News

DISCIPLES CLOSET NEWS: As the cold weather approaches we need to switch gears. Please keep donations to seasonal items only. There is limited storage space for spring & summer items. As always there is a greater need for men’s clothing: most requested items are jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, under wear, socks, thermal undershirts & long johns. Hats, gloves & scarves are always in need, as well as coats & shoes, especially boots. We had a large donation of coats from Interact, our tenant on the 3rd floor. We will be planning a special event in October to distribute these coats. Volunteers will be needed to help with this event, please see Colleen Munley.

THANK YOU: each year the Christian education team sponsors Vacation Bible School and provides a meal as part of the programming. This year we had some donations, so I would like to take the time to recognize those folks or organizations that donated food items. Bev Wurm donated drink mix & pasta from Ohio City Pasta, as well as a few other items. The Blazing River Freedom Band, our tenant that meets & rehearses in our gym, donated pizza, cookies & soft drinks. We also had beverages donations from Pastor Allen and Cheryl Yurcak, as well as cookie donations from Jane Cheiky. Thank you again, all the donations really helped us keep our costs down this year.
 

"Service is the rent we pay for living!"

~ Marian Wright Edelman

Need some ideas for how to change the world? 

Click the logo or link below!

http://www.servantevangelism.com/ideas/search_ideas.php

+ Volunteers Always Needed!

Church Volunteer Needs ~ Educational Opportunities ~ Other Volunteer Opportunities ~ Volunteer Websites

Volunteer Opportunities At Franklin Circle Christian Church

Third Sunday “Food & Friendship” Meal

Every Third Sunday of the month,  11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Franklin Circle Christian Church, 1688 Fulton Rd., Cleveland, OH.

A simple meal, warm conversation, and support from community service agencies for all who are in need. For more information, call Beverly at 216-310-6810.. Every third Sunday of the month!

Disciples Closet

Open to the public on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m., this "closet" has  donated clothes for those who need them.  All clean and gently used clothes are welcome, but we are especially in need of men's clothing.  We also accept donations of brand new underwear and socks.  Contact Colleen Munley or Cody Corrigan to volunteer or to arrange for the the dropping off of donations.

Easter Day Meal

Sunday, April 4, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Franklin Circle Christian Church, 1688 Fulton Rd., Cleveland, OH.

Co-sponsored by St. Augustine’s Church, Tremont, this meal is open to the public and free of charge.  To volunteer and offer donations, please call Beverly at 216-310-6810.
 

Franklin Circle Christian Church
Food Bag Supplies
We are ready to kick – off our second year of supplying Food Bags on the last Sunday of the Month, no questions asked. We need your help in maintaining supplies and/or funds to purchase supplies. We are very thankful for the support and funding we have received from our congregation.

Recently, we have read in the newspaper and heard on T.V. how food supplies are in greater need than ever. We are solely supported by our congregation, friends and donations from InterAct Cleveland contributors.

Canned goods such as, tuna, soups, and pastas are our main staples. A list of items may be found in the Sunday bulletin. Or, a check made out to Franklin Circle Christian Church, memo line to read—FCCC FOOD BAGS may be contributed. Again, many thanks to all who have supplied funding and foods to the program.

On the last Saturday of the month we gather at 10:00 a.m. in the gym near the food panty to fill bags. If you are interested in helping to fill bags and make decisions of what makes up a bag from what is available, please join us. It only takes about a hour.
Again, thank you all for your continued support.

~ The Food Bag Supply Team

 

School Supplies

The children are not even out of school... but we are getting ready to send them back.  We will be collecting different items each month until September. 

Please help our children.  You may give your donation to Jean Borrelli, Patty Groetsch, or any member of the Christian Education Team.

Upcoming Schedule of Donations:

April... pencils, erasers, and pencil case

May... crayons and glue

June... folders, binders, and loose paper

July... markers (permanent and washable)

August... Three ring notebook binders, loose leaf paper (3-ring), pocket folders (3-ring), and spiral notebooks (3-ring)

Health Kits

Christian Women's Fellowship will be collecting for our Health Kits which goes to Domestic Violence Families of the Cleveland area in November. 

We will be collecting different items each month.   Please help those to know they are loved and cherished.  You may give your donation to Jean Borrelli or any member of CWF.

CWF Health Kits Collection Schedule:

March: Wash Cloths

April: Travel Shampoos

May: Hand Towels

June: Travel Toothpaste

July: Combs

August: Emery Boards and Band Aids

September: Travel Size Lotions and Body Wash

October: Hand Towels

November: item will be named as needed.

January 2010: Toothbrushes

February: Soap

Fall 2009
 

Circle Service Spots Encourage Volunteerism

As a means of helping our congregation and neighbors show that, through our faith, we “seek to meet the spiritual needs of a culturally diverse community” and that “empowered Disciples will serve and glorify God,” Pastor Allen is inviting folks to explore service and volunteer opportunities in our community. We will do this in two ways.

First, each month we will have a Circle Service Spot Mission Moment at the end of one of the Sunday morning worship services where the congregation will hear about an organization or institution in our immediate neighborhood that is providing service and offers volunteer opportunities. There will be a chance to visit with the representatives and learn more at the Community Hour following the service.

An expanded set of volunteer opportunities is on the “Getting Involved” page. Just click on the orange “Getting Involved” button on the left side of this page.

Mornings, Mon.-Fri.:
Various odd jobs around the building are available, at all skill levels. This includes painting, cleaning, gardening, and some carpentry work. Please speak with Upkeep Team Chairperson, Claude Pitman, for details and to volunteer.


There are always opportunities to volunteer at Franklin Circle Christian Church. Volunteers are always welcome...

Youth Enrichment Program  (YEP!)

Every Saturday and Sunday from 2 - 5 p.m., where 30-40 kids find a safe, nurturing place to play basketball and to improve their computer skills. Volunteers are needed to interact with the kids, referee, provide snacks, and provide computer help. All staff and volunteers must have a background check in order to work with the kids. The program runs September through the end of June. Contact the Program directors: Michelle & Allan Brown.  (Note: All volunteers have to have a background/fingerprint check.)

Thursday Meal Program

*The Thursday Meal Program has been relocated to St. Patrick's Clubhouse (38th & Bridge Ave.) 
In conjunction with the Neighborhood Food & Family Services Center of WSEM, Franklin Circle Christian Church hosts a meal for the hungry and homeless of our neighborhood. Volunteers come at 4:00p.m. and the meal is served at 5:30p.m. Call ahead to get more information and to let us know you are coming.

Non-Perishable Food Offering

We are always collecting non-perishable food items for the Center. Please bring your donations to worship on Sunday or drop them off in the collection can at the top of the stairs before you enter the sanctuary.

Clothing Collection -- Contact Colleen Munley for deliveries and to help
While it is not the best solution, it does help some folks out who need clothes. We have a bin of clothes where some folks drop off clothes and a rack for others to look for clothes as they need. We could use someone to occasionally go through the bin, organize it, and throw away items that cannot be used and hang up the clothes in a presentable way on the rack. Call ahead or just come by during the day!

Sanctuary Set Up
After each Sunday's service the sanctuary gets a bit out of order. We are always in need of someone who can go through and tidy things up a bit, including putting hymnals and Bibles back in their places, refilling the pew pockets with offering envelopes and Welcome Cards, and sharpening the pencils. We also need someone to clean up and refill the Children's Activity Clipboards each week. This can be done immediately after Sunday morning worship services or almost anytime during the week.

Tender Loving Care

Persons are needed to write notes to visitors each week and to be in contact with homebound or hospitalized members. This can be done from home, and the church will provide you with postcards and stamps as well as with the information needed. This can take as little as thirty minutes a week.

Work Days!
Occasionally there is announced an All Church Work Day where different assignments are given out to help clean up and fix up our church facilities. There's always something for everyone, from the least to the most skilled. Food and refreshments are almost always provided. Speak to Claude Pitman about helping out.

Occasional Zip Zaps! are planned to gather folks to do special one-time projects around the church.

Gardening/Weeding

During the spring and summer months persons are needed to do the detail gardening around the church grounds, such as weeding and pruning. This might take as little as forty-five minutes a week, or a little over an hour every two to three weeks.

If you are interested in volunteering for any of these tasks, please speak to the Pastor or call Carole in the church office at 216-781-8232.

Educational Opportunities
Growing in faith:
Sunday School
9:30am. Sundays - Adults & Young Adults
10:50am. - Children & Youth
Sunday School provides a chance to explore scripture and your faith in a relaxed atmosphere. Every Sunday there are two adult classes available: our longtime Sunday School Class, meeting in the Friendship Room, and the Inquirer's Class, meeting in the room under the balcony. Both rooms are off the Chapel on the second floor of our Community Building.

Mid-Week Bible Study
7:00p.m. on Wednesdays
Mid-Week Bible Study is designed for an in-depth and more intensive look at particular books or themes of the Bible.
 Bible Study is in the Chapel, enter through the Fulton Road doors and come to the second floor.

**We are looking for qualified volunteer help for child care for Mid-Week Bible Study. If anyone is able to volunteer to care for our children at the church from 7 - 8:30p.m., please contact the Pastor. Any gift of time and care would be greatly appreciated.


 Volunteer Opportunities BEYOND Franklin Circle Christian Church

Give Blood!

Blood Drives at Lutheran Hospital
Please donate blood.

A healthy person can give blood every 56 days. That means you can donate up to six times a year!

You have the ability to give the Gift of Life to someone who is in critical need of blood. Through the donations of concerned people like you, our country will have an adequate supply of blood to meet the urgent needs of our community.

Where: Lutheran Hospital Front Lobby
When: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (unles otherwise noted)
February 4, 2008
April 14, 2008
June 17, 2008
August 25, 2008
November 17, 2008 (2 - 6 p.m.)
December 18, 2008

Walk in or make an appointment: 216-363-2185

To donate blood, Red Cross donors must be at least 17 years old, weight at least 110 pounds, be in good health and be able to provide a valid photo ID.

www.lutheranhospital.org
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+Cleveland FoodBank
on the web at: http://www.clevelandfoodbank.org/volunteer/default.asp
Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are crucial to the operation of the Foodbank. Without volunteers, it would not be possible to collect, sort and repack all the food that comes through our warehouse every day. But that's not all. Foodbank volunteers also help with administrative tasks, special events, and serve on committees.

In 2005, 5,744 volunteers contributed over 33,000 hours of service to the Foodbank. Their hard work and effort saved us the cost of hiring 16 full-time staff members, an expense we could not otherwise afford.
Volunteers make our work possible. We hope you'll consider joining us. To make the most of your time, use the following process:

1. Check out our volunteer guidelines to begin.
2. If you are eligible, then click on Volunteer Registration. You only need to register once.
3. You will need to sign our Release Agreement. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian will need to sign.
4. On the calendar, select a date when you are available.
5. Confirm your appointment.
6. On the day of your appointment, go to the Foodbank for your assignment.
7. Sign in.
8. At the end of the job, sign out.

Types of Volunteer Work Available:
 

Produce: We need volunteers to inspect and sort produce donations.

Special Events: We need volunteers to collect leftover perishable food, distribute Cleveland Foodbank literature, or receive donated canned food.

Cleveland Community Kitchen: We need volunteers to help prepare hot meals that are distributed at local hot meal sites.
Sort/Repack Opportunities: We need volunteers to help sort and repack nonperishable food that is later distributed to local food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters.

Administrative Tasks: We need volunteers to help around the office, stuff envelopes and other special projects.

The Foodbank offers flexible hours from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Fridays and 8 - Noon on Saturdays. We ask that volunteers commit to at least a two-hour shift. We will provide all the supervision and training necessary.For all other questions and concerns, please call Volunteer Services Manager at 216.738.2053.

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+ Northeast Ohio Coalition For The Homeless (NEOCH)
Online at: http://www.neoch.org/volunteerpage.htm 
 

Because of the changes in benefits and the growing affordable housing crisis, homelessness is on the rise. NEOCH needs the time and skills of volunteers to help us implement programs and achieve our mission. NEOCH has many opportunities for volunteers. Here is a list of our projects that we have available for volunteers, please click on the volunteer area that you wish to learn more about our volunteer opportunities. You may also visit our online Volunteer Registration Form or call us at 216.432.0540 to discuss your skills and interests in NEOCH.

NEOCH Office (clerical support):
1. Contribute to changes in housing, income, rights and other social justice issues for homeless individuals. Get the opportunity to see how a non-profit operates. Perform clerical work to facilitate the productivity and advancement of NEOCH programming.

Community Voicemail (CVM):
1. Help ensure every person in need of a phone number gets one. Help foster stability in an individual’s life by updating files and entering data. Facilitate the efficiency of CVM programming. Knowledge of Microsoft Access is helpful but not necessary.

2. Additionally, serve on the CVM Advisory Board

3. The Grapevine:

4. Aid in the production of Cleveland’s street paper, The Grapevine. Promote social justice by helping with layout, writing stories, conducting interviews, archiving and possibly other editorial duties.

Organizing:
1. Assist with the organization of homeless individuals and help work toward progress. Work with the Homeless Congress or Resident Council Meetings.

2. The Homeless Congress meets every two weeks and collaborates on solutions for issues in the homeless community. The solutions will be presented to The City in the future. The Congress has representatives from each shelter in Cleveland.

3. Resident Council Meetings are held monthly at the largest men (2100 Lakeside) and women shelters (Community Women’s Shelter on Payne Avenue). Resident Council Meetings are forums for residents to air their grievances about their stay in shelters. The meetings try to improve shelter life. Plans also are being made to hold meetings at “The Spot” drop-in center.

Organizational Leadership:
1. Plan and/or steer initiatives to make differences in the fields of Affordable Housing and/or Homelessness. Collaborate with others who have similar interests and passions as you, and develop skills necessary in the non-profit world. Join NEOCH’s Board of Directors. Send your resume to neoch@neoch.org.

Fundraising
1. Help with the planning and implementation of already established NEOCH events and in the creation of future events. Join NEOCH’s Fundraising Committee.

Website, Database and Newsletter Design:
1. Exercise your computer skills with graphic design and database design. Increase our efficiency in addressing the problem of homelessness. With databases, increase our organization; helping us to store our information better. The database program we use is Microsoft Access.

2. With graphic design, help us to communicate our messages more powerfully, through better aesthetics, better information organization on our websites and within our newsletters. With improved advertising, help us spread our vision more effectively.

Bridging the Gap Housing Program (BTG):
1. Assist in bridging the gap between being homeless and being housed! Assist with fundraising/development of the program, managing donations, delivering Welcome Home baskets, helping clients move, serving on the advisory board, and any other area which you feel you can contribute knowledge or experience.

2. Cleveland Homeless Legal Assistance Program (CHLAP):

3. Volunteer opportunities exist for lawyers, paralegals and law students. Lawyers can volunteer two hours a month at one of six intake sites. Volunteers conduct interviews, answer questions and assist in addressing the client’s legal needs. Attorneys who can provide direct pro bono legal assistance in the family law area are desperately needed.
4. Paralegals can also assist at the intake sessions. Law students and paralegals assist clients by conducting legal research and preparing documents and pleadings for client in pro se matters.

5. CHLAP plans to initiate a series of monthly seminars for clients and local social service providers. Topics will include: divorce, custody, visitation, employment, bankruptcy, housing and Social Security. If you are interested in volunteering for this program, please contact Joan Burda at 216.635.0768, or by email at joanburda@neoch.org.

To Volunteer Contact Emily at 216/432-0540 ext. 103

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+ Catholic Worker House/Drop-In Center
Drop-in hospitality: Please come by our Storefront drop-in center at 4241 Lorain Ave to visit with folks or volunteer during regular drop-in hours: Tuesday-Friday, 7-9pm and Saturday-Sunday, 9:30-11:30am.

Donations needed include blankets, new socks and underwear, toiletries. If you or your group would like to provide a meal one night during March, call Peter or Ryan at 216.631.3059.

“our drop-in is more about hospitality than services. People come in, get food, take a shower, get new clothes, but mostly sit around and relax, play cards and visit. The ‘volunteers’ are encouraged to do the same, i.e., not create a “we serve—you receive” model but more one of solidarity and friendship.”
 

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+ Overnight Drop-In Center For Homeless – Tremont
Beginning in November, 2009 our community will offer a drop-in center for three nights a week, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.   Much like the Catholic Worker House situation listed above, only overnight.

Call Jim Schlecht at 216-924-0429 for more information and to volunteer.
 

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Websites For Volunteering:

Servant Evangelism/Kindness.com
http://www.servantevangelism.com/about/

Business Volunteers Unlimited:
http://www.businessvolunteers.org/

Plain Dealer/Cleveland.com Volunteer Listings:
http://www.cleveland.com/volunteer/

Volunteer Match
http://www.volunteermatch.org/ 

RSVP (18 and older)
http://www.rsvpcleveland.org/ 

 

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