Emergency Services
Client Receives Needed Hope
With bills mounting and a very strained personal relationship, this desperate individual was helplessly crying out for any ray of hope. A constant stream of tears and sobs warmly welcomed the compassionate commitment of CONCERN to assist the poor in spirit. CONCERN’s willingness to help the initial utility assistance request was greatly outweighed by the unloading of one’s heavy burdens. A new hope had been birthed for another soul by the love and prayerful support of your CONCERN.
Turning Point
Where does one turn when job has been lost, unemployment benefits are depleted and a utility cutoff notice is received? This certain individual turned to Churches United for Community CONCERN who was able to assist both financially and with moral support.
Paying Back Help
Proverbs 3:27 “With hold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand To do it.”
Client Payback
January 2003: Client receives ONG Assistances in the amount of $34.78. Recently that same client made a donation in excess of the said amount. Most paybacks aren’t that noticeable, but there is one who honors selfless giving to your “Concern”.
Beyond the Usual Help
Often CONCERN provides assistance beyond food and financial support. On many occasions clients find additional support as in the case of Jane Doe. This client was emotionally distraught over losing her job and her home. Through the support of your CONCERN Center, this client is now gainfully employed and attending church. As she was leaving the lady said, “Bless God and Thank you CONCERN.” Curtis Meade Client IntakeHelp Assisting Grandparents
Where do parents seek emergency assistance when an adult child has been institutionalized and minor children are placed within the home? Faced with the daunting task of raising tree grandchildren, ranging in ages from infant to teenagers, these care-givers requested food assistance and support!!! Your CONCERN was there with needed provisions in this critical time of need. Curtis Meade
Adult Students
Recently CONCERN has helped two separate family units with food and financial assistance while an adult member in each of the households finishes school. This temporary assistance was greatly appreciated. Now one of these individuals is employed in upper management and the other is headed into the internship for course completion. Thank you CONCERN
Economy’s Affect
Due to the tight economy, there is a greater need to serve and assist those who never thought they would have to ask for help. These individuals and families are too numerous to list in one short paragraph. The ability to give unconditionally is a very important principle today as well as when it was written “give, and it shall be given unto you.” (Luke 6:38).
| Payee Program
A Payee’s Cry for Help
A frantic telephone call turned into three days of continual conversation and a saving of one of our payee’s lives. A payee called me to say she was so depressed she felt like committing suicide. Immediately we went to work, called Grand Lake Mental and sent counselor to see her. By working together she was visited and was sent to a hospital for evaluation and now resides in an assisted living arrangement. Even though we lost a payee temporarily we saved a life.
Payee Improve Self
One of our SSI clients was unable to read or write so we helped get him into a continuing education class. He came to see us the other day and was so proud because he is learning arithmetic and can now count his money and read some words. We are very proud of him as he works a part time job and has won several pins, awards for being a good employee. With every pin he comes to us for praise.
Realizing Help Is Needed
One of our payee clients came in and asked to speak to me and became very irate after a few minutes of discussion. Realizing this was not her normal demeanor I called her Grand Lake Counselor and asked her if she could check in on her. I did not hear from the Payee for about three weeks. The other day she walked in and apologized for acting the way she did. She explained she was confused and had been in the hospital for the past weeks getting her medicine adjusted. She said, “I just wanted to thank you for understanding.
A New Client
Elder Care introduced us to one of their clients who was having problems with family members using her money and her doing without. She had her check and would not let anyone touch it and was behind on almost every bill she had including rent. They brought her over to the center and visited with Shirley and myself, and before she left she asked if she could give me her check. She became our client and is now out of debt and receives a weekly check for herself. Elder Care was so happy with the change they have since sent us another client.
| Child Learning Center
Student Volunteer Offers Help
During the month of February, a student volunteer from Oklahoma Wesleyan University brought to us a concern about children in the center who appeared to be underprivileged and were not clean looking when they came from home. We collaborated with the volunteer to get a list of eleven children who could use clothes, shoes, toys or personal items. We listed the children’s ages, their sex, sizes of clothes, personal items that might be useful and toys that the individual child would enjoy. The volunteer then distributed a list of the children to the Resident Director who then gave the description of one child to every dormitory floor on campus. The dorm floor then tried to get as many items as possible for the child that they had been given. The student voluteer has collected some of the items but is still waiting for more to be donated. We look forward to receiving all of the items so that they may be distributed to those needy children.
Supplies Support to Parent
During the month of March, there were many situations in which we were able to significantly impact the life of a family in our center. One situation that stands out is when a parent called to speak to a “safe” person. One of our directors took the time to listen to the parent about her children possibly being abused by a member of the family. The director listened and then told her about resources and referrals to possibly assist them during this time of need. In a later contact, the parent was thankful that we took the time to help, “showing that we truly cared for the children.”
CONCERN Child Learning Center not only cares for the children, but for the whole family as well. The families that attend CCLC are not just paying customer, they are part of the CCLC family.
Gets Help with Transportation Need
During the month of April, we assisted a family who was in need of transportation. One of her children had become ill and due to some circumstances this parent has no driving license or vehicle. An Associate Director contacted Success By Six, who has funding to assist parents with this type of need. The parent was told that a ride would e provided and instructions on calling for a ride home. The parent was very thankful, she often calls to ask parenting questions, and questions about illness that her children are having. She has told us “I’m so thankful that you take such good care of my children, and help me with our needs. We at Concern Child Learning Center use resources to help assist our families; by this we are making our community better one family at a time.
Response to Help
During the month of May there were many situations in which we were able to significantly impact the life a family in our center. One situation that stands out the most was when we gave clothes, shoes, coloring books, crayolas, and stuffed animals to a family that had become homeless and lost all their personal belongings. The next day when the children came in they were wearing the clothes we gave them and were carry the stuffed animal with them also. They were very excited when they showed their animals to their classmates and teachers. They tucked their animals in with them at naptime and held it for the teacher to hug also when she gave the child a hug goodnight.
Love Spoken
During the month of July, there were many situations in which we were able to significantly impact the life of a family in our center. Once situation that stands out is when the children were eating breakfast, a child said to the teach, “I love you.” This surprised the teacher because this particular child doesn’t talk much. Later that afternoon, the same child while standing at the door getting ready to go outside said again, “I love you.” In the classrooms we not only teach them love and understanding although we might not realize it the little hug, smile, thumbs up sign or just the touch on the back lets each person/child know that we care.
Special Child
CONCERN Child Learning Center is privileged to welcome our newest member. This precious youngster has special needs that include involved cerebral palsy. These needs must be addressed to enable the child safe and productive participation in the mainstream classroom. Therefore, CONCERN’S staff members are working with family members and Sooner Start staff to ensure this little child is able to join in on all classroom activities. We want to find fun and effective ways to keep the little one happy and involved. For example, the child’s physical therapist is providing the Learning Center with chairs that will help the youngster maintain a sitting position. This will allow the child to have a better view of what is happening within the classroom. Also, we are looking for bright colored objects to help stimulate the child’s vision. CONCERN looks forward to serving this gift from God. Upon visiting with the child’s mother, she is very pleased with the progress she has seen in her child. She smiles, and even mom reports her child didn’t smile before but since coming here she smiles and laughs out loud and also tries to crawl.
| Observations
Strangers in Need
While Shirley was walking through the client waiting room to make copies she witnessed an exchange between 2 clients who had come in separately to ask for assistance. While their groceries were being packed they had struck up a conversation. One of the women’s family had been burned out of their home and she was telling the other of all the help they have received and expressing gratitude for what they had. She mentioned her family was together and it was of little consequence to have to sleep on floors, as they had no mattresses. The woman she was talking to said she had 2 extra mattresses they could have and gave her the address. The woman with the fire was elated and went on to say they had exhausted all avenues for getting mattresses and she was grateful. Two strangers, both in need and one had the answer to the others prayers.
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