Newsletter

06/25/2020 | June 2020 Issue

A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT GREG BRUCE Nothing gives me more pleasure than to introduce people to truly great people and organizations that are making a difference in changing and transforming lives.  Our featured partners this month are doing some amazing work that I can attest to personally. Hallelujah House and the Training Center are standard bearers in supporting and assisting ex-offenders in their transition back into our communities. Serving USA is honored to be partnered with them.

Run 4 Their Lives Run 4 Their Lives is a Freedom 4/24 event that raises awareness and funds to bring sexually exploited women and children into freedom. . Often participants increase their advocacy efforts by becoming fundraisers and using the race as a platform to share about the issue of human trafficking and the work of Freedom 4/24. Funds raised through each Run 4 Their Lives race is used to support the continued work in the fight for freedom in partnership with Redeeming Love, Two Wings, and Treasures . For more info

SERVING USA'S JUNE WEBINAR SERIES

Idle Hands: COVID-19's Impact on Human Trafficking Tera Hilliard, CEO Forgotten Children, Inc. With unemployment numbers skyrocketing, how is COVID-19 affecting the fight against human trafficking? Tera Hilliard shared stories from the streets of Los Angeles, and vital information to keep us updated. June 3, 2020

Before the Bough Breaks Michelle Gasper, Counselor LMFT (Chino) Life and work is challenging us all in new ways; anxiety levels for most have hit maximum. Insomnia, substance abuse, depression, stress and suicides are on the rise. On this call we’re joining forces to confront burnout and compassion fatigue. Michelle Gasper, Counselor LMFT (including work for Rebirth Homes’ clients) will help us come clean about our COVID fears.  She will guide us through how we can process grief over potential loss of vision, and how to redefine our vision. We will learn self-care tips and tools, to take proactive measures to stay emotionally and mentally fit. Watch here June 10, 2020

Fleeing Domestic Violence Nicole Linder, Executive Director, Marjaree Mason Center (Fresno ) Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and severity of abuse surges in times of national disasters and crises. But calls for help during this time have not increased, and Nicole Linder will share with us her current experiences leading the Marjaree Mason Center through quarantine and COVID-19. MMC’s 41-year history of service to adults and children affected by Domestic Violence includes transitional housing, legal assistance, batterer’s intervention, public education, a crisis hotline and advocacy for victims. Watch here June 24, 2020

Featured Partner Training Center San Diego

Training Center is a unique partner with Serving USA, providing multiple forms of faith based and secular programming specifically targeting the reduction of recidivism for ex-offenders, family reunification, gang intervention and ministry opportunities for their clients. Established in 2005, Training Center has served hundreds of clients every year, and has enjoyed working with the community, government agencies and faith groups to make positive impacts for both clients and their various homes and communities.

Like so many non-profit faith based organizations across the country, Training Center has been struggling with the economic impact of covid19. This “shelter in place” order came just as Training Center was emerging from a year-long series of major changes. Everything from major changes in the Board of Directors to California’s shift from State Parole and County funding for clients, to a Medical platform and the hiring of mandatory clinicians. But Training Center has done a tremendous job adapting to this new environment and continues to move forward to fulfill their mission.

Serving USA has partnered with Training Center for several years, and we are very proud of all they have done to assist us with transitioning our TUMI students and graduates from incarceration to the community. Training Center partnered with Serving USA to create and operate a specialized reentry home for the men who have participated in The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) while incarcerated. This home is located in Spring Valley, CA., and averages 10 clients at any given time. These men are not in a “program”, they are Christian men who have received intensive academic training through TUMI and are transitioning back into society with the assistance of Training Center and the amazing men who oversee the daily operation of the home.

Jeff is the house manager, also a previously incarcerated person, and his dedication to each man under his supervision is to be commended. Jeff is a TUMI student himself, once incarcerated, but you would never know that unless he shared that information with you, and he very proudly shares how well the men at the TUMI House are constantly doing at work, with family, in church and so much more. Even during this COVID-19 crisis each man has continued to work, continued their studies, and continued to minister to the community. Jeff works with each man to mold them into citizens who love the Lord and give back to their communities.

When I visit the TUMI House I am always happy to see how beautiful it is, and when you enter the home you instantly feel the peace inside. These men are God’s men and they are a testament to the absolute power of God’s Word to change a life and impact families as well as communities. Moral rehabilitation is key to breaking the chains of incarceration, drugs, alcohol, abuse etc., and Serving USA is a proud partner with Training Center as they not only work diligently to ensure each client is walking in faith, they also transition each client into the work force, creating budgets, setting short term and long term goals, and assisting them to transition from a funded home into their own home, reunited with family, and giving back to the community from which they used to only damage. Thank you Training Center for all you do to help those in need! Jon Lowry - Program Director, Serving USA

Featured Partner Hallelujah House

Hallelujah House is a place of peace, prayer and purpose established January 2013 to assist recently incarcerated men who are now endeared to Christ. Hallelujah House was established to provide such men with a stable and supportive living environment whereby they can be mentored and assisted in embracing their higher purpose in life. For years, many men have been merely living and existing in a life of hardship and bondage. But some have now come to a point in their lives whereby they realize that God has a greater purpose for them in life.

Hallelujah House is a place where these men are embraced in Christian love, fellowship, support and mentorship to help them pursue the purpose in life which God had always intended for them. Hallelujah House is therefore, designed to help these “called out ones” to live out a purpose driven life in freedom rather than to continue to live out their life in bondage. At the Hallelujah House, an ordained minister lives 24/7, with these men who have come to have a strong desire to change the course of their lives. To live more productively for God, their family and the communities in which they live.

Rev. Philip Galindo is the Founding Director of the Hallelujah House. Rev. Philip opened up his own home in January, 2012 to create a place of peace, prayer and purpose and came alongside these men. He encourages prospective residents while still incarcerated and invites them to pursue their higher calling upon their release at the Hallellujah House. The Hallelujah House is unique. It is a Home rather than a facility. Its primary purpose is discipleship and personal and spiritual growth. Hallelujah House provides these men with a unique living environment whereby they are given personal guidance and mentorship to help them begin immediately to: learn and grow understand why take steps to improve set realistic goals keep it all in focus to be empowered for ministry transform their communities

At the Hallelujah House, our disciplined living environment nurtures what we refer to as the four “E’s”. We nurture them in their “endearment” to Christ, which is the foundation in which all our activity, our identity, and our purpose are formed. We“Equip” them, which is, we give our residents the tools they will need to change course and succeed. And they are “Empowered” to change course in life, avoid dependency and grasp autonomy. And last but not least, they learn to “embrace” their communities which is to live in helpful community with one another and help transform the communities in which they live in. They are strongly encouraged to be doers of God’s word and not just hearers. Accordingly, residents of the Hallelujah House are disciples in an unique leadership program. All are incorporated into the fellowship of the larger body of Christ, participate in a one year work/study program involving biblical studies, hands on urban ministries and receive 24/7 personal mentorship all of which is overseen by an ordained minister with a heart for urban ministry. Our motto is “turning prisoners into pastors.”

Specific ministries that our residents participate in are the “Angel Tree project” in partnership with Prison Fellowship Ministries. We provide Christmas gifts to the children of incarcerated parents, in their parents name, and embrace the family in Christian love and support, Our residents also are involved in the “Blessings for Buses" program in partnership with a myriad of local churches. “Blessings for Buses” solicit funds for the purpose of sending children of incarcerated parents to visit them personally both on Mother’s day and father’s Day. For many children this visit will be the only opportunity that they will have to personally see their parent. Backpacks are also provided to the children filled with helpful gifts to make their trip and visit more enjoyable.

Hallelujah House is a place where these men are embraced in Christian love, fellowship, support and mentorship to help them pursue the purpose in life which God had always intended for them. Hallelujah House is therefore, designed to help these “called out ones” to live out a purpose driven life in freedom rather than to continue to live out their life in bondage. At the Hallelujah House, an ordained minister lives 24/7, with these men who have come to have a strong desire to change the course of their lives. To live more productively for God, their family and the communities in which they live.

These ministry involvements help our residents to experience the joy of Christian service. We are greatly appreciative of Serving USA’s continued support which helps us immensely to continue to help our men to continue in the awesome journey which God has set before them. In His grip Rev. Philip

SERVING USA | servingusa.org

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