Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Be still and know...
Psalm 46 is a great psalm to read when you are experiencing times of trouble. One of my favorite verses is verse 10. I truly believe God speaks to me when I stop and listen to Him. It is so important to know that when we are experiencing trials, He is with us. The bible tells us that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The problem is we don't always listen. I know without a doubt that if i think for a minute that I am in charge here or in my life, God will let me try to handle things on my own. If I turn to Him and follow His guidings, He always blesses. Not always the way I think He should, but the way He knows it should be. I just have to remember to take time out of my busy day to be still and know that He is God and he is my strength.
Every day at Christian HELP we meet people who are going through really tough times. They have lost jobs, health, homes, and sometimes even loved ones. We can provide a listening ear, coaching and job leads, food to keep them full, but most of all we can pray for their needs.
Sometimes we just need to spend time alone in prayer and ask God to guide our steps as we search for a job or move on to the next steps of our lives. Know that He is listening.
We are so thankful for all of the prayer warriors out there praying for the Christian HELP team.
Every day at Christian HELP we meet people who are going through really tough times. They have lost jobs, health, homes, and sometimes even loved ones. We can provide a listening ear, coaching and job leads, food to keep them full, but most of all we can pray for their needs.
Sometimes we just need to spend time alone in prayer and ask God to guide our steps as we search for a job or move on to the next steps of our lives. Know that He is listening.
We are so thankful for all of the prayer warriors out there praying for the Christian HELP team.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Relying on God
Helping people can be tough. The needs are diverse and many times much bigger than one person or one agency can handle. Throw in a wrench like losing a contributing grocery store to a change in company policy or a supporting church to declining donations and it becomes harder. The good news is God is in control and He always provides.
Tomorrow I am speaking about trends in the economy and hiring. In May Central Florida lost 135,000 jobs and unemployment is still in the double digits at 11.1%. We are desparately trying to find a silver lining in the economy and an end to all of the tough times.
You are still providing hope, encouragement, love, and prayer to the unemployed. Still providing job seekers with job leads, coaching, skills classes, and free resumes. The pantry may have less some days, but like the loaves and fishes, God stretches what we have and you provide the prayers and the means.
I am encouraged every time a job seeker lands a job. Every time someone gives us good news and lets us know how much your support of Christian HELP helped them. We recently profiled James in our e-newletter. At 59, he thought he would never land a job, but HE DID. He is now on his way back to stability. There are so many others who have landed jobs and we celebrate.
Our work is not done. It is through you and others like you, God provides for Christian HELP. Thank you for your support.
I hope you will join us at Christmas in July on the 23rd. It is certain to be a great event!
Be blessed,
Sandi
Tomorrow I am speaking about trends in the economy and hiring. In May Central Florida lost 135,000 jobs and unemployment is still in the double digits at 11.1%. We are desparately trying to find a silver lining in the economy and an end to all of the tough times.
You are still providing hope, encouragement, love, and prayer to the unemployed. Still providing job seekers with job leads, coaching, skills classes, and free resumes. The pantry may have less some days, but like the loaves and fishes, God stretches what we have and you provide the prayers and the means.
I am encouraged every time a job seeker lands a job. Every time someone gives us good news and lets us know how much your support of Christian HELP helped them. We recently profiled James in our e-newletter. At 59, he thought he would never land a job, but HE DID. He is now on his way back to stability. There are so many others who have landed jobs and we celebrate.
Our work is not done. It is through you and others like you, God provides for Christian HELP. Thank you for your support.
I hope you will join us at Christmas in July on the 23rd. It is certain to be a great event!
Be blessed,
Sandi
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
A note from our Development Director about her day of counseling
I had planned on spending the morning at Christian HELP answering phones to learn what needs were in our community at this time. God had another plan for me.
I arrived at Christian HELP at 9:15am - just in time for their morning gathering round the little table in the kitchen to pray. We lifted each other up in prayer and the clients that would be coming in for various needs. As I made my way to the front desk to man the phones, Kristy Owens, our Director of Operations asked if I would be willing to do some Employment Counseling with the clients as we were short staffed. When something unexpected happens I am keenly aware that God may have something to show me and I jumped at the chance.
I only saw four clients today but what a cross-section of our community.
My first client was a lovely young lady who was attending college to get her degree but was looking for a part-time job to help her with her basic bills. We did a job search and I found two leads for her to walk away with and she was able to get some groceries from our pantry.
My next client was an elderly couple (65+). They had both been out of work for a year and his unemployment checks had once again stopped and they were hungry and scared. They had no family, only each other. We did a job search and found some leads but my hope for them was small. Who is going to hire someone that age? The husband looked frail and was asking for mechanical leads. He had his resume with him and was so earnest about finding something. Our volunteer who assists with resumes was there so I asked him to help my client as well. We prayed and they received bags of food to put in their car. Later I spoke to Kristy saying I felt we were not able to help them and she explained to me that we were. Christian HELP is independent and we have the discretion to serve those who we feel are in need. The groceries that we were able to give this couple was a dire need that we were filling and one we are able to continue to fill, the other need was just spending time with them, listening to them and praying with them. There are not many places out there where this couple can go and receive that much needed attention.
My third client was a lady who was able to help herself but was not doing so. She had been seeing us for over a year and was not following up on the job leads we were giving her. I had to explain to her that we were not helping her move forward and that she needed to seek out other agencies that may be a better fit for her.
Lastly I had a well dressed, educated women who came in for the first time. She had been out of work for 4 months and was feeling a little discouraged. Her experience was good and we were able to find very promising leads for her - it was rewarding to see her leave feeling more encouraged.
I love things to be black and white. I love to know if you are looking for a job we help you - if you are not we don't. Well guess what.....life is gray......there are people out there who don't fall into certain categories. This does not mean they do not deserve to be helped. I am totally against enabling people to be dependant but seeing this need this morning helped me to understand that God has us here for many reasons, not just one and we need to let him guide us to show where He wants to use us.
I also realized our logo - Christian HELP (Hope, Encourage, Love & Prayer) was right on the mark and being carried out every day!
Jackie Normand
Ministry Development Director
Thank You
Thank your to all our donors who make this Ministry possible. Please feel free to visit us to see God's work in action.
I arrived at Christian HELP at 9:15am - just in time for their morning gathering round the little table in the kitchen to pray. We lifted each other up in prayer and the clients that would be coming in for various needs. As I made my way to the front desk to man the phones, Kristy Owens, our Director of Operations asked if I would be willing to do some Employment Counseling with the clients as we were short staffed. When something unexpected happens I am keenly aware that God may have something to show me and I jumped at the chance.
I only saw four clients today but what a cross-section of our community.
My first client was a lovely young lady who was attending college to get her degree but was looking for a part-time job to help her with her basic bills. We did a job search and I found two leads for her to walk away with and she was able to get some groceries from our pantry.
My next client was an elderly couple (65+). They had both been out of work for a year and his unemployment checks had once again stopped and they were hungry and scared. They had no family, only each other. We did a job search and found some leads but my hope for them was small. Who is going to hire someone that age? The husband looked frail and was asking for mechanical leads. He had his resume with him and was so earnest about finding something. Our volunteer who assists with resumes was there so I asked him to help my client as well. We prayed and they received bags of food to put in their car. Later I spoke to Kristy saying I felt we were not able to help them and she explained to me that we were. Christian HELP is independent and we have the discretion to serve those who we feel are in need. The groceries that we were able to give this couple was a dire need that we were filling and one we are able to continue to fill, the other need was just spending time with them, listening to them and praying with them. There are not many places out there where this couple can go and receive that much needed attention.
My third client was a lady who was able to help herself but was not doing so. She had been seeing us for over a year and was not following up on the job leads we were giving her. I had to explain to her that we were not helping her move forward and that she needed to seek out other agencies that may be a better fit for her.
Lastly I had a well dressed, educated women who came in for the first time. She had been out of work for 4 months and was feeling a little discouraged. Her experience was good and we were able to find very promising leads for her - it was rewarding to see her leave feeling more encouraged.
I love things to be black and white. I love to know if you are looking for a job we help you - if you are not we don't. Well guess what.....life is gray......there are people out there who don't fall into certain categories. This does not mean they do not deserve to be helped. I am totally against enabling people to be dependant but seeing this need this morning helped me to understand that God has us here for many reasons, not just one and we need to let him guide us to show where He wants to use us.
I also realized our logo - Christian HELP (Hope, Encourage, Love & Prayer) was right on the mark and being carried out every day!
Jackie Normand
Ministry Development Director
Thank You
Thank your to all our donors who make this Ministry possible. Please feel free to visit us to see God's work in action.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Upcoming Events at Christian HELP
Each month from January to September Christian HELP holds a lunch and tour so you can "Come and See" what God is doing at Christian HELP. The next tour will be June 7th and we would love to have you attend. The lunch starts at noon and ends around 1:00 PM. You can RSVP to jackie@christianhelp.org.
We have the 14th Annual Job fair this week on May 19th Featuring over 70 employers, educational opportunities, and job seeker resources. This is a great way to meet employers face to face. Details and registration are online at http://cfec.org.
On May 26th at 3:00 PM at the Christian HELP office, we will have our online search tips class with Michael Johnson as the trainer. The class helps job seekers to prepare for job search online.
The next day on May 27th we have our 4th Re-Charge and Re-Energize your job search seminar sponsored by WESH Channel 2. This seminar will help job seekers with interviewing, job search survival, and image. Job seeker resources will be available. Register online at http://cfec.org.
In July we will have our 3rd Annual Christmas in July event featuring musical entertainment, Melony McKaye from Z88.3 Radio, a Silent Auction, and a Dessert social. All are welcome to attend. Proceeds from the auction benefit the Christian HELP community Christmas Program.
Check our website often for other upcoming events and tell your friends!
We have the 14th Annual Job fair this week on May 19th Featuring over 70 employers, educational opportunities, and job seeker resources. This is a great way to meet employers face to face. Details and registration are online at http://cfec.org.
On May 26th at 3:00 PM at the Christian HELP office, we will have our online search tips class with Michael Johnson as the trainer. The class helps job seekers to prepare for job search online.
The next day on May 27th we have our 4th Re-Charge and Re-Energize your job search seminar sponsored by WESH Channel 2. This seminar will help job seekers with interviewing, job search survival, and image. Job seeker resources will be available. Register online at http://cfec.org.
In July we will have our 3rd Annual Christmas in July event featuring musical entertainment, Melony McKaye from Z88.3 Radio, a Silent Auction, and a Dessert social. All are welcome to attend. Proceeds from the auction benefit the Christian HELP community Christmas Program.
Check our website often for other upcoming events and tell your friends!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Be a lifeline for someone in need...
In our last e-mail newsletter we shared with readers some of the success stories we have experienced recently at Christian HELP, we are so blessed when clients come in and share how our services and our team have helped to connect them with a job, keep food on their tables and provide them with hope.
Behind each success story is another soul who is still a work in progress struggling to make ends meet, wondering if they will make it to their next meal. There are stories of depression and despair, hurt and rejection as they apply for job after job only to hear that they have not been chosen or maybe not even hearing back at all.
Every day we see people like Cora who lost her professional job because she refused to be unethical and was told "there is no place for you here anymore", and Amy a single mom whose husband left her after 20 years of marriage, and she was laid off from her job. We see people like Jennifer who has one more night in her extended stay hotel before she ends up on the street with her 11 year old daughter if they can't find a shelter bed, after she lost her job and could no longer afford the rent.
It is hard to believe that I am officially celebrating my 3rd anniversary with Christian HELP this month. So much has changed with our economy and we have had to change with it. We are continuously working to improve our services to provide our clients with all of the tools we can to help them move forward. We have solidified partnerships with other agencies and resources in an effort to compliment our services. We have engaged the Human Resources community to provide hands-on interaction with our clients to share their knowledge and tips with job seekers. It is such a blessing when a job seeker tells us we helped them to get the job!
In this economy our services are needed now more than ever. It is people like you who provide the majority of the funding for our services. We cannot do what we do without God's blessing and your help.
Just as a reminder, in April your funds will be matched by the Alan S. Feinstein Foundation, Charity Challenge, and a few generous donors. Your donation of $30 will become $60 and will feed a family of 4 for a month, Your donation of $100 will become $200 and will keep the lights on for a family, Your donation of $1000 will help place 20 clients in jobs. Your donation is a a lifeline for a job seeker in need. We cannot thank you enough for helping us to continue to do what we do.
God is in Control and He is active at Christian HELP. We are so glad to have you as part of our "family here". I personally feel so blessed for all of the prayers and support we have received. Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me anytime.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us financially, prayerfully, and with your words of encouragement. We appreciate you.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Behind each success story is another soul who is still a work in progress struggling to make ends meet, wondering if they will make it to their next meal. There are stories of depression and despair, hurt and rejection as they apply for job after job only to hear that they have not been chosen or maybe not even hearing back at all.
Every day we see people like Cora who lost her professional job because she refused to be unethical and was told "there is no place for you here anymore", and Amy a single mom whose husband left her after 20 years of marriage, and she was laid off from her job. We see people like Jennifer who has one more night in her extended stay hotel before she ends up on the street with her 11 year old daughter if they can't find a shelter bed, after she lost her job and could no longer afford the rent.
It is hard to believe that I am officially celebrating my 3rd anniversary with Christian HELP this month. So much has changed with our economy and we have had to change with it. We are continuously working to improve our services to provide our clients with all of the tools we can to help them move forward. We have solidified partnerships with other agencies and resources in an effort to compliment our services. We have engaged the Human Resources community to provide hands-on interaction with our clients to share their knowledge and tips with job seekers. It is such a blessing when a job seeker tells us we helped them to get the job!
In this economy our services are needed now more than ever. It is people like you who provide the majority of the funding for our services. We cannot do what we do without God's blessing and your help.
Just as a reminder, in April your funds will be matched by the Alan S. Feinstein Foundation, Charity Challenge, and a few generous donors. Your donation of $30 will become $60 and will feed a family of 4 for a month, Your donation of $100 will become $200 and will keep the lights on for a family, Your donation of $1000 will help place 20 clients in jobs. Your donation is a a lifeline for a job seeker in need. We cannot thank you enough for helping us to continue to do what we do.
God is in Control and He is active at Christian HELP. We are so glad to have you as part of our "family here". I personally feel so blessed for all of the prayers and support we have received. Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me anytime.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us financially, prayerfully, and with your words of encouragement. We appreciate you.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Double Your Impact With Local Giving
I am finding it a bit harder to ask for support as I see tragedies happen around the world. The devestating earthquakes in Haiti and Chile just tear your heart out. Images of hurting people are sometimes too much to bear. They need our support, but there is still hurt and pain here at home too.
Unemployment is at record highs and people are just paralyzed in their job search. Even well networked people are having a harder time finding a job. We saw over 10,000 clients last year at Christian HELP and we are averaging 12-15 more each day than this time last year.
The most disturbing thing is how many people come in hungry. Really hungry. We have cookies in the lobby each day and the plate is empty minutes after it is set out. A few times counselors have run to the back to get someone food just so they can talk to them about employment.
There is a chance unemployment benefits may not be extended. Unemployment benefits of just $275 a week run 26 weeks. According to the Department of Labor a job search can take an average of 33.5 weeks. What do you do in between? Throw in a health issue and it is a disaster in the making.
People are mad, they are scared, they don't know where to turn. No one gets back to them after they spend 2 hours working on an application online. They feel like a number.
At Christian HELP, we still answer our phones with a live person. We offer a warm and welcoming safe place for people to come and share their stories. We have volunteers who dedicate a day or more a week EVERY week to making sure clients are cared for. We offer Hope, Encouragement, Love, and Prayer.
Help us continue to help these clients. They are your friends and your neighbors. We have seen so many people these past 2 years go from comfortable to choosing between rent and food. Beside almost every unemployed person is a child or a family to support.
In March and April through the generosity of the Feinstein Foundation, some generous directors and donors, and Charity Challenge every dollar donated to Christian HELP is doubled; $25 becomes $50, $500 becomes $1000 and so on. Will you please consider a donation at this time.
Thank you so much for your prayers and generosity.
Unemployment is at record highs and people are just paralyzed in their job search. Even well networked people are having a harder time finding a job. We saw over 10,000 clients last year at Christian HELP and we are averaging 12-15 more each day than this time last year.
The most disturbing thing is how many people come in hungry. Really hungry. We have cookies in the lobby each day and the plate is empty minutes after it is set out. A few times counselors have run to the back to get someone food just so they can talk to them about employment.
There is a chance unemployment benefits may not be extended. Unemployment benefits of just $275 a week run 26 weeks. According to the Department of Labor a job search can take an average of 33.5 weeks. What do you do in between? Throw in a health issue and it is a disaster in the making.
People are mad, they are scared, they don't know where to turn. No one gets back to them after they spend 2 hours working on an application online. They feel like a number.
At Christian HELP, we still answer our phones with a live person. We offer a warm and welcoming safe place for people to come and share their stories. We have volunteers who dedicate a day or more a week EVERY week to making sure clients are cared for. We offer Hope, Encouragement, Love, and Prayer.
Help us continue to help these clients. They are your friends and your neighbors. We have seen so many people these past 2 years go from comfortable to choosing between rent and food. Beside almost every unemployed person is a child or a family to support.
In March and April through the generosity of the Feinstein Foundation, some generous directors and donors, and Charity Challenge every dollar donated to Christian HELP is doubled; $25 becomes $50, $500 becomes $1000 and so on. Will you please consider a donation at this time.
Thank you so much for your prayers and generosity.
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