SSM Culinary Arts Hall of Fame

We were recently asked by Jennifer Zammuto of Caterpillar, Inc., "Who are some of South Side Mission's Culinary Arts Training School graduates who have gone on to bigger and better things?"

I am grateful to say that many of the grads have! Particularly noteworthy are the ones who have attained a level of leadership in their particular kitchens, as of the time of this writing, including:

Chef Bert Gates of Cafe 101. Chef Bert is the first SSM CATS grad to open a restaurant. His bistro on Prospect, just north of Forrest Hill in Peoria is great for a light, bright lunch. For more on Bert and Cafe 101, click here

Scott Willis is the Head Chef at Basta in Morton, moderately-priced and family friendly.

David Schneider is the Saucier at Embassy Suites in East Peoria. The Saucier is among the top positions in a gourmet kitchen and specializes in soups & sauces.

Paul Sutton, pictured above, is the Executive Chef, second shift, in the Executive Dining Room at Caterpillar in Morton.

LaAngela Pointer is the Head Chef at Bickford House, one of the nicer senior living facilities in the area.

Jerome Howell is the Head Chef at Bickford House in Bloomington.
Laura Toles runs the Gluten-free operation at Apple's Bakery in north Peoria. For more on Laura, click here.

Ministry By the Numbers - September 2010

Mission Mart Morton, in the Field Shopping Center. Visit soon!


HIGHLIGHTS FROM SEPTEMBER 2010

Decisions to follow Christ for the month
129

Average number of homeless women & children housed nightly
20

Families served with free clothing, furniture, appliances & housewares
531

Attendance in our Laramie Street Sunday School, weekly
24

Attendance at our RiverWest Bible Study
3

Elderly Services home, hospital or nursing home visits
30

Formerly homeless women moving out successfully
5

Food baskets given away at our RiverWest Satellite Office
13

Boys Club attendance
37

Number of people completing a discipleship course this month
3

Average attendance at the Lighthouse Diner
25

Girls Club attendance
60

Churches that have Adopted Blocks in 61605
18

Food baskets given away through our Garden Street Benevolence Center
547

Attendance at our South Side Manor Bible Study
8

College Club kids enrolled in College
5

Food baskets given away at our Harrison Homes Satellite Office
50

Attendance at our Harrison Homes Bible Studies (2)
38

Daytime In-School Suspension ministry
18

Attendance in our Chapel services, Laramie Street, weekly
38

Volunteer hours, as a ministry
1,585

Attendance in our Chapel services, Garden Street, weekly
269

Attendance at our B’Nai B’Rith Bible Study
8

Pastoral care visits & counsels (non-elderly)
44

Attendance at our Hurlburt House Bible Study
6

Hot meals to the poor
5,750

Mother’s of Kids in the Youth Department Meeting
18

Kids enrolled in After-School Tutoring
53

FINANCIALS FROM SEPTEMBER 2010

Monthly revenue vs. budgeted
$190,776/$265,276

Monthly expenses vs. budgeted
$274,369/$237,382

Positive or Negative on the Month
- $83,592

Yearly revenue vs. budgeted
$1,901,074/$1,882,484

Yearly expenses vs. budgeted
$2,395,041/$2,447,522

Positive or Negative on the Year
$- 493,967

How we’re doing versus budget
+ $71,071

How Can the Mission Feel OK About Losing $493,000 on the year so far?

South Side Mission takes in a surplus of dollars during the Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. It loses money during the other times of year, with some exceptions. This is not uncommon for Missions. However, the surplus we receive during the Holidays is usually so large that it offsets the loss and we finish at break-even on the year. This makes cash flow an issue, but the Mission has reserves that help. This will begin turning around in October and will even out at year’s end.

One of our former residents called to say that she is grateful for what she received from South Side Mission. She has been sober now for five years. She received encouragement and support from the staff. She is graduating from college in May 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management. She has been working at Catepillar for five years. Her oldest daughter is in college and her youngest son is now in Jr. High School. She would not have been able to talk about her success if it had not been for the mission. She believes in Jesus and knows that he is the reason for her accomplishments.

I am a big believer in what Rev. Henry Blackaby says “find out where God is working and join Him there.” Well, I think we may see God working in an additional way in our Youth Ministry. Over at the Breakout Youth Center, we do a lot of ministry after school, but we don’t do all that much during the school day. So twice this young school year already, we have been contacted to do some tutoring and ministry with at-risk kids who have been kicked out of school—effectively, these kids would serve out in-school suspensions at the Mission. The advantage is we can extend our ministry day and number of kids served and most importantly share the Gospel with them.

Out at Camp Kearney, we have added a great new feature—a boardwalk through the marsh on the north side of the main lake. This gives a quicker way around the lake and does so in a scenic, fun way.

76 Miles Per Gallon?

Reverend OJ Nicholas' car gets 76 Miles per gallon? You may get even better than that if your errand has eternal implications.

The family of Art Wheeler showed up at our Benevolence Center on Garden Street and had a poignant request.

"Can you come with us to visit our Dad, Art Wheeler? He's on his deathbed with spinal cancer and can't leave his room. He wants to be saved." The look on the family members' faces told us that there was no time to waste.

Seldom does a minister get such a ready-made Salvation opportunity. So Reverend OJ Nicholas, a part-time staffer for South Side Mission, jumped in his car and followed the Wheeler family back to their house.

Halfway to the other side of Brimfield, IL, where the Wheeler family live, Reverend OJ realized that his gas tank was on empty and he had only a dollar in his pocket. OJ knew that his errand was critical, but did not know what to do. At that moment, God put in OJ's spirit a peace that said, "it will be enough gas." Sure enough, the needle did not move any further toward E, and OJ pulled into the Wheeler family's driveway.

Inside, OJ met other family members and exchanged pleasantries. But he knew that he was here on the Lord's errand, so he quickly excused himself to go in to talk to Art. God has given OJ much experience ministering at the sickbeds of those in need. He listened to Art as the sick man shared with OJ his life and the state of his disease. OJ shared some scriptures and led Art in the prayer of Salvation.

As Art finished his heartfelt prayer and experienced the "peace that passeth all understanding," he asked another request. "Would it be too much trouble to baptize me?" So, while Art was too infirm to undergo a full-fledged dunking, Reverend OJ, with the help of family members, was able to fortify Art's bed with a few towels. OJ filled a pitcher with water and baptized Art a few minutes later.

Driving his car the 38 miles back to our Benevolence Center on the South Side of Peoria, OJ felt that same peace that flooded Art Wheeler an hour earlier. And yes, the gas tank needle on OJ's car never moved.