Sharing the love and hope of Christ while empowering our neighbors with education, employment, and crisis support.

As a new school year begins, students of all ages (preschool through college) prepare for the challenges ahead. The CARE Center recognizes the significant obstacles during this season: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healthcare, access to nutrient-rich food, expenses of school clothes and supplies, bullying (both face-to-face and virtual), peer pressure and isolation, worries of repeated instances of weaponry and violence, high rates of depression, suicide attempts, and substance abuse. We proudly partner with community and church organizations to provide essential items such as backpacks, clothing, mental health counseling, Bags of Blessings, tutoring, recovery and crisis support, mentoring, and more.

However, we would like to ask you to remember to, first and foremost, share the love and hope of Jesus with the children of our community, especially when preparing for back to school. Children who report a relationship with a loving God also have more positive markers for thriving, including an increased sense of meaning and purpose. Proverbs 22:6 compels us to train our children in how they should go, and Ephesians 6:11 reminds us that they'll need the armor of God to battle the Enemy's schemes in their lives. As mindful caregivers, neighbors, and faith communities, we should encourage spiritual development in our kiddos for seasonal and lifelong growth. Here are some potential ways to do so: 

• Listen to their stories, fears, excitements, and disappointments.  
• Take them into nature, church, or other places that foster wonder, awe, and connectedness. 
• Ask open-ended questions about circumstances and inner thoughts. (Ex. Were you able to be a good friend today? What made you laugh, and why?)
• Share the methods and Scripture verses you use to nurture your own faith. 

My prayers are with you and our youngest neighbors as we band together to help them grow, learn, and love in 2023/2024!

Blessings, 

Andrea Bridges

Executive Director

The CARE Center

abridges@thecare-center.org

The CARE Center was awarded among the Top 5 finalists for 2023 Outreach of the Year, so Lewis Hundley from Trideum Foundation brought us a generous gift of $5000. We are immensely grateful, as these funds will enable us to spread the message of love and hope through Christ to our community. Our hearts are overflowing with profound appreciation!

Applications for the Bags of Blessings program for the 2023/2024 school year are being taken. This ministry provides food to low-income children attending New Hope Elementary, New Hope High School, and Owens Cross Roads Elementary. The program has increased school day attendance, improved test scores, and decreased behavioral issues by delivering food to children on weekends and extended breaks. Click HERE for an application or more information.

Are you passionate about working with children? Do you want to help the next generation explore new opportunities and gain experiences? We are looking for after-school leaders and assistants to show Jesus' loving compassion to our kids from 2:15-5:30 PM on weekdays. If you answered "yes" to these questions, please contact molly.mullinax@thecare-center.org to discuss joining our team.

Grace Marshall is the new site director at our Owens Cross Roads Community Learning Center. She loves dogs, cares for children, is pursuing a degree, and is a 5-year veteran of our team. We are excited to have her stepping into this leadership role, serving our staff and students in one of our three school-based programs.

Thank you to everyone who purchased engraved bricks supporting our mission. Legacy Pavers are now installed! It's not too late to purchase and design your own. Click HERE to get started. All proceeds go towards educating, empowering, and employing our neighbors in Southeastern Madison County.

We were recently inspired by Owens Cross Roads Church of Christ students who volunteered to pack Bags of Blessings during Summer Serve Week. These bags were prayed over and will ensure low-income children can access food on weekends throughout the school year. This group's dedication gives us hope for the future.