Friday, May 27, 2011

The hidden underemployed of NYC

Though the unemployment rate in NYC is lower, there are still many people who are underemployed and searching for full-time work. They are also relying on places such as City Harvest for food needs. Check out a recent article from the NY Post...
-Tracee Henneke, CSM New York City Director

Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in New York City!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

2011 CSM T-Shirts!

Here they are...the 2011 CSM T-shirts!!
Based on this year's theme of Micah 6:8, we present to you three different options...

Ladies cut:


And a generic CSM tee, too...

All shirts will be sold in all 10 CSM cities starting on May 29, 2011 for $15 each. Please make sure you bring cash or check!
What makes these shirts so special?? They empower at-risk youth through Youth Enterprise - the great folks who printed them for us. Learn more on our website!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

The Food Bank


So many of us are just one paycheck away from desperate times - times that we may have never imagined. A recent article explains how one individual found a great resource (and hope!) at a local food bank. Check it out!

Learn how YOU can serve with CSM at a local food bank or food distribution center!

Inside Look at Denver Ministry Site

Check out this unique perspective of life in a transitional shelter through the eyes of two kids. On any given day over 900 homeless kids attend Denver Public Schools. The Joshua Station is giving stability, hope and love to the children that come to stay with them by providing a positive and uplifting environment. Check it out!


-Keysha Boggess, CSM Denver City Director

Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Denver!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

The Importance of Urban Gardens


Prince Charles recently visited an urban garden in Washington DC. He hoped to highlight the importance of urban gardening and providing fresh, organic food to the inner-city. Check out this report!

Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Washington DC!

Monday, May 09, 2011

Practical ways to love your neighbor!

Kurt Willems recently posted a great blog entry by guest blogger Jason Dye about how we can practically love our neighbor. We all KNOW that as Christians, we are commanded to do so. But do we actually do it?
Check out the 15 Ways to Love Your Neighbors...
Which one are you going to be more intentional about?

Learn how you can love your urban neighbors through CSM!

Friday, May 06, 2011

What is Mission?

Our friends over at the ReThinking Youth Ministry blog are some truly creative folks! They recently shared a great Bible Study for youth leaders to take advantage of: What is Mission?
"As our youth ministry prepares for a week of hands-on volunteer work this summer -- work which we hope will continue throughout the rest of the year -- we took time recently to invite our teens to explore just what we mean by the word "mission" and how it connects to the life of Jesus and the life of the church."
Great stuff! Check it out...

Thursday, May 05, 2011

Speaking up for the marginalized and often-forgotten

Many of us aren't sure what we can do to make a difference. One of our ministry partners here in Washington DC takes time to talk about the struggles of making ends meet when living on the margins specifically to the groups who come to serve.
The advocacy team at SOME helps to educate groups that come and serve, giving us several things we can do to help after we serve a day in their kitchen: volunteer, learn about the people and the problems in your community, talk to others about it, talk to those making decisions about it (making phone calls or sending emails).
Additionally many of our other sites are very educated on the needs of their clients and the way that many times their voices aren't heard. Thrive DC is asking us to get involved to help many of their clients and others who are hurting in DC by using our voice to ask on behalf of our friends and community members who are being affected by decisions being made.
Here's a way for you to be involved from your phone or computer in some decisions being made that will affect DC's homeless.
-Robyn Elmore, CSM Washington DC City Director

Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Washington DC!

Monday, May 02, 2011

Fundraising resources for mission teams


Here are a few resources for all of you wonderful mission teams that are raising funds to serve this summer:

Razoo - create a fundraising page that helps keep track of how much you've raised.

Some fast food restaurants host fundraisers! Be sure to check out Krispy Kreme, Baja Fresh and Boston Market. Check out a great article on how to get started with restaurant fundraising!

Find many more ideas on CSM's website...

Still looking for an affordable mission trip? Check us out!