Newsletter Spring 2015

Spring 2015 Donor Newsletter
pring awakens us to the possibility of transformation. As the rain pours down over Greenville, the
Reedy River grows stronger, and our community turns to its most lush green. The daffodils bring
promises of sunny days ahead, and we begin to turn from winter reflections towards visions for a
brighter future.
At United Ministries, we have the privilege of seeing transformations in the lives of our participants
every day. We see them grow from the dark days of hopelessness into the promises of spring. Two of
our participants would like to share with you part of their journeys. The first is a homeless participant in
the depths of his despair. The second is a GED student rejoicing in her ability to start again. We honor
them both, and we honor their desire to change their lives.
You have no idea how hungry I get
You have no idea how cold I get
You have no idea how tired I get
You have no idea how scared I get and lonely
and sad I get
You have no idea how much it hurts when you
all look at me like I’m some kind of project
And I used to have a life and a career and I did
important things in the world
And kids who thought I was their hero
And I built things that mattered
And now I get so lost and confused just
trying to find my way to the soup kitchen
I hate this so much
And where did I go?
Where?
And why won’t anyone hear me?
And why do you all keep misunderstanding my
words?
And I just keep getting more lost and confused
and lonely
It’s scary and it hurts
I hate this
Life’s events slow tremendously
when I’m at school.
Starting over has never felt so good!
New beginnings overshadow the old,
sluggish ways of life outside of the building.
It’s ordinary at the present time,
But inside United Ministries,
I am reborn, growing, and alert.
The people of United Ministries have given me
the momentum to continue my education.
It has a wealth of knowledge,
so much so that it leaves me feeling anew.
Simply put, thanks.
Roberta Hames, Adult Education participant
Anonymous, Place of Hope participant
Uniting for Change
Luncheon (insert)
The Lives You Are Changing
Page 2 & 3
Stay Connected
Page 4
The Walk—Save the Date
Page 8
Passing the GED exam can be a stepping stone to improved employment, job training programs, and
college. Not every student chooses to tackle four, or even two, years of college but our students
choose to walk in the door of our Adult Education program to improve their circumstances in some
fashion. Among other avenues, a career in the medical field seems to be one of the most popular
post-GED goals. Many students enjoy the idea of helping those in need while also knowing that the
demand for quality healthcare workers is rather constant. Job stability (and availability) is a motivating
factor when a student is accustomed to working low-wage and/or sporadic jobs as a high school
dropout.
Rachel was one of those motivated students, determined to pursue the nursing program at
Greenville Tech after passing her GED exam. And she did just that! Rachel passed the GED exam in
2007 with excellent scores and shortly thereafter enrolled at Greenville Tech. Completing all the necessary pre-requisites is a challenge in and of itself – not to mention the added pressure of
maintaining an adequate GPA in order to be accepted into the nursing program. Rachel was not
only accepted into the nursing program, but she completed her degree while raising five children.
Now, she maintains stable employment in a field she loves, working full-time in the laboratory
department at a local hospital.
Rachel’s dreams don’t stop there though. She hopes to
pursue a master’s degree in nursing down the road but, as
of right now, is discerning when and where to do that. She
is focused on her children and enjoying working using the
degree she worked so hard to accomplish. We’re so proud
of her success and look forward to celebrating her further
achievements in graduate school!
Because of your support, in the last five years, 1,453 of United Ministries’ students have passed
the GED exam (featured in the gallery above) and earned a High School Equivalency Diploma,
making it possible for them to enroll in college and find quality employment.
Mr. Smith, a seventy year-old man who helps support his family of five, had never before been in a
situation where he needed to ask for help. His household income consists of his social security and
the disability of his forty-two year-old daughter. He came to United Ministries’ Emergency Assistance
when recent circumstances in his life led his family into a potential financial crisis. The lights in their
home were about to be disconnected, and he and his daughter did not have the money to pay the bill.
Emergency Assistance was able to provide Mr. Smith with two bags of groceries to help feed his family
and the funds needed to avoid the disconnection of his lights. He was very appreciative, and he
thanked the volunteer who assisted him sincerely. He said he didn’t know what he would have done
without our assistance.
Become a Good Samaritan Giver by committing to a monthly donation. Set up a monthly credit/debit card
donation online at www.united-ministries.org. Your monthly gift will provide life changing opportunities.
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One thing I always love about working in this community is our interconnectivity.
Without partner agencies we would be lost and stagnant. Working together
allows us first to create a lasting relationship and second to create a supportive
group around our participants. This collaborative support allows a participant,
who is really trying, to complete all of his or her goals.
Mary is a great example of this. Mary was brought to Place of Hope by a case
worker at Greenville Mental Health. Mary had a Section 8 housing voucher
and received a disability check every month. But with the hard to navigate
system of deposits, application fees, housing searches, and lack of affordable
housing, Mary continued to struggle in a homeless situation.
Because of your support,
Mary is speaking with her
new landlord and is no
longer homeless.
The Greenville Mental Health case worker and I connected her with SHARE, so that they could help
her with a deposit once it came time to secure her housing. Then, we began to search for appropriate
housing. Because of the lack of affordable housing, the search took over two months. Finally, we
were able to find a home for Mary, and she will be moving in soon.
Homelessness is a complex issue. I wish there was an easy fix. The only way to end homelessness is
to make sure and focus on the individual who wants to make a positive change and to work together
with our community partners. Together, while supporting and guiding our participants, we can help
change their situation.
Because of your support, Mr. Sullivan
will be career-ready.
Mr. Sullivan is a former stay-at-home dad looking to find a
stable position in the workforce. Knowing that he needed to
improve his education, Mr. Sullivan enrolled in the Adult
Education program in December of 2014. Within a month
and a half, he was ready to sign up for two of his GED
subject tests. Before he was able to register for the exam,
however, he was required (as are all GED participants) to
attend the orientation for United Ministries’ Employment
Readiness program.
As a result, Mr. Sullivan decided to take advantage of the employment assistance offered. He joined
the program and was partnered with a counselor. During the four-day skills class, Mr. Sullivan learned
to present himself more professionally, including creating a new email address and improving his
answers to common interview questions. After attending the budgeting class, Mr. Sullivan also
resolved to quit smoking, having calculated that he could save a minimum of $2,000 per year by not
purchasing cigarettes.
Mr. Sullivan has now passed two of his GED subject tests, earned a WorkKeys® Career Readiness
Certificate, and has been cigarette-free for more than five weeks. He hopes to earn his GED by the
end of the summer.
3
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church’s youth group
delivers items to our food pantry. The youth
group has been participating in a baby food drive
for United Ministries for 20 years!
From left: Gitonya Bolden, Place of Hope Case
Manager; Cristin Anthony, Furman Intern;
Jennifer Keir, Place of Hope Volunteer
Jennifer Keir has volunteered at Place of Hope
for 15 years. Don’t miss her volunteer spotlight
video on our Facebook page!
Our GED students hard at work
A great morning to study math at United
Ministries’ Learning Center
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We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. —Winston Churchill
RSVP to Claire Winkler, 864-335-2618, cwinkler@united-ministries.org
Aldersgate United Methodist Church
Aldersgate United Methodist Church Mary Teasley Circle
Anderson Stamp and Engraving
Augusta Road Baptist Church
Avalon Hair Studio
Berea Friendship Church, Morning Circle Group
Beta Sigma Phi
Bethel Full Gospel Baptist Church
Bethlehem United Methodist Church
Beulah Christian Fellowship
Bi-Lo LLC
Buncombe Street United Methodist Church
Christ Church Episcopal
Christ Church Episcopal Pre-School
Dipple Plumbing
Disciples United Methodist Church
Earle Street Baptist Church
Eastminster Presbyterian Church
Eastminster Presbyterian Church Women's Circle
First Baptist Church Taylors
First Baptist Church Travelers Rest
First Baptist Church, Greenville
First Baptist Church, Piedmont
First Baptist Taylors Global Mission WMU
Fountain Inn Presbyterian Church
Fourth Presbyterian Church
Greenville ARP Church
Greenville Business Magazine
Greenville Church of Christ
GSA Business
Ingles Supermarkets
John Knox Presbyterian Church
Larkin's on the River
Laurens Road United Methodist Church
Lee Road United Methodist Church
Lickville Presbyterian Church
Mauldin United Methodist Church
McCarter Presbyterian Church
Michelin Travel and Lifestyle
Monaghan United Methodist Church
Monarch Elementary School
Mt. Pleasant Eastern Star #252
New Covenant Baptist Church
Northside United Methodist Church
Oak Crest Baptist Church
Pepsi-Cola
Publix Supermarkets
Reedy Fork Baptist Church-Greenville
Reedy River Women's Auxiliary
Regency Hospital of Greenville
Rick Erwin Dining Group
Sam's Club
Spinx Company, Inc.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
St. George The Martyr Reformed Episcopal
St. Giles Presbyterian Church
St. James Episcopal Church
St. James Pentecostal Church
St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church
St. Mark United Methodist Church, Greenville
St. Matthew UMC Youth Group
St. Matthew United Methodist Church
St. Michael Lutheran Church
St. Paul United Methodist Church
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
Temple of Israel
The Greenville News
The Muffin "Mam"
Trinity Lutheran Church
Trinity United Methodist Church
Upper Piedmont Tennis Association
VFW Post 1845
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Zion Assembly Church of God
In the last three years, United Ministries has provided food to 9,288 families. This service is made possible by
our dedicated volunteers and the congregations, businesses, groups, and individuals who donate food or funds.
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Robert Albright by Dr. and Mrs. John W. Albright
John Albright by Robert W. Albright
James Belue by Janey House
Doris Blazer by Janey House
Doris Blazer by Reba N. Wilkins
Jenny Bright by Doris Clanton
Shirley and Raymond Campbell by Laurie Ethridge
William Carpenter by Rebecca R. Bouton
Bobby Carpenter by Susan Carpenter
William Carpenter by Mary Alice Caudle Busch Ingram
Charitable Lead Unitrust
Betty Clark by Carolyn S. Monroe
Robin Cochran by Dr. J.W. Holt
Chris Cogdill by Kehl Culbertson Andrighetti & Kornfeld
Jim Dant by John C. Cothran
Katherine Smoak Davis by Mario Carvalho
Eoline and Richard Few by Mr.and Mrs. Richard L. Few
The France Family by Laurie Ethridge
Thomas France by Laurie Ethridge
Ethan Friddle by Reba N. Wilkins
Letha Gillon by Joseph C. Gillon
Ralph Hamby by Wofford Green
Leroy Hamilton by Lynn P. Gibbs
Jo Ann Hein by Carolyn S. Monroe
Janey House by Pamela Givens
Janey House by Reba N. Wilkins
Robert Howell by Kenneth Peterson
Robert Howell by Tanya Asplin
Robert Howell by Jeff Harper
Robert Howell by Kelly Robinson
George Irwin by Carlisle White
Seth Johnson by Randall Johnson
Shannon Johnson by Marion J. Dantzler
Lucille Johnson by Dan Johnson
L. P. Jones by Joe Balmos
Phoebe, Kendall and Jackson Kendall Grandchildren by
Lillian Onorato-Copeland
Jo Anne Kennedy by William M. Housley
Learning Learning Center Staff by F. R. Street
Virginia Lindler by Dr. Ann A. Quattlebaum
Kyle Matthews by John C. Cothran
Fred McDaniel by Linda McDaniel
Steve McDonald by Dr. 'Ann A. Quattlebaum
Nancy McKittrick by Jenna Robinson
Walter McPhail by McPhail Animal Hospital
Jerome Meyer by Robert W. Albright
Carolyn Monroe by Jean B. Sanderson
Elizabeth Murphy by Jack Murphy
Lawyers and Staff of Nelson, Mullins, Riley &
Scarborough by Tim Madden
Saidee New by Jean B. Sanderson
Earle Newman by Robert W. Albright
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Kitty Olsen by Elizabeth L. Cleveland
Patrick O'Steen by Robert W. Albright
Betty Parker by Ethel M. Sherrill
Carolyn Pearce by Darrell L. Fetzer
The Poe Family by Laurie Ethridge
Cynthia Poe by Laurie Ethridge
Tim Powell by Linda McDaniel
Angela Randall by Mr. and Mrs. William N. Poe
Anne Riddle by Mr. and Mrs. Sean R. Scoopmire
Burke Royster by Lynn P. Gibbs
Tina Sabia by Evelyn Werdal
Jean Sanderson by Carolyn S. Monroe
Kent Satterfield by Bobby Chandler
Charles Schinck by Elizabeth Kelly
The Schmidt Family by Laurie Ethridge
Eric Schnaufer by Shirley Twiss
Linda Schuett by Marjorie B. King
Thomas Scoopmire by Mr. and Mrs. Sean R.
Scoopmire
George Scott by Eloise M. Alexander
Lynne Shackelford by Jenna Robinson
Robert Shufeldt by David C. Weston
Staff of St. James Episcopal Church by St. James
Episcopal Church Women
Mark Stokes by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bolle
Mark Stokes by Donald Stubbs
Robert Stripling by Lee Farrar
Marian Strobel by Jenna Robinson
Benjamin Sullivan by Mark Hively
Patrick Sullivan by Mark Hively
Patrick Sullivan by Benjamin Sullivan
Patrick Sullivan by Patrick C. Sullivan
Rosemarie Sumerel by Elizabeth L. Cleveland
Beth Templeton by Burnett Kelly
BethTempleton by David S. Templeton
Susan Thomas by Jean B. Sanderson
Keith Trout by Charles T. Cramer
Marion Tucker by Jean B. Sanderson
Marion Tucker by Dr. Thomas E. Tucker
The Tuesday Lunch Bunch by Mr. and Mrs. Anthony
Pickett
Jeff Urquhart by Robert W. Albright
Thomas Urquhart by Robert W. Albright
Marilyn Vanvick by Brad Vanvick
Marilyn Vanvick by Mark D. Vanvick
David Watson by Eugenia Vicars
Reba Wilkins by Pamela A. Wilkins
Sally Williams by Elizabeth L. Cleveland
Nancy Winborne by Benjamin Sullivan
Claire Winkler by Lillian Darby
Claire Winkler by Reba N. Wilkins
Sara Young by Jean B. Sanderson
Nat Atkinson by Tonjia S. Groblewski
Carl Bailey by Elinor Bailey
Woodrow Bailey by Linda Rogers
Ottis Ballenger by Ann Ballenger
Louise and Paul Bentley by Sarah Bell
Tim Bright by Doris Clanton
Mamie Bruce by Elizabeth M. Marion
Brian Cato by Kenneth E. Moore
David Chapman by Howard T. Chapman
Marjorie Christy by Kenneth S. Christy
Marjorie Christy by Janey House
F. Clarke by Capt. And Mrs. James T. Clarke
Will Cox by Peggy Cox
Lucy Cox by Carl K. Scull
Frederick Davis by Emily Davis
Isabel Davis by Emily Davis
Ronald Dawkins by Deltec Packaginig Associates Inc.
Ann Dellinger by W.Gaines Huguley
Claire Dosher by William B. Richmond
Robert Estes by Christine Goforth
Bill Fisher by Furman University Library and Facility Staff
JoNell Force by Suzannah Long
Hazel Forrester by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sutherland
Kathy Francois by Bill Foster
W. M. Gilliand by Ann Burroughs
Mary Ellen Gilliland by Ann Burroughs
Walter Gilliland by Ann Burroughs
My Grandparents by Carol Pyfrom Realty
Patty Griffith-Fallaw by Adelaide Johnson
John Groblewski by Tonjia S. Groblewski
Ruth Harrington by Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Few
Joyce Harris by Edwards Forest Heights Homeowners
Association
Joyce Harris by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sutherland
Virginia Hill by Mr. and Mrs. David Donelson
Virginia Hill by John McNanaway
Virginia Hill by Elaine G. Thomason
Virginia Hill by Bingham L. Vick
Sue Howie by Patricia S. Wood
Alan Johnstone by Marion R. Grier
James Jolley by David M. Beacham
James Jolley by Kent Satterfield
Rachel Jones by Susan Jones
Thomas Keith by Mason Williams
Elizabeth Kelly by Mr. and Mrs. P. Edwin Good
Berkeley Little by J. Bryan Little
Sven Ljunggren by Capt. And Mrs. James T. Clarke
Naomi Lyda by Janey House
Hap Marshall by Betty Morin
Diane Martin by Mr. and Mrs. John S. Bailey
Olson and Martin Martin Families by Jack M. Olson
Bobbie Mayer by Mr. and Mrs. David Donelson
Andrea McCain by Janey House
Jeff Melson by Robert C. Ashworth
Shuler Mims by Dr. Thomas E. Tucker
Bud Moss by Ann Ballenger
Andy and Minnie Palmer by June M. Palmer
Mack Pazdan by Leonard Lees
Mack Pazdan by Joseph J. Pazdan
Laurie Roberts by Dorothy Turner
Mary and Mitchell Robinson by Jack C. Robinson
Gerald Stroud by Ann Ballenger
Ed Timmons by Ann Ballenger
Mac Timmons by Ann Ballenger
Betty Tollison by Father Henry Tollison
Nancy Vance by Lynn C. Eskew
Charles Weeks by Juliana W. Weeks
Betty White by Elizabeth M. Cook
Dustin Whitmire by Dr. and Mrs. David Whitmire
Amanda Williams by Walter W. Muirhead
Stan Wilson by Mr. and Mrs. John S. Bailey
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United Ministries
606 Pendleton Street
Greenville, SC 29601
864.232.6463 phone
www.united-ministries.org
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
GREENVILLE, SC
PERMIT NO. 1019
The life changing opportunities that you provided are inside...