Community
Girls care for those in local nursing home
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Contributed by Sally Horstmann, CAC Development Assistant
For many years, I was blessed to be part of a worship team at Willowcreek Nursing Facility in Belleville, Ill. I fell in love with the residents there and have brought different church and family groups to visit my sweet friends.
In late April, I took CAC students, Ahmonique, Niecy and Marshay, to Willowcreek to visit. Without one spec of exaggeration, these three girls were the sweetest, most sincere, caring and compassionate children I have EVER taken. Each time we went into a resident's room they would immediately hug them! Even the residents who had spilled food on themselves or may not have smelled very nice...it made NO difference. The girls even sang for them! Niecy sang "Amazing Grace," and all three girls together sang "Jesus is Sweeter than Chocolate,” a well-known song at CAC.
As I drove them home later that evening, they were STILL talking about their visit and wanting to know when we could go again. CAC has the most wonderful kids in the world!
(Note: Ms. Sally has volunteered with the Center’s grade school students for over 15 years, and she has been on staff for a year. She, and other staff members, make it a priority to regularly take students out in the community to see new environments, people and God’s love for them.)
For many years, I was blessed to be part of a worship team at Willowcreek Nursing Facility in Belleville, Ill. I fell in love with the residents there and have brought different church and family groups to visit my sweet friends.
As I drove them home later that evening, they were STILL talking about their visit and wanting to know when we could go again. CAC has the most wonderful kids in the world!
(Note: Ms. Sally has volunteered with the Center’s grade school students for over 15 years, and she has been on staff for a year. She, and other staff members, make it a priority to regularly take students out in the community to see new environments, people and God’s love for them.)
Keep East St. Louis beautiful
Thursday, July 22, 2010
With the start of summer came the start of new programming at the Christian Activity Center. Community Beautification was implemented to encourage kids to help clean up the community and has made an extreme impact on not only our youth, but also the city.
36 children and teenagers have logged over 280 hours total of community service in the past 7 weeks, feeding the homeless, picking up trash, building fences, retiling, constructing a shed (which will house are new lawn mower!), painting, volunteering at thrift stores, collecting money to feed World Changers, serving at Southern Illinois Health Foundation block parties, and building relationships.
These youth pile into the van, eager to serve and turn away heartbroken when the trip is filled to capacity. Disappointed because they can’t pick up trash in Rush City!?!
We have some amazing kids that come to the CAC! Given the opportunity to help the elderly, clean neighborhoods, and serve food the CAC’s members are visible signs of service in our city.
This program could not be written without mentioning an outstanding youth who has logged 40 hours (!) in our Community Beautification program, while also finding ways to help out when we are not counting.
Dominique Burnett is a 16-year-old going into the 11th grade at East St. Louis Senior High School. She is a caring and generous young woman and dreams of becoming a nurse. She is always the first to arrive and the last to leave when we head out into the community to serve. She will do the unpleasant/difficult tasks letting others jump at the easier ones.
Dominique, who has participated in every type of Community Beautification project in which we have participated, was a student leader on the CAC’s annual Mission trip. This year’s trip took place in Louisville, Kentucky at the Jefferson Street Baptist Center/ Homeless Shelter. While there, Dominique worked in the registration office, luggage storage and built relationships with residents and guests over countless card games and conversations. Dominique understands and teaches the rest of us that people spell, “love” “t-i-m-e” and she’s generous with hers.
When not hanging out with friends and playing on the internet, Dominique is involved at the CAC with Community Beautification, she is a deacon at the CAC Friendly Baptist Church, and attends Photography Class, Girl’s Night, Acting Class, Private Piano Instruction, and Cooking Class.
Dominique explains, “Community Beautification means making a difference in the neighborhood. I love to help out. Even when it’s hard, hot, and when there are lots of bugs, I just suck it up and keep on going, because I care.”
Dominique is a leader and we are so proud to have her as a member at the CAC. She is a changing the community around her and guiding others in the same path!
36 children and teenagers have logged over 280 hours total of community service in the past 7 weeks, feeding the homeless, picking up trash, building fences, retiling, constructing a shed (which will house are new lawn mower!), painting, volunteering at thrift stores, collecting money to feed World Changers, serving at Southern Illinois Health Foundation block parties, and building relationships.
These youth pile into the van, eager to serve and turn away heartbroken when the trip is filled to capacity. Disappointed because they can’t pick up trash in Rush City!?!
We have some amazing kids that come to the CAC! Given the opportunity to help the elderly, clean neighborhoods, and serve food the CAC’s members are visible signs of service in our city.
This program could not be written without mentioning an outstanding youth who has logged 40 hours (!) in our Community Beautification program, while also finding ways to help out when we are not counting.
Dominique, who has participated in every type of Community Beautification project in which we have participated, was a student leader on the CAC’s annual Mission trip. This year’s trip took place in Louisville, Kentucky at the Jefferson Street Baptist Center/ Homeless Shelter. While there, Dominique worked in the registration office, luggage storage and built relationships with residents and guests over countless card games and conversations. Dominique understands and teaches the rest of us that people spell, “love” “t-i-m-e” and she’s generous with hers.
When not hanging out with friends and playing on the internet, Dominique is involved at the CAC with Community Beautification, she is a deacon at the CAC Friendly Baptist Church, and attends Photography Class, Girl’s Night, Acting Class, Private Piano Instruction, and Cooking Class.
Dominique explains, “Community Beautification means making a difference in the neighborhood. I love to help out. Even when it’s hard, hot, and when there are lots of bugs, I just suck it up and keep on going, because I care.”
Dominique is a leader and we are so proud to have her as a member at the CAC. She is a changing the community around her and guiding others in the same path!