Local Ministries Supported by Newburg

Joy-Southfield Development Corporation

The mission of the Joy-Southfield Development Corporation is neighborhood revitalization through family life-skill support and community economic development. The community served is the far west side of Detroit, Michigan and consists of approximately 20,000 residents. The Health & Education Center is the most active program of The Joy-Southfield CDC. It is dedicated to providing primary health care services and preventative health education programs to low-income and uninsured families and individuals. Physical care as well as many health education programs are provided. Click here for more details.

 

Ministry Jubilee Projects

Five projects have been selected for support for 2012. Loose change offering, in addition to designated monies, are directed to each project. The projects are:

• January/February: Mission Intern Program - Provides support for young, college age adults to explore servant ministry for the summer. [$565 was sent in 2011]
• March/April: Justice For Our Neighbors SE Michigan (JFON-SEMI) - JFON provides free, professional legal services to immigrants in monthly clinics. This UMCOR program connects a national network of church-based, volunteer-led immigration clinics to asylum seekers and immigrants who need a helping hand to navigate the maze of rules and laws that affect their lives in the United States. [$1135 was sent in 2011]
• May/June and November/December: Joy-Southfield Community Development Corporation (JSCDC) established by Second Grace UMC in 2002. Volunteer health care practitioners and lay persons provide primary and preventative health care to residents with no health insurance. In addition, JSCDC works to improve housing and commercial development in the Joy-Southfield area. (Newburg's Charissa Shawcross is Director of Health Services for the clinic and Rodney Gasaway is Director of Community Development) [$1050 was sent for March/April 2011; $700 for Sept./Oct. 2011]
• July/August: Samaritan Counseling - A "pastoral counseling" center providing counseling to individuals, couples, and families in Southeastern Michigan. [$685 was sent in 2011]
• Sept/Oct.: N.O.A.H. - Networking, Organizing and Advocacy for Health (NOAH). Assists people in downtown Detroit at Central UMC, by providing services such as mental health, domestic violence, substance abuse counseling, physical heath assessment, assistance with transportation, clothing, prescriptions, and hygiene items, etc. [$476 was sent in 2011]

Non-Food Pantry

While there are a number of food pantries available, the Newburg Mission team learned that there is a clear need for a pantry that provides non-food items. e.g. personal toiletries and essential household cleaners. These items are not covered by a Bridge Card (the replacement for food stamps). The mission team relies on a local clearing house organization to determine qualifications for a family to receive a distribution.

Each month the Pantry Team has seen a steady stream of new households referred to the pantry by the City of Livonia. We are now serving 17 households in the 48150 zip code of Livonia. The Pantry shelves are in need of some replenishing. Please consider donating a “filled box” with the items below or $30 to cover the cost of a box. Boxes and donations can be dropped off at the Pantry table during ConneXions or in the Church Office during regular office hours.

Fill-A-Box Items

Toilet Paper 4-6 rolls unopened
Paper towel 1 roll unopened
Kleenex 1 large box or 2 small boxes
Soap 2 bars unopened
Shampoo 1 bottle, 12-15 oz.
Conditioner 1 bottle, 12-15 oz.
Dish Soap 1 bottle, 15 oz or less
All Purpose Cleaner 1 bottle, 30 oz or smaller
Bleach 1 small bottle
Laundry Soap 1 bottle, 50 oz or smaller
Dryer Sheets 1 box, 80 count or less
Garbage Bags 1 box, kitchen size
Lotion 1 bottle, 10-15 oz
Hand Soap 1 bottle, 8-10 oz
Sponge 1-2 sponges

Food collection

Non-perishable food items are collected throughout the year and deposited in the missions cabinets across from Gutherie Hall. Announcements about food collections are in the weekly church newsletter, the Scroll. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this caring ministry. All non-perishable food is welcome. Food deliveries are made to various local shelters and care facilities including Redford Interfaith Relief, COTS, Cass UMC, Salvation Army, First Step, and Doorstep.

 

Eastside ministries

An outreach program that provides social outlets and pastoral support for former mental patients living in group homes.

 

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a Christian housing ministry working in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. Habitat homeowners work along side volunteers from corporations, churches and other organizations to build homes. Houses are sold at no profit and no interest charged and mortgage payments are used to finance additional houses. Newburg members have been strong supporters, in constructing homes, and financially supporting the building of homes. Projects go on throughout the year at the Habitat for Humanity, Detroit affiliate office.

 

Housing the Homeless

Once a year, Newburg United Methodist Church houses approximately 70 homeless guests in Gutherie Hall for a week. The program is in conjunction with the rotating shelter program run by Cass Community Methodist Church. Churches throughout metro Detroit volunteer to provide food, love and shelter, hot breakfasts and dinners, entertainment and companionship for our guests for the week.

 

Lap quilts, baby blankets, and slippers

Newburg has many talented people who make lap quilts, baby blankets, and slippers for residents of retirement homes, nursing homes, convalescent centers and other care facilities throughout Metro Detroit. Yarn and instructions are available in the mission cabinets across from Gutherie Hall. In the past, Hope Convalescent Home in Westland, Boulevard Retirement Center in Detroit and First Step in Canton have received these wonderful hand-made items.