April 2024 Newsletter
Welcome to our April 2024 newsletter!
We are thrilled to share with you the latest developments in HCC’s Local Outreach ministry and our mission to unleash hope in St Charles County. Firstly, we would like to express our gratitude to all of our volunteers who continue to serve consistently to build relationships with our neighbors in St. Charles County. Continue to share information, opportunities, and prayers with your friends and family. You all are GREAT ambassadors.
In terms of our recent activities, Local Outreach volunteers have been BI-ZEEEE! We cooked and served hundreds of pancakes at Harvest Ridge Elementary, we served at The Sharing Shed, we assembled gifts and wrote thank you cards to local school teachers, and we served at Barnwell Middle during their Kona Ice Days.
| With more and more people finding their way to Harvester we need more and more Guest Services volunteers. In particular, more Parking Lot volunteers would be great! Check-in with Brendon to see what that would look like. Local Outreach and Guest Services had their first fellowship meal in March. It was just a nice time to come together over a fabulous potluck meal and get to know each other better with no other agenda. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most. Thank you for your continued support! Enjoy this month’s newsletter! |
DID YOU KNOW? April is Child Abuse Prevention Month & Foster Care Awareness Month
The zip code 63376 which runs through the cities of St. Peters, Cottleville, and parts of St. Charles has the highest substantiated rate of of child sexual abuse. This is one of the reasons we are partnering with the Child Advocacy Center to bring the free Stewards of Children: Darkness to Light Training. EVERY adult needs to protect all children. As the saying goes, knowledge is power and eliminates fear. Join us on April 11th 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Large Conference Room in the lower level of the Offices to learn how to prevent and protect children from experiencing abuse.
| We are also excited to announce that we will be hosting an informational meeting for Safe Families for Children on April 23rd from 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. in the FLC. Safe Families for Children hosts vulnerable children and creates extended family–like supports for families through a community of devoted volunteers meeting is for families that would like to learn more about becoming a host family. This meeting is also for those who want to support host families with things like babysitting, transportation, meals, and resources. Register for one or both of these events on the HCC website or email Carissa at cfiggins@harvester.cc
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“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Matthew 18:6
A Few Ways You Can Prevent Child Abuse
- Know the signs: Consider attending the free Stewards of Children Darkness to Light Training on April 11th in the Large Conference Room in the lower level of the Offices from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
- Join millions around the world for the 30th anniversary of Blue Sunday, April 28th, a day of prayer for child abuse victims. Wear blue to church to show your love and advocacy for child abuse victims.
- Invest in the lives of at-risk children
- Speak up! If something doesn’t feel right – SAY something
- Join us on April 23rd at 6 p.m. to learn more about Safe Families for Children– an intervention for families before foster care gets involved.
- Join our HCC group that provides meals, transportation, or babysitting to HCC Safe Families, foster families, and adoptive families.
Ready to unleash hope in St. Charles County?
Click here to sign up for upcoming April information meetings, trainings, and serving opportunities!
