Great Rivers

Great Rivers http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/ en Copyright 2008 Tue, 06 May 2008 13:23:02 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.31 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Kari Davidson, Assistant Regional Director

Kari Davidson is the Church World Service Assistant Director for the Great Rivers/St. Louis office. Church World Service (CWS) is the disaster relief, self-help development and assistance-to-refugees agency for 35 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican denominations--representing 50 million U.S. Christians. Working in partnership with other agencies in over 80 countries around the world, CWS provides immediate assistance and long-term help to people in great need.

Kari grew up in Southwest Missouri on a farm in Protem. She worked her way through College of the Ozarks and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. Following college, Kari was employed as a social worker for 12 years for the State of Missouri and the Missouri Alliance for Children and Families. Kari, feeling a calling for a career change, began fundraising for the Presbyterian Children’s Services before joining the staff at Church World Service in 2006.

Kari says, “Church World Service has opened a greater calling in my heart, to help meet the needs of children around the world as well as those in Missouri. My experience in Haiti and Dominican Republic in January 2008 gave me a clear understand of the face of poverty and hunger in this world. We are so blessed to live in the USA.”

In 2007, Kari worked with a dedicated and excited committee to organize the first annual St. Louis Metro CROP Hunger Walk. The St. Louis Metro CROP Walk broke all first year CROP Walk records in Church World Service’s 60-year history. Kari notes, “It was an amazing experience to be a part of such a wonderful ecumenical event.”

Kari is available to share stories of her experiences in Haiti and the Dominican Republic with your church or group. She would also like to share resources with your community to organize a CROP Hunger Walk or materials for a Tools or Blanket Sunday in your church. She may be contacted by calling (314) 252-3298 or emailing .]]> http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/forms/#001100 http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/forms/#001100 forms Tue, 06 May 2008 13:23:02 -0500 Julia Jones, Assistant Regional Director
In January 2008, Julia traveled to Haiti and the Dominican Republic and visited CWS-sponsored development projects in rural and urban areas. The projects included training programs in agricultural methods, animal husbandry, small business design and microcredit loan management, community organizing, environmental protection, and literacy. She also saw evidence of CWS Emergency Response programs in communities affected by November 2007’s Hurricane Noel. The participants in each of these programs expressed deep appreciation for CWS’s assistance, and asked Julia to return to the U.S. and share their stories and their gratitude.

Julia is the child of two Presbyterian pastors and grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, where she faithfully participated in CROP Hunger Walks and Blanket Sundays throughout her youth. She studied at the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio and received her B.A. in Political Science and Spanish. Her Master’s degree is from Ohio University and is in International Affairs, with a focus on Latin America. Julia has worked on policy issues in Washington D.C., and on international issues at the Presbyterian United Nations Office in New York City. She also worked as a mission volunteer for the Presbyterian Church in El Salvador for one year. She is married to the Rev. Michael Mann, a pastor in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Julia loves working for Church World Service because she has seen how the organization’s work brings the light of hope to people’s lives, even when poverty or disaster threaten to extinguish hope. She says, “Church World Service creatively and effectively helps people turn their lives around. Church World Service programs are all about investing in people’s lives, in their communities, and that’s ultimately an investment in a future of peace and healing.”]]> http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/forms/#001099 http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/forms/#001099 forms Tue, 06 May 2008 10:31:07 -0500 Tessa Barnes, Congregational Outreach Coordinator

Tessa Barnes is the Congregational Outreach Coordinator for the Great Rivers Region of Church World Service. In this capacity, she consults with congregations, mission groups and organizations about the mission of CWS. Tessa coordinates the regional CWS Tools & Blankets Program, works with the CWS Kits Program and serves as Director of the Chicago CROP Hunger Walk.

Tessa moved to Illinois from Elkhart, Indiana to become more involved with the grassroots fight against extreme poverty. In January 2008 she completed a mission trip to build cement-block houses in an impoverished region of Honduras.

Tessa is a member of the Canaan Baptist Church in Elkhart, IN, and a supporter of causes for women and children, equality of human rights and the eradication of global hunger and poverty.

Contact the CWS regional office at 1-888-297-2767 to request that Tessa come speak with your group or organization. You are also encouraged to contact Tessa directly about giving opportunities through Church World Service and hunger & poverty educational ideas.

E-mail: .]]> http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/forms/#001098 http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/forms/#001098 forms Tue, 06 May 2008 10:24:17 -0500 Janet Young, CWS Regional Director
Young came to Illinois in 1982 from Michigan where she was the Associate Director for CWS. She founded the new “Northern Illinois” office in September of 1982 and has been working with area churches and communities ever since. In July of 2006 the region expanded to include all of Illinois and 1/3 of Missouri and the name became the “Great Rivers Region.”

During Young’s 27 year tenure with CWS she has had many opportunities to travel overseas and visit people and programs sponsored by Church World Service and their partners. Her travels include India, Korea, Philippines, Mozambique, South Africa, Colombia – and more. Her latest journey took her to Pakistan in December of 2006. “These CWS trips have taken me to the heart of our work,” says Young. “They have made me profoundly aware of how rich we are in this country and how little we really know or understand about the lives of the poor in other countries.”

Now, as a grandmother of 10, Young remains passionate about her work with CWS and about speaking out against injustice in the world. Getting people to walk in CROP Hunger Walks is just a “first step” she says. But getting people to understand our little saying, “We walk because they walk” is the real challenge.

“Once people make the connection and begin to understand some of the root causes of hunger and poverty in the world – then they become passionate about it, too. It’s what Jesus has called us to do – feed the hungry!”

Contact the CWS regional office at 1-888-297-2767 to request that Janet come speak with your group or organization.]]> http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/forms/#001097 http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/forms/#001097 forms Tue, 06 May 2008 10:15:19 -0500 CROP Hunger Walk organizing meeting - suggested agenda-

WELCOME, PRAYER, INTRODUCTIONS
OVERVIEW/BRIEF HISTORY	Of CWS/CROP and of local Walk
	Show CROP Hunger Walk video
	If CWS staff person is present, share about specific projects
SET DATES AND GOALS	Walk date, location, start time, length of Walk
	Recruiter Rally date and location
	Evaluation meeting date
GOALS:	Walkers: _______ Dollars: $_________
LOCAL AGENCY DESIGNATIONS	Which agency or agencies will receive the local grants?
RECRUITMENT	Team leader
	How to reach out to churches, community groups, service clubs, scouts, etc.
	How to get recruiters to attend Recruiter Rally
LOGISTICS	Team leader, route, length, Golden Mile?, rest stops
TREASURER	Collection of funds
OTHER	Business sponsors? Educational efforts? Ceremony or music/entertainment at Walk? T-Shirts? Etc.
FUTURE MEETING DATES
CLOSING PRAYER

Word version for editing

]]> http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/crop/#001048 http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/crop/#001048 CROP Hunger Walks Fri, 07 Mar 2008 10:48:43 -0500 Chicago

The stage is set for the 25th Annual Chicago CROP Hunger Walk. What a gorgeous day!

Chicago's TOP Walker, Djuna Barnes, shares a smile. Djuna was also the No. 1 on-line CROP Walker in the country raising $7,735!! WOW!

Power-packed trio -- sisters Tessa and Djuna Barnes with mom, Doris. These three women worked from morning to night to make the Walk run smoothly!

Group of happy walkers!

Walkers from First United Methodist Church / Chicago Temple are ready to walk. Rev. Phil Blackwell, wearing his Cambodian scarf from CWS, was also one of the Honorary Chairpersons for the CROP Walk.

Honorary Chairpersons cut the ribbon to send the walkers, 1200 strong, on their way!

Away they go!

Love those tattoos!

Jesse White Tumblers "flying high" for the 25th Annual Chicago CROP Hunger Walk!

]]> http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/photos/#001028 http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/photos/#001028 Photo Gallery Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:18:16 -0500 Galesburg

The Galesburg CROP Hunger Walk was held on a sunny Sunday afternoon, September 24, 2007. Walkers register at First Presbyterian Church, this year's host church. This year the Walk raised $15,620, the highest total ever in the Walk's 21-year history!

These Walkers prepare for the CROP Walk by doing stretches together.

All the Walkers gather for a group photo before the Walk. Good thing First Presbyterian can hold this fabulous group of 180 Walkers and volunteers!

The youngest CROP Walker (CROP Roller?) is eager to get started. "Come on, mom! Let's go!"

Three local agencies share 25% of the Walk's income: the Galesburg Rescue Mission, Galesburg FISH, and the Salvation Army. Here, Galesburg FISH food pantry volunteers share information about the services they offer. Click here to see a thank you to CROP from Galesburg Fish.

CROP Walks are sure fun for families! Thanks for Walking!

Colorful CROP t-shirts make the day even more fun.

CROP Walks are sure fun for families! Thanks for Walking!

Even dogs love to combat hunger by CROP Walking! Of course they need a refreshing drink, too, after all that walking.

Galesburg CROP Hunger Walk Coordinator Kathy Woodward is joined by representatives from the three area agencies which receive CROP Walk funds. Each received $1301.68 from the 2007 CROP Walk!

]]> http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/photos/#001026 http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/photos/#001026 Photo Gallery Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:58:35 -0500 Niles / Park Ridge

This gorgeous banner adorns the streets of Park Ridge several weeks before the Walk.

Photos from the Niles / Park Ridge CROP Hunger Walk.

These kids are CROP Walks fans!

Niles-Park Ridge CROP Hunger Walk Treasurer, Sandy Bowen, works in the CROP Walk Cafe tent before the CROP Walk starts.

A team of volunteers awaits hungry CROP Walkers. Walkers had the option of buying a hot dog or other snacks before the Walk. Proceeds were an additional income for the Walk!

Young CROP Walkers and a CROP dog get ready for the Walk. CROP Hunger Walks are a great way for kids to learn about how others MUST walk, so we can choose to walk to help them. And dogs just enjoy the day!

]]> http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/photos/#001016 http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/photos/#001016 Photo Gallery Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:26:24 -0500 Cary / Grove

"It only takes a small group to make a BIG difference in the fight against hunger" says coordnator Jeanne Soberg of the Cary-Grove CROP Hunger Walk. "It's good to teach our young people that they can help other people. We enjoy the CROP Walk."

A group of the Walkers.

]]> http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/photos/#001015 http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/photos/#001015 Photo Gallery Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:55:47 -0500 Thomson

Girl with tattoo.

"We made it! We went over the $3,000 goal!" beams coordinator Rita Mitchell while reporting on the success of the Thomson CROP Hunger Walk in the fall of 2007. "And I still say that I've got the BEST TEAM in the USA working on this Walk with me!" Rita and her Team have a good time planning the CROP Hunger Walk and, they have some lovely countryside to walk through!

Thomson walkers.

What a great group!

Great day for a CROP Walk.

]]> http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/photos/#001014 http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/photos/#001014 Photo Gallery Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:57:45 -0500 Ingleside Area

Laura Grant, coordinator of the 1st Annual CROP Hunger Walk, leans over the banner and shares a special moment with her "Magnificent 7" CROP walkers. They had a great walk, and now, says Laura, "it's on to Walk number two!"

]]> http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/photos/#001013 http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/photos/#001013 Photo Gallery Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:41:44 -0500 Visit to Haiti and the Dominican Republic Julia Jones and Kari Davidson recently participated in a trip to Haiti and the Dominican Republic, to see Church World Service programs at work. They are both available to speak about their experiences. Julia was touched by the experiences shared by many beneficiaries of CWS programs, but this one stood out to her.

In the rural community of Los Orozcos, Dominican Republic, Didela Jimenez Hernandez cuddles her three-year-old son, Angelo. Both Didela and Angelo have benefited from training sessions given by CWS partner SSID to women in rural communities.

Photo: Julia Jones

Life can be harsh for children in the Dominican Republic, but trainings given by Church World Service partner Social Service of Dominican Churches (SSID) are helping many kids have a happier childhood and a brighter future. Didela Jimenez Hernandez, a young mother in the village of Los Orozcos, says, “I used to hit my child a lot. I didn’t know other ways to discipline my child. But through the trainings I’ve learned to show more love.”

In Los Orozcos, twenty-two women have participated in the training. They’ve learned about the importance of hygiene, of good nutrition, of dressing their children in clean clothes, of cleaning children’s fingernails to avoid illness, of purifying drinking water to avoid parasites, and how important play is for children. Healthier habits learned now will lead to increased chances of success for the children as they grow and become adults and provide for their children.

Didela continues, “I’ve learned not to let my son go barefoot and to supervise him better so he doesn’t roam free. I’ve also learned about the importance of getting a birth certificate for my son, because someday he may want to travel.”

Some children in the Dominican Republic are not given names at birth, due to a high infant mortality rate, but the trainings emphasize that every child has a right to a name. Many children from rural areas do not have birth certificates, but mothers are also encouraged to register their children so they can be recognized by the government. Many of the topics covered in the trainings are guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.]]> http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/news/#001012 http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/news/#001012 News Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:31:54 -0500 CROP Walking: from Tanzania to Crystal Lake (Adapted from an article by Jocelyn Allison in the Northwest Daily Herald)

On Sunday, October 14, 2007, 177 people participated in the 19th Annual CROP Hunger Walk in Crystal Lake, IL.

On the same day eight hours earlier, 11 people from Bethany Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake had their own walk in Tanzania, one of 80 countries across the globe that benefits from the annual fundraiser.

Mission trip leader Ron Henning of Crystal Lake said the cross-continent walk was a twist on the humanitarian mantra, “Think globally, act locally.”

“We’re acting locally but we’re also able to act globally by doing this in Tanzania,” said Henning, 62.

Henning and his wife, Pat Henning, decided to organize a 4-mile CROP Hunger Walk in Africa after learning their church mission trip would be happening at the same time.

“It’s going to make it so real for [the people on the trip] to have seen these things first-hand and then participate in the CROP Walk, which benefits some of these places,” said Pat Henning, 61, a recruiter for the event and longtime participant in the walk.

The Hennings and fellow parishioners visited the Kiutu parish in Arusha, Tanzania, about 80 kilometers from Mt. Kilimanjaro near the border with Kenya. The Arusha Diocese has a partnership with the regional body that supports Bethany Lutheran, the Northern Illinois Synod.

Ron Henning, a retired English teacher from District 155, has visited the area several times through the Mwangaza Education for Partnership, an international exchange program to train teachers from throughout Tanzania and improve literacy in the region.

The group from Bethany Lutheran plans to visit the Mwangaza Centre, along with local hospitals, a Hospice palliative care center under development and an AIDS orphanage, Ron Henning said. They’ll complete their CROP Walk around a field above Mwangaza Centre with a view of Mount Meru, he said.

“They give us an ability to stand back and look at what’s important in our lives,” Ron Henning said. “As poor as they are, you don’t see them nearly as unhappy as a lot of rich people in our country.”

It’s also a chance to get a first-hand look at the region’s needs, Pat Henning said.

“That’s what we’re doing with our trip,” she said. “Find out what’s going on, what the needs of the people are ... rather than just write a check and not follow through with where the money goes.”

Together, both CROP Walks raised $18,922, the highest total ever for the Crystal Lake CROP Hunger Walk!]]> http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/crop/#001011 http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/crop/#001011 CROP Hunger Walks Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:17:04 -0500 Blackhawk Presbytery responds to “Kits Challenge”

Julia Jones, Assistant Director of the CWS Great Rivers Region, shows off some of the CWS Kits brought to the November 2007 meeting of the Blackhawk Presbytery.

Photo: Pat Wakeley.

This little one thinks the CWS School Kits are pretty!

Photo: Pat Wakeley

The Blackhawk Presbytery’s Summer newsletter contained the following challenge:
“Dear Friends in Christ,

We at First Presbyterian Church of St. Anne were touched by the Church World Service presentation and plea at our July presbytery meeting. In response to this plea, we have made a commitment to create 30 school kits by the November presbytery meeting, approximately 1 kit per five parishioners.
But our passion doesn’t stop there….

We’d like to challenge each congregation of Blackhawk Presbytery to “meet or beat” our goal, to create a least 1 kit per 5 parishioners.

We’re making school kits because this is reflective of our commitment to children and youth in our community...but your church might decide that other kits better reflect your ministry. That is up to you. Whatever kits your create, let’s bring them to the November presbytery meeting at Stronghold and present them in support of the amazing work that Church World Service has done, literally for decades!”

And that challenge was taken seriously by congregations in Blackhawk Presbytery!

The Kits, to be distributed by Church World Service and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to people in need in the U.S. and around the world, are an important tool in serving people in times of crisis and transition. Here’s what arrived at the Presbytery meeting from St. Anne’s, First Presbyterian Elgin, Zion Presbyterian, PW of First Presbyterian Dixon, Westminster United Presbyterian Galena, Somonauk United Presbyterian, First Presbyterian Church, Rockford, Worth Presbyterian and the Stronghold Staff!

School Kits: 373 Hygiene Kits: 31 Baby Kits: 8
TOTAL KITS: 412!!
Donations for extra Kits and Processing/Shipping: $378.00

Blackhawk Presbytery has committed to another challenge in 2008. Congregations will be encouraged to take advantage of “back to school” sales in August and September, assemble the School Kits, and bring them to the November 2008 meeting.]]> http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/kits/#001010 http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/kits/#001010 Kits Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:55:56 -0500 Tools & Blankets Mother with blanket

In the rural community of La Bombita, Dominican Republic, this mother takes a moment to cuddle her children under a blanket provided in November by Church World Service, with Blanket Sunday funds.

Photo: Julia Jones

Give a new kind of Mother's Day gift. Honor a woman in your life with the gift of a blanket.

Many congregations are planning Blanket Sundays for spring. Recently, Julia Jones, regional assistant director of Church World Service, visited Haiti and the Dominican Republic which were affected by Hurricane Noel in November 2007. In the DR, some 16,712 houses were affected, of which 737 were completely destroyed. People had to evacuate flooded communities, and many are still cleaning the mud from their homes. In many poor communities in the southern area, Church World Service distributed water, food, Hygiene Kits, and lightweight, water resistant blankets. The blankets were provided with Blanket Sunday offering funds. Residents lost many possessions, and even friends and relatives, but the people Julia spoke to expressed a sense of hope for the future, and, as they clutched their blankets to them, or wrapped them around sleeping children, deep gratitude for the help they received from Church World Service and the Blankets program.

For information on the Tools & Blankets program, please contact the regional Church World Service office at (888) 297-2767. Speakers are available, as well as videos and other educational materials for Tools or Blanket Sundays.]]> http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/tools-blankets/#001009 http://www.cwscrop.org/greatrivers/tools-blankets/#001009 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:41:18 -0500