"I see gifted people"

I wish you could have been a fly on the wall today! I love having Dorothy with me for 6 hours a week. Her amazing organizational skills and her ability to think strategically is becoming invaluable to me and our time together is a highlight of my week.

We have at saying at LifeLine that: "Everyone has a need.Everyone has a gift. That is why we build and celebrate community." 

When I am with Dorothy I see that clearly.

Today we dreamed and planned about a process that was a BIG elephant for me. So as I was telling her about it and sharing my dream with her.... she started writing notes, asking questions and before I knew it my dream was becoming a strategic plan! WOW!!!

I had tears in my eyes when we were done because what just seemed like a dream now had steps and processes attached to it and made it much more possible. 

She is just one of the examples of the giftedness of people I get to be surrounded by.  

I do see gifted people everywhere!!! 

Work boots - hand-out or hand-up?

Our PACT meeting yesterday took an interesting turn! 

Every month we host* the PACT (Parole/Probation and Community Team) meeting. 40+ parolees/probationers and 20+ providers, churches, non profits and individuals have breakfast together.
For the Ex-offenders this is a mandatory meeting. For the rest it is voluntary. They came to 'welcome home' the men and women and offer their services for successful reentry.

We opened the Bus Boutique and several people took the clothing they needed. A young man was looking for a pair of work boots because he had an opportunity to work.

One of the community members overheard the conversation and said: "let's go and get you some boots" and 3 of them went to the store to buy a pair of boots so this young man can go to work.

I was trying to sort through it. If you know me you know that I will seldom do hand-outs and yet, it felt right at that moment. We can't say we want to help and not support him to take the opportunity of a job.

A pair of boots can make all the difference for this young man and it feels like we did what Jesus commanded us when He talked about giving a cup of cold water, clothing the naked and feeding the hungry.
But there has to be a balance because the Bible also talks about people needing to work for their pay.

We believe that "Everyone no matter how rich has a need. Everyone no matter how poor has a gift and that is why we build and celebrate community." so men, if you have boots you don't wear, pants that don't fit, and shirts that are out of fashion... bring them to the Bus Boutique because that might be the only thing that stands in the way of an ex-offender making it.

And for the young man... I look forward to seeing him again and asking him to give back to the community (he might clean some gutters, paint a wall, or give a shirt to someone in need). I hope that this encounter will bless him and he will see that there is hope that there are people who care, that there is a God who is big enough for these divine appointments.


* Gateway Community Church has been providing breakfast for these meetings for over 2 years now! Special thanks to them, Elden, Fred, Jim and the other volunteers.

The big nail on my desk keeps reminding me...

Every year before Easter I pull of out a big nail from my cabinet as a reminder that justice is not free.


In my work with people, from small to big, I encounter the issues of justice. The little ones when they experience the consequences of their actions... "it's not fair.." the men and women that want to be treated fairly but only by their standards; the grown-ups who often don't want moral responsibility until it affects them personally.  


In my own personal life I think 'it's not fair'. I often complain when my personal standards are violated. Just yesterday I could have spit fire for o so small an issue that was just not 'right'.


We all have a moral compass, a right and wrong. God made us that way, and no matter which culture you encounter all have rules and guidelines for life. Society cannot function without them. Some things are just wrong and need to be punished! 


God has guidelines as well. Rules that need to be followed and when they are not obeyed, there too needs to be a punishment. 


And while God demands justice, He also knows that the punishment for us breaking His moral law would be impossible to bear. So He made a different way! 


That is why I have the nail on desk, as we reminder that the price for my disobedience (sin) was paid and that it was not cheap. As a reminder that I don't have to live under the guilt of my disobedience and that I don't have to worry about the punishment. 


With this comes freedom. Like a prisoner being pardoned, like a mistake forgiven, like a soul set free. 


This Easter, I want to soar in the knowledge that God has made a way so that God's demand for justice has been satisfied! 


Thank you Jesus! 

I experienced injustice yesterday!

I got the run-around yesterday when I was trying to help someone with their rent. I was going to write a check directly to the company (but they don't accept checks or cash, or Visa or ATM) Only Cashier's Checks are accepted. So we went to purchase a Cashier's Check only to find out that places don't allow you to use your Credit Card, ATM or checks. 

711 store offered that I get the cash out at their ATM and then purchase a Cashier's Check. In the end I was thankful that my bank was able to write a Cashier's Check without extra cost. 

 

I realize that this is really one more injustice for people in poverty. Because of trust issues the management does not accept any other form of payment, making renters have to carry cash (and/or pay extra for getting it out of an ATM) and then have to get a Cashier's Check which also costs money. For me the whole event took about 1 hour.. and I had a car. 

 

Personally at home, we just pay via electronic check and it takes less than one minute, no travel, no extra cost, no hassle. 

 

It reminded me again how difficult life in poverty can be and how many extra steps have to taken. It saddened my heart and got me angry at the same time. 

 

Micah 6:8 states that we are called to 'act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God'. I wonder how acting justly works when it comes to paying rent..... just a thought.  

One life to live! 

That is all we got! One life that tells us more about what we believe about eternity than any sermon ever spoken. One life that will determine how I will stand before God. Will I see Him and tremble in fear because I wasted it? Or will I look into His eyes as He smiles "well done good and faithful servant"? 

I received a book this Christmas "1000 Gifts" that is making me look at my life a little different. I am starting to see that my life is not a 50 year sprint but a long slow marathon. A run that will take all my energy, all that I have, but in the process I will see things I would never see if I am running a sprint. 

In a sprint you've got to keep your eyes on the goal... it is such a short distance, that every step counts, every breath makes a difference. But in a marathon, you have to pace yourself, you have time to look around, see things, enjoy the beauty of life, see your friends cheering you on, see the wild flower along the path. You can enjoy the breaks without feeling guilty, knowing that you can only sustain it if you have the right focus.

I know the picture is not perfect, but I realize that I want to live my life deeper. Want to see God's amazing grace in the small things, enjoy the beauty, the unexpected,  the small wins. 

In a world where I am constantly asked how I or LifeLine CDC has made a difference, how many people show up, how much money was raised, how many places I have spoken to, I want to start looking at the small wonders of life, the connections that are being built, the smile on a child when they receive a small token that means so much to them. 

Because it is not always the big things that make a difference, it is the small things, the child that was loved enough to have a better self-esteem, the person who learned a small new skill and is now sharing it with others, the older person how was heard when she shared her life story. 

The next time you see me, ask me about the small gifts in life, the small successes, the small blessings. 

Take a moment to watch this beautiful video and enjoy the journey! 

I watched a U-tube video of a young lady thanking and praising God for answered prayer! I was excited about a teenager being so expressive in worship until I listened more closely and my heart broke and I was deeply saddened by it. She and a number of young people were praying for God to reveal Himself to the many atheists in this world .... and within 24 hours the Tsunami in Japan happened and over 18,000 people were killed, hundreds of thousands homeless and nuclear waste devastating nature. 

She was so pleased with God's answer! Asking for more of it to happen.

She does not know the God of love and mercy, does not know the God of grace, does not know the God of justice. Will God really create a disaster like that to get His children's attention? Will HE forsake all those people created in His image? Not the God of the New Testament. Not the God who provided justice through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. One sacrifice for all! 

 

As I was thinking about this I thought of all the opportunities to let people hear about the 'real' God. The God who waits for the lost son to return, who looks for the lost sheep, searches for the coin. The God who moved into the neighborhood to show His love and mercy and express His love.

I love the heart of our volunteers who are not shy of living out the Good News of Jesus Christ and to give answer to their reason to their hope.

 

May God be glorified with every person being touched, every child being loved, every neighborhood transformed! 

One life to live? NOT true!

We often say that we only have one life to live... but I wonder if that is really accurate. Yes, I am responsible for the one life I live, responsible for my choices, my thinking, my action.
But I am also responsible for my reactions to other people's lives, my response when I hear their stories. Because my response in turn will change their response to life.

Taking time to hear people's stories is so important. Unless we know where people have come from we only see the today. When we see their hearts, hear their stories, and interact with it, we get to celebrate (or condemn) their heritage.... we are part of their life story in the way we react to it.

Last night I heard stories of people, personal stories, stories of transformation, stories of pain, stories of excitement. Last night I had to make the decision of being open with my life or only tell what people want to hear, feel comfortable with, or can accept. Last night every person in the room had to make that decision and it created a beautiful tapestry of life, interwoven and held together by the grace of God in everyone of our stories.

I get to live a little of your life, get to hear your story and become part of your future. I get to live part of you life through my reaction to your story! And you get to be part of my story too!

So, come on by, lets sit down, I would love to hear your story!

A week in the life of LifeLine CDC and it's partners

This has been one of those amazing weeks that I don't want to see come to an end (although I probably won't have energy to have it go on much longer :).


There are two parts to LifeLine CDC:
1. Coach and equip others in Asset Based Community Development
2. Practice and model the work.


Sunday: In Atwater with a church that wants to be more community oriented. Working on a partnership of coaching, volunteering and growing together.

Monday: Phone conversation about next week's trip to Texas to create a strategic plan with a team to develop community development training for rural areas. Meeting with a volunteer who will help with tax preparation.
Winton: Bus Boutique is at the Community Center. Ernie makes arrangement for 140+ gallons of milk to be given to local people. David sets up appointments for free tax assistance (VITA). A large group of volunteers distribute USDA commodities through the community center. People helping each other. Volunteers are getting the center organized.
Merced: Tunde is finishing up his official time as AmeriCorps member but is committed to the community and continues to run the programs in the Meadows with the help of many many volunteers.

Tuesday: Meeting in Ripon with pastors who care deeply about church and community. Coaching a young pastor who wants to start a church in Stockton that is open 24 hours, because hurts don't keep office hours.
Worked with Delhi partner to get grant for tools for community beautification project.
Winton: Computer stations are being painted, ESL class is conducted, community members are connecting with each other.

Wednesday: Meeting with United Way for a brief video interview to describe how the UW grant is helping young people in Winton  get their GED and life skill training. Meeting with a wonderful community organizer. Writing a grant for financial sustainability.
Homework night in the Meadows- thanks to the help of UC students.

Thursday: In Fresno visiting friends who have an amazing thrift store to learn with partners how they can start one in their area. Meeting with professor from FPU to talk briefly about entrepreneurial business. In Merced with United Way and their partners to learn about the next grants. In a meeting with a person who cares deeply about aged out Foster Care Youth.

Friday: Personal coaching call to equip Monika. Grant and report writing, e-mails, planning, organizing. Getting ready for Austin, TX trip and a sermon next Sunday on "When helping hurts" in Sacramento. Game night in the Meadows. Community center open in Winton.

Just a glimpse into a week at LifeLine CDC where everyone no matter how rich has a need and everyone no matter how poor has a gift and where we together build and celebrate community. A week where about 90 people used their gifts and passion to help each other. A week where I met many people who are developing a passion for Asset Based Community Development.

This was a week where we got to do it all and enjoy it!

Our Christmas gifts are ON the Christmas tree!

What gifts are on your tree this morning? Imagine a Christmas tree that is filled with the skills and abilities of people...  

Every person who walked into Winton LifeLine Community Center received a Christmas ornament and was asked to write one of their gifts, skills or abilities that they are willing to share with the community. Then we hung them on the tree and the result is this beautiful tree filled with gifts.

It was different kind of experience and people were a little puzzled... but in the end we got to know each other and enjoy the giftedness of each person.

Wednesday after Christmas we will celebrate a community meal and as we talked about it in the context of the gifts and abilities several community members wanted to help in various ways... cook a turkey... bring tamales... bring some drinks.     

LifeLine CDC has a saying "Everyone no matter how rich has a need. Everyone no matter how poor has a gift. That is why we build and celebrate community." 

Merry Christmas! 

How many people does it take to change a town?

As I drove up with the Bus Boutique to Winton LifeLine Community Center today, people were already standing in line for the USDA food distribution. Inside about 20 volunteers prepared the boxes for 453 people to have food this week. 

There wasn't much space to move the old school bus into place and I needed some help. One gentleman guided me along so that  I would avoid the parked cars... but there really wasn't much space so a professional truck driver helped with his expertise to move the bus into the right place... having only 2 inches to spare. Then volunteers helped getting the bus ready that served over 100 people today. 

We met with a representative from Friends of the Library trying to help them keep the branch library open. We had a volunteer drop off the wood for the computer stations he is building, another volunteer cleaned up some old discarded furniture. Someone donated a Christmas tree and a volunteer was putting it up. Another volunteer created a database to help with some of our chores, he also is setting up the building for the VITA program (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). Another volunteer looked at a way to put our mural up that Jr High students created. Then there were phone calls and conversations and brainstorming about the upcoming Christmas store... and a number of other things.

Today I saw it again. The beauty of volunteering, the beauty of giving back, the beauty of making your place more liveable. The beauty of friendship. 

So tomorrow, if you should go to Winton... stop by and see what it takes to "put Winton on the map for something good."

"Don't judge a book by it's cover...... and don't judge it by the first chapter."

Our newest volunteer is Toby who spent 16 years of his life in prison and many other years in gangs, getting shot the first time at age 11 by rival gang members.  As Toby shared his story on CNN several years ago, he used the phrase "don't judge the book by it's first chapter" and I was struck with the depth of it.

It is so true, how often do we look at people and have already made up our minds before they ever open their mouths? How many times do we dismiss people because of small things.

How often do we believe that people with a history, a past, a record, a bad 'first chapter', have no chance in learning, growing, developing? How often do we dismiss them?

Toby reminded me again that we all have many more chapters to write in the book of our lives and that maybe the last chapter is the one that pulls it all together.


For this season, I pray to be more open to read beyond the cover and the first chapter!

Fog in the valley and other musings on community development

Driving to Fresno I saw the beautiful "tule fogs".  I know they can be very dangerous, but what I saw was just beautiful. Overhead the sun was shining and at ground level the fields were covered with white blankets. You could make out some things, while others were hidden. You could see the top of farm buildings and tall trees but they looked like they were standing in nothing.

I was on my way to a conference on "Abundant Community" and I had to smile when I saw the fog, because it reminded me how often I talk with people about Asset Based Community Development and the need to look deeper into the community, to see all the assets and resources and gifts, that are already in the community and not just see only certain parts.

As I kept driving a second fog developed, this one high up in the sky covering up the early morning rays of the sun It created an eerie picture. At ground level we had the Tule fogs and above the sun was covered in fog as well. It was a  strange sight alright. And again I was drawn to community development. Sometimes the problems and struggles seem so great that it is difficult to not see the 'darkness' of the work. To despair for lack of sun, the struggles for survival. There are days when I wonder if we make any progress, if we see any changes.

But then my eyes were drawn to the middle. There the crystal clear view of structures and trees and beauty could be seen in all its glory.

Sometimes I guess it depends on where you chose to look. You look up high and things seems dark and ominous, you look too far down and the fog might cover everything.

But if you have eyes to see the beauty in all of it, if you look for what is there and not what is missing... you see some amazing things.

I was reminded that I need to look for what is already there and then I might even see the things that are hidden. Because it is in the journey of exploration and discovery that we see the beauty around us.

Can a community change because of ONE person changes?

Can a community change because one person changes?

We often look at the big picture of community development but when I think of community transformation I think of individual community members making changes by being better neighbors, being more active in the community. People who chose to change their lives so that the whole community will be affected.

When I think of Adrian I think of Community Transformation!

Adrian (better known as FATZ) worked at the Winton Community Center through the “Welfare to Work” program. He had come a long way, from being a rich young man with a paid for brand-new home at 20 and all the ‘bling’ you can imagine, to a Welfare recipient at 26.

Adrian learned the hard way that a life of crime, no matter how successful, does not meet the greatest needs in a family. Both, he and his girlfriend, were on drugs, both were about to lose their children and Adrian, who had been incarcerated several times, realized that he was heading for ‘hard time’ if he did not change. His final breaking point was when he missed the birth of his child.

Adrian ended up on welfare, at that point had 5 children and a girlfriend that was going through recovery.

When we got to know Adrian we saw so much more than a former gangster, we saw a community organizer, a person willing to work with our at-risk-youth, a person willing not to stay at that low point in his life.

Adrian became our AmeriCorps member and just last week finished his term. Through his service he brought community members together, broke down some of the age barriers and had a big passion in helping at-risk-youth.

The Winton community is being transformed because a gangster turned community organizer stepped out of his comfort zone to be part of the solution.

He headed up the graffiti abatement youth team that connected with senior citizens who would bring them home-made cookies; he connected with officials to let them see that community members are active to ‘put Winton on the map for something good’. He helped clean up the community and worked tirelessly to make it a better place, often times being surrounded by young people who would help and his own 6 year old son who wanted to be just like dad.

He worked with a team on a community garden, organized groups to help senior citizens, worked hand-in-hand with everyone willing to made Winton a better place.

Yesterday Adrian called me all excited! He has big dreams and they are becoming a reality. He enrolled in school to become a chef! His dream has been to be a cook, a job he has been doing for years, but now with the scholarship for his AmeriCorps service he can go on to school and get the right training.

This spring Adrian and Liz got married, but as of today Liz chose to return to a life of drugs, leaving Adrian with his 6 children under10.

But he is not worried! He has a community that surrounds him, plans for his future and new understanding that there might be a God who is involved in the everyday part of life. (Although as he would state it, he not yet convinced). But we are not worried because we know that we build the road as we walk it.

Monika Grasley

LifeLine CDC

October 2011

My soul is joyful while my heart is crying

A lovely 78 year old lady and her 50+ year old son came to the Bus Boutique today. The Dial-a-ride dropped them off and she slowly went up the stairs in the Bus Boutique. R. was referred through a local agency and was in need of clothing.

Her wrinkled old face reflected some of the heartache of her life but when she spoke her eyes lit up and she was joyful and excited about the things that where going well.

She recently lost her daughter and to pay for the funeral everyone in the family sold most of their belongings at a yard sale. They also made tamales, had car washes and whatever else they could think of to pay for the funeral expenses.

But winter was coming and her wardrobe is empty.

So, together we went 'shopping'.....and with every piece of clothing we found, she was excited thanking Jesus for what she was given.

But I have to admit, I don't know who enjoyed this more. I enjoyed watching her son help me organize some things while he found clothing for himself, I enjoyed the joy on her face when she was blessed with good winter clothing. I was joyful to be able share some time with her and hear a little of her life story. I am joyful because I get to see how the many clothing donations community members have made are coming to good use. I am thankful for the grant from Merced Foundations for the upkeep, gas, and insurance for the Bus Boutique.

At the same time I had to hold back my tears, tears over the brokenness of our system and society that made a 78 year old woman not have enough money for clothing. It made me sad when she shared that she might have to move out of her 1 bedroom apartment because on her social security she cannot afford it My heart was crying over her agony of having to bury her own daughter. I was sad because there are many more people around in the same predicament.

So I am once again faced with the paradox of our work. The joy when people connect with each other, the sharing stories and resources, the being a little bit of community together, while at the same time my heart is broken over the smallness of our impact in the vast amount of pain and loneliness in our communities.

But I will not forget her face, or her story, I will remember that with every smile I give, every kind word I have, every resource I share, every help I ask for, someones live is changed, if even only in a small way.

Winton is changing - when people care enough to act

Recently we asked some community members some questions:
1. What are you willing to tell us about yourself?
2. How do you feel about your community?
3. What would you like to do to help your community?
4. Where do you see yourself 5-10 years from now?

All of these community members are part of "Putting Winton on the map for something good" and we are so proud of them. Everyone of them have made tough decisions to look beyond the here and now to the future ahead.
All of them have dreams of a better future for their children.


Here are some of the answers:
My name is Z. I am 40 years old and have 4 children. I think we should have no more bad people around the community. There is just to much crime around this place. I would like have some English class so that I can teach my kids more. I want to own my own home and send my kids to college.

My name is M and I have been married for 13 years and have 4 children. I think there is to much vandalism and gang stuff going on. I would like to start an ESL class and maybe computers that teaches the basic stuff. Have a home and have my children in college.

My name is S. and I am 44 and have been married for 30 years. I have 6 children. I don't want gangs and drugs and crime. I want to learn more about English and computers. My kids need to go to college and work professionally.

I am 40 years old and have 5 children and 3 grandchildren. I am happy to live here and want to help my neighbors and friends. I want to work in an office or maybe in the school with children.

I am 49 with 6 children and 19 grandchildren. I enjoy my grand babies, enjoy fishing and camping and I love my job. What Winton needs is more police so that when something happens the cops will be there right away. There are some great community members around like Ernie and Rosemary, they help people, listen and the center has clothing and food and other stuff. They are a great support. Hopefully one day I will run my own work in the community.

I am 24, have 3 kids and that pretty much changed everything for me. My life is positive. I think to make Winton a better place we need need more police to lay down the law. I want to volunteer to make it a better place. I want to have my own place and a good job.

I am 26 and have 7 children. I feel the community needs a lot of change like sidewalks, parks, less gangs and crime. I am part of changing Winton because I want to see my kids grow up.

---------------------------------------
What none of them shared with you is the hardship they have endured, they struggles they have faced, the handicaps they have to overcome!

"What does community look like to you?"

Last week LifeLine CDC had the opportunity to be at the UC Merced Community Fair**.

We had pictures with the word "community' printed on them and asked the students to draw what community meant to them. It was a wonderful experience to see what people came up with... showing the interconnectedness of people, the balance of creation, the interaction with each other, the closeness of city life..... so many amazing ideas.
It sure made me realize once again that we are all longing for community. It reminded me that we all have something to give to each other. It made me dream of a future where community and neighborhoods are treasured again and where people exchange their gifts, skills and passions with each other.

Until then, we continue to say "everyone no matter how rich has a need and everyone no matter how poor has a gift and that is why we build and celebrate community."


** This is a time where non-profits can share their information with the students and let them know how they can get involved.

Health involves every part of us

A couple of weeks ago several of our Winton volunteers went to the Castle Clinic Summer Health Festival. They have an amazing free health screening that has helped so many families in our areas.

Our team was present to share about the work of LifeLine CDC in Winton and Rose put a powerful video together to show some the things that can happen when people care enough to act.

A couple of days ago we got this e-mail from the Clinic:

"Thank you all for attending our 4th Annual Summer Health Festival. Your participation and support helped us get our largest attendance to date! This year we saw over 1,300 people come through the front doors. We were able to provide 227 glucose screenings, 29 breast exams, 144 blood pressure screenings, 78 hearing screenings, 242 vision screenings, 80 sports physicals, 145 t-dap vaccinations, and 101 well child exams. A special Thank you to Dr. Patel's staff at the California Sleep Center for conducting 51 spirometry tests and Mercy Medical Center for 71 body composition screenings.
Thank you all for your commitment to our community...."

They have done an amazing work and we grateful to be part of it.

Working together for health in every aspect of life!

The Sailing accident that made Community Development come to light

Jim and I have a 21 foot San Juan sailboat – Amada (Beloved) and we are learning to sail. During the last few years we had to get rescued several times as we learned to move with the wind. Yesterday we were able to help someone!

Lake Yosemite was beautiful, a nice wind, warm temperatures and really cold water…. Just about perfect! We were excited to be on the lake. We usually turn our cellphones off, void of all distractions we have time to talk, think, pray and just enjoy the event while we move back and forth on the lake.

While Jim was waiting for me he helped a dad and his two preteen boys get his small sailboat ready. Dad had grown up on boats and having much experience with sailing he wanted his boys to experience it as well. While we were on the lake we looked around for them but didn’t see a sailboat.

Instead we saw a capsized boat with 3 people stranded on top of it. As we made our way toward the family we devised a plan to get the boys into our boat. We used our cellphone to call the Sheriff to come and help with the overturned boat.

We had to make several passes to get the boys, but in the end they were with us. Dad stayed and waited for the Sheriff to turn his boat right-side-up so that he could get back to shore as we circled and talked with the boys about the steps dad was taking to turn his boat over. They were able to save a few things but much of their snacks, shoes and drinks were lost at sea.

The wind on the lake is unpredictable and a gust of wind had blown his boat over and the mast had gotten stuck in the sand. There was nothing dad could do than wait for someone to move him out of the mud.

The sheriff came and it took several maneuvers and at one time they pulled too hard and the boat went over on the other side….. but conversations and cooperation made it possible for the boat to come loose and dad was able to sail his boat safely into the harbor and was reunited with his boys.

As I was reflecting on this encounter I thought that community development is a little like this:

• Everyone has amazing gifts and experiences and wants to share them.

• Sometimes all the best planning just does not keep things from going sideways.

• Sometimes the winds of life can move us to a point where we can’t help ourselves.

• When we get stuck in the sand it is worth asking for help – sometimes we need others.

• Sometimes it takes several approaches to get out of the mud and right side up again.

• Even when we need help, we oftentimes already know what needs to be done, but need additional resources.

• When we accept the help it does not mean we are helpless. We are part of the solution.

• When the ‘crisis’ is over, the person can move ahead and ‘steer the boat’ themselves.

• It does not have to be an embarrassment; it can be a learning experience.

But too often this is not the picture we get to see; imagine it another way, not as a community effort, but as a program -

Dad takes his kids out for a boat ride. He is prepared but the unimaginable happens and the boat capsizes. A ‘rescue crew’ comes along and thinks that dad is very irresponsible (because they don’t know the whole picture – they don’t know how experienced he is, how he prepared the kids, and that they are wearing their lifejackets). They only see a father putting his children in danger…and so they come to the rescue. They take the kids in their boat, care for them, feed them, and send them to a ‘better family’. Dad on the other hand is waiting to get some help in turning his boat right side up, but authorities realize that it is a ‘bad’ boat and should not be used any longer since it caused this problem in the first place. Dad is being punished for his neglect and loses his resources (boat) as well as the respect of his children.

As all pictures this is not perfect, but you get the idea!

As the boys reunited with dad we complimented dad on his handling of the boat, his great ideas to turn it, and his wisdom in being prepared. Crisis in life happens, how we respond to it makes all the difference!

We called it a successful day!

A former drug addict, a single mom, a homeless couple, 3 undocumented women, a man who has not received a paycheck in years, and a person with dementia.....you put these men and women together on a task and you have a beautiful picture of community.

We have a saying that "everyone no matter how rich has a need and everyone no matter how poor has a gift" and last week that once again became evident.
Every one of the people who helped with the Bus Boutique this weekend used their amazing gifts, passions and dreams: organizational skills, ability to drive the big bus, a sense and purpose that makes the bus look like an upscale boutique, a servant heart, a deep understanding of the homeless issue, and a very unbiased care for people. These people helped dozens of homeless people receive good clothing, a smile and a little bit of heaven.

There are two ways to look at people: you can either see the needs, the inabilities, the dysfunctions, or you can see their gifts and skills that make them so unique and so powerful.

At LifeLine CDC we want to focus on the glass half full! We want to see people with their potential. We want to give them opportunities to be part of making their community a better place, to change their lives as well as the lives of people around them.

So, bring it on! Because when you see broken pieces, we will look for the mosaic God can build using them!

As for my friends: well done!!!! Thank you for using your gifts.

Would Winton LifeLine Community Center be missed?

Would Winton LifeLine Community Center be missed? Many activities are flowing out of the Winton LifeLine Community Center and if this service is something YOU want, then YOU need to help! During the last year over 500 families received emergency food, all graffiti abatement was handled through the center. Senior citizens have received help with moving, fixing, and cleaning up back yards, Kid's Time kept the children safe, people have come to write resumes and look for jobs or do research on the computer. We helped connect people with resources and assistance they needed. Over $30,000 came back into the community through the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program, Workers through the Human Service Agency learn new skills and young men were being mentored, A community garden is planted and ready to bring fresh fruits and vegetables. Goods were being exchanged (e.g. clothing and furniture) and people are always welcome to come and visit and just have a conversation. The building is used for the USDA distribution and NA meetings as well as other community oriented groups.

So my question is: would you miss it if is disappeared?
We know these are difficult economic times, but that seems like one more reason to have a community focused place where people not only receive services but give services. Where people can use the gifts they have to help someone else. Where people can not just receive a hand-out but a hand-up. Where we know that "Everyone no matter how rich has a need and everyone no matter how poor has a gift."
Over the last few years the Community Center had a slogan "Putting Winton on the map for something good." and the team still is committed to it... but we can't do it alone!
Will you join us! The cost to run the Center with 2 part time staff is $25,000. But we not only need money, we need volunteers. Will you use your gifts and passions and dreams to keep the Center open so that it can continue in the work of making Winton the best place to live for everyone?

For more information please contact Monika Grasley at 209-201-2905. LifeLine Community Center is located at 7081 Winton Way near Walnut.