|
|
We are serving our community with love by providing basic needs and family services through a continuum of care. |
|
A Coalition of Care for Mothers & Babies |
This is an exciting announcement indeed! Associated Churches is partnering with Mission: Motherhood to offer wrap-around care for mothers and babies from the beginning of pregnancy and throughout parenthood. With the additional partnering programs, Just Between Mothers and A Baby's Closet, Associated Churches is creating a coalition of care.
Jennifer Norris-Hale (right), Director of Mission: Motherhood, says, "When I started Mission: Motherhood, I knew that in order to be truly impactful, it would take a village. we would need a partner that was already established offering additional practical services to the mothers we will be serving. Mission: Motherhood joining forces with Associated Churches is filling a gap in our community for our mothers and families that will remove barriers to care, provide access to practical and emotional support, and ultimately, raise our mothers."
Mission: Motherhood was created by Jennifer for mothers of all backgrounds experiencing maternal mental health conditions. Mission: Motherhood offers mothers specialized networks and programming that supports their mental health.
Regardless of race, ethnicity, or cultural background women share many common experiences, concerns, and needs. These commonalities bind us together and make us great mentors to each other. Just Between Mothers offers emotional and practical support, education, and companionship to moms through their ongoing journey. This program introduces one-on-one mentoring to instill confidence, build community, and grow hope.
A Baby’s Closet helps those experiencing hardships by providing essential baby items to safely and adequately care for children. Parents receive these incentive items by taking educational classes for nutrition, parenting, and childbirth. They also receive them for keeping their children’s immunizations up-to-date and going to prenatal and well child visits.
Associated Churches is creating a unique coalition of care designed to provide complete wrap-around services to address all the interrelated underlying causes of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality to help improve health outcomes for mothers and infants in our community.
|
|
Joanne Simon Is Our Volunteer Spotlight |
A year and a half ago, I decided to volunteer at A Baby’s Closet. After experiencing a crisis that led to raising my children on my own, I wanted to be involved in an organization that supported the family. ABC is a reward-based program. I love it!! Moms receive prenatal care, children get well-child checkups, parents receive nutrition education (which benefits the entire family), moms are encouraged at the breastfeeding support group and the family is rewarded at ABC!
Many of our moms are known on a first name basis. They come into our shop, show off their beautiful babies, share their stories, and express genuine gratitude for the items they’ve chosen. Some families that walk through the doors of ABC are in a crisis. They share their heartbreaking stories. Others just need our support. Regardless of their needs when they walk through the doors, families are greeted by someone who cares.
So, why am I so passionate about this program? I suppose it's because at ABC every child, every family, is given the opportunity to receive the support they need toward a better future.
|
|
|
|
ASSOCIATED CHURCHES NEWS & EVENTS |
|
|
SDI LaFarga presents checks to Associated Churches. |
|
SDI LaFarga has a FUN Food Drive |
SDI LaFarga (New Haven) had a FUN food drive competition again this year and the winning team was "Super Cool Dudes Plus Ben"! Every year teams compete for a good cause, feeding local families. All together SDI raised $18,950 and collected over 31,300 lbs of food. Wow! Thank you for providing food and hope to Allen County families. |
|
|
Emannuel Lutheran Church Garden |
|
Abel's Offering Community Gardening Map |
Spring has Sprung and it's time to think about gardening! Joining a community garden is a great opportunity to safely socialize, grow food for those in need, and it benefits your mental and physical health. Join a community garden today. Click the button below to find a list of gardens that you can grow food and build community. |
|
|
|
|
Associated Churches is a Vaccine Registration Site |
If you need assistance signing up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit Associated Churches Tues., April 13th from 9am to 3pm at 602 E. Wayne St., Fort Wayne, IN. Associated Churches will be helping individuals register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Interpreters will be on site to help with communication. |
Link provided by Fort Wayne Mad Ants |
|
|
 |
Father's Day 5K
Saturday, June 19th, 2021
|
Bring the entire family to Associated Churches' Father's Day 5K for a fun day of fellowship. The 5K will include a FREE kid’s fun run. Gather your church together to create teams at discounted pricing and compete for a traveling trophy. Walk, run, or ruck around Lakeside Park’s beautiful rose garden and shaded park. Proceeds will benefit Associated Churches’ programs, Military Families and A Baby’s Closet. |
|
|
|
Race For The Warrior
Saturday, July 24th, 2021
|
Associated Churches supports and sponsors Race For The Warrior. Why, you ask? Our program, Military Families, has a special partnership, with the 122nd Fighter Wing, 293rd Infantry Regiment, and Northeast Indiana Base Community Council to serve and assist military members. This race will be fun and special because it takes flight on the Fort Wayne International Airport. |
|
|
|
|
|
Hunger hurts economic growth. Hungry workers are less productive. Poorly nourished children do not reach their potential to be self-sufficient adults. Food insecurity stunts bodies and human potential that might otherwise help drive economic growth.
Join Bread for the World of Indiana on April 20, 2021, at 4:30pm as they host a free one-hour conversation on how and why governments should invest in accessible, equitable, and nutritious food systems. RSVP required.
Speakers Include: Sen. Mike Braun Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Dr. Heather Eicher-Miller Purdue University Department of Nutrition Science
Eric Halvorson Kroger Corporation, Michelle Hummel Organizational Effectiveness Consultant, former WIC staff
|
|
|
Detective Arthur Billingsley (left) found Michelle Corrao (right) trapped in the trunk of her own car on Sept. 12, 1996. |
|
A Story of Strength and Survival |
Michelle Corrao, Fort Wayne native and author of Found, knows what it's like to put her faith in God when all other hope is nearly lost. She will be telling her unforgettable story of being raped, beaten and left for dead at Grace Gathering East, 3157 Minnich Rd, New Haven, IN, on Monday, May 17th at 7pm. The event is FREE and open to the public. |
|
|
Submit your church or community event to ac@associatedchurches.org. Please include a picture, flyer, and/or web link with information about your event. Submit your information at least 2 weeks prior to the event. Not all events are guaranteed to be added into the Associated Churches' newsletter, The e-Pistle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
