http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412 Become a part of a unique serving adventure going outside the walls of the church and helping to transform an under-resourced community with the compassion and love of Christ. Step across cultural and socio-economic barriers and use your gifts to address poverty and justice issues. For more information, contact Kirsten Strand at kirstenstrand@communitychristian.org http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2899 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2899 On Friday mornings, June 1st - July 20th, from 9:00 - 11:00 am, we will host a leadership circle for a small group of East Aurora moms. We are looking for volunteers to play games, do arts & crafts, and play with their children while we meet. Children welcome! Contact Kirsten Strand for more information at kirstenstrand@communitychristian.org. Wed, 09 May 2012 10:02:06 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2898 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2898 From June 4th - 29th, Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., our partner, First Presbyterian Church, in East Aurora is hosting a Kids Summer Day Camp. Lots of volunteer opportunities to help with BIBLE LESSONS, ARTS & CRAFTS, RECREATION, READING, SWIMMING, FIELD TRIPS and MORE. For more information, contact Brenda Bustamante at 630-844-0050 or bbustamante@firstpresaurora.org A limited number of paid counselor positions are also available for high school and college students age 18 and over. contact Brenda Bustamante at 630-844-0050 or bbustamante@firstpresaurora.org Wed, 09 May 2012 09:50:49 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2897 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2897 We will host a Vacation Bible School at the East Aurora Campus from 6:00 - 8:15 pm on Monday, July 16th - Friday, July 20th for elementary age children. Volunteers needed to help with crafts and activities, snacks, leading small groups, etc. A great opportunity do with your kids! For more information or to volunteer, contact Josie Schopen at josieschopen@communitychristian.org. Wed, 09 May 2012 09:48:26 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/locations/shorewood/p/2791 http://communitychristian.org/locations/shorewood/p/2791 The first people started lining up for Easter baskets before 8 am, five hours before we were scheduled to hand them out! I could not help but wonder what they thought they were getting that they would wait so long for an Easter basket. I got my answer a little later when a woman walking in from the parking lot was crying. One of our volunteers stopped her to ask if she was all right, and here is what this mother said, "I'm going to school full time and working part time to support my family, and I knew we didn't have the money for my child for Easter. We have to eat. I prayed for God to help make Easter special for my daughter. And then I got the flier sent home from the school to come here today. YOU are the answer to my prayers. God bless you." I cannot thank all those who volunteered enough. Almost 40 volunteers came, helped, played and enjoyed spending time with people from the community surrounding Marshall and Singleton. You would have thought it was 350+ close friends spending time together and sharing life. The few baskets we had left over went to Daybreak Homeless Shelter and Prairie House (a home for women and their children). When it was all over, the number of baskets and the need were exactly 350! God provides.... Mon, 09 Apr 2012 07:27:11 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/locations/shorewood/p/2767 http://communitychristian.org/locations/shorewood/p/2767 The Food Drive and distribution was a huge success. We were able to double the amount of meat we handed out and the people who came all left with big smiles on their faces. One man came in a little slumped over with a somewhat defeated look on his face. He was greeted with a smile and given someone to help him shop (it's hard to carry all the groceries and sort through food at the same time). By the end, he walked over to where he came in with his head held high and said in a loud voice, "I want to thank all you ladies and gentlemen for all this food." When he was told he wasn't done and still needed to pick up his meat, milk, eggs and bread, the surprised look turned into a big grin. He walked out, or should I say almost strutted out, saying in a loud voice, "ALL RIGHT! ALL RIGHT!"I want to thank all the people who helped with the Food Drive and the distribution of food.  The people we served clearly felt honored and I can't think of a better way of honoring Him than by honoring His people. Thu, 05 Apr 2012 06:07:07 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2763 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2763 As president of the National Honor Society at Naperville North High School, Emily Murphy (a leader with Community 4:12 and StuCo at the YB), had to consider different serving opportunities for the students to do. She knew she wanted to do something that would go beyond the traditional food drive. She wanted her peers to have to step out of their comfort zones, learn about another community, and interact in a relational way with people different from themselves . . . all things she herself had experienced when volunteering with Community 4:12. With the support and partnership of Brady Elementary School, Emily will lead 100+ students in sponsoring a Family Fun Day at Brady on April 21st. The students will provide a wide variety of activities and games, and they are asking Brady families to bring a dish to share as part of the big community potluck that will be part of the event. The students are fundraising and soliciting donations in order to cover the cost of the event, but they can use our help with one of the activities: cookie decorating, which is always a huge hit with the kids! If you would be willing to bake and donate unfrosted sugar cookies or tubs of frosting or sprinkles, please contact Emily Murphy at emimurph@gmail.com and let her know what and how much you can provide. All donations need to be delivered to the Naperville YB the week of April 16th by noon on Friday, April 20th. Wed, 04 Apr 2012 06:37:00 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2625 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2625 Homeownership is one of the biggest "hand-ups" you can give to help lift a family out of the cycle of poverty. Community 4:12 partners with Emmanuel House to help families in East Aurora purchase their own home. Just this week, our first family is moving into an Emmanuel House apartment!With the help of church and individual sponsors, Emmanuel House purchases multi-unit homes in East Aurora and then provides an opportunity for families to rent an apartment for 12 - 24 months. The majority of the rent they pay during that time is re-invested for them so that at the end of their lease, they have enough money saved for a down-payment on their own home. This past year, thanks to the generosity of people at Community Christian Church, Emmanuel House purchased 4 apartments in East Aurora that will be used to help families break the cycle of poverty. And this week, Uni Muniz and her son, Issac, will be the first family to move into Emmanuel House. When Uni was 26, her husband, Carlos Muniz, was killed by a drunken driver, and she was left to raise her three children - then ages 9, 5 and 3 - by herself. Her oldest, Isaac, suffers from Williams Syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that brings with it learning disabilities and cardiovascular problems. Now that her kids are all adults, she's dedicated herself to becoming a mentor for as many kids as she can reach in East Aurora. In addition to opening her own massage therapy business, Uni works and volunteers at the Jesse Torres Boxing Club. Of her work there with at-risk youth, she says, "We're building their spirits and allowing them to succeed. Man, it works. We're connecting with gang members who come in there."Uni also attends CCC's East Aurora Campus, and is exactly the type of hard-working, community minded person Emmanuel House is designed to help. Uni recently shared, "Being widowed, I jumped at the opportunity. There's something about owning that just makes you feel a little bit better about yourself."Through our partnership with Emmanuel House, over the next few months we will finish rehabbing the other apartments and welcome three other families into the program. This next year we will also help acquire additional properties that can similarly be used to help more and more families become homeowners, because we know that:Homeownership Builds Successful Children: Compared to children of renters of the SAME age, income & race, children of homeowners are: 25% more likely to graduate high school; 116% more likely to graduate college; And have higher math & reading scores. Homeownership Builds Wealth for Low Income Families: Homeowners are 12 times wealthier than renters of SAME income, age & race; and accumulate an avg. of $44,000 in home equity in first 10 years of homeownership. Homeownership Builds Stronger Communities: Homeowners are 28% more likely to repair or improve their homes; 15% more likely Vote; and Homeowners will live in the same community 4 times longer than renters--providing both community & family stability.Thank you for supporting Community 4:12 and partnering with us to help families break the cycle of poverty! Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:49:02 -0800 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2601 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2601 On Saturday, March 10th at East Aurora High School, Family Bridges is hosting a large Family Conference.  Volunteers are needed from 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm to escort a small group of 10 youth through the various conference activities, encouraging them and being a mentor for the day.  Dinner is provided and there will be dynamic speakers and workshops.  For more information or to sign-up to volunteer, contact Sarah at sarah@familybridgeschicago.org or 708-738-2391. Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:15:12 -0800 http://communitychristian.org/locations/naperville-yb/p/2597 http://communitychristian.org/locations/naperville-yb/p/2597 Kids' City @ The Yellow Box is excited to announce that we are on a March Mission to help fill the shelves of the Brady Elementary School Library with new books!  Currently, the Brady Bobcats Library book wish list has over 600 titles to choose from and Kids' City @ The Yellow Box is on a mission to fill that wish list!During the month of March stop by the Kids' City Welcome Center and choose a title (or two!) from our Giving Tree.  Then, as a family head out to purchase new copies of the titles your family chose!  We encourage you to purchase books at Anderson's Book Shops in downtown Naperville.  Let the cashier know you are making a purchase for the Brady Elementary School Library and you will receive the "educators discount" on your purchase!Collection boxes for the new books will be located at the Kids' City Welcome Center.  Questions? Contact daniseaton@communitychristian.org at 630.854.4729 Thu, 01 Mar 2012 07:44:44 -0800 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2593 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2593 Volunteer with World Relief Aurora to help refugees and immigrants in Aurora improve their English.  There are two opportunities to help . . . as an In-home English Tutor or as an ESL Classroom Aide.The World Relief Aurora Education Department will provide training for both positions.Training will be offered on consecutive Saturdays in March (both trainings are required):  March 10th from 9:00am-3:00pm andMarch 17th from 9:00am-3:00pmRegistration for the trainings is required and seating is limited. The deadline to register is Monday, March 5th.To register for the trainings or for more information, please contact:Heather Davis, ESL Volunteer Coordinator, hdavis@wr.org. Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:53:46 -0800 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2564 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2564 Join us Friday, March 16th at 7:00 at CCC's East Aurora Campus for Family Movie Night. We will kick the night off with a free karate demonstration and then enjoy popcorn and a showing of Kung Fu Panda-2. For more information contact Debbie at debfogelsong@gmail.com. Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:43:13 -0800 http://communitychristian.org/locations/shorewood/p/2543 http://communitychristian.org/locations/shorewood/p/2543 She was physically unable to leave the house to get food and no money to buy it anyway. When we pulled up to her door with six large bags of groceries, she burst into tears. Between sobs she said, "I didn't know what I was going to do. I didn't know how I was going to feed my kids tonight." She hadn't even thought about the rest of the week during Easter break and was overwhelmed when we came back with enough groceries for 7 days of meals.This happened last year during our food drive for Spring Break. Many of the families on Joliet's East Side rely on the school for breakfast and lunch (and for some, that is all they get). For some reason these families plan on their food needs during Christmas and summer breaks but have their greatest need during Easter. Our food drive is starting early this year and the goal is to make sure 100 of the families in greatest need do not go hungry during Easter break.  We are collecting food from now until March 25th.We need non-perishable foods that can be used for a breakfast, lunch or dinner meal (No Desserts). Think of food you would feel good feeding your own family. Please make sure food is not outdated. Cash donations will be used for perishable items we can't get until just before the event (milk, meat, eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables).  Here are some particular items we look for:Soup  -  Bag of Rice  -  Mac & Cheese  -  Dried Beans  -  Peanut Butter  -  Canned TomatoesMeseca Flour (in ethnic section)  -  Cereal  -  Pasta  -  Canned Vegetables  -  Canned Fruit Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:13:51 -0800 http://communitychristian.org/locations/shorewood/p/2540 http://communitychristian.org/locations/shorewood/p/2540 Christ has risen... and we have made it a tradition to celebrate this holiday with candy and Easter baskets for our children. Many of our children on Joliet's East Side are lucky to get a small candy bar or an egg colored with crayons.  I want to make sure that this time of joy for the risen King is also a joy for all children. No one should have to choose between supper and an Easter basket.  Last year we targeted 300 children who would not have an Easter basket. This year our child population at the schools we serve has increased by 200 and our goal is 350 Easter baskets. But this cannot happen without your help! We will be put together the baskets on Good Friday and target 350 of the neediest kids to receive them. You can help by filling the baskets with all those great things that kids love (or money if you would rather the shopping be done for you). Bring them in between now and April 1st.  Here are the items we need:Basket Wrap Bags (Large)  -  Kites  -  Bubbles  -  Sidewalk Chalk  -  Crayons/MarkersColoring/Activity Books  -  Wrapped Candy (no nuts)  -  Stuffed Animals (Med/Large)Chocolate Bunnies  -  Pens/Pencils  -  Med. Toy (Playdoh, Silly Putty, Jump Rope, Hot Wheels)Cash Donations Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:13:31 -0800 http://communitychristian.org/locations/shorewood/p/2542 http://communitychristian.org/locations/shorewood/p/2542 "I never had a birthday cake before!" said the the boy in the picture.  Do you remember your child's first birthday... or the last birthday party your child had? Can you believe there are children who have never celebrated their birthday with a party or a birthday cake? This is one of those little things we do for children on Joliet's East Side. It is so simple but does so much to raise self esteem and hope for the future to children who don't know how wonderfully God made them. We still need 300 Birthday in a Bag "kits" to finish the year so that every child at Isaac Singleton Elementary School is assured to have a birthday, complete with a birthday cake. All it takes is one cake mix, one can of frosting and a small box of candles put in a small bag or shoe box. Then if you want, add a card (hand made are great) or sprinkles or a small toy or... So bring in several and imagine the fun this will bring on their special day. Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:13:07 -0800 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2539 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2539 Saturday, Feb. 25th, 11:00 am - 1:30 pm, East Aurora Campus. Make and take home a beautiful piece of art made from fabric! Art can be framed, turned into a drink coaster or iron it on a shirt or canvas bag.Class will be Spanish and English friendly. Snacks will be provided. You are welcome to bring a dish to share if you would like. Find us on Facebook or email Angela at a.malloy@hotmail.com to reserve your spot. Please SIGN UP so we have enough supplies. $5 due at class. Kids welcome with an adult. All supplies provided. Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:29:25 -0800