New York Leading the Way to Remember the Poor PDF Print Email
by www.HOPEww.org  -  Friday, 13 March 2009
HOPEworldwide >> North America / Caribbean
“Hope is necessary in every condition. The miseries of poverty, sickness and captivity would, without this comfort, be insupportable”.
--Samuel Johnson

We need hope in any and every situation in our lives, especially when we carry the crushing load of poverty and its attendant problems. This is why God placed on the hearts of the Evangelists and Ministry Leaders of the New York City Church of Christ to propose a day of remembering the poor throughout the ICOC worldwide.

The idea was enthusiastically received by the Benevolence Service Team of ICOC Cooperation churches and so Sunday, April 26, 2009 has been set aside as ‘Remember the Poor’ Day. It will be a day Christians will be called to follow the example of Christ’s heart for the poor and to open our eyes to the ever increasing poverty around us and around the world - particularly in light of the current worldwide economic recession.

“He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord and he will reward him for what he has done”-Proverbs 19:17 NIV.

The New York City Church of Christ through its long-standing partnership with HOPE worldwide Tri-State, is dedicated to meeting the needs of the poor and needy within the communities in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Tri-State area. This partnership has allowed HOPE worldwide Tri-State to provide services to the underprivileged and downtrodden in the New York metropolitan area for over 15 years.

Throughout the year HOPE worldwide Tri-State, runs programs for ‘at-risk’ youth, families in need and sponsors events, providing many opportunities for the dedicated volunteers of the NYCCOC to emulate Jesus’ life and ministry to the poor.

Highlights of 2008-2009 Season of Service:

  • Season of Service - The 2008 season began with a 5K & Fit Walk/Run Fitness Celebration and continued with food drives in October and November, and the Holiday Toy Drive and Parties in December. Food Pantries in particular have been hit hard by the economic recession with increased demand for their services in the face of drastic reductions in donated food supplies. HOPE worldwide Tri-State supports local Food Banks and Pantries through its quarterly Food Drives and is committed to helping families prevent hunger. Hundreds of children and families benefited and were able to feel support and encouragement during the holiday season. 6,400lbs of food were donated in 2008 through the efforts of HOPE worldwide Tri-State. The Season of Service ended with the Martin Luther King Day of Service in January 2009.
  • Martin Luther King Day of Service - HOPE worldwide Tri-State in partnership with the American Red Cross, hosted MLK Day service events at 2 locations in Queens, New York and in Newark, New Jersey. 360 volunteers from HOPE worldwide Tri-State and the American Red Cross joined together to distribute fire safety information to residents of Queens and Newark. This second annual community service program was aimed at providing residents with vital information to help save lives and strengthen their communities. HOPE worldwide Tri-State volunteers also participated in 6 additional service projects hosted by other local partner organizations throughout the New York metropolitan area. In all, over 5,000 people were served through the generosity of the volunteers.

Our Child and Youth Education Programs:

  • Saturday Academy - providing a safe haven on Saturdays, where the children feel nurtured, have fun and learn in a positive environment. Located in the Bronx, NY and in Newark and Paterson, NJ, over 300 students are served yearly.
  • Books for Kids/Food for Thought Program - A program that has provided 2,334 new books to the Interfaith Food Pantry of Morris County for distribution to the children of the families served by the pantry.
  • National Youth Service Day - On National & Global Youth Service Day 2008, teen and pre-teen volunteers from suburban New Jersey, and the Paterson, NJ Saturday Academy served at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey located in Hillside, NJ. This Service Learning event opens the eyes of many of the youth to the needs right in their own communities.
  • Back-to-School Drive – Every August backpacks filled with school supplies are presented to students of the Saturday Academies in New Jersey and children at the Isaiah House, a shelter for women and children in East Orange, NJ

Our Community Health Education efforts:

  • Annual Health Fair - in Queens, NY in which there are health screenings, demonstrations and a blood drive organized in partnership with the American Red Cross. Vendors from government and the private healthcare sector, including alternative medicine are represented at the event.
  • Healthy Lifestyles Program - Nutrition and exercise program for children and youth run in conjunction with the Saturday Academy. Students enrolled in the Saturday Academies were taught how to make nutritious, healthy food choices and to make regular physical exercise a life choice through weekly sports activities and nutrition classes. Parents of the students also participate in a Healthy Lifestyles Workshop.

Go to www.HOPEww.org/rememberthepoor to learn more

HOPE worldwide - Bring hope. Change lives. Help make a difference in the lives of some of the world's most desparate and needy. Donate today!
Visit us at www.hopeww.org to learn more about all of HOPE worldwide's programs and see how you can be a part of global change to bring hope to some of the world's most needy.

To read more articles from HOPE worldwide on Disciples Today:

Remember the Poor April 26, 2009
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Record Turnout Expected on MLK Day
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Boston Church Makes an Impact on MLK Day
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Last Updated:   Friday, 13 March 2009
 
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