PROGRAMSPROGRAMS
VINEYARD OUTREACH MINISTRY
2010 SUMMARY OF PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES, AND NEW PROJECTS
Since 1988, Vineyard Outreach Ministry’s staff and volunteers have created felt-need programs and activities for Vine neighborhood residents and safe places for them to go. We are the only charitable, ecumenical organization within the confines of this neighborhood that offers:
A. A Multi-Cultural Community and Outreach Center that was designed for and with the people in the neighborhood. It has the look and feel of a cozy and cheerful home to both adults and children. The entire center is well stocked with items chosen to stimulate imagination, creativity, and positive responses to people and situations. Multiple small rooms and small groups foster self and other awareness, accountability, integrity, spontaneity, and positive activity. Cultural awareness is heightened through art, musical instruments, cultural symbols, and cultural exploration through program activities and experiences.
B. Felt-need, long-term, holistic activities for at-risk Vine families and individuals within a short distance of their homes. Our consistent presence in this neighborhood helps to foster trust and cooperation among Vine residents and our staff, board, volunteers, and supporters.
C. Seasoned staff and volunteers who choose to invite Vine residents beyond this ministry’s programs into their homes, churches, businesses, and neighborhoods outside the Vine neighborhood.
D. Pastoral care requested by residents as they work through various challenges or struggles.
E. Facility and administrative costs that directly benefit residents like use of the Community Center, telephone and copier use, postage stamps, and computers.
These programs for ages 3 to 18 are offered to Vine neighborhood families as a safe place for their children to go for healthy volunteer attention, holistic type programming, age appropriate skill development, and community service opportunity. Families are invited to participate in these programs as helpers or guests.
TUTORING PROGRAM
This program offers Vine neighborhood youth an opportunity to work with skilled tutors and mentors at our computer lab contained within our Center. Youth learn basic computer skills and are tutored in basic math, reading, writing, and/or science projects based on the child’s readiness, knowledge, and skill level. Parents, teachers, and tutors are encouraged to work together in a way that can better contribute to their academic success. Adults can also be tutored at our Multicultural Community Center.
FAMILY OUTINGS
Most of the families in our programs have no reliable transportation or ways to enjoy simple pleasures like a meal together in a restaurant, a pool party, or a trip to a play or a movie. We host outings to help provide individual families with healthy opportunities for learning, relaxation, and positive memory building.
COMPUTER LAB
Our computer lab is available to Vine residents to use. High school and college students have used our computers to write papers. Marginalized adults gain hardware and software experience and utilize their new skill to write resumes or business letters as they work to improve their personal economy.
DAZE AWAY & HOPE FOR MOMS
Daze Away & Hope for Moms Programs were created for and with Vine mothers to encourage rest, fun, field trips, refreshment and renewal for women with multiple challenges and responsibilities.
HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
These events generally include meals, gifts and community building activities and games for Vine residents in need of warmth, support, and healthy pleasures like birthday celebrations, beach trips, or Christmas parties.
PASTORAL SERVICES
Vine neighborhood residents are treated like church or family members when they are hospitalized or going through other difficult times. Balloons, Bible study, books, cards, flowers, letters, prayers and/or visits help the people we are here to encourage and support know they are appreciated and remembered when the going gets tough.
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
We help Vine residents meet basic needs they can't meet on their own whenever possible. Help with heating costs, rent, winter wear or bus tokens are just some of the ways this ministry helps residents through our Emergency Assistance Program.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
Vineyard Outreach Ministry offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities from shampooing carpets at our Youth Center to staffing our programs and special events on a short or long term basis. Students can earn extra credit for their volunteer service with us. Adult and juvenile offenders meet probation or parole requirements. College student volunteers meet course or supervised field placement requirements for BS or BA degrees.
NETWORKING PROJECTS
Through networking projects with other organizations interested in Vine residents, we have been able to reach more neighborhood residents, share resources, provide co-sponsored short-term programming, and promote goodwill among neighborhood residents, businesses, agencies and area churches or ministries.
NEW PILOT PROJECTS
Bridge Club for Adults will be hosted at the Ministry's Center at the request of a Vine resident interested in developing this opportunity for Vine residents to develop a recreational network while improving reasoning abilities.
Women Faith Writers is a group of Vine professionals or residents meet regularly for the purpose of improving their writing skill, supporting each other's spiritual journey and providing encouragement for younger adult women who enjoy writing as a discipline or hobby.
SPIRITUAL AND TOPICAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
Families or individuals interested in spiritual growth are welcome to visit our staff at the Community Center on a walk-in basis. Volunteers are encouraged to invite interested families or marginalized adults to their home churches. Scheduled times for worship, prayer, and religious holidays are just some of the ways our staff and volunteers meet the requested needs of Vine residents at our Center. Topical growth opportunities include workshop training and on-going research of various issues when requested by Vine residents.
STATISTICS FOR 2010
We anticipate serving no less than 700 people through outreach contacts, pastoral services, programs, pilots, projects, emergency assistance services and resource referral efforts.