Local Missions Spotlight

Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County

Every day after school and all through the summer, kids from across Henderson County have a safe place to go and grow – the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County.  The Club provides guidance-oriented education and character development programs for disadvantaged children 6-18 years of age, conducted by a dedicated professional staff.           

The Club has grown from a one-room building serving a few neighborhood children in 1993, to the current five-building campus with more than 1,200 youth participating from all parts of the county.

93% of the members come from low-income families, and nearly 60% live in single-adult households.  The membership is diverse – approximately 1/3 African-American, 1/3 Caucasian, 1/3 Latino.

The Boys & Girls Club has been recognized for several years as one of the finest Clubs in the Southeast for delivering quality programs.  Because they have the Club in their lives, children are doing better in school and making the right choices about drug & alcohol use, criminal activity, and their futures. 

Trinity continues to support the Boys & Girls Club through its Local Mission Ministry budget.  You are invited to call the Club (693-9444) to find out more or to volunteer your time.  The Club is located on Ashe Street. 

The Healing Place

Trinity Church assists The Healing Place through its Local Mission Ministry budget. The Healing Place is the local non-profit agency dedicated to provide help, prevention, and awareness of sexual violence issues. Through crisis intervention, counseling and advocacy, education and community outreach, The Healing Place is able to serve thousands of Henderson County adults and children each year.

A very important aspect is the educational programs available at all grade levels. These age specific courses are designed to teach students on a variety of issues from ways to reduce and prevent sexual violence to trusting their instincts and reporting an issue. Parent services are also included.

Volunteers are utilized as on-call advocates and education volunteers to teach the school age children. Of course, office volunteers are always needed. Training is provided. If you are interested in more details call 692-0495 or on the web at www.thehealingplace.info.

Mainstay

A Henderson County social service agency with close ties to Trinity is Mainstay. Almost 25 years ago, a group from Trinity, working with the Reverend Albert D. Kissling (former Trinity Presbyterian Pastor), organized The Women’s Crisis Ministry in Hendersonville. The purpose of the organization was to help women deal with such crises as divorce and widowhood. A parallel organization was organized about the same time and adopted the name Mainstay. Its mission was to help battered women.

Within two years the two groups merged and occupied space in the Historic Court House. Over the years Mainstay has moved to several locations, but was located for almost 10 years on South Main Street. A major accomplishment was the establishment in 2006 of a four- unit transitional housing apartment building, built in cooperation with the Hendersonville Housing Assistance Corporation. This allowed clients to make a more gradual return to stable, safe, and independent housing. In early 2008, Mainstay moved to 133 Fifth Avenue West providing them with more space for child-friendly areas for daycare and play plus continuity of all other programs.

Mainstay utilizes the services of over 100 volunteers in areas of support groups, individual counseling for victims and their children, case management, court support and advocacy, outreach, transitional housing and daycare. The Purple Ribbon, Mainstay’s Thrift Store, provides a resource for direct assistance to clients who have needs for clothing and small household items. Primarily volunteers also staff this program.

Trinity continues to support Mainstay through its Local Mission Ministry budget. You are invited to call Mainstay, 693-3840, for a tour or to volunteer your time.

The Council on Aging for Henderson County

The Council on Aging for Henderson County is an independent, non-government agency. As a private non-profit organization, it relies heavily on the community for support.

During these difficult, economic times, the Council finds itself unable to provide Meals on Wheels for all those who need them. Sales at the Council on Aging Thrift Stores on Church Street and in Etowah are also down. In addition, community contributions are less probably due to the economy. Meals on Wheels has only enough funding available to serve 44 people a day in the months of May and June. However, they are currently serving 240 per day and have 37 on a waiting list.

Additional services provided by the Council include the Partnership for Independent Living, a Congregate Meal Program, and the Sammy Williams Center for Active Living. Professional staff provide Geriatric Case Management for older adults on a sliding fee scale. A strong volunteer base helps stretch the dollars. Last year volunteers donated over 16,875 hours to the community through their work for the agency.

Trinity contributes financially to the Council on Aging through its Local Mission budget, and many members are part of the volunteer force. Trinity member, Marian Lowry, is currently Chair of the Board. Your support in time and money is greatly appreciated. Donations to the thrift store are also welcomed.

If you are interested in volunteering or need more information, please call 828-692-4203.

Blue Ridge Literacy Council (5/08)

Did you know that there are over 20,000 English speaking adults in Henderson County who cannot read? Blue Ridge Literacy Council is addressing this need by offering programs in three areas:

• Basic literacy for Americans who didn't learn to read in school
• Learning disabilities program for adults who need multi-sensory phonologically-based structured learning programs
• ESL (English as a second language)

In the past year 346 students were tutored by 186 volunteers in these areas. Volunteer tutors are provided training and previous teaching experience is not necessary. All that is needed is an interest in helping adults learn and the ability to speak, read and write English.

Are you interested in helping meet and eliminate a waiting list for services? Contact he Literacy Council at 696-3811 or www.litcouncil.org. Diane Bowers, a member of Trinity is the Executive Director.

Hendersonville Rescue Mission (4/08)

The Hendersonville Rescue Mission is one of the agencies in Henderson County supported by Trinity Presbyterian Church through its Local Mission Ministry. The Rescue Mission has served members of the community for over 26 years. At their current location on Maple Street, men, women and children are given assistance by Mission staff.

In a recent 12 month period 64,518 meals were served; 1,406 individuals were sheltered (including 72 children); 3,775 hours of individual counseling were provided and at least 22 people made decisions for Christ.

Volunteers are needed in many capacities. Please call 697-1354 to inquire how your special talents can be used.

The Hendersonville Rescue Mission receives no support from local, state or federal government funding; thus, our contributeion to the agency is very important.

Please pray for those are served and those who serve.