Yesterday I was standing at our booth at the COSE Small Business Conference and a gentleman approached and commented, “I didn’t expect to see The City Mission here.”

Well quite honestly, I didn’t either! This is The City Mission’s third year at the event and my first. I was reluctant when approached by our Development Department about buying booth space for another year. I didn’t see the value and wasn’t certain I could justify the expense. After spending several hours on Wednesday I had a completely different attitude.

I’m a relative newcomer to Cleveland but it didn’t take me long to realize that this city is very generous and philanthropically-minded. First of all, the number of non-profits and faith-based organizations here is impressive. Ward 5 alone, where The City Mission is located, has 148 different agencies working – all providing needed services to a very disadvantaged population. Many of these agencies are supported by a combination of individual donations, foundation grants, government funding and corporate gifts.

The City Mission is unique in that it takes no government money and is not a United Way agency. The majority of its funding, for its entire ninety-nine year history, comes from individuals. In fact, over 70% of our entire five plus million dollar budget comes from thousands of friends, who send two to three gifts a year to support the programs and services of the Mission.

I was grateful and humbled by the number of people who stopped by The City Mission’s booth at the conference and began their remarks by saying, “I am a contributor to the Mission.” People I met had sent money, contributed food, and volunteered. In fact, it was hard to keep up with all of people who came by. Their interest and concern was very encouraging.

The city of Cleveland has its problems with unemployment, poverty, violence, education, and corruption. But it doesn’t lack concerned, compassionate, generous people. And as long as you have that – there’s hope for the rest!

If you can help, please give online at http://www.thecitymission.org/and click the “Give Now” button.

Thanks!

Several weeks ago South Pointe Commons celebrated its grand opening. Margaret Bernstein, a Plain Dealer reporter captured the essence of the event in an article she wrote in the October 8 edition of the paper. If you don’t know, South Point is the newest addition in the Housing First initiative – a supportive housing facility located near Metro Health Hospital. What’s interesting is that the article focused more on the process for opening and operating the facility than the actual purpose of the facility (“New South Pointe Commons housing project shows benefits of nonprofits collaboration” Plain Dealer, October 8, 2009).

South Point Commons is a cooperative venture between three key partners: Cleveland Housing Network, EDEN, Inc. and Mental Health Services. The project is being presented as a model of the non-profit buzz word – Collaboration. Collaboration simply defined is when two or more groups work together to accomplish a common goal or objective. In today’s non-profit world, collaboration is almost synonymous with survival. The article in the Plain Dealer ends with this statement: “John Begala of the Center for Community Solutions said nonprofits that collaborate have the best chance of weathering the economic storm. “To the extent we can collaborate, we help one another,” he said. And, he added those who go it alone risk failure.”

Since its inception, The City Mission has understood the values and benefits of cooperating and collaborating with ministry partners. In fact, we have record of over 300 ministry relationships that we are presently maintaining. Effective collaboration is an endeavor that requires significant commitment and effort from the cooperating agencies.

The Collaboration Learning Project, a Milwaukee based effort, reported on the benefits and obstacles of nonprofit partnerships (“Nonprofit Collaboration & Mergers: Finding the Right Fit”, Collaboration Learning Project, 2004). They discovered the following characteristics of successful partnerships:

1. Committed Leadership – leaders who are committed and actively involved in the process.
2. Unambiguous Goals – clear, realistic goals and objectives for the collaborative effort.
3. Clearly Defined Roles – specific plans for each of the collaborating nonprofits.
4. Commitment at Multiple Levels of the Organization – both management staff and direct service staff must be on board.
5. Dedicated Staff Time – day to day staff time and agency resources will be required.
6. Sustainability in the Midst of Change – many collaborative efforts fail when a key leader leaves – others in the agency must be oriented to the collaboration to ensure continuity.

Those who have faced the challenge and worked through the details of crafting a cooperative arrangement that will both survive and thrive agree that the benefits are worth the effort. If for no other reason than to reduce costs, improve programs and eliminate redundant services, the value of collaboration is more fact than fancy!

October marks the beginning of a very vital period of time for The City Mission. Like most non-profits, October – December is the most important fundraising period of the year. In fact, we typically raise about 45% of our total year’s budget during this time. Unlike most non-profits in town, The City Mission receives no government money. In fact, 70% of our budget is provided by individual donors who send in a gift 2 – 3 times a year. We thank God for the thousands of friends who stand with the Mission in supporting its ministries. This year though, may prove to be both unique and very difficult.

If you’ve been watching the Plain Dealer you’ve seen reports over the last several months of non-profits throughout the city either closing their doors or cutting back on their programs. The fiscal crisis facing our country has severely impacted non-profit organizations nationwide. Foundation funding is down, corporate gifts have been cut back, individuals have fewer dollars to share and yet the need and demand for services is growing with no signs of slowing down. Increasing numbers of people are looking for help in just obtaining the basic necessities of life – food, clothing and shelter.

It’s almost incomprehensible that in a country like the United States of America we are facing a crisis like this – tens of thousands of people, out on the streets of our cities with no place to go, nowhere to live and insufficient resources to provide for their own most basic needs.

Ninety-nine years ago the City of Cleveland was facing a similar situation. A growing immigrant population was desperately in need of help. The City Fathers together with local Church leaders and Business leaders knew the answer – a downtown arm of the Church! They knew then that the Church was best equipped to compassionately and responsibly care for people. And out of that need The City Mission was established and has been faithfully reaching out with compassion and hope ever since. The plan was simple – local churches funneling their time, talent, and treasure through the downtown arm of the church to meet the growing need of the city. It was brilliant and it worked!

What about today?  What appears to be an overwhelming, impossible situation can be met, faced and overcome by the power of the Gospel and the faithfulness of God’s people. Together we can turn what looks like an impossible crisis into mission possible! To donate your time or financial gifts to The City Mission please go to: www.thecitymission.org or call 216-431-3510.

by Rev. Pete Bliss, Chief Operating Officer of The City Mission

The late D. James Kennedy once said, “Gratitude is the Christians’ secret weapon.”

Modern science has determined that gratitude is directly related to spiritual, emotional, and physical health. Recent research concludes that simple gratitude helps us better manage stress, helps protect the immune system, results in greater energy and alertness levels, and results in fewer health complaints.

Gratitude is a catalyst for change in a person’s life. But what is it, really?

Researcher Robert Emmons comments, “Gratitude is an affirmation of the goodness in one’s life and the recognition that the sources of this goodness lie at least partially outside the self. Gratitude is more than a feeling. It requires a willingness to recognize (a) that one has been the beneficiary of someone’s kindness; (b) that the benefactor has intentionally provided a benefit, often incurring some personal cost; (c) that the benefit has value in the eyes of the beneficiary. Gratitude implies humility – a recognition that we could not be who we are or where we are in life without the contributions of others.”

Gratitude is essential to spiritual transformation in our clients, and in us. For the Christian, gratitude begins at the Cross of Christ: “God canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ’s cross” (Colossians 2:14). Scripture abounds in references to the need for gratitude. In fact, it is commanded. This means that gratitude is not a feeling, it is a choice. All sin begins with ingratitude. It goes back to the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve’s disobedience was a result of ingratitude for what they already had. And so it goes for all of us.

For those who may actually be serious about gratitude, here are some practical tips:

• Remember that Biblical gratitude is a choice, not a feeling
• Practice gratitude proactively – it takes effort
• Try daily gratitude journaling
• Share gratitude with others
• Use gratitude to combat depression

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Paul in Colossians 3:15).

A front page article in Thursday’s edition of the Plain Dealer announced this: “Local nonprofits facing deficits, dire forecast”. The first sentence wasn’t any better it proclaimed: “A third of Northeast Ohio nonprofits are awash in red ink, and nearly half are worried about covering expenses next year…” Experts who have weighed in give this advice; “…local charities would be smart to prepare for a seriously downsized future.”

If only the existing need in the community was downsized! The challenge most non-profits are facing is shrinking resources coupled with increasing needs – desperate needs.  Our own shrinking revenues forced us to downsize several program areas to concentrate on the areas where others are not providing the services in the way we are able. We’re also strengthening our partnerships with organizations who can handle some of the smaller needs.

The shrinking resource/increased need explanation would be lost on anyone who just needs help in his or her moment of crisis. If ever there was a time for the Body of Christ to band together this is it.  Together we can produce the resources that are needed to meet the increasing needs that are emerging in our community.  Desperate, hurting people need help now.

James reminds us, “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” (James 2:15-16)

There is a storm brewing and from my vantage point, the Church is the safest port in town! At The City Mission, we welcome your partnership and help. For information on how to volunteer or contribute financially, please visit our web site at  www.thecitymission.org.

By George Mason, Learning Center Supervisor, Crossroads and Laura’s Home

One would think that all the bad news on the stagnant economy would dampen a job-seekers enthusiasm.  While that might be true for many, for the men and women of The City Mission, nothing could be further from the truth.  In fact, this Friday the Mission’s vans will ferry job search clients from Crossroads and Laura’s Home to Cleveland’s I-X Center to participate in what promises to be a huge event —a job fair.

“Working” a job fair is a job in itself.  Pre-targeting of vendors/recruiters is an essential ingredient of the employment puzzle.  Energy and time must be devoted to identify the recruiters most likely to use and need your skills.  That is why the pre-job fair work is so essential. Like everyone attending the fair, our clients who have experience and knowledge must locate and “pitch” the companies most likely to hire them. 

And when you consider that the first impression happens in the first four seconds, (Contact: The First Four Seconds by Og Mandino), you begin to get the picture that job fairs are not for the faint of heart.  That’s OK. As I work with our job search clients preparing for Friday, they are as fearless as they are persistent. (If they told you their amazing stories, you’d know how far they have already come!)

One client said it perfectly, “I am so excited. . .  I don’t care what the economy is doing, if the Lord wants to open an employment door for me, it will open!”

Amen to that and please be in prayer for their success.

And if you know of an employer who would like to know about our clients, please have them contact me at 216-920-4133.

By now you’ve probably heard about “Gwen” – the new American Girl doll. If you have a young girl in your life you most likely know all about the American Girl doll line by Mattel. Each doll has its own personal story and according to Mattel the American Girl Dolls “celebrate girls and all that they can be”. Gwen’s story is a bit different from the other dolls however – Gwen lives on the streets, has a dead beat dad and is picked on in school because of it. Gwen is homeless and for a mere $95 you can purchase Gwen and enlighten your daughter about this horrible reality.

The more I think about this doll the more concerns I have, but the most disturbing is what this signals about homelessness. Has this plight moved so far into the mainstream of our society that we now produce toys to represent it? Is being homeless so common place that our children “play it”?

Some are saying this is a wonderful opportunity to teach our kids about the homeless. Certainly there are better ways – volunteer at a shelter serving meals. Demonstrate to your children responsible compassion. Get involved in your local church’s urban outreach ministry. And never, even for a moment, allow the horror and indignity of being homeless become a child’s plaything.