Ministry By the Numbers - January 2012

Rev. O.J. Nicholas hammers home a point in our Benevolence Center chapel!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM JANUARY 2012

Decisions to follow Christ for the month
182

Avg. Nightly Census in our New Promise Center shelter
43

Attendance for our Boys Clubs (3)
80

Weekly avg at our before-school Bible study at Manual High School
12

Families served with free clothing, furniture, appliances & housewares
460

Attendance in our Laramie Street Sunday School, weekly
31

Attendance at our RiverWest Bible Study
6

Weekly avg at our before-school Bible study at Trewyn
30

Attendees for the Heartland Apartments Bible Study
11

Elderly Services home, hospital or nursing home visits
71

Formerly homeless women moving out successfully
4

Weekly avg at our before-school Bible study at Roosevelt Magnet School
45

Attendance for our Girls Clubs (3)
50

Families helped with food at our RiverWest Satellite Office
23

Kids enrolled in after-school tutoring
72

Weekly avg at our before-school Bible study at Pleasant Hill School
40

Children enrolled in our Kings Kids Christian Day Care
36

Number of people completing a discipleship course this month
20

Weekly avg at our before-school Bible study at Harrison School
50

Average attendance at the Lighthouse Diner
20

Churches that have Adopted Blocks in 61605
23

Families enrolled to be mentored in our Family Mentoring Program
4

Families helped with food baskets through our Benevolence Center
500

Attendance at our South Side Manor Bible Study
8

Families helped with food at our Harrison Homes Satellite Office
40

Attendance in our Chapel services, Laramie Street, weekly
42

Attendance in our Chapel services, Garden Street, weekly
240

Attendance at our B’Nai B’Rith Bible Study
10

Pastoral care visits & counsels (non-elderly)
46

Attendance at our Hurlburt House Bible Study
6

Hot meals to the poor
5,229

Mother’s of Kids in the Youth Department Meeting
30

Attendance at our Harrison Homes Bible Studies (5)
40

Children enrolled in our basketball program
60

Volunteer hours, ministry-wide this month
3,035

Students enrolled in our GED class
25

Families helped with food at our Sovereign Grace Satellite Office
7

FINANCIALS FROM JANUARY 2012

Monthly revenue vs. budgeted
$219,656/$161,900

Monthly expenses vs. budgeted
$246,590/$283,451

Yearly revenue vs. budgeted
$219,656/$161,900

Yearly expenses vs. budgeted
$246,590/$283,451

Positive or Negative on the Month
- $26,934

Positive or Negative on the year
- $26,934

How we’re doing versus budget
+ $94,846

THE LORD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO NOT PARTICIPATE IN A RECESSION

What a marvelous January! We are already $94,000 better than budget on the year. We saw higher than expected revenues and lower than expected expenses. What do you know? God’s favor extends into 2012, too! All four Mission Marts made money.

THAT is a great way to start a year.

We have begun our third job training school! Introducing the Highway/Construction Training School of South Side Mission. In this partnership with Illinois Central College, they are relying on us to provide the students, and ICC is providing the instruction, in conjunction with area unions. The first classes enroll this month! Each academic quarter, ICC will enroll the three candidates we provide (along with others) in their Highway/Construction School. We aim to have 12 complete the school in 2012. Students will receive $5 per hour while they are in class, a pair of steeltoed boots, college credit and certification in highway construction and possibly another trade as well. The Highway/Construction School of South Side Mission has the potential to produce graduates that earn upwards of $20 per hour, making it our most lucrative job training school.

Here’s how it came together…The large-scale highway construction projects require that contractors who receive the bid employ a certain number of women and minority workers. These contractors let the State know that they’re having trouble finding candidates. The State stepped in and offered grants to community colleges to produce qualified women and minority candidates for these jobs. We have access to many women and minority candidates for these positions, so I reached out to ICC and proposed that they set aside a number of guaranteed slots each quarter for our people and they were more than happy to do so.

On January 26th, we dined on fresh Silverfin in the Lighthouse Diner with nationally-known chef Philippe Parola of Baton Rouge, La. Silverfin is the euphemistic name for the troublesome Asian Carp. Our friends at Illinois American Water Co. and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources underwrote and organized the event, which was heavily publicized. Attending the luncheon were Marc Miller State Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Karla Olson Teasley, President of Illinois American Water Co., State Senator Dave Koeheler, various other dignitaries & politicians and our very own Board member Pastor Jeremie Davis. Just about every local media showed up from TV to newspaper to local public radio.

The Asian Carp was prepared as follows: fileted first, removal of the lateral line, baked, deboned, added to Chef Philippe’s sauce and served with a squash and rice casserole along with a mixed greens salad. Chef Chris added a tremendous spice cake. The “Silverfin” is a soft white meat not unlike a Tilapia. The challenge is that it is so bony. If you prepared it similar to Chef Philippe, it could be great in a fish taco, chowder, loose meat sandwich, “crab cake,” or another application. All surveyed that day enjoyed the fish. The sauce was particularly tasty.

Another new development is that we have added a GED program here, in conjunction with our pals at ICC. We currently have 25 enrolled in our new GED class, which meets here at the Mission. With two of our job training schools, participants need to have a GED before they can gain employment. The GED class is also handy for the ladies in our shelter.

Illinois Wesleyan began sending nursing students to us for internships in January. Bradley, Methodist, St. Francis and now IWU are sending student nurses to us now. This allows us to provide on-the-spot medical care in a lot of our facilities now, from the New Promise Center shelter, to the Benevolence Center to the Lighthouse Diner. It’s definitely a mutually-beneficial relationship.

Director of Elderly Services, Robin Winfrey RN reports an answered prayer. One of the reasons that Robin’s visit numbers are up this month is that we have four new volunteer nurses helping her. We are often called upon to help set up seniors’ medication boxes—a very time-consuming task that limits our ability to help very many people. This group of volunteer nurses visits a number of seniors weekly, setting up medications and nurse Naomi Abel even takes her keyboard sometimes to sing with seniors and encourage them!

Out at Camp Kearney, Paul Mulholland reports that all four of his male counselors from 2011 are returning for 2012. This is a first and a huge blessing. Good male counselors are very difficult to find.

Sheree Lyles, Associate Executive Director, Youth Services, reports that one of our College Club kids now at ICC is transferring to SIU to finish an accounting Bachelor’s degree.

The Rotary Club of Peoria, North, conduced a 6,000 lb. food drive for us in January!

Did you know?

South Side Mission operates four Bible studies in its Harrison Homes Satellite Office. The Upper Room Addiction Recovery Bible study drew 10 attenders, the God Squad Spiritual Renewal Youth Group had 13 children this month. The Help a Sister Stand Support group is now averaging 15 ladies per week. Rev. Craig Williams Sunday discipleship group had two attenders, a smaller number because two more of his attenders found a regular church home.

Ministry By the Numbers - September 2011

That's our new flagpole garden in memory of Franklin & Virginia Flaherty. It was put together as a senior class project by the Tri-County Enrichment Homeschool Co-Op. Thank you friends!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SEPTEMBER 2011

Decisions to follow Christ for the month
332

Average number of homeless women & children housed nightly
37

Mothers of our kids enrolled in Mothers Day Out
30

Families served with free clothing, furniture, appliances & housewares
545

Attendance in our Laramie Street Sunday School, weekly
21

Attendance at our RiverWest Bible Study
5

Elderly Services home, hospital or nursing home visits
51

Formerly homeless women moving out successfully
3

Food baskets given away at our RiverWest Satellite Office
19

Children enrolled in After-School Tutoring
84

Number of people completing a discipleship course this month
18

Average attendance at the Lighthouse Diner
27

Children attending Older Boys Club
22

Attendance at our Heartland Apartments Bible Study
10

Children attending Younger Girls Club
45

Churches that have Adopted Blocks in 61605
21

Food baskets given away through our Garden Street Benevolence Center
699

Children attending Younger Boys Club
43

Attendance at our South Side Manor Bible Study
8

Food baskets given away at our Harrison Homes Satellite Office
63

Children attending Older Girls Club
11

Attendance at our Harrison Homes Bible Studies (2)
13

Attendance in our Chapel services, Laramie Street, weekly
36

Volunteer hours, as a ministry
3,422

Attendance in our Chapel services, Garden Street, weekly
311

Attendance at our B’Nai B’Rith Bible Study
10

Pastoral care visits & counsels (non-elderly)
40

Attendance at our Hurlburt House Bible Study
5

Hot meals to the poor
7,125

FINANCIALS FROM SEPTEMBER 2011

Monthly revenue vs. budgeted
$248,579/$250,575

Monthly expenses vs. budgeted
$295,667/$274,024

Positive or Negative on the Month
- $47,088

Yearly revenue vs. budgeted
$2,105,298/$1,846,267

Yearly expenses vs. budgeted
$2,538,255/$2,644,474

Positive or Negative on the Year
- $432,958

How we’re doing versus budget + $365,250

Indicated Decisions for Christ 322
The Holy Spirit continues to have a field day in 61605. Of the 322 decisions for Christ we saw in September, Robin Winfrey was particularly excited about the five senior citizens who made a decision for Christ at her Harvesters’ discipleship and fellowship group as well as the seven seniors who said YES to Jesus at her annual Senior Fair, held in September. Robin sums it up by saying “the fields are white unto harvest for our white-haired friends!”

Those Completing a Discipleship Course 18

Eight people finished the Alpha discipleship course, two completed the Four Spiritual Laws discipleship course and eight completed Minister Armosha Sturdivant’s discipleship course.

Financials

What a wonderful year the Lord is giving us at SSM. He has us over budget on revenues on the year and under budget on expenses on the year—right where we want to be. Praise God.

What’s New

In September, South Side Mission received its second Peoria City Beautiful Award. This time for the landscaping at our Benevolence Center. We attended a nice hors doevres ceremony at Luthy Botanical Garden and got our pictures taken. We won our first Peoria City Beautiful Award for our landscaping at the Laramie Street headquarters.

Speaking of beautiful, check out our new perennial garden around the flagpole out in front of our Laramie Street headquarters! The Tri-County Enrichment Homeschool Co-Op took on the flower garden as a senior class project. They raised the dollars to put in a beautiful brick edging and selection of perennials that matches the look of the landscaping just to the north of it next to our building. The garden originally was put in to honor Dr. Pat’s parents. We sent Dr. Pat a photo of the garden’s facelift. I hope he is pleased.

We have a new Adoptablock church this month. St. Paul Baptist Church, where Deveraux Hubbard is pastor, became our 21st church to join the effort.

God Sightings

Hope Builders completed 55 “big ticket” home repair projects in 2011…roofs, windows, siding, rebuilding bathrooms, etc. That’s 10 more than last year! We added many new volunteers this year and sources of donated materials. God is good!

Northwoods Community Church completed its annual food drive and raised more than 35 tons of food. Yes that’s tons. Their food drive filled up two semi trucks and four box trucks of nonperishable food for our Benevolence Center, Harrison Homes and RiverWest food pantries. If this is anything like years past, the food should last us deep into next summer. The north suburban church of more than 4,000 people dismisses its attenders early from service with the direction to go to Walmart Allen Road or Kroger North Knoxville and arms them with a grocery list. The attenders, in turn, show up in droves to these grocery stores and shop with their families. There is a great spirit of camaraderie and volunteerism from this church. By 5 pm on Sunday, the food is all unloaded at our three pantries and we bask in the glow of what God did.

Staff did 4 days of recruiting at Manual Academy High School in the lunchroom. What a wonderful time we had! We must have seen close to 1,000 students! A least it seem like it! At Manual the students were as glad to see us as we were to see them. They rushed the table we were at and greeted us! Right away the youth and the staff were requesting prayer for family and friends! They gave us summer updates of their lives. We had some old friends and met many new friends! We prayed with students and a staff members at their request! They are really open to receive Christ this year as their family troubles have escalated!

Did You Know?

We currently have student nurses from Bradley, OSF and Methodist College of Nursing servicing the needs of our people. It is a great comfort to see all of these health care helpers around SSM working with our homeless residents and our Lighthouse Diner patrons.

Stories of People You Have Helped

[from Director of Discipleship Minister Armosha Sturdivant’s report]

Markus Stogner, a graduate of our Hotel & Housekeeping Training School is on work release from the Peoria County Jail. This has not stopped him from improving his life. Amazingly, this “inmate” is thriving. He takes classes at Robert Morris College and recently showed us his report card (4 a's and one B!). He also just got promoted in his job at Stoney Creek Inn. As God was with Joseph while he was in jail, God is with Markus.

[from Director of the New Promise Center and Chaplain Rev. Linda Butler’s report]

Last month we received a vehicle and there were three people who qualified to be chosen to receive it. One of the residents who did not receive the car was very disappointed. While we were making our decision she was making plans for her new vehicle. She has started classes at ICC as a full time student and really thought her need for the vehicle was great. We tried comforting her and challenged her to trust and wait upon the Lord. She accepted the challenge as way to deepen her relationship with God. Within 30 days God provided another vehicle. It was exciting to watch her praise God as she danced around her vehicle.

This month we have been surprised and happy that the children who live here really hate to leave. SSM is a safe and comfortable place for them. The children bonded with their mothers more than they ever had. One of our young boys is moving soon. He does not to leave. He has grown to be a responsible young man. He has the garbage chores, where picks up all the trash daily and then take it to the dumpster. He loves his chore and the responsibility that comes with it. He loves helping the RA’s and he will miss them and what he does. We are happy that his short time with us has meant a lot to him. He is also very spiritual. He loves going to church and Sunday School. He has a sweet and gentle spirit. We have been blessed by his presence and he has given us a change to show him God’s love and he truly has God in his life and in his heart.

[from Assistant Executive Director, External Ministries Rev. Craig Williams’ report]
We were able to help a mother and daughter that were displaced because of the bedbugs at the Salvation Army. She received an apartment at Harrison Homes. We were called by the Head Start program to see if we could help this family. The family was able to benefit from our Harrison Homes food pantry and Minister Rush was able to give her other community referrals to assist her and her child.

God has really blessed us to begin the school ministry in all 5 schools in 61605. Even with the many changes that District 150 has this year, God has smiled on us! God has given us wonderful favor with teachers and staff. I was out at a store and I heard someone say my name. I turned around and it was the mom of a BTS Warriors from one of our schools. She said my daughter just has to say hi! Mom and dad were thanking us so much for the ministry at Pleasant Hill School. They said their daughter wakes up early on Friday morning so she won’t be late for school ministry. Right after that in the very same store a teen came up to me and said I remember you from Ting School. She said I still remember the scripture you taught us! She went on to quote Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me! Her mother was just standing there watching her; I could tell she was so proud of her daughter! Proverb 22:6 Train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they won’t depart from it.

[from Director of Elderly Services, Robin Winfrey RN’s report]

I have been taking a senior to church that has had a drug dependency for a number of years. A heroin addicted baby, she was raised in foster care and ran away from an abusive situation at the age of 15. Her story is tragic, BUT GOD. This client has been a faithful member of the Heartland bible study and has been an encouragement to all. She has been a believer and just needed encouragement. She called a local church she calls her home church and was told no one could come to pick her up for service. I am working on getting her a faithful ride until then she goes with me. The change in her countenance is visible to all.

[from Associate Executive Director, Youth Services, Sheree Lyles’ report]

A boy had to write a bio of his life for school. He shared info regarding his likes and dislikes. He shared info about the sports that he enjoys, talked about his friends and family, Most importantly he share about his relationship with “Christ. He also shared about receiving Christ at South Side Mission. What a witness!

[From Director of External Ministries Minister Bessie Rush’s report]

We have been praying for a lady in Harrison Homes that attends the food pantry that desperately needed a job. She was so desponded because like many others she could not find a job. We teach at the pantry that God rewards those who diligently seek him. Last week she came to the pantry all smiles and excited because God had blessed her to get a job! To God belongs the glory! Our God keeps his word!
2 Peter 3:9 (a) “The Lord is not slack concerning his promises. He is a keeper of his word!

Ministry By the Numbers - August 2011

The entrance of our main headquarters, "the Lighthouse on Laramie." It's important that the poor be treated with dignity. Show them that they are important and they might just listen to you about your God. This landscaping, courtesy of Hoerr Nursery, KullScapes, and Dutch Landscaper, earned the Mission a Peoria City Beautiful award a couple years ago. We won our second just this week for our garden on Garden Street, the Benevolence Center.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM AUGUST 2011

Decisions to follow Christ for the month
308

Avg. Nightly Census in our New Promise Center shelter
38

Families served with free clothing, furniture, appliances & housewares
480

Attendance in our Laramie Street Sunday School, weekly
21

Attendance at our RiverWest Bible Study
7

Attendees for the Heartland Apartments Bible Study
10

NPC Residents connected to a local church so far in 2011
11

Elderly Services home, hospital or nursing home visits
56

Formerly homeless women moving out successfully
3

Food baskets given away at our RiverWest Satellite Office
28

Number of people completing a discipleship course this month
14

Average attendance at the Lighthouse Diner
23

Churches that have Adopted Blocks in 61605
20

Families enrolled to be mentored in our Family Mentoring Program
5

Food baskets given away through our Garden Street Benevolence Center
712

Attendance at our South Side Manor Bible Study
8

Food baskets given away at our Harrison Homes Satellite Office
67

Attendance in our Chapel services, Laramie Street, weekly
36

Volunteer hours, as a ministry
5,328

Attendance in our Chapel services, Garden Street, weekly
298

Attendance at our B’Nai B’Rith Bible Study
10

Pastoral care visits & counsels (non-elderly)
57

Attendance at our Hurlburt House Bible Study
8

Hot meals to the poor
8,038

Attendance at our Harrison Homes Bible Studies
21

FINANCIALS FROM AUGUST 2011

Monthly revenue vs. budgeted
$260,990/$300,575

Monthly expenses vs. budgeted
$287,872/$297,500

Positive or Negative on the Month
- $26,882

Yearly revenue vs. budgeted
$1,856,718/$1,616,600

Yearly expenses vs. budgeted
$2,242,588/$2,370,450

Positive or Negative on the year
- $385,870

How we’re doing versus budget
+ $367,980

The Lord Reserves the Right to Not Participate in a Recession

On the year, we remain better than budget on the year on both revenues and expenses.

Our Hotel Housekeeping Training School has expanded again. We have 10 hotels involved as well as Methodist Hospital. Now the Peoria Civic Center wants our students, too. We may need to change the name of the school as we place people in the custodial industry, not just the hotel industry!

Otis, a man to whom I [Sean Allen] have been ministering for some time broke curfew on a Saturday afternoon and in an effort to get back to the White Oaks Rehab facility, he had called me and another friend. Both of us were unavailable, but as he walked along, one of his former drug dealers happened to see him. He told Otis that he had heard he was trying to get his life straight. He then extended an unexpected offer to take Otis back to White Oaks. Otis accepted and was back where he needed to be. Otis later shared that the man never once offered him drugs and that only God would send a drug dealer to pick up a recovering addict to take him back to rehab! The next day (Sunday), Otis was cleared to go to church with us on the bus. He was quite depressed by his actions and falling short, but I encouraged him to stay strong in Jesus and accept His mercy and grace as new every day. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:18) I then asked Otis if he would pray over those on the bus when we arrived at church. He nodded, and when we arrived, he stood and shared one of the most powerful prayers… everyone looked in amazement and many thanked him for his prayer! As I’ve indicated many times, God has a mighty plan for this man, and it’s exciting to actually see it unfolding day by day!

Ministry By the Numbers - July 2011

A couple of strong Men of God apply a roof to the home (at no cost) of a low-income south sider as part of South Side Mission's Hope Builders Showcase Week in July. Thanks to Pastor Sunny and Pastor Joe!

Hello from the Lighthouse on Laramie!

You are among our most trusted of supporters so we share with you each month a little more information. Please take time to pray with us over concerns, rejoice with us over victories, and share with us your time, talent, and treasure as the Lord directs.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM JULY 2011

Decisions to follow Christ for the month
256

Avg. Nightly Census in our New Promise Center shelter
43

Graduates of the summer class of the Hotel/Hospitality Training School
6

Families served with free clothing, furniture, appliances & housewares
396

Attendance in our Laramie Street Sunday School, weekly
23

Attendance at our RiverWest Bible Study
8

Attendees for the Heartland Apartments Bible Study
5

Elderly Services home, hospital or nursing home visits
59

Formerly homeless women moving out successfully
2

Food baskets given away at our RiverWest Satellite Office
19

Kids spending at least one day at Camp Kearney and hearing the Gospel
880

Ladies in the New Promise Center who have established a church home
7

Number of people completing a discipleship course this month
27

Average attendance at the Lighthouse Diner
28

Churches that have Adopted Blocks in 61605
20

Families enrolled to be mentored in our Family Mentoring Program
5

Food baskets given away through our Garden Street Benevolence Center
687

Churches involved with Hope Builder Showcase Week
19

Attendance at our South Side Manor Bible Study
9

Food baskets given away at our Harrison Homes Satellite Office
57

Attendance in our Chapel services, Laramie Street, weekly
46

Volunteer hours, as a ministry
8,585

Attendance in our Chapel services, Garden Street, weekly
270

Attendance at our B’Nai B’Rith Bible Study
10

Pastoral care visits & counsels (non-elderly)
51

Attendance at our Hurlburt House Bible Study
8

Kids enrolled in our Day Camp
125

Hot meals to the poor
11,700

Mother’s of Kids in the Youth Department Meeting
30

Attendance at our Harrison Homes Bible Studies
8


FINANCIALS FROM JULY 2011

Monthly revenue vs. budgeted
$228,461/$170,675

Monthly expenses vs. budgeted
$274,235/$301,496

Positive or Negative on the Month
- $45,775

Yearly revenue vs. budgeted
$1,595,692/$1,316,025

Yearly expenses vs. budgeted
$1,955,539/$2,072,950

Positive or Negative on the year
- $359,847

How we’re doing versus budget
+ $397,078

The Lord Reserves the Right to Not Participate in a Recession

I am amazed, but not surprised, that the Lord has ensured our revenues outpaced budget every month this year so far. Expenses have been consistently under budget this year, too.

We opened a new Senior Center Bible Study in July. We are now in (all in 61605):
Hurlburt House, B’Nai B’Rith, South Side Manor and The Heartland Apartments (new).

The Lord allowed the chance to share the Gospel with 1,005 kids this summer through Camp Kearney (380), our Day Camp (125) and guests from other day camps (500) that came out for a day or two to Camp Kearney. Whew! That’s a lot of kids.

Our Hope Builders Showcase Week was a triumph with 18 low-income or elderly homeowners getting a new roof or another big ticket home repair the week of July 25th!

One evening at Camp Kearney, after the counselor read a Bible story, Travon asked if anyone could read from the Bible or could only counselors use it? Travon shared that he had never read from a Bible before. When the counselor asked if he would like to read, Travon responded with an enthusiastic “YES”! As Travon began to read out loud it was obvious that Travon was not a very good reader. One of the other boys “Juan”, rather than make fun of Travon, went over and sat next to him and began to help him with the more challenging words. Together they read from the Bible for more than twenty minutes. The others in the cabin listened quietly as God’s word was coming to them through two young boys, one who could barely read, and a second who saw someone who needed help and then reached out to that person.

Ministry By the Numbers - June 2011

The annual Hope Builders Showcase Week is coming July 25-29th. We'll be partnering with the Metro Peoria Baptist Association and a number of other churches to fix up the homes of 20 low-income homeowners on the south side. Still time to sign up to volunteer. Please email Minister Bessie Rush at bessier@southsidemission.org to get started!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM JUNE 2011

Decisions to follow Christ for the month
228

Avg. Nightly Census in our New Promise Center shelter
36

June graduates of the Hotel/Hospitality Training School
6

Families served with free clothing, furniture, appliances & housewares
515

Attendance in our Laramie Street Sunday School, weekly
17

Attendance at our RiverWest Bible Study
6

Children enrolled in our Kings Kids Christian Day Care
25

Elderly Services home, hospital or nursing home visits
55

Formerly homeless women moving out successfully
2

Food baskets given away at our RiverWest Satellite Office
22

June attenders of Camp Kearney
174

Ladies in the New Promise Center who have established a church home
5

June Graduates of the Culinary Arts Training School
8

Number of people completing a discipleship course this month
22

Average attendance at the Lighthouse Diner
28

Churches that have Adopted Blocks in 61605
20

Families enrolled to be mentored in our Family Mentoring Program
5

Food baskets given away through our Garden Street Benevolence Center
728

Attendance at our South Side Manor Bible Study
8

Food baskets given away at our Harrison Homes Satellite Office
71

Attendance in our Chapel services, Laramie Street, weekly
35

Volunteer hours, as a ministry
4,424

Attendance in our Chapel services, Garden Street, weekly
310

Attendance at our B’Nai B’Rith Bible Study
10

Pastoral care visits & counsels (non-elderly)
56

Attendance at our Hurlburt House Bible Study
8

Kids enrolled in our Day Camp
125

Hot meals to the poor
10,222

Mother’s of Kids in the Youth Department Meeting
30

Attendance at our Harrison Homes Bible Studies
10

FINANCIALS FROM JUNE 2011

Monthly revenue vs. budgeted
$191,670/$170,725

Monthly expenses vs. budgeted
$375,584/$390,531

Positive or Negative on the Month
- $183,915

Yearly revenue vs. budgeted
$1,367,112/$1,145,350

Yearly expenses vs. budgeted
$1,681,760/$1,771,454

Positive or Negative on the year
- $314,648

How we’re doing versus budget
+ $311,456

Indicated Decisions for Christ 228
The Holy Spirit orchestrated one of those phenomenal months in which every department saw a decision for Christ, including Chapel, New Promise Center, Kings Kids, Day Camp, Camp Kearney, Elderly Services, Benevolence Center, Mission at Prayer, the Hotel/Hospitality Training School, Discipleship, External Ministries, Satellite Offices, and both Craig Williams and I had decisions when we preached in churches in June.

Persons completing a discipleship course this month 22

A healthy month for discipleship with persons completing structured discipleship courses in a variety of ministries here.

Persons receiving baptism this month 0


Financials

The Lord Reserves the Right to Not Participate in a Recession

We really feel great about this year from a financial standpoint so far. Each month this year, the Lord has brought in more than budgeted and our expenses have been under budget significantly. Put them together and you’ll see we’re $311,456 better than budget on the year. Praise the Lord. What a testimony to a watching world.

June was a three payroll month (one of two on the year, with December being the other). That accounts for the bump in expenses, but again, not as much as we expected. One reason we continue to be under on expenses is that we have been very aggressive in moving to energy-efficiencies. For example, Ameren paid us more than $1,000 in rebates for putting in energy efficient lighting. This has paid off handsomely over time with smaller energy costs. Our next frontier is HVAC efficiencies.

Meg Newell did an excellent job raising more than $5,000 to purchase bikes and make site improvements for our new Mountain Biking Program at Camp Kearney!

The four Mission Mart stores made goal this month and made 5% more than last June.

Church donations are up 8% on the year.

What’s New

The Lord continues to expand the original vision of the Hotel Housekeeping Training School. Originally, we were going to take unemployed ladies with felonies and place them with area hotels. Now the vision has expanded to:
· men and women
· either with felonies, without felonies or even still in the prison system on work release
· working at area hotels, hospitals, senior citizens’ long term care facilities and now even retail stores. JC Penney at Northwoods Mall just signed on to work with us.

Adopt A Block is going well. Pastor Chris Duncan and Lily of the Valley Ministries has joined the AAB team as our newest church.

NPC Case Manager Elizabeth Diviney has a baby boy. Mother and son are doing well.

The LWML Convention was held in Peoria and we were the recipient of their service project along with 4 other Peoria ministries. (This we knew.) What we did NOT know was that it will fill a truck and a half! Towels/toiletries/underwear/coloring books/lotions…the south side of Peoria will smell NICE for MONTHS!

God Sightings:

Our Urban Gardening Program continues to “grow” as this year we have four vegetable gardens planted. We’ve harvested collard greens, mustard greens, spinach, lettuce, and onions as well as many herbs. The fresh vegetables and herbs are shared with the poo through our Benevolence Center food pantry and our Laramie Street Kitchens. We have many other crops that will ripen and fruit soon! God is good. Our Day Camp volunteers have been using the gardens as object lessons for Bible stories like the parable of the sower.

Did You Know?

Hope Builders completed 5 projects this month. Our volunteers were outstanding this month with 869 hours of support for SSM External Ministries! They consist of a youth group from O’Fallon IL, Workforce Network, Youth Build, Laramie Baptist Church, Northwoods Church, Park Avenue Baptist Church, and Harold Booze of Woodland Baptist Church, Larry Pope of New Life Community Church, supporters from Harrison Home Discipleship group and Hal & Gary of Northwoods. I thank God for each and every one of them!

Stories of People You Have Helped

[from Assistant Executive Director Minister Craig Williams’ monthly report]

This involves 2 people that we started in our Harrison Home Discipleship class over a year ago. It started with a gentleman named Tommy and him coming to the food pantry where he gave his heart to the Lord. Tommy has been engaged every since then. Tommy comes on most Sundays from 9:30-10:30 to the Harrison Homes discipleship class. He has now completed one discipleship class already. He has now enrolled in a GED class as well. Tommy now has his electric and water bills in his own name where before he could not because of outstanding bills he owed. His faithfulness and the support of SSM have really paid off! Tommy has just moved into a brand new PHA housing!

Here is another story:
It is amazing how God touches the hearts of his people. I was blessed to know that one of our newest churches Pentecostals of Peoria came out with over 40 people for their prayer walk on their new blocks. I was pleasantly surprised when I said to them ‘so this is your prayer walk group? They replied “No this is the regular group that will go out and some of them are not here today. This group has been consistent every since then! WOW” What a mighty God we serve!

[from Director of External Ministries Minister Bessie Rush’s report]
I often pray with a 50 year old resident in River West. This dear sister needs a heart transplant. She currently lives on an electrical machine connected to her heart to keep it pumping. The doctors have told her that she can only live on this machine about six years. The machine also runs on charged batteries but only allows her 3 hours to be away from home. Other than praying for a medical miracle we prayed that God would do something that would allow her to go outside more other than to doctor's visits or rushing to fix her schedule so she does not run out of battery time! She dreams of going to the park or to the movies and a dinner with her teenage children. I told her prayer changes things and we would pray about it. Recently she was informed that a new machine was developed and that she was one of the first to get one! Her new machine would allow her to be out for 12 hours! She was so excited! She was fitted with the machine and as soon as she was able her first trip was to the park just sit on a bench and soak up the sun. She is so grateful to God for moving in her life! She used to be so pale because she hardly spent more time outside now she looks so much better and her mood has improved as a result of the SON and the sun.

[from Camp Director Paul Mulholland’s report]

Many of the campers who attend Camp Kearney are returning campers from previous years. One particular camper during our second week of camp was a young man named “Jamar”. This year was Jamar’s fifth year attending Camp Kearney. The first two years Jamar attended Camp Kearney he was sent home on the first day due to behavior issues. Three summers ago I met Jamar for the first time and he proudly proclaimed to me on the first day during lunch that he’d been sent home quickly the previous two summers. When I asked why he’d been sent home he said, “because I stood up for my cousin.” I quickly responded jokingly, “Wow! They must have been really strict here if they sent you home just for standing up!” Not realizing I was teasing, Jamar tried to explain that he meant that he was sent home for fighting in defense of his cousin. Continuing my playful banter I assured Jamar that we did not have a strict policy on standing or sitting and that violation of either offense would not get him sent home. Jamar, finally realizing I was joking with him, laughed and smiled and said, “I think I like this camp now!” Jamar stayed the entire week that summer as well as last summer. Through these three years I’ve gotten to know Jamar quite well. In addition I’ve learned a lot about his home life and some of the difficulties that have left Jamar in an almost constant state of acting out. Knowing these things about Jamar, we purposefully placed Jamar in a cabin with one of our strongest male counselors this year. Though there were many challenges and struggles with Jamar’s behavior we did manage to get him through the week. On more than one occasion I had to deal with Jamar due to behavior issues. On Wednesday I was called out to the Caboose field because Jamar had gotten into an argument with another camper and was becoming very disruptive to the mountain biking class. As I spoke with Jamar about his behavior, he broke down into tears and shared with me that “his life sucked” and that he “hated himself.” When I began to share with Jamar about Jesus he angrily responded, “What has Jesus ever done for me?” My heart aches when I know that these children are facing very difficult trials at home. Trying to show them Jesus is very challenging when all they’ve ever experienced is hate, disappointment, abuse, and tragedy. Even though I tried to assure Jamar that Jesus loves him and has a wonderful plan for his life, Jamar was still somewhat unresponsive to this message. During our early Thursday morning staff meeting we prayed for Jamar. His counselor shared that even though Jamar puts on a tough exterior that it seemed that he was opening up some and that he was beginning to ask some questions during bible studies and cabin time. During our Thursday evening commitment service, Jamar prayed to accept Jesus into his heart for the first time. PRAISE GOD! Jamar will still have a tough journey ahead of him and I know his situation at home will probably not improve but I hold out hope that the prayer Jamar prayed is only the beginning of God’s work in his life. Five summers! Jamar attended camp for five summers before asking God to be a part of his life. It would have been easy to give up on Jamar. I am thankful that we did not give up on him and I know that God never did and never will. Jamar is now a child of the King!!!!

[from Robin Winfrey RN, Director of Elderly Services' report]
Jim H. and I were running late on afternoon but I just felt a strong leading to visit a senior I haven’t seen for several months. When we knocked on her door she said, “You know just when to come, my only brother just died today, he is finally out of pain, but I don’t know if he knew the Lord. I have nothing to wear to his funeral.” Then the tears came flowing. We had a chance to sit and “BE” with her for a while as she talked about her brother and better days. We left a bag of groceries we had collected for another person not found at home and promised to bring several items by the next day that might work out for her to wear to the funeral. We found shoes and beautiful things that were “just right”. She knows God Cares!!!

[from Assistant Executive Director Rev. Frank Winfrey’s report]

God provided a fantastic visit with a long time soup kitchen attendee. “Jay” has struggled with drug issues throughout his life. He says that often the soup kitchen meal is the only one he eats each day. He does know the Lord, but is very honest about the fact that he knows he needs to take the next step in obedience. I am concerned because he just battles with the weight of the world on his shoulders. God prompted me to take some time out to be with him because I wanted him to know that God cares and loves him. He is not forgotten and even though he has failed in his sobriety thus far, it does not have to continue. He talked a lot about his financial struggles, most of them due to poor discipline. Trust he will soon turn a corner. Please pray for Jay as the Lord brings him to your mind.

Phyllis Jordan praises God for allowing her client Paula to complete 18 months of the Drug Court Program. She managed to maintain her sobriety and find full time employment. Paula's felony charge and two misdemeanor charges have been taken off her criminal record. She can now apply for State and Federal funded jobs and not get turned down because of her criminal background. Paula is grateful for the encouragement and support she received from SSM. She is happy about the car that was donated to her from SSM. She is thankful God allowed her another change to get her life on track.

A former resident, who attributes her new life to SSM, graduated from Midstate College with an Associates Degree in Business Administration.

New Mountain Biking Program at Camp Kearney

Camp Kearney's back 40 is a mix of challenging hills and deep valleys making up the reclaimed strip mine land that it is. A couple years ago, we looked at its topography and thought, Mountain Biking!

At South Side Mission's Camp Kearney, we love to give inner-city and rural poor kids a fun experience that they do not often get in their everyday lives...a zip line...a chance to catch a largemouth bass...and now Mountain Biking! We use all of these fun activities as a way to show kids how very important they are to us and to God.

So thanks to many generous donors (thank you Peoria Area Mountain Biking Association and the Illinois Valley Wheelmen!) and a great deal from Russell's Cycle and Fitness, we now have a dozen rugged and brand-new mountain bikes. We also have helmets and other safety equipment to make sure we keep the kids in one piece when they're out rolling over obstacles. By the way, that's Kyle, our Mountain Biking Host at Camp Kearney showing off one of the new models.

Mountain Biking! Just one more way we're "Loving Kids to Christ" at Camp Kearney!

Ministry By the Numbers - May 2011

Pretty curtains for the newly refurbished Kearney Cabin at South Side Mission's Camp Kearney await those looking for a quiet and homey spot to spend an afternoon or a night. Email Camp Director Paul Mulholland at paulm@southsidemission.org to book the cabin.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM MAY 2011

Decisions to follow Christ for the month
144

Avg. Nightly Census in our New Promise Center shelter
39

Families served with free clothing, furniture, appliances & housewares
501

Attendance in our Laramie Street Sunday School, weekly
21

Attendance at our RiverWest Bible Study
5

Children enrolled in our Kings Kids Christian Day Care
39

Elderly Services home, hospital or nursing home visits
49

Formerly homeless women moving out successfully
4

Food baskets given away at our RiverWest Satellite Office
18

Ladies in the New Promise Center who have established a church home
5

Boys Club attendance
50

Number of people completing a discipleship course this month
168

Average attendance at the Lighthouse Diner
20

Average attendance at Roosevelt Magnet School before-school Bible study
81

Girls Club attendance
55

Churches that have Adopted Blocks in 61605
20

Attendance at our Trewyn Middle School Bible Study & Prayer Meeting
18

Food baskets given away through our Garden Street Benevolence Center
504

Attendance at our South Side Manor Bible Study
8

Food baskets given away at our Harrison Homes Satellite Office
62

Attendance in our Chapel services, Laramie Street, weekly
44

Attendance at our Harrison Primary School Bible Study & Prayer Meeting
37

Volunteer hours, as a ministry
2871

Attendance in our Chapel services, Garden Street, weekly
44

Attendance at our B’Nai B’Rith Bible Study
11

Pastoral care visits & counsels (non-elderly)
41

Attendance at our Hurlburt House Bible Study
8

Attendance at our Manual High School Bible Study & Prayer Meeting
14

Hot meals to the poor
6719

Mother’s of Kids in the Youth Department Meeting
30

Attendance at our Harrison Homes Bible Studies
17

Kids enrolled in After-School Tutoring
75

Attendance at our Pleasant Hill School Bible Study & Prayer Meeting
19

FINANCIALS FROM MAY 2011

Monthly revenue vs. budgeted
$249,254/$191,725

Monthly expenses vs. budgeted
$283,805/$276,629

Positive or Negative on the Month
- $34,551

Yearly revenue vs. budgeted
$1,175,442/$974,625

Yearly expenses vs. budgeted
$1,306,267/$1,380,923

Positive or Negative on the year
- $130,825

How we’re doing versus budget
+ $275,473

The Lord Reserves the Right to Not Participate in a Recession

For the first time in my tenure here, we had more people complete a discipleship course than make a decision for Christ in a month – 168 to 144. Isn’t that awesome?

Minister Armosha Sturdivant, Director of Discipleship and Dean of the Hospitality Training School has expanded our original vision by spurring her students on to higher educational achievements. Three of her students are going on to college and two of them will attain their GEDs.

Julius will be the Valedictorian of the second class of the Hospitality Training School. He has been a model student, has aced every exam and has trained well in the hotels with whom we’ve worked. Like all five of the participants in the current class, Julius already has a job waiting for him. Here’s the twist, though. Julius is in the Department of Corrections’ Work Release Program. If he keeps on his current path, he will be done soon and launch into a successful parole program. Julius is more proof that God “redeems our life from the pit and crowns us with love and compassion” (psalm 103).

We have expanded our Urban Gardening Program this year to include three large outdoor gardens. We are partnering with Master Gardeners of Peoria (U of I Extensions Program) to expand our BC garden and establish a Chef’s garden… together being called Victory Gardens! The gardens have already produced an abundant crop of mustard greens and various types of lettuce!