MAY 2024 NEWSLETTER

A NOTE FROM BRYAN

Can you believe it’s already May? This month features the National Day of Prayer on May 2nd, followed by the National No Pants Day on May 3rd (I bet you didn’t know that one), Mother’s Day on May 12th, Memorial Day on May 27th, which officially kicks off the summer tourism season in Branson and closes out with National Smile Day on May 31st. May is a busy month but it is also a month to be grateful for all of God’s blessings. 

²⁴May the LORD bless you and protect you. ²⁵May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. ²⁶May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.

– Numbers 6:24-26

Bryan Stallings

Founder, Elevate Branson

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT - FREDA WOLF

After only a short time in Branson, Freda Wolf has become a faithful, Thrift Store volunteer. Three days a week, you will find her tackling our ever-filling intake of clothing. Before moving to Branson, Freda spent 25 years in Alaska and 25 years in Cape Fair, MO. She spent much of her career as an Expediter for CH2M, driving commercially and hauling everything under the sun to ensure that anything that needed moved got moved fast! Even after spending all that time on the road, Freda still loves to travel; so much so that her kids “think I’m crazy!”

You can see Freda’s tender heart as she says her greatest accomplishment is being a great grandmother to 3 great grandchildren. She also served with a ministry called Helping Hands Healing Hearts for 10 years in Sandpoint, Idaho, her home town. We are so thankful that after only a short time in Branson, Freda has become a wonderful and faithful volunteer.

Thank you, Freda! You make a difference!

POVERTY EDUCATION - LANGUAGE REGISTERS MATTER

Formal Register: Speaker or writer gets straight to the point.

Casual Register: Speaker or writer goes around the issue before finally coming to the point. Typically uses a lot of body language.

• The majority of children in poverty do not have access to formal register at home.

• Most parents in poverty cannot use formal register.

• To get a well-paying job it is expected that one will be able to use formal register.

• The ability to use formal register is a hidden rule of the middle class.

• The inability to use formal register will knock one out of an interview in two or three minutes.

• The use of formal register, on the other hand, allows one to score well on tests, do well in higher education and gain employment.

• Few individuals in poverty have the vocabulary or the knowledge of sentence structure and syntax to use formal register.

• When an individual in poverty has conversations in casual register, much of the meaning comes not from the word choices, but from the non-verbal assists.

• To be asked to communicate in writing without the non-verbal assists is an overwhelming and formidable task, which most of them try to avoid. It has very little meaning for them.

ELEVATE PLAYGROUND

Spring is here and the Elevate Playground is ready for your kids and grandkids. Time in nature can be a powerful antidote to the impact that trauma and stress have in children’s lives. When family service providers incorporate nature into their therapeutic work, children and families experience a wide range of benefits, including improved mental and physical health, stronger relationships, better communication, reduced stress, and healing from trauma. For hours of operation and sponsor opportunities click here.

ELEVATE OUTREACH IS ADDING ELEVATE LIFE

The first Thursday of each month we will continue to do Elevate Outreach as we have the last 16 years. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Thursdays of the month from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. we will be starting a new program called Elevate Life. Elevate Life is a group of people exploring life’s deeper questions and empowering each other to navigate through life’s challenges and joys. Is there more to life than what meets the eye? Join us as we dive into meaningful conversations about the essence of life, purpose, and personal growth.

Free meal provided. Call 417.239.7818 before 4:00 P.M. on Thursday to arrange transportation.

APRIL PRAYER EVENT

We hosted our second Community Prayer event on Friday, April 26th. A variety of community leaders prayed for different segments of the community. Each prayer was AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL. God will hear these prayers and begin to transform each one of these segments of the community. Please join us for the next Community Prayer event on July 26th, 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. at the Elevate Branson Campus.

ELEVATE ENTREPRENEURS GRADUATION

We held our spring Elevate Entrepreneurs graduation in April and 10 new students are ready to launch their businesses in Branson bringing a host of goods and services to our community. Our next class begins this fall. For more information about Elevate Entrepreneurs click here.

APRIL WAS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

The Branson Fire Department, Branson Police, and more joined us on the Elevate Branson campus to share information on Project Life Saver, a system that alerts local police of pertinent medical information on individuals with autism so they can be mindful of how to further engage in the case of an emergency. The community also toured our Sensory Room, and was greeted by our therapy dog, Theo.

For more information about the autism and child services offered at Elevate Branson contact Cathy Brown at 417.243.0644 or Cathy.Brown@ElevateBranson.org.

COFFEE WITH A COP

Building relationships. One cup at a time.

Join us May 2nd from 9:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. for Coffee With A Cop. Coffee with a Cop brings police officers and the community members they serve together–over coffee–to discuss issues and learn more about each other.

Casual conversations, coffee, and relationship building in our Branson community. Coffee and a small snack will be provided.

For more information contact Hannah Witcher at 417.239.7818 or Hannah.Witcher@ElevateBranson.org.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT

Join us May 10th from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. for a kid friendly movie with popcorn provided by Arvest Bank!

Bring a blanket or lawn chair, as the movie will be outdoors on our all natural playground (weather permitting)!

For more information or to arrange transportation contact Hannah Witcher at 417.239.7818 or Hannah.Witcher@ElevateBranson.org.

ELEVATE WORK - 50TH GRADUATING CLASS

Join us for the commencement ceremony of our 50th Graduating Class May 22 at 6:30 P.M. in the Elevate Branson auditorium. Learn about the workforce development program that is transforming our community, and hear from our guest speakers including Ashley Harkness, Co-Owner of Harkness Construction LLC, and other past graduates!

For more information contact Donna McConkey at 417.527.1709 or Donna.McConkey@ElevateBranson.org.

Swing by on your morning commute or stop in for a mid-day pick-me-up! Elevate Coffee provides hand crafted espresso based drinks, refreshing smoothies, and delicious desserts. Now featuring daily lunch specials!

Hours

Monday - Friday: 7:30 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

Open For Business!

Come find a treasure while helping our neighbors and community prosper! All purchases support the programs at Elevate Branson.

Hours

Monday – Friday: 9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.

Saturday: 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Get Involved And Make A Difference!

Call 417.335.9915 or email Info@ElevateBranson.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities where your time and talents can empower others to reach their full potential.