FAQ
General | |||
Men's Ministry | |||
| Q: | Do the men in the Christian Life Program work? | ||
| A: | Yes. In addition to attending life-skills classes, Bible studies and educational programs in our Learning Center, CLP men have regular work assignments at the Mission. When the men work at the Mission, they develop a positive work ethic and perform tasks vital to the daily operation of this ministry. About 90 percent of the men who have been on the program for at least three months receive positive work-ethic evaluations. | ||
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Womens & Family Ministry | |||
| Q: | What kinds of families do you take at the Family Center? | ||
| A: | Every kind! We shelter two-parent families, single mothers and fathers, and relatives caring for children. We also shelter single women at the Family Center. | ||
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| Q: | How long can people stay at the Family Center? | ||
| A: | A typical stay is between one day and two weeks, unless guests take advantage of our recovery and discipleship programs. The New Beginnings Covenant is a 30- to 60-day program, and the New Life Program lasts six to nine months. | ||
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Youth Ministry | |||
| Q: | What services do you provide for homeless and at-risk youth? | ||
| A: | At the Vanderberg Youth Center, children and teens attend a variety of programs, including life-skills classes, Bible studies, chapel and recreational activities. They work with tutors and even go on field trips. | ||
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| Q: | Why does City Union Mission have a summer camping program? | ||
| A: | Our goal is to help break the cycle of homelessness by teaching at-risk children about God. At Camp CUMCITO, children develop a personal relationship with God and learn to make healthier choices in life. | ||
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Volunteer Ministry | |||
| Q: | What can my family do together for the Mission? | ||
| A: | There are various ways you and your children can help the homeless, such as: 1. Bake cookies; 2. Create welcome bags; 3. Make inspirational, seasonal wall and table decorations. | ||
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| Q: | How can groups serve? | ||
| A: | Groups can: 1. Underwrite costs for meals; 2. Schedule Saturday maintenance projects; 3. Serve at Mission events and seasonal opportunities. | ||
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Capital Campaign | |||
Citywide Church Involvement Campaign | |||
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| Q: | How much time will this take? | ||
| A: | Your congregation can choose as little or as much involvement as you wish. Naturally, we’d hope for greater involvement as it brings greater understanding and greater giving, but we would gratefully accept any show of support. | ||
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| Q: | Are you asking for specific amounts from the churches or their members? | ||
| A: | No. We leave that up to you. We often find that a free-will offering (or set of designated plate offerings over a period of time), supported with the right education and announcements about the effort is the most effective. | ||
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| Q: | Why a Tent Rally? | ||
| A: | In the summers of the first years after the Mission opened, our founders, the Rev. and Mrs. David Bulkley, held Tent Rallies that they called “The Church in Overalls” on a lot they got from the City at 6th and Wyandotte. Our Tent Rally calls us back to those days to help us “catch the spirit” from which the Mission was founded. | ||
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| Q: | When will we do the citywide church effort? | ||
| A: | The plan is for the effort to be conducted during or around the month of June with a closing celebration event in September. Of course, you may choose to conduct your effort at a time that fits with your own stewardship schedule. | ||
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| Q: | What’s the cost to us? | ||
| A: | This effort is designed for you to contribute your time and talent to generate support for the campaign, rather than your own church’s treasure. Direct support from congregations is gratefully appreciated as well. The Mission will provide the resources for you to implement the campaign in your congregation at little or no cost to you. | ||
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| Q: | Can individuals give directly to the Mission? | ||
| A: | Yes. Donations can be mailed to 1100 E. 11th St. KCMO 64106 or you can donate online at www.cityunionmission.org. | ||
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| Q: | How can our church give out of our annual budget? | ||
| A: | We welcome direct gifts from church mission and outreach giving and suggest that congregations consider a multi-year commitment of up to 5 years. | ||
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| Q: | What if we need help? | ||
| A: | We appreciate your efforts and are happy to lend support and guidance. You may contact Evie Kowalewski at (816) 329-1497 or by e-mail at evie@cumission.org. | ||
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Holidays | |||
Thanksgiving | |||
| Q: | What is Stuff A Truck | ||
| A: | Stuff A Truck is an annual City Union Mission food drive, partnered with 22 HyVee stores whereby bulk grocery food items are collected. These items are then distribed to income qualified community families thru holiday food baskets. Cash donations are also accepted. | ||
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| Q: | When is Stuff A Truck? | ||
| A: | Stuff A Truck is annually and is normally the 2nd weekend in November - all day on Friday and Saturday. | ||
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| Q: | Where is Stuff A Truck | ||
| A: | All 22 HyVee locations in the Kansas City and Kansas metropolitan areas. | ||
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| Q: | How can I help with Stuff A Truck? | ||
| A: | Visit any Kansas City area HyVee location sometime over the 2nd weekend in November between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and purchase a voucher representing a bag of pre-packaged groceries for $5 or $10. All proceeds go to City Union Mission to help the poor and homeless. | ||
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Christmas | |||
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| Q: | What is Adopt-A-Family? | ||
| A: | The Adopt-A-Family program has proven to be life changing for everyone who participates - the givers and receivers. Generous members of our community "adopt" qualifying families in need then bless them with food and Christmas gifts. New friendships are formed when they deliver gifts to their adopted families as the families spend time together sharing the joy of the season. | ||
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| Q: | Who is eligible to Adopt-A-Family? | ||
| A: | You and your family, your church, business or organization can Adopt-A-Family. | ||
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| Q: | When is Adopt-A-Family? | ||
| A: | Applications for Adopt-A-Family is currently in process. The deadline for all applications is November 25, 2005. | ||
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| Q: | How would I go about Adopting-A-Family through City Union Mission this holiday Christmas season? | ||
| A: | If you would like to Adopt-A-Family for Christmas, please call (816) 329-1423. | ||
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| Q: | Why would I be interested in Adopting-A-Family for Christmas? | ||
| A: | City Union Mission want to share the blessings of The Lord with as many people as possible, and we can do that thru donors, like yourself. You will experience the blessing of sharing and changing lives. | ||
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| Q: | What is Share-A-Gift? | ||
| A: | Through this heartwarming program, community members "adopt" the low-income children in our Vanderberg Youth Center, providing them with simple gifts like a toy or a sweatshirt. The children and teens are thrilled when they are given a gift of their very own during the Vanderberg Youth Center's Christmas party. For some, it may be the only gift they receive all season. | ||
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| Q: | Who is eligible to participate in the Share-A-Gift program? | ||
| A: | The approximate 100 children from the community that are part of City Union Mission's Vanderberg Youth Center's after-school program, and the children who stay in our family shelter each day. | ||
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| Q: | Why would I want to participate in the Share-A-Gift program? | ||
| A: | City Union Mission would like to make sure each child staying in our shelter and each child participating in our after-school program have a gift to open. You will bless the lives of our children, that would otherwise not have a Christmas. |
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| Q: | Is City Union Mission involved in providing gifts to nursing home residents at Christmas time? | ||
| A: | Yes. City Union Mission has a Nursing Home Minitry. Every Christmas, homeless families in our New Life Program and young people in our Vanderberg Youth Center visit area nursing homes to provide about 700 low-income residents with cards and gifts. We fill packages with simple treats like slipper socks, powder and lotion. And, we fill residents' lonely hearts with love, reminding them how much they are treasured by their Father in heaven. | ||
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| Q: | I would like to donate items for nursing home residents. How would I go about doing that? | ||
| A: | If you are interested in partnering with our Nursing Home ministry, please call (816) 329-1414. | ||
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| Q: | When do I need to have the items I want to donate to the Mission? | ||
| A: | We are currently accepting items thru December 14th. | ||
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| Q: | Where do I deliver donated items for the Nursing Home Ministry? | ||
| A: | Items should be delivered to our Family Shelter at 1310 Wabash - before December 14th. | ||
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| Q: | Is City Union Mission involved in providing gifts to prisoners? | ||
| A: | Yes. For inmates, the stab of isolation is especially acute on Christmas, when they are far from the people and places they hold dear. That's why the Mission goes to the Jackson County Jail every year to bring the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to prisoners. We distribute gift boxes filled with small items like socks, candy, toiletries and reading materials. | ||
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| Q: | When is Celebration of Love? | ||
| A: | Saturday, December 2, 2006 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
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| Q: | Where is Celebration of Love held? | ||
| A: | City Union Mission Family Center 1310 Wabash St., Kansas City, Mo. |
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Drives and Benefits | |||
Share-A-Meal | |||
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| Q: | If my family or group wants to do Share-A-Meal do we need to prepare the meal or can we just pay for it and serve it? | ||
| A: | It’s your choice. You can choose to prepare the meal and serve it, or you choose to simply pay for the meal and serve what our kitchen staff would normally prepare. | ||
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| Q: | What facility options and associated costs can we choose from to participate in Share-A-Meal? | ||
| A: | Click here to see the available Share-A-Meal options. | ||
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| Q: | If we want to prepare the meal, can we use the kitchen at City Union Mission? | ||
| A: | Yes you can. | ||
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| Q: | Can we prepare the meal at a different location and then bring it in to serve? | ||
| A: | Yes you can. | ||
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| Q: | How many people are needed to serve at the Men’s Center? | ||
| A: | Generally between 5 and 14 depending upon the season. More are needed in the winter. | ||
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| Q: | How many people are allowed to be in the Men’s Center kitchen? | ||
| A: | Three. | ||
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| Q: | Are there any restrictions as to who can serve at the Men’s Center? | ||
| A: | We prefer women serve in the kitchen due to the close quarters in the dining area. Children must be older than 14 to serve in the Men’s Center. | ||
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| Q: | How many people are needed to serve at the Family Shelter? | ||
| A: | Five. | ||
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| Q: | How many people are allowed and what restrictions are there for serving in the Family Shelter kitchen? | ||
| A: | Two people can be in the kitchen at a time. Volunteers must be over 12 years of age and accompanied by an adult. | ||
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| Q: | Are there any restrictions as to who can serve at the Family Shelter? | ||
| A: | Yes. Small children must be able to manage and balance trays in order to serve. | ||
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