UAServe Volunteers Leave Trail of Help and Hope

Feb 15, 2018 | UA News

1 year. 628 volunteers. 5,831 hours. Countless moments of help and hope.Though simply defined, the impact that UAServe volunteers made in 2017 was profound. Ranging in age from two to 87 years, they poured their time and talents into helping people in our local community.
 
“Our desire at Urban Alliance is to see people in our community experience hope, help and positive transformation in their lives,” explained Sarah Thompson, Urban Alliance’s Director of Communications and Volunteer Mobilization. “And, so many are working generously and humbly to do just that.”
 
UAServe, Urban Alliance’s volunteer mobilization program, recruits and matches positive, supportive volunteers to serve at programs run by churches and parachurch organizations that participate in UA initiatives.
 
Last year, men, women and children served by assisting at community medical screenings, helping at pregnancy resource centers, assisting at disability-friendly events, assisting at after-school programs, sorting and stocking donations, cooking and serving meals, working on websites, helping out at food pantries, providing Spanish translation, helping with maintenance, and so much more.
 
“One day a week, I get to tutor at Lincoln Elementary, which is a wonderful experience,” shared UAServe volunteer Holly.
 
On Saturday, February 10, volunteers, host site leaders and UA staff gathered to celebrate the incredible contributions made by UAServe volunteers in 2017.
 
“While their service in 2017 is valued at $144,142, it truly is priceless,” said Thompson. “These amazing individuals are helping tens of thousands of our neighbors, friends, and community members become healthy and whole in every aspect of their lives.”
 
If you would like to see photos from this event click here.  If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer click here.  To view the 2017 UAServe report click here.
 

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The staff at Urban Alliance are familiar with Pastor Frank because he is a regular attendee to many of the trainings Urban Alliance provides on subjects like domestic violence, addressing childhood trauma, and better counseling techniques. “That’s been so valuable to me to be able to bring that back, not only in my counseling but also in my teaching and preaching ministries, “ shared Termine.

Pastor Frank was also one of the original members of the Micah group, a group of pastors that meets at Urban Alliance to discuss and strategize about challenging issues that face the church today. One of those earlier discussions on justice, incarceration, and returning citizens was particularly memorable. “We all lamented the fact that these men and women were coming out of prison into our churches and just kind of being thrown there,” said Termine, “We could do better than this.” That discussion planted the seeds that eventually led to the creation of Second Chance Churches – an opportunity for churches to provide support and mentoring to returning citizens that continues today.

When we asked Pastor Frank what he would say to another church that was unaware of Urban Alliance, he said, “If you are looking to get out in the community and make a difference in the community, Urban Alliance is a super way to do it. We’re a small church … we can’t do everything. Urban Alliance is a pathway to get our people involved in ministries that are already doing it, doing it well, and just need extra volunteers.”

Pastor Frank Termine’s story embodies many things we are trying to accomplish at Urban Alliance: supporting organizations in the communities they serve with training, resources, and opportunities to make a difference. Pastors and non-profit leaders face a wide range of challenges and, therefore, need a wide range of help and resources. Your support can help turn stories of struggle into stories like you find at Calvary Church.

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