Programs and Serving Opportunities Fall 2012/Spring 2013

East Aurora Naperville

Kirsten Strand Community 4:12 Director Email: C412@communitychristian.org Phone (630) 388-5140 Blog: www.community412.org

At COMMUNITY, we are not just about coming to church; we are passionate about being the Church. God calls us to be the hands and feet of Jesus and agents of compassion, justice, and love. As a community of Christ-followers, we are compelled to take action, striving to REACH people who are far from God, RESTORE Gods dream for the world, and REPRODUCE this mission in others. Community 4:12 is the compassion and justice ministry of Community Christian Church that brings people together to restore under-resourced communities. This is a long term commitment that focuses on relationships, empowerment and hope. The name is derived from Ecclesiastes 4:12 which states,

Community 4:12 Website: www.community412.com Community 4:12, East Aurora Campus 76 S. LaSalle St., 3rd Floor, Aurora, IL 60505

2012 Community 4:12 Event Dates

CROP Walk - Sunday, October 14 Emmanuel House Auction - Friday, November 16 Christmas Giftmart - Saturday, December 15

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Do you believe that when people join together, lives and communities can be restored? If so, then take a look at the opportunities listed here. Whatever your gifts, talents and passions, there is a place for you with Community 4:12.

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Levels of Response to Poverty

At Community 4:12, we believe that there are dierent ways to respond to poverty issues and that it is important to move from a Charitable Response (Level 1) to Individual Development (Level 2) and, nally, to Community Development (Level 3). As you consider opportunities in this brochure, please note the level of response that is indicated for each opportunity.

Level 1: Charity
most common form of response meet basic needs through hand-outs can be done from a distance immediate results short-lived no significant long-term impact examples: food and clothing drives; serving at soup kitchens; home makeovers; providing free Christmas gifts; disaster relief; global feeding ministries

Level 2: Individual Development

less common form of response equip people in need to meet their own needs by providing a hand-up requires building a relationship

Level 3: Community Development

very uncommon form of response community and economic development plus advocacy requires addressing societal systems/structures and injustices results take longer to achieve; longer incremental results that effect significant longlasting; impact limited to individuals term change for an entire community examples: tutoring; job, parenting, and life examples: micro-finance loans for start-up skill training; operating food co-ops; businesses; advocacy for equality in schools clothing resale shop, child sponsorship; (Millennium Development Goals abroad & equipping a community with clean school finance reform at home); creating livingdrinking water or health care. wage jobs; home ownership and higher education initiatives

What

will be the instrument of the church in effecting change? Not simply charity but also justice. Charity is episodic, justice is ongoing. One brings consolation, the other correction. One aims at symptoms, the other at causes. One changes individuals, the other [changes the world]. Harvie Conn, Westminster Theological Seminary

CHRISTMAS GIFTMART:
Saturday, December 15, 2012 This year, Community 4:12 will host its 10th annual East Aurora Giftmart. The Giftmart provides the gift of dignity to families in East Aurora by collecting thousands of toys and selling them at a cost of $2 each to families who might not otherwise be able to purchase gifts for their children. The proceeds of those sales are donated to the schools in the community,
Funding education one toy at a time.

East Aurora
East Aurora is a just a short drive from the Yellow Box, but a world away in terms of nancial resources and opportunity. We believe that these are injustices that are unacceptable to God and, therefore, to us. No one should have to choose between rent and food. All children should be able to receive a quality education. Neighborhoods should be safe. Every person should know that they are loved and valued by God. And this is why we invest ourselves in the people of East Aurora. We invest in their childrens education and selfesteem through programs that focus on academics and extracurricular activities. We give families a hand up by helping them move into home ownership, maintain their homes, and have a working automobile so they can get to work. We provide food for families in crisis, and help them bring joy to their own children at Christmas. We seek to restore and transform East Aurora, but in so doing, we nd that we are also transformed. As we build relationships that bridge cultural and economic dierences, our lives are enriched and we experience what it really means to restore Gods Community.

You can help make this our best Giftmart yet by giving your gift of: Time: Join the planning teams who work year round to make this happen by e-mailing info@communitygiftmart.org. Serve on the day of the event or help with set up the friday before. Sign ups begin on our website in mid October. Toys: Every toy you give represents hope, the future, and the chance to help restore a community. Bring toys with a value of $6 $20 to a Communtiy Christian Church location the 1st two weekends in December or to the Yellow Box from Dec. 1 - Dec. 12. You may also donate money and we will shop for the toys. Donate online at www.communitygiftmart.org. Relationships: We will only be able to reach our goal of lling two trailers with toys for the Giftmart if you give your friends, neighbors and co-workers the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing through this event. Businesses, clubs, schools, and other toy drive partners are essential. To set up a toy drive, use the contact below. Response Level 1 Website: www.communitygiftmart.org Contact: info@communitygiftmart.org or (331) 444-2268 Facebook Group: Community Giftmart East Aurora - Brady/Bardwell

PARENT MENTOR PROGRAM:

A program that empowers parents from the community by paying them a stipend to work in their childrens elementary schools as teachers assistants. This serves to provide parents with a source of income, increase parent involvement in the schools, and enhance the quality of education for the students. Financial support is welcome. Response Level 3 Contact: Kirsten Strand C412@communitychristian.org or (630) 388-5140

KIDS HOPE MENTORS & PRAYER PARTNERS:

Work 1-1 with an at risk East Aurora elementary school student to provide a positive relationship, or partner with a mentor to pray for the child and their mentor. Response Level 2 Contact: Carolynn Fulford makespex@sbcglobal.net or (630) 417-2063

BRADY BUDDIES:
Help in a Brady Elementary school classroom for one hour (or more) per week. You choose the day, time and grade level. Response Level 2 Contact: Kirsten Strand C412@communitychristian.org or (630) 388-5140

KID CITY ENCOURAGERS:

Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm Looking for positive adults or high school students to encourage and invest in young people participating in our East Aurora campus Kids City program for elementary students. Response Level 2 Contact: Josie Schopen josieschopen@communitychristian.org or (630) 689-6581

SATURDAY STARS TUTORS:

Saturdays, 10:00 - Noon Help 3rd - 4th grade students who are working below grade level in reading and/or math to become better students. Held at Brady Elementary School. Response Level 2 Contact: Tina Sisko trsisbzy@wowway.com or (630) 548-0917

STUCO ENCOURAGERS:
Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm Looking for positive adults to encourage and invest in young people participating in our East Aurora campus StuCo program for junior/senior high school students. Response Level 2 Contact: Obe Arrelano obearrelano@communitychristian.org or (630) 276-9035

TRIPLE THREAT YOUTH MENTORING:

Volunteer with this Community 4:12 partner organization that sponsors events and programs to empower urban youth through academics, athletics and the arts. Level 2 Website: www.triplethreat.org Contact: info@triplethreat.org or (630) 570-9956

EAST AURORA RESTORE TEAM:

This team is comprised of families and individuals living in East Aurora and making a long-term commitment to community restoration in the areas of education, housing and business development. We would love to talk with anyone who might feel Gods prompting to live, learn and serve on this core incarnational team. Response Level 3 Contact: Kirsten Strand at 630-388-5140 or C412@communitychristian.org

EMMANUEL HOUSE PROJECT:

Help work ing- class families who rent apartments in these not for prot buildings in East Aurora. Sponsors (individuals, groups, churches) provide nancial support so the tenants rent can be saved for them to use as a down payment for a home or put towards education costs. Increased homeownership improves school performance and graduation rates and lowers crime rates. Opportunities include nancial sponsorship, mentoring, and building maintenance. For more information, go to: www.emmanuelhouse.org Response Level 3 Contact: Hayley Meksi hmeksi@gmail.com or (630) 544-4251

ADMINISTER JUSTICE LEGAL CLINICS:

Community 4:12 is partnering with Administer Justice to oer free monthly legal clinics. Administer Justice (www.administerjustice.org ) is a non-prot professional law oce providing compassionate legal services to low-income individuals based on Biblical principals. Volunteers needed to provide hospitality, greeting, prayer and administrative support. Clinics are held the 1st Saturday of every month from 9:00 - noon at our East Aurora Campus. Response Level 2 Contact: Kirsten Strand at 630-388-5140 C412@communitychristian.org

EMMANUEL HOUSE AUCTION:

Friday, November 16, 7:00-9:15 pm Do your Christmas shopping and support a great cause at the same time at the 6th annual Emmanuel House Silent Auction held at Community Christian Churchs Naperville Yellow Box campus. All proceeds support Bryan and Emmanuel Houses mission of Breaking the Cycle of Working Class Poverty through Homeownership. Merchandise donations are greatly appreciated. Volunteers are needed to help organize items, set up the event and assist at the auction. Response Level 1 Contact: Sandy Wunderlich srwunder@aol.com or (630) 476-9128

WAYSIDE CROSS MALE MENTORS:

Work 1-1 for an hour per week with a resident in the Masters Touch mens rehabilitation program at Wayside Cross in East Aurora. Mentors serve as a friend and positive role model for troubled men whose lives are out of control as a result of drugs, alcohol or some other destructive behavior pattern. Response Level 2 Contact: John Downen john.downen@dorner.com or (630) 258-3352

PROJECT SHARE FOOD COLLECTION: JUSTICE BOOK STUDY:

Starts Wednesday Sept. 19, 7-8:30 pm Join us for an 8 week study of The Economy of Love by Shane Claiborne. Through this book/ video study, we will examine the patterns of Gods kingdom compared to the patterns of our modern culture. What is the value of enough, and how do we become more like the God who is close to the poor, the hungry, the meek, and the merciful? Contact Kirsten to sign up and to learn about future studies. Contact: Kirsten Strand at (630) 388-5140 or C412@communitychristian.org 1st Weekend of Every Month Donate non-perishable food, toiletries and baby care items at Community Christian Churchs Yellow Box on the rst full weekend of every month. Items help stock the shelves of the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry at Hesed House to help people in need. Response Level 1 Contact: Vicky Cortesi tesivic5@wowway.com or (630) 961-5197

HANDS OF HOPE:
Provide practical help to people facing short or long term trials such as divorce, loneliness, grief, illness, surgery, single parenting, and more. Volunteer opportunities include: Telephone care/support Hospital & home visitation Home repairs (Hammerheads) Meals Prayer blankets/shawls Intercessory prayer Response Level 1 and 2 handsofhope@communitychristian.org or (630) 388-5190

NAPERVILLE AREA CROP WALK:

Sunday afternoon, October 14, 2012 Join other Community Christian Church attenders as we walk to help hungry families in our community and around the world. The 30th annual CROP Walk (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) leaves from Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville. Participants from over 20 groups and congregations choose a 5K or 1K walk. Check in begins at 12:30 followed by a short kick-o program at 1:00. Go to www.napervillecropwalk.org to register using the username: CCCWalkers and the password hpftwbtg. Response Level 1 Contact: Deb Hunter debjohunt@aol.com or (630) 585-0495

CARS OF HOPE:
Help provide low cost auto repairs and car donations to individuals and families facing nancial challenges. Volunteer opportunities include auto repair and maintenance, administration, customer ser vice and fundraising. Response Level 1 Website: www.CarsOfHope.org Contact: Romas Povilonis info@CarsofHope.org or (224) 216-CARS