Lynhurst Baptist Helps the Community

I am very blessed to be a part of Lynhurst Baptist Church. Lynhurst gives many people the opportunity to get back on their feet during tough times. Our church has a community center that offers a variety of programs to help people in the community when they are in need.

Restoring Lives West is a program that helps young teens who are homeless receive help in getting a job, finding a place to stay, and receiving food and clothing until they can provide for themselves. Another program that is also at the community center is the after school program that allows parents to send their children to low cost childcare after regular school hours, while they attend they receive help on their homework and have the opportunity to grow as a human being and a student. In the community center there is a resale shop that many people donate clothing, housewares, furniture, and electronics to. Every second Saturday of the month there is a sale and everything is .25, this sale helps out the community by allowing them to get gently used items for a low cost and raises money for our church.

Grocery stores around the community will give the community center food when they no longer can sell it and the community center gives it all away for free to those in need. There is also a shower at the center that they will allow homeless people to use to clean up, when they have no one else to turn to they come here.

This community center does a lot of great things for the community and for the people who volunteer there. I volunteered there a number of times and donated many items to the resale shop and it is very rewarding to know you are making someone's life better and the community a better place. This church is open to serving anyone who needs help and feels very blessed to be able to help people when they are in need.

I am attaching the link to the church and community center, if you know anyone who can utilize this please pass it along :)

http://www.lynhurstbaptist.org/

We Are ALL Mandated Reporters!!

The month of April was Child Abuse Awareness Month. There were lots of activities focused around raising awareness about the prevalence of child abuse in our community. What most events did not include was information about what to do if you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected. In Indiana the law says that we are ALL mandated reporters! Indiana code states the following:

• Any person who has reason to believe that a child is a victim of abuse or neglect must report (Ann. Code § 31-33-5-1).

• A report is required when any person has reason to believe that a child is a victim of abuse or neglect (Ann. Code §§ 31-33-5-1; 31-33-5-2)

What does that mean? It means that as an adult you have a duty, obligation and legal responsibility to contact the Department of Child Services if you have concern that a child is being mistreated or is in an unsafe situation.

There are many signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect, some very obvious (i.e. bruises, soiled clothing) and some not so obvious (i.e. anger, “too perfect” behavior). It is not your responsibility to determine if the child is or has been abused or neglected. You are not required to provide proof of child abuse or neglect. Just call the Department of Child Services to anonymously report your concerns...immediately!

Department of Child Services Statewide Hotline: 1-800-800-5556

Remember you will remain anonymous. An accused abuser may say they “know” you reported them, but in actuality they may be calling out lots of people in an effort to make the reporter tell who made the report. Don’t fall for it! Information about who made the report is not shared.

Child abuse and neglect continues to occur in our community because adults refuse to take action to protect children. Don’t be one of those adults. Make a conscious choice to protect the children in your care and in your community:

• Ask daycares, schools and organizations that your children attend if they have clear reporting procedures and sexual abuse prevention policies in place.
• Support legislation that protects children.
• Attend a Stewards of Children training to learn how to protect children from child sexual abuse (visit http://www.mccoyouth.org/ or call 317-921-1233 to learn about upcoming trainings).
• Contacting Prevent Child Abuse to learn more about prevention efforts in your community (http://www.pcain.org/ or 317-775-6439).

Breaking Down Barriers So You Can Serve Kids

I am grateful to MCCOY for the invitation to serve as a guest blogger in 2011. My blog posts will focus on breaking down barriers.

In youth-serving nonprofits, we want the very best for the kids we help. Yet and still, we run into significant barriers for achieving positive impact in the lives of children.

It's our job to break down those barriers. We are the adults - capable of creating opportunities, cultivating support, and addressing challenges.

The kids? They are often stuck in circumstances, outside of their control. They are faced with challenges, well beyond their years.

It's our responsibility to help kids. Get the tools you need to serve kids both effectively and efficiently. Take advantage of the local resources available:
Indiana Nonprofit Resource Network
Indiana YouthPRO Association
Indiana Youth Institute
Marion County Commission on Youth
United Way's Nonprofit Training Center

What other resources can help you break down barriers to help kids? Please leave a comment with your favorite resource!

Read more from Guest Blogger Jessica Journey on her blog about nonprofits, fundraising, and marketing: www.jessicajourney.com