to go back in to gather some things that we'd left behind in our rush to flee the devastation. It made me nervous. Would the chimney that kept the tree from crashing through the living room hold? Would our flashlights be enough? What would we find when we got in?
My husband was with me as we approached the house. He's stronger than I am. It brought me comfort to have his strength. Ultimately, we got in. We got out. We were fine. I got to shake my head and give myself a stern lecture on being afraid.
Do you ever wonder about the women at the tomb? What were they thinking? What were they telling themselves? They were alone and only had each other. There were no men with the ladies on that first Easter morning. Did they wonder if the roof would fall? If anyone would lift the rocks if it did? The men had vanished. Would anyone have come if they had needed help? Could anyone hear them?
Of all the people who surrounded Jesus during his earthly walk only a few ladies had the courage to approach the tomb. They must have felt very alone.
When they found the tomb empty they despaired. When Jesus showed Himself that despair turned to jubilation and the world hasn't been the same since.
I sometimes wonder why they only had each other to lean on. I ask myself where everyone else was and question if I would have been able to show the courage these women did. They were just a few women against the odds. The elements were against them. And they were alone.
That's not a predicament I'd want to be in. Would you?
Yet, when you think about it, these ladies are not so different from the women I serve. They too must find the courage to face darkness in spite of overwhelming difficulty. Often, the victims we serve have no one but each other to lean on for earthly support. Many times my clients tell me of how Jesus reaches out to them where they are, and helps them through the darkness.
Just like He did all those years ago.
He came to bring the light into the darkness. I thank God He did. Don't you?
Today's message focused on the women who found Jesus' tomb over 2,000 years ago. I wonder what they were thinking as they approached in the darkness. An earthquake rolled the stone away.
A few years ago a tree fell on our house. When darkness fell we had to go back in to gather some things that we'd left behind in our rush to flee the devastation. It made me nervous. Would the chimney that kept the tree from crashing through the living room hold? Would our flashlights be enough? What would we find when we got in?
My husband was with me as we approached the house. He's stronger than I am. It brought me comfort to have his strength. Ultimately, we got in. We got out. We were fine. I got to shake my head and give myself a stern lecture on being afraid.
Do you ever wonder about the women at the tomb? What were they thinking? What were they telling themselves? They were alone and only had each other. There were no men with the ladies on that first Easter morning. Did they wonder if the roof would fall? If anyone would lift the rocks if it did? The men had vanished. Would anyone have come if they had needed help? Could anyone hear them?
Of all the people who surrounded Jesus during his earthly walk only a few ladies had the courage to approach the tomb. They must have felt very alone.
When they found the tomb empty they despaired. When Jesus showed Himself that despair turned to jubilation and the world hasn't been the same since.
I sometimes wonder why they only had each other to lean on. I ask myself where everyone else was and question if I would have been able to show the courage these women did. They were just a few women against the odds. The elements were against them. And they were alone.
That's not a predicament I'd want to be in. Would you?
Yet, when you think about it, these ladies are not so different from the women I serve. They too must find the courage to face darkness in spite of overwhelming difficulty. Often, the victims we serve have no one but each other to lean on for earthly support. Many times my clients tell me of how Jesus reaches out to them where they are, and helps them through the darkness.
Just like He did all those years ago.
He came to bring the light into the darkness. I thank God He did. Don't you?
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Angel Food pick up at new location!
Angel Food pick up is this Saturday, March 29.
We'll no longer be using Strawberry Plains United Methodist Church. Please visit us at our new location of 3126 W. Old Andrew Johnson Hwy. It's diagonally across the intersection from the library in the white building.
See you then!
We'll no longer be using Strawberry Plains United Methodist Church. Please visit us at our new location of 3126 W. Old Andrew Johnson Hwy. It's diagonally across the intersection from the library in the white building.
See you then!
Friday, March 21, 2008
It's official. We're moving!
The transition begins now. We're covered up in packing boxes, tape and wrapping paper. We're painting and getting things ready. Dishes are being carefully wrapped. Furniture is being moved, arranged and rearranged. The utlities are already on and we're beginning to make ourselves at home.
Our neighbors have already come over to introduce themselves. We couldn't ask for nicer people or a warmer welcome!
We're off the main highway in the heart of the historic district. Our new home has more than twice the space as before. Parking is easier. You'll love it! Come check us out!
Hope for Healing.Org
3126 W. Old Andrew Johnson Hwy.
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
Our neighbors have already come over to introduce themselves. We couldn't ask for nicer people or a warmer welcome!
We're off the main highway in the heart of the historic district. Our new home has more than twice the space as before. Parking is easier. You'll love it! Come check us out!
Hope for Healing.Org
3126 W. Old Andrew Johnson Hwy.
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Strawberry Plains Slideshow on Picasa by Hope for Healing.Org
http://picasaweb.google.com/hopeforhealingorg/StrawberryPlainsTheCommunityWeServe/photo#s5172986388858193730
Curious about the area we serve? Click this link to view our slide show. It's hosted on Picasa. You shouldn't need any special software to view it. You'll see great footage about the Strawberry Plains, Tennessee community.
Let us know what you think!
Curious about the area we serve? Click this link to view our slide show. It's hosted on Picasa. You shouldn't need any special software to view it. You'll see great footage about the Strawberry Plains, Tennessee community.
Let us know what you think!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Angel Food Distribution at Hope for Healing.Org
Angel Food distribution at Hope for Healing.Org. February 2008. This program requires no income qualifications. It is open to everyone. Checks, cash and food stamps are accepted. About 25% of the boxes we distribute each month are sponsored. This means that they are purchased by people who can't afford them by people who can. Sometimes groups will go in to provide a box for a family. The cost is $30 for each basic box. Specials usually run $20.00. For information on sponsoring or ordering through Hope for Healing.Org please contact our office or email hopeinfo@hopeforhealing.org.
To locate an Angel Food site near you please visit http://www.angelfoodministries.com
Speaking: Oasis Church DV Training Sat. 3/15
Is your church an Oasis for victims of domestic violence? It can be.
A free training will be offered on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at Asbury United Methodist Church in Greenville, Tennessee. Learn the basics of domestic violence, the importance of creating a safety plan and how to do it. Talk about what not to do. We'll take a fresh look at scriptures and look at ways the church can help. The 4 hour workshop begins at 9:00 am.
Presented by Hope for Healing.Org in partnership with Asbury United Methodist Church.
For more information on this and other workshops please contact us at hopeinfo@hopeforhealing.org.
A free training will be offered on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at Asbury United Methodist Church in Greenville, Tennessee. Learn the basics of domestic violence, the importance of creating a safety plan and how to do it. Talk about what not to do. We'll take a fresh look at scriptures and look at ways the church can help. The 4 hour workshop begins at 9:00 am.
Presented by Hope for Healing.Org in partnership with Asbury United Methodist Church.
For more information on this and other workshops please contact us at hopeinfo@hopeforhealing.org.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Speaking at Grant's Chapel UMC
Tonight at 6:00 pm. Gayle will be speaking at Grants Chapel of the United Methodist Church in Dandridge, TN. With her will be Martha Moore, immediate past president of the board of directors.
We thank Rev. Ginger Isom for the invitation and look forward to meeting everyone.
See you this evening!
We thank Rev. Ginger Isom for the invitation and look forward to meeting everyone.
See you this evening!
UMC Morristown District Pastors Visit Today!
Today we welcome the pastors of the Morristown District of the United Methodist Church. They're coming for lunch today. Then, we'll get to give them the nickel tour of Hope for Healing.Org.
I sure hope they come hungry! We're having homemade meatballs, spaghetti, bread, green beans, iced tea and desserts. There's tons of food. If you're reading this and you're a pastor who forgot to make reservations, come on ahead. There will probably be plenty.
See you for lunch!
I sure hope they come hungry! We're having homemade meatballs, spaghetti, bread, green beans, iced tea and desserts. There's tons of food. If you're reading this and you're a pastor who forgot to make reservations, come on ahead. There will probably be plenty.
See you for lunch!
Friday, March 07, 2008
Hope for Healing.Org Celebrates International Women's Day
Saturday, March 8 is International Women's Day. This important day began in the US 100 years ago when suffragettes marched to demand the right to vote and better working conditions. To celebrate this important day, all women shopping in our local thrift shop will receive 50% off their entire purchase. We support and appreciate the advancements made by women. This is one way we can give back to the women who have supported us so graciously through the years.
For more information in International Women's Day please visit:
http://www.internationalwomensday.com/video.asp
For more information in International Women's Day please visit:
http://www.internationalwomensday.com/video.asp
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
VOCA Funding Cuts
I just received the email that is posted below. Disturbing doesn't begin to cover it. Many programs rely on VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) funding to operate. Because of budget constraints we have been unable to secure this funding at Hope for Healing.Org. Now, we learn that these funds may evaporate like so many others.
What does that really mean? It means we'll be unable to add a staff person to alleviate the burden on our already over stretched volunteers. It means that the person calling for help may or may not be able to get it. Ultimately, it means that we will lose ground in the fight to stop domestic violence.
Please don't let that happen.
Stop the pain. Help the healing. Read the following email and act today.
C-ya online,
Gayle
__________________________________________________________
On December 20, 2007, we learned that President Bush cut $35 million from the crime victims fund for his General Treasury. The fund, VOCA (Victims of Crime Act), is the only Federal program that supports services to victims of all types of crime. This fund comes from the collection of Federal criminal fines; not taxpayer dollars.
Congress has repeatedly said that all amounts deposited into the Fund would remain available for victim services. Though many members of Congress supported increases to VOCA, the pressure from President Bush to cut funding was just too stong.
The $35 million cut means local programs such as Crime Victim Assistance and Crime Victim shelters will have less money; some programs will close and some will turn victims away.
Please contact your local members of Congress and the US Senate and urge them to save and restore VOCA. Furthur information can also be accessed from Congressman Poe's website. Congressman Poe is our biggest supporter and in June 2007 he introduced a bill, HR 2941 to safeguard VOCA. The bill has yet to be passed.
Sincerely,
Lisa Brucato/Program Coordinator
Crime Victim Assistance
Northwest Buffalo, New York
What does that really mean? It means we'll be unable to add a staff person to alleviate the burden on our already over stretched volunteers. It means that the person calling for help may or may not be able to get it. Ultimately, it means that we will lose ground in the fight to stop domestic violence.
Please don't let that happen.
Stop the pain. Help the healing. Read the following email and act today.
C-ya online,
Gayle
__________________________________________________________
On December 20, 2007, we learned that President Bush cut $35 million from the crime victims fund for his General Treasury. The fund, VOCA (Victims of Crime Act), is the only Federal program that supports services to victims of all types of crime. This fund comes from the collection of Federal criminal fines; not taxpayer dollars.
Congress has repeatedly said that all amounts deposited into the Fund would remain available for victim services. Though many members of Congress supported increases to VOCA, the pressure from President Bush to cut funding was just too stong.
The $35 million cut means local programs such as Crime Victim Assistance and Crime Victim shelters will have less money; some programs will close and some will turn victims away.
Please contact your local members of Congress and the US Senate and urge them to save and restore VOCA. Furthur information can also be accessed from Congressman Poe's website. Congressman Poe is our biggest supporter and in June 2007 he introduced a bill, HR 2941 to safeguard VOCA. The bill has yet to be passed.
Sincerely,
Lisa Brucato/Program Coordinator
Crime Victim Assistance
Northwest Buffalo, New York
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Hope for Healing.Org on WBIR
http://www.wbir.com/life/programming/local/style/story.aspx?storyid=55197
Good news. The video and text from the news story are now online. Click the above link to view the story. The producer did a great job! If you do go see it be sure to leave a message on the WBIR message boards.
Good news. The video and text from the news story are now online. Click the above link to view the story. The producer did a great job! If you do go see it be sure to leave a message on the WBIR message boards.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Hope for Healing.Org on WBIR Style Show
http://www.wbir.com/life/programming/local/style/default.aspx
Here's the link. Keep checking to see if the story gets posted for viewing online.
Our segment ran today at 4:00 pm. I was busy with a client and completely missed it. (No cable at work.) I'm am told that the producer, Caroline Lamar, did an excellent job on the segment. This wouldn't surprise me. I thought she did very well with the interview. She was warm and professional. My expectations on the end result are high. I can't wait to see what they did with the story!
Shots were taken of the Hope Quilt, me, and two of our lead teen volunteers. These kids are amazing. Between these two young ladies they have racked up almost 400 hours of volunteer time! We've very lucky to have such great support.
And we need the support. Over 200 people came through our doors last year. We're only open three mornings a week. Our operating hours are based on when we have volunteers. It's our hope to be able to open more often.
Volunteers are needed and always welcome for everything we do. If you have a few hours a month, come see us! We'd love to have you...
Here's the link. Keep checking to see if the story gets posted for viewing online.
Our segment ran today at 4:00 pm. I was busy with a client and completely missed it. (No cable at work.) I'm am told that the producer, Caroline Lamar, did an excellent job on the segment. This wouldn't surprise me. I thought she did very well with the interview. She was warm and professional. My expectations on the end result are high. I can't wait to see what they did with the story!
Shots were taken of the Hope Quilt, me, and two of our lead teen volunteers. These kids are amazing. Between these two young ladies they have racked up almost 400 hours of volunteer time! We've very lucky to have such great support.
And we need the support. Over 200 people came through our doors last year. We're only open three mornings a week. Our operating hours are based on when we have volunteers. It's our hope to be able to open more often.
Volunteers are needed and always welcome for everything we do. If you have a few hours a month, come see us! We'd love to have you...
Sunday, March 02, 2008
We're getting a van! Thanks First Baptist Church!
This is a huge step forward for us!
We have needed a cargo van for awhile. One recently came up for sale. The owner adjusted the price but it was still out of reach. Who came to our rescue? None other than First Baptist Church of Strawberry Plains!
There is some work to be done to it. (Know anyone who does brakes?) It will be a bit before we can get it on the road. But, we're grateful to have it and grateful to have the support.
Look for us to be on the road as soon as we can. We'll be zipping along the roads to pick up your used clothing and collections of aluminum cans, phones and other recyclables.
Thanks again First Baptist Church of Strawberry Plains!
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