2016 June Newsletter - Dayton Life Enrichment Center

On Monday evening, June 6, vandals climbed over the fence of MAK-Town Safety
Village. Every building in the village was damaged — the locks on the doors were
broken off and most of the windows were broken. Glass
littered the small streets. The two flagpoles were bent over
and one small house was flattened. Two pedal cars were
stolen. However, what was meant for evil, God turned into
good! See the details on page 3.
Rodeo Re-do:
The East Dayton Bike Safety Rodeo was held
on May 14, a miserably cold and windy Saturday. Around 35
children came to participate. With over 400 kids’ bicycle injuries
treated in 2015, we know more children can benefit from this fun
educational event. So we are pleased to announce that The Life
Enrichment Center is hosting a bike rodeo do-over!
VOLUNTEERS will make this event a success! Please go to www.DaytonLEC.org for more
information and to link to the volunteer sign-up. Let’s bring smiles and safety to the children
of Dayton.
If you live near the Englewood Chipotle, or are willing to take a drive, make your meal matter!
Because Everyone
Has Value
Who we are: The Life Enrichment
Center is a Christian-based, nonprofit
organization practicing servant
leadership as a model of personal
and community transformation.
UP
Activities will include an obstacle course, MAK Town Safety Village
scavenger hunt, free helmet and fitting (while supplies last), bike
inspection and minor repairs, and lots more. There will be an ice
cream sundae bar, snow-cones, soft pretzels, etc. ALL East Dayton
residents are welcome to this FREE event which is a part of
Celebrate Dayton.
A HAND
Date: Saturday August 27, 2016
Time: 12:00-3:00 PM
BECAUSE
EVERYONE
HAS VALUE
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your
store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. —2 Corinthians 9:10
COMMUNITY GARDEN PROJECT GROWS
Our Mission: to serve as a catalyst
for community change by creating an
environment of grace that offers life
building, life sustaining services to
those in need.
A Community Garden is flourishing in the Life Enrichment Center’s back parking lot.
The garden began several years ago with a few long beds formed out of old railroad
ties. Some veggies were harvested and used at the Center and even some were
shared with the clients. However, most of the crop was eaten by rabbits or overrun
by weeds. The project needed the guidance of an experienced gardner.
Our Vision: Spiritually, emotionally
and physically transformed lives
resulting in transformed communities
Last year, the low railroad tie beds were removed and a few beds were remade into
higher, raised beds with concrete blocks. The yield
improved and volunteers were encouraged.
Life Enrichment Center Values:
Inclusiveness
Encouragement
Spirituality
Learning
Integrity
Collaboration
Service
June 2016
INSIDE:
3
Safety Village ready
4
Volunteers Celebrated
5
Rides4Seniors/EDSC
6
Health Fair & Save the
Dates
7
Faith & Finances course
Jim Moore and Bob Amsden are the key volunteers
bringing the community garden and corresponding
classes to Life Enrichment Center clients.
This year, with the help of some designated gifts and many volunteer hours, the number of beds
expanded to twenty. Clients and volunteers at the Life Enrichment Center adopted the beds and signed
up to take gardening classes. In exchange, they will share a portion of
the crops with the Life Enrichment Center. Volunteer Extension Master
Gardeners are providing the training and assisting with the garden setup and planning. Seeds were started in April using an indoor grow table
during the first class.
See more garden pictures on page 4 of this newsletter. It will be exciting
to watch the growth of the plants and the participants (some of whom
are camera shy) this summer!
Life En rich ment Center:
PROVIDING LIFE-BUILDING, LIFE-SUSTAINING-SERVICES TO THE UNDER-SERVED IN THE GREATER
DAYTON COMMUNITY SINCE 2002
FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK
Lives are changed because
of YOU
Greetings To All,
Please use the enclosed
envelope to return a gift
or donate on-line at
DaytonLEC.org/support
Y ou r gift ma kes this ministry possible!
T h a n k Y o u!
The Life Enrichment Center is a 501(3)c
non-profit organization
When you shop at AmazonSmile,
Amazon donates 0.5% of the
purchase price to the Life
Enrichment Center. Bookmark the
link http://smile.amazon.com/ch/
51-0425428 and support us
every time you shop.
www.facebook.com/LEC.Dayton
Like and request notifications
www.daytonlec.org
425 North Findlay Street
Dayton, OH 45404
(937) 252-5700
It’s hard to believe that we are almost half way
through 2016. It seems the older I get, the faster the
years go by. We have had quite the year so far —
and our fair share of hardship. However, while
darkness is present in our everyday lives, light drives
out this darkness every time. We have a great
community here in Dayton, full of amazing people
and organizations ready to rally together whenever
evil rears its ugly head. When vandals paid an
unwelcome visit, the Lowe’s Heroes and the Dayton
Police Department, along with many individual
volunteers, braved a torrential rain to make sure that the MAK Town Safety Village was
back up and running for the first scheduled class. I want to offer my thanks to all of
those who gave their time to restore the village, making it even better than before.
I am very excited about all of the programs taking place here at the Life Enrichment
Center. It is encouraging to see how engaged our clients have become with each new
program. Our goal of transitioning from a one-way charity to an exchange charity is a
slow process, but one that is key to facilitating the transformational change our
community needs. It has taken tremendous hard work from our committed staff and
volunteers. Our new client database will allow us to better track our clients and which
services they are accessing. This database is currently being used by several other
non-profits in the city; this will allow us to share data and better understand our
community.
The Life Enrichment Center has expanded its Board of Trustees to include three new
members. The Board implemented several new committees to ensure that we are using
“best practices” in the operation of the Life Enrichment Center. They are reviewing
policies and procedures, and making recommendations for needed changes. I am
inspired by the passion and the expertise the new members bring and look forward to
working with the entire Board as we move forward with the ministry.
Have you ever heard of the book When Helping Hurts? The book, part of
a series of Chalmers Center resources, provides a new perspective on
mission work. It is one of the resources the Life Enrichment Center
leadership uses when looking at best practices in our programming and
support services. The Chalmers Center is a leading voice in helping
redefine how to view material poverty in America by leading Christians to
look to the root cause of poverty (broken relationships with God and
each other) instead of only treating the symptoms of poverty (filling
material needs). This April, the Life Enrichment Center hosted one of
only four national training seminars for The Chalmers Centers’ Faith &
Finances “train the trainer” courses.
Faith & Finances lays out practical applications to helping correct the root causes of material poverty by uniting people
from varied financial backgrounds and exploring how to repair their broken relationships through learning money
management skills and biblical stewardship principles. Designed specifically for low-income adults, Faith & Finances
addresses the challenges the materially poor face and helps them rediscover their innate, God-given dignity.
47 participants representing over 30 churches spent two full days in training at the Life Enrichment Center. Three
course leaders led the participants in lectures, interactive lessons, and group presentations. The Findlay Street Café
provided breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the entire course.
As the host site, the Life Enrichment Center was able to have one of their volunteers, Thad Sherck, attend the “train
the trainer” course. He is now preparing for the first “participants” course. While the course itself is only 12 weeks long,
in the 9 months following the program, financially savvy “allies” will continue to follow up with participants on a weekly
basis, both to reinforce the lessons from the course and act as a resource in the relationship repair process.
The Life Enrichment Center believes that adding Faith & Finances to its toolbox will help us help people rebuild their
lives, restore their broken relationships, and learn new life skills along their paths. The Life Enrichment Center is truly
about reminding people that “everyone has value.”
I want to thank all of our many supporters and donors for their generosity over the
years. It is because of your commitment that we are able to affect change in the lives of
so many here in the Miami Valley. Every summer we see a drop in donations and this
year is no different. However, God is faithful in His provision and we are thankful that
many of you share His blessings with us. I ask for your prayers as well as your
continued support. Please pray for our clients, volunteers, staff, and for the facility in
which we serve. Any week without a maintenance call is a rare but wonderful week.
Executive Director
I pray that God will continue to bless you and yours throughout the remainder of the
year and the many years to come.
Board of Trustees
In His grip,
Steve Gill
Doug Badgley
Kim Belcastro
Jeffrey Sorrell
Tom Becker
Otis Crum
Robert Doyle
Todd Kelchner
James Owens
Dave Stacy
Ralph Gamberdella
John Lewis
Lori Simms Parks
Jenny Warner
Jeffrey Sorrell
Executive Director
Jeffrey Sorrell
jsorrell@daytonlec.org
FAITH & FINANCES TRAINING
If you would like to be a local ally, contact volunteer@DaytonLEC.org.
There will be an ally training class starting in the fall of 2016.
7
OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT AFTER SENSELESS DESTRUCTION
GRANT PROVIDES NEW COMPUTERS
A grant from Church of the Incarnation in Centerville
provided the funds to replace the 10-year-old computers in
the computer lab this year. At the same time, the computer
room was moved from the basement to a third floor
classroom with light filtering shades. Several client areas
received the new blinds as a part of a grant from Physician’s
Charitable Foundation of the Miami Valley.
George, a computer room volunteer, said, “It is so much nicer up here. These computers are about 150 times better
than the old ones. Word is spreading that these computers are faster and I’ve been on duty on a few times recently
when every station has been in use. We are very thankful up here!”
VOLUNTEERS SERVED, FOR A CHANGE
Volunteers (servant leaders, really) are the heart of the Life Enrichment Center. 130
volunteers come together from across Dayton, and every surrounding suburb, to
serve together regularly. They welcome clients, prepare meals, teach classes, fix
bicycles, clean bathrooms, answer phones, cut hair, pray, fill grocery bags, make
building repairs, and handle the administration work. In the past year alone, regularly
serving volunteers gave around 20,000 hours of their time.
After the vandalism was publicized in the local news, over 30
Dayton Police, Lowe’s Heroes, Life Enrichment Center and
independent volunteers came together to clean up the mess. The
Montgomery County Sheriff brought a work crew to clear the fence
line by the Safety village which had provided cover to the vandals.
Despite a very heavy rain, the volunteers not only cleaned up but
installed new flower beds and a railroad crossing bar in the village.
It was done just in time. MAK-Town welcomed the first class of
students for the season on Monday, June 13.
THANK YOU!!
2016 Safety Village Dates:
July 13 & 15
July 18 & 20
July 26 & 28
August 8 & 10
Classes run from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and are
open to children ages 5-9. Fee $25/child
email: MAKTown@DaytonLEC.org for info or to
schedule large groups
It is only fitting then, that on April 14 we took time to celebrate these dedicated
volunteers. This year’s event featured a carnival theme and was planned by a new
volunteer: Mary Webb, Director of Special Events. The evening was filled with food,
fun, games, and laughter as staff and board members took a turn serving food and
running games for the evening.
When asked what they liked best about serving at the Life Enrichment Center,
volunteers said: “the opportunity to pay it forward”, “being able to serve others and
be open about my faith”, and “actually seeing the impact the programs are making
on clients daily.”
The following provided
sponsorship support or provided
a door prize for the event:
• Danbarry Huber Heights
• Elsa's On The Border
• Headways for Hair Salon
• Holiday Inn Fairborn
• Findlay Street Cafe
• Salon EXP, Beavercreek
• Valor Martial Arts, West Carrollton
• White Allen Chevrolet
• Several staff and board members
THANK YOU ALL!!
6
In Memory:
Greg Golden passed away on June 7, 2016. Greg came to the Life Enrichment
Center as a homeless client in January of 2011. He had good mechanical skills and volunteered to
help build and repair bicycles in the Bike Shoppe. He found purpose in his
work in the Bike Shoppe and was a huge asset there. In the fall of 2012,
Bike Shoppe manager
Lacy Sorrell with Greg
Golden (2012)
Greg gave tours of the Bike Shoppe to our Annual Banquet guests. Greg
finally got into housing in the fall of 2014 at the urging of friends at the
Center. The staff and volunteers at the Life Enrichment Center miss him.
3
Spring Health Fair Serves 115
115 guests were registered and screened during the Spring Health
Fair on April 28 at the Life Enrichment Center. Nursing students from
Sinclair (right) provided assistance while multiple health
organizations provided screenings for cholesterol, vision, hearing,
blood pressure, blood sugar, oral cancer, and skin cancer.
Give the Gift of a Lift! Rides4Seniors Seeking Volunteers
Participating organizations included Premier Community Health,
Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County, Academy
Health Services, and the Oral Cancer Foundation.
Premier Health & Atrium Medical Center were on site
with the Mobile Mammography Coach.
Special thanks to event sponsors: Molina Healthcare
and CareSource.
GARDEN PROJECT PHOTOS
Two large projects underway this summer
at the Life Enrichment Center:
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)
Thanks to a DP&L rebate and
assistance from Board members
Ralph Gamberdella (right) and Tom
Becker, the 815 fluorescent light
fixtures in the building are being
replaced with LED lighting.
Volunteers are needed to assist
with the changes which require use
of a ladder and hand tools.
The second large project is to clear
out the back garage bays as well
other excess items in the building and hold a GARAGE
SALE on Saturday, August 13, 2016 from 9 - noon.
Preparation for such a big, and long overdue, clear out will
require many hands.
YOUR HELP is needed with these projects on an
upcoming Saturday volunteer work days — July 9 &/or
23 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Please email
volunteer@daytonLEC.org for details about how you can
assist with these or other volunteer opportunities.
Save the date:
2016 Annual Ba nquet
Rides4Seniors is a pilot program coordinated by the Life
Enrichment Center in partnership with the Miami Valley
Regional Planning Commission, Goodwill Easter Seals
Miami Valley, Community United Methodist Church, and St.
Paul United Methodist Church. The program is funded by
the Del Mar Foundation, with the goal of helping to fill some
of the gaps in transportation services for older adults. When
running, Rides4Seniors will provide transportation for
seniors 55 and older in East Dayton. The program will use a
web-based service to match volunteer drivers with seniors
in need of safe and reliable transportation to places like
medical and social service appointments, senior centers,
and community events.
undergo a thorough screening and training process,
including criminal and BMV background check, drug test,
and health screening, at no cost to the volunteer. This
flexible opportunity allows volunteers to give as much or as
little time as they are able and to choose when, where, and
who they drive! Volunteers do not need to live in East
Dayton, but must be at least 21 with a valid driver’s license
and auto insurance.
To volunteer, or for more information, please contact
Rebecca Hall at (937) 252-5700 ext. 3227 or
rides4seniors@daytonlec.org. Find out more at
www.DaytonLEC.org/rides4seniors.
Volunteer to help keep local seniors active and
independent!
Rides4Seniors is currently seeking volunteer drivers!
Volunteers will use their personal vehicles and must
East Dayton Senior Collaborative (EDSC) participants have
enjoyed completing several art projects in 2016 courtesy of We
Care Arts, a non-profit that provides art therapy programs to
seniors and persons with disabilities. We Care Arts was able to
provide these classes to EDSC seniors free of charge as part of
a grant-funded program called the Creative Aging Project.
Projects included painting and collage. Pictured lower left with
her watercolor painting is Ethel Williams.
The East Dayton Senior Collaborative meets weekly on
Thursdays from 11:30-1:30 and is open to East Dayton seniors
55 and older. The EDSC alternates meeting at the Life
Enrichment Center and Community Church. Meetings will again
be offered at The Widow’s Home starting in July. A meal is
provided. Participants may register to receive groceries once a
month from the Life Enrichment Center (as noted on the
schedule). For locations, program, and schedule information,
call (937) 252-5700 ext. 3227 or visit www.DaytonLEC.org/eastdayton-senior-collaborative.
October 27 & 28
4
5