Here are just a few of the compelling stories shared by ECSF grantees this year.  Your donation plus the compassion, skill and time of local Episcopalians and community allies bear fruit in relief and breakthroughs of all kinds throughout Southern Ohio every day.

STORIES FROM THE FRONT LINES OF MINISTRY, 2011

Trinity, Columbus: ID’s for homeless people and ex-offenders - “Mitchell came in today looking for help with his laundry,” writes parish administrator Diane Donato. “He was released a few days ago from prison and sent to a half-way facility. He didn’t know that the half-way house helps with nothing but three meals a day and a bed and was chagrined that his clothes are dirty and he could not wash them without quarters. Mitchell served 18 months for a drug-related crime and has been clean and sober for 9 months. He was attending the AA meeting here at Trinity when he came in the office looking for help with his laundry. He is determined to keep away from people and places that in the past were associated with his using. I asked him if he had gotten a state ID and he didn’t know how he could do that so. He was using the stigmatizing green ex-offender ID card issued to people when they are released. I gave him a voucher for a state ID and information about places that help with clothing. I am so thankful that I can help people like Mitchell.”

All Saints, Portsmouth, St. Lucy’s Sober House - Often left alone as a child in West Union by her alcohol-abusing parents, Amber began drinking and using drugs at age 15. Troubles cascaded and she went on to being arrested. Her mother was given custody of Amber’s three-year-old son.  Amber reached out in desperation and was accepted by St. Lucy Sober House, a haven for women in recovery in Portsmouth which received a second ECSF grant this year.  With the help of counselors and fellow residents, Amber is making huge progress and earned her GED in February.  This opens the door to college, and gives her hope of being able to qualify for a job in the healthcare field. Amber is now living in transitional housing where her son has been restored to her care. “Life is wonderful now,” she exclaims:  “sober.  Reunited with my son.  I have a relationship with God.  I have true friends.”

Several CityHeart volunteers at Christ Church Dayton use the Ohio Benefit Bank to do free tax returns to help low-income families access the full range of tax credits they qualify for. “Those who report cash incomes for part time jobs or self-employment can be surprised to get special tax credits worth thousands,” writes parishioner Charley Stough, a Benefit Bank pro.  “In a typical example, one of our clients who was laid off in 2010 had very small standard wages and would have received less than $50 in tax refund until I asked her about her cash earnings as a hair dresser. Even after paying self-employment taxes, the client’s refund came to more than $2,000. It was a large and very pleasant surprise to the family.”

A community of youthful Christians operate Franklinton Cycle Works as a community ministry, teaching bike repair to neighborhood residents who can’t afford cars or bus fare.  Kelly Young has sent beautiful stories: 

“When Sister first came to our shop, she worked hard for hours learning to repair her broken bike.  The second week Sister came, she purchased inexpensive used parts to make her bicycle more reliable for grocery shopping by adding racks, baskets, and fenders.  The third week Sister came to our shop, she had hauled a discarded bicycle frame in those same baskets as a donation and gift of thanks.  The fourth week Sister came, she brought a friend in need of repair and helped him fix his bicycle.  Sister’s story exemplifies the holistic nature of the shop, the full circle.  She came for help and now that she has received it, she is happy to share it with others.  Sister also participated in our Safe and Smart Cyclist Program—our mechanic training and rules of the road education.  Upon completion of that program Sister received a helmet, safety vest, front and rear lights, and a bell.“Isha is a seventh-grade Somali refugee who participated in our first 5 week youth program based out of a Section 8 apartment complex.  After the first few mechanics classes, Isha quickly became the most knowledgeable mechanic in a room dominated by boys and male instructors.  Although Isha is not known to talk much about her personal life, she confided in our female instructor how proud her father was of that she was learning how to become a mechanic.  Isha graduated our five week program in April, attending every class and continues to work on bicycles with her father.  We continue to see Isha leading a crew of Somali girls on bicycles down Sullivant Avenue to the local library.”

St. Mary’s, Hillsboro, Highland County Homeless Shelter: Robert was in the shelter over the 90 days normally allowed but he just needed that little bit of extra time to get things worked out.  While he was here, he helped with repairs that needed to be done.  He couldn’t stand just doing nothing.  He drove the shelter van when other residents needed rides to appointments.  Finally he got a job at Candle-Lite as a security guard.  He loved the job and was so excited to be working again.  After a few paychecks, he was able to get an apartment, and was also able to pick up a car from a family member so he could get back and forth from work.  We hear from him from time to time and he is doing well.  Not only did he benefit from the Shelter, but we also benefited from him because of the person that he is.

St. Peter’s Gallipolis received this wonderful letter from a Girl Scout who volunteered with their Dry Bottoms diaper giveaway in collaboration with Lutheran Social Services mobile food pantry:

Dear Saint Peter's Episcopal Church,

St. John’s, Columbus Community Ministry: We asked His Place guests, Emergency Assistance recipients, and Street Church members to “tell us about a time when St. John’s really helped you out?” We heard many moving stories. One woman said, “You saved my life. We didn’t have any heat last winter and my kids were freezing. You talked to the gas company and worked it out so that we could get heat again and you took me over to get on HEAP. You really care about us.” We worked with another woman who tried several times to muster the courage to go into rehab but never made it. She said, “You always try to give us what we need, but you care, too. I know you’ll love me no matter how many times I screw up.”

Students in the GED program tell us that employers won’t even talk to them until they get a GED. More students come to the center with much lower skill levels than in the past and it is taking longer for them to complete their studies. Students say that the convenience of the center right in the neighborhood is an important asset because they lack transportation. Many come because they are court-ordered to do so, but they stay because of the individualized attention they receive and because of the flexibility of the program. Students are motivated by the need to find and keep living-wage jobs.

Redeemer, Cincinnati, Interfaith Hospitality Network: Marcus came to IHN in February, 2011 with his 11-year-old son, Marcus, Jr, whose mother died when he was younger: it had just been father and son since that time. They came to Cincinnati via Greyhound Bus from Toledo to be closer to Marcus Sr’s, oldest sister. Marcus Sr. proved to be friendly and always willing to help with the heavier chores around the Day Center. Marcus Jr. charmed everyone with his manners, always quick with a compliment and eager to chat.
   The IHN childcare coordinator arranged for trumpet lessons from a conservatory student. Marcus Jr. has real talent and was quick to pick up the instrument. He and his father have promised to continue his lessons after they leave IHN. Marcus Jr. did his homework every day, he decorated her office door, and on his last day he created a mask and donated it to the playroom. As we got to know Marcus Sr. better we found that he has had ongoing struggles with chemical addiction. His case manager got him an assessment the Alcoholism Council and he has agreed to continue with outpatient therapy. She was also able to help him get the documentation he needed – a driver’s license. The assistant case manager helped him create a resume and apply for jobs. Marcus Sr. left for an interview in a sharp-looking suit and feels confident that he will receive the job. In the meantime, father and son left for their new apartment yesterday.
   IHN is one of only two shelters in Cincinnati that take fathers as well as mothers. We are so pleased we were able to keep this father and son together and help them on the path to their new lives in Cincinnati. Marcus Sr. has identified as a life goal to “find more opportunities for father/son bonding activities.”

St. Mary’s, Hillsboro, Soup’s On: At one of our dinners last winter, there were  people with little children standing outside at the door already at 3:30  pm.  It was very cold.  There were seven of them: grandparents, mother and father, and three small children probably ranging from 5 to 2 years.  They said they had walked clear across Hillsboro to get food for the children.  The adults didn’t ask for themselves, but only for the children.  The father said they had no food at all and the children were hungry. They were living in a one-room building in someone’s back yard.  We sat them down and gave them drinks, desserts and crackers until dinner was ready, and then fed them all.  We sent them home with a big tub of chili, hot dogs, buns, a jar of peanut butter, a cake, a bag of pasta and a can of pasta sauce, and cans of vegetables and fruits we try to keep on hand for such occasions.  They just kept thanking us over and over.

Trinity, Troy, Torrence Medical Fund: AW is a 32 year-old divorced mother with two children.  Her case stretched the mission of the Torrence Fund but we felt it could not be rejected.  AW was divorced in 2006 after 10 years of marriage.  She shares parenting with her ex-husband but is the residential parent.  She has had suspicions in the past that her ex-husband was sexually abusing the daughter.  In 2008, she tried to have a protection order for her daughter against the ex-husband.  The case has been in process in the courts since then.  The guardian ad-litem that is working with the daughter has recommended a psycho-sexual evaluation of the father and the judge has agreed, but stipulates it must be paid by AW.  One-half of the $650 had been paid but $325 was still required to go forward.  Torrence Medical fund supplied the shortfall.  While this does not guarantee favorable resolution to the situation, it does allow the process to continue without further delay and perhaps keep a young woman safe.

Ascension and Holy Trinity, Valley Interfaith Food and Clothing: A gentlemen came in to Valley Interfaith right before Christmas needing food and help with his utility bill, which was about to be disconnected. He told the interviewer that he had been employed by the same company for 27 years when he was laid off in January of 2010.  He had a college degree, a home, a car and a family to take care of.   He was on the verge of a nervous breakdown, his house was about to go into foreclosure and every position he applied for, he was told he was over qualified. We helped him with his utility bill and gave him enough food to get his family through a few days.  We then referred him to some of our partnering agencies that help find employment for our clients.  He has since returned, not for food or help, but to thank us because he is now gainfully employed and was able to get caught up on his mortgage.

St. Mark's in Dayton is currently approaching the end of its ninth year as part of the Kemp School-Community Partnership. We have provided many services to the school and its students during that time and are always open to special requests.
After one of my recent tutoring sessions, another teacher in the school stopped me in the hallway on the way out, asking if we could help with a special need. Two boys in her class badly needed haircuts. They were becoming embarrassed by the fact that they needed cuts but that their families could not afford them. (Do you get the kids a haircut or give them dinner tonight?)
I contacted one of our parishioners who is a licensed beautician, even though she works in a different field at present. She graciously offered to come to the school and, with the parents' permission, to cut the boys' hair. She declined our offer to reimburse her, saying that this was a way she could give back to the community and help the children. 
Even those in the parish who are not a regular part of our ministry at Kemp School are aware of what we do and are willing to help in any way that they can.
The Rev. Mike Kreutzer