|
Minute for Mission
Tandana Foundation
| | |
|
by Rick Greene
MISSION GRANTS TEAM MEMBER
Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
The Tandana Foundation is a non-profit organization that offers support for community initiatives in Ecuador's Otavalo Canton and Mali's Bandiagara District, as well as intercultural volunteer experiences. Its community initiatives support community members as they work toward their dreams of education, health, food security, water resources, environmental conservation, and income generation.
The seeds for The Tandana Foundation were planted in 1998, when Founding Director Anna Taft spent four months in the rural community of Panecillo, Ecuador, teaching English to local elementary students and forming relationships with many people there. Tandana was founded in 2004, and in 2006 the foundation sponsored its first official community project in Ecuador. At that time, students from The Traveling School helped to paint the community center in the community of Agualongo.
Tandana is not about “helping the poor” or imposing a developmentalist worldview. Rather, its goal is to create and nurture respectful and responsible relationships among people of different cultures. It believes that giving and receiving are inherent parts of relationships and contributing community initiatives—a great way to make friends.
In the last 15 years, the Foundation has collaborated with 27 communities in Ecuador and 102 communities in Mali. A few highlights of its achievements include over 5,000 dental appointments; 9,000 rural residents having access to a new health center; more than 8,000 medical appointments; 52 partner schools in Ecuador, Mali, and North America; 297 secondary scholars; 60 post-secondary scholars; and over 130 community projects supported in Mali and Ecuador.
Members and friends of First Community Church have assisted in the work of The Tandana Foundation through our Mission Team grants process. There are many ways to help advance the work of this Foundation, including donations and the upcoming Legacy of Hope Celebration (November 11 in Columbus). More information about The Tandana Foundation can be located at https://tandanafoundation.org/.
Also, there is a fantastic opportunity to see the work of The Tandana Foundation is through its intercultural programs in Otavalo, Ecuador! There are two trips in the future to do this, Trips with Intention for Families (July 22-29, 2024) and Intentions for Individuals (Feb. 3-10, 2025). More information about these trips and projects of The Tandana Foundation can also be located at https://tandanafoundation.org/.
If you would like more information about First Community Church, its other Mission programs, or are interested in joining the Mission Teams, please email us at mission@fcchurch.com.
| | |
 | |
Heart to Heart
Monthly Update
by Amy Caskie
DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS
There is no question that dental health and dental insurance in the United States is costly. I'm sure most readers have experienced the pain of dental work; both physically and financially. For those living in poverty, it is often prohibitively expensive. This results in more costly procedures in the long run, and often leads to the removal of the tooth. The average price of dental implants in Ohio ranges from $3,500 to $7,000 without insurance, so you can imagine that would prevent many from choosing to do so.1
According to the CDC, "For children aged 2 to 5 years, 17% of children from low-income households have untreated cavities in their primary teeth, 3 times the percentage of children from higher-income households... About 40% of adults with low-income or no private health insurance have untreated cavities. Low-income or uninsured adults are twice as likely to have one to three untreated cavities and 3 times as likely to have four or more untreated cavities as adults with higher incomes or private insurance"2
It is important for everyone to care for their oral health, but it is particularly important for those living in poverty. Prevention is the key to avoiding costly corrective procedures. However, toothpaste and floss are among the many things not covered by SNAP benefits. Unlike food, these items are also a taxable expense. These circumstances make it more expensive and may put people in the position of having to choose between the oral health items and other necessary things.
The CDC supports programs that reduce these oral health disparities, and we encourage you to support public programs. But you can also help with this issue directly through Heart to Heart food pantry. We implore you to help those visiting our pantry by contributing to the Dental Hygiene drive during worship on April 14. While food is the priority at Heart to Heart, we strive to provide as many personal care items as possible. That day, you will find our volunteers Susan and Becky outside worship spaces ready to collect your donations!
Works Cited
-
“Disparities in Oral Health” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 5, 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/oral_health_disparities Accessed March 27, 2024
-
Twin Dental, https://www.twindental.com/cost-of-dental-implants-ohio March 27, 2024
Suggested Reading:
| |
Client Service
Households Served: 753
- Drive-Thru 548
- Pop-Up Pantry 205
- Total New Households 151
Individuals Served: 2,515
- Seniors Served 295
- Adults Served 1,300
- Children Served 920
Meals Served: 22,635
| |
Incoming Materials (lbs)
First Community: 3,444
Giant Eagle: 2,811
Marc’s: 207
Mid-Ohio Foodbank total: 31,257
- Shop Thru weight 14,123
- Order weight 17,134
- Total Cost $5,337.29
| |
UAHS PTO Collecting Donations April 6 | | |
|
Jumpstart your Spring Cleaning April 6 from 10 am to 1 pm at Jones Middle School. We will be on site collected non-perishable food items and cash donations. For an additional donation to the PTO, you can bring up to 3 boxes of paper ($5 each) to be confidentially shredded.
Click image for printable PDF
| |
|
|
Refugee Ministry Team
Support Continues for 3 Families
| | |
|
by Amy Caskie
DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS
In my recent update from Mike Collins, Refugee Ministry Team (RMT) member, I learned that the church was recently asked by the refugee organization we work with, CRIS, to refrain from using the names of the individuals we support in online publications and on social media. While we support this effort to maintain their privacy, it might make it a bit harder to provide (and follow) updates about the families RMT supports. However, if you're interested in getting to know these individuals personally while supporting their transition, we encourage you to volunteer with the RMT!
Mike relayed that the team is actively supporting three families, and provided these updates:
The family that arrived October 2022 continues to search for employment with support from RMT members. This can be challenging as they have limited English language skills, unreliable transportation, and don’t have an official high school diploma or GED from the States.
Our team continues to provide weekly coaching sessions in the critical skills like English language and driving for the family that arrived in the states in October 2023.
The newest arrivals (November 2023) have made connections with other families and friends in Central Ohio. One of the family members was recently hired to work at a Delaware area manufacturing company, as have other refugees in recent months. We are grateful for their efforts!
Next month, we hope to update you that these adults have new driver's licenses. We are working to fix up the minivan that was donated last year to one of the families. In the meantime, we are seeking additional automobile donations, and some other large items. Please take a look at the support we need and let us know if you can help!
Donations Needed
· washer & dryer – 1 family
· car(s) – 2 families
· bikes for adults and children
Volunteers
Are you interested in supporting families or joining the RMT? Supporting resettling refugee families is extremely rewarding!
The Refugee Ministry Team is called to support incoming families by
· welcoming them at the airport
· introducing them to the intricacies of life in Central Ohio
· assisting in their learning of the English language
· help them manage their limited budget
· ensuring their children receive quality public education
· supporting their goal to achieve independence in their new home
If you are interested in volunteering or donating the items needed, please contact Shirley Barney.
| | | |
|
“My visit with the [October 2023 family] today focused on continuing Mary’s work in helping [the father] prepare for the learners permit test (pictured here). We went over road signs on paper as well as on the road while I drove him around the neighborhood. [He] is excited to start work tomorrow; his shift is from 3:30 pm to 1:30 am. [Mom] and the kids were in good spirits!” | | | |
The family that arrived in October 2023 recently received a quilt from an First Community member. | |
| |
|
by Beth Hanson
TRADING POST VOLUNTEER TEAM LEAD
Recently one of our shoppers dropped off a hand-written note to Trading Post volunteers which read: “You are all making a difference to us. Your smiles and kindness never go unnoticed. You are appreciated and valued.” Wasn’t that a lovely spontaneous gesture?! It is motivating to know that we are making a positive difference in our everyday lives in addition to making a difference for those struggling at home and abroad. As a reminder, the money raised by the Trading Post is directed to the many missions supported by our church.
The world’s problems seem insurmountable, of course, but we all have to keep making an effort to alleviate suffering and to help others flourish in spite of this fact. One look at the news and it is easy to feel completely impotent. Haiti? Forget about it! What a hot mess. However, did you know that by the simple act of shopping at the Trading Post and/or donating your unwanted goods and clothing, you are helping those in Haiti who are currently in desperate straits as anarchy takes over their country? For many years, our church has helped Healing Arts Missions (HAM) which is an organization started in Granville, Ohio in 1999 to help the people in rural Haiti. HAM has established healthcare services in the southern peninsula, supports a school in the northwest, and operates a clean water and basic healthcare program in a mountainous region outside of Port-au-Prince.
With the recent strife and absolute deterioration of civil society, HAM has had to close their established health care centers and schools. Many healthcare professionals are fleeing the country, and many of the organizations that have provided financial assistance to HAM have withdrawn their support for the time being. However, our church has committed to continue our financial support to them as they work to find new ways to provide health care using a Mobile Medical Team in the southern peninsula (which is further away from the worst violence.) It seems like magic that we can transform your old Christmas decorations, LP’s, and too-small jeans into something so important! HAM’s commitment to continue to be of service in such a dangerous land is awe-inspiring and helping them carry on their important work is a privilege!
So, come on over to the Trading Post for some everyday cheer and bargains in addition to the reassurance that you are helping people who need our help in the worst way. We are open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and the first Saturday of the month from 10 am to 4p m for shoppers and those donating items. Donations can be dropped off on the first floor of the Annex Building at South Campus during our open hours.
| |
|
Monday Night Meals
Friends of the Homeless
| | |
|
Easter Special Offering
in all worship services and online
| |
|
Celebrate Deep Griha 2024
Recap of March 8 Event
| |
by Kitty Rohrer
EVENT CHAIR AND DGUSA BOARD MEMBER
On Friday, March 8, Grace Hall was abuzz with activity as almost 100 people attended the annual Deep Griha Society (DGS) dinner and fund-raiser. The theme of the dinner was “change”, particularly managing the change imposed upon Deep Griha and the world by the recent pandemic.
In a taped interview conducted by Dr. Cathy Slemp, a DGS-USA Board member, Ashlesha Onawale, the DGS founders’ daughter, and Director of DGS, updated the audience about the changes in services and the opportunities provided by the pandemic. Keeping up with the times and changing services and programs to meet the needs identified by the community were stressed as a major reason for the long-standing success of the organization and the great reputation it has in the Pune area.
The interview was followed by an engaging speech by Jason Barger addressing the challenges and processes of change throughout the world and building upon points made by Ms. Onawale, including the need for anticipatory vision and stakeholder involvement. To wrap up this segment, Jason Barger and Cathy Slemp fielded questions from the audience, spontaneously integrating their responses in a truly meaningful way.
The program continued as the emcee, the Reverend Robert Tussing, shared his experiences with Deep Griha and the far-reaching successes affecting the lives of tens of thousands of residents in the slums of Pune over its 49-year history. He encouraged the audience to give generously in order for DGS to continue to empower and uplift Pune’s residents through its focus on medical care, nutrition, education, social programs, and more.
You can support Deep Griha financially by giving online to their stateside partner, Deep Griha USA. For more information about the organization, please email Kitty Rohrer.
| | |
|
Share & Learn Garden
New Volunteers and a Grant Award
| |
|
by Amy Caskie
DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS
We are thrilled to once again have received the Community Garden Grant from the Columbus Foundation for our growing season this year. The award includes $1500 and donation of materials:
- Bags of Brown Mulch: 50
- Bags of Bed Soil: 50
- Bags of Manure: 35
| |
|
|
In a recent update from Kate Paulson, she let me know that there has been renewed interest in volunteering with the garden group:
"Five new volunteers were at the meeting, and a sixth volunteer contacted us via email." There were fourteen attendees total. This is great news! The agenda at the meeting was thorough and many decisions were made:
- Decided what to plant and where
- Mike and John will clean out and haul away the compost this Spring, weather permitting
- Start gardening mid-late April
- Discussed the number of row covers that need rebuilt
- tomatoes/collards/peppers/cabbage plants will be purchased at Demoyens nursery
- Rickerts will pick up donated soil and mulch awarded in the grant (above) on Earth day
Sounds like they're really excited to get started! If you're interested in getting involved with the group, it's never too late. They are a tight-knit and fun group that will welcome you with open arms. No gardening experience is required. Team leaders, Cheryl and Loren Van Deusen, are Master Gardeners and will teach you what you need to know, with the help of their daughter, Kate. Please contact Kate Paulson if you'd like to volunteer.
| |
Summertime meetings will be held at First Community South | |
Heart to Heart food pantry closed on Apr 1 and 8
Tri-Village Trading Post open on Apr 1 and 8
| | |
Did you miss the last issue of On a Mission!? View it, and all past issues, by clicking the link below. | |
| |
|
Did you know Heart to Heart is on social media? Click the buttons below to follow us. We also have a blog! Read the weekly blog posts at h2h.FCchurch.com/blog | |
Did you know Trading Post is on Facebook? Click the button below to follow us. You can also sign up for the email list for occasional announcements, sales, and events. | |
|
News from our Mission Partners | | | | |
