OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities for Sharing and Enrichment
WREN NEEDS
	Women’s Re-entry Network (WREN), an organization that serves both incarcerated and recently released women, is in need of the following: For the women in the re-entry program: large-sized shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and deodorant. For the women in Cuyahoga County Jail: travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, lotion, deodorant, and toothpaste. Please give your donations to Kathy Baker, 216-383-1684.
THE DYNAMIC DOLPHINS
	The Early Childhood Development Center, the Cleveland Public School that we “adopted” this year, invited those of us who have been volunteering there to their Volunteer Luncheon on May 25. Not only were we given a delicious meal, but we were honored with many gifts and recognition for tutoring and also for both stocking and staffing the “Dolphin Depot,” the store where children can buy toys and trinkets with the “Dolphin Dollars” they’ve earned for good behavior. Ann Drysdale was presented with a book of letters of thanks from the children. Ann has been the one purchasing items for the store, recruiting volunteers to staff it, and maintaining our relationship with the “Dynamic Dolphins.”
ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES
	Read below for all the opportunities coming your way in October for learning, advocacy, spiritual growth, and service. In chronological order, starting with ongoing: Pen pal Prison Project: 36 women in the Northeast Pre-Release Center would like to correspond with members and friends of our church. Some of them have been incarcerated for over a decade, and don’t receive much mail any more. Please contact Kathy Baker if you would like to become a pen pal to one of these women. Cleveland Clinic’s MD Project: Applications are now being accepted for Cleveland Clinic’s Charles R. Drew Saturday Academy. The program is a collaborative internship program sponsored by the Cleveland Clinic and Health Legacy of Cleveland and is designed for underrepresented minority students with a health career goal of becoming a physician, research scientist, physician investigator or physician leader. Successful applicants will commit to attending 12 sessions on consecutive Saturdays from January 16, 2010 through the month of March, culminating with a graduation ceremony on March 30. Please contact the church office for application and forms. Mother/Child Journals (for use in jail) soft covered lined notebooks construction paper glue sticks *Jail toiletry bags* small TRAVEL SIZED toiletries: lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, conditioner, bar soap small zip-lock bags NO mouthwash
THE EUCLID AVENUE CITIZEN CIRCLE
	Citizen Circle, a program co-sponsored by our church and the Church of the Covenant, continues to meet once a month with people who have requested our help in re-entering the community after years, if not decades, of incarceration. We already have one success story: Mr. C., who gives us credit for renewing his self-confidence as he faced employers who refused to hire him because of his prison record and family members who made it obvious that they didn’t trust him. Today he has a job and is working towards receiving an associates’ degree from Cuyahoga Community College. Mr. C. is still part of our circle, but has moved from being a recently released “participant” to being one of those who encourages and advises the participants. If you would like to become involved in this ministry, speak to Kathy Baker, Jewel Green, Calvin Humphrey, Nathaniel Martin or Dean Sieck.
VOLUNTEER HELP NEEDED
	Charlene Higginbotham has passed onto us this appeal for volunteer help at the UCC office this summer: Hello Everyone, I am wondering if you know of anyone who would like to volunteer to help us organize some books that were donated to us. We would pay for their transportation to and from for each day that they are here in addition to lunch. We are looking at sometime during the summer months. If you know of anyone, let me know. thanks Linda Long, Executive Assistant United Church of Christ Justice & Witness Ministries 700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115 216.736.3705 longl@ucc.org www.ucc.org God Blesses Us To Be A Blessing Unto Others
Children's Defense Fund
	The Cleveland office of the Children’s Defense Fund has begun an ecumenical and interfaith network of women, called Women of Faith, to provide strong effective voices for children. Of particular concern are poor children who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. To learn more about this ministry, please phone Rev. Mylion Waite, Senior Manager, at 216-298-4480.
DONATIONS NEEDED
	The Renaissance Residence, scheduled to open this month, is a 12 month re-entry program for women sponsored by “Just Like Us” Family Enrichment Center. The program will provide support and help prepare women for employment, re-uniting with families, housing, education and community. Donations of twin sized linens, towels, wash cloths, toiletry items, paper goods, kitchen supplies, cleaning materials, shower curtains, washable rugs, robes, house shoes, dressers and night stands are needed. Contact Dyeatra Williams at dew7@sbcglobal.net
PRISON MINISTRY AT EACC
	Thanks to those of you who have been bringing in personal hygiene items for the women in the County Jail and Northeast Pre-release Center. There is a basket in the parlor for your donations, and it is emptied and its contents delivered to the women who need them at least twice monthly. They are not allowed glass bottles, dental floss, aerosol cans, or anything - such as mouthwash - containing alcohol, so please bring in items in plastic containers such as lotion, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner. Toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap are also welcome.
ARE YOU A “SEASONED INDIVIDUAL?”
	Several Cleveland area nonprofit organizations, including the ACLU of Ohio, Community shares, Adoption Network Cleveland and Hard-Hatted Women, are collaborating on a volunteer program called “Engaging for Civic Change” supported by the Cleveland Foundation’s Successful Aging Initiative. They are looking for seasoned individuals moving into a new phase of their lives who want to volunteer to support the causes they care about. To learn more, visit www.communityshares.org/eecc.shtml or call Francis Martin at Community Shares, 216-361-9920.

Opportunities for Sharing and Enrichment