Sharing Christ's Love...

We cannot talk about volunteering at KCM without talking about 3 people who have a direct impact on the clients of KCM, and they are our School Supply Chair and Santa Sleigh Co-Chairs.

Our School Supplies Project is Chaired by Marissa Leach. Without her we would be in a Hot Mess!  She not only chairs School Supplies but she also volunteers once a week in the Social Service Office in Katy. It is through her organizational skills, passion and drive that 100's of kids receive school supplies!!   I know some of you may be thinking...ok school supplies, that can't be that big of a deal.  Oh it is a HUGE deal to the families we have the honor of helping.  There is a wonderful story about someone who is very close to KCM that had never thought much about the school supply program until he came to the event one year.  Once he saw the excitement, anticipation, JOY and much relief on the faces of our clients he eyes filled-up with tears and he just stood there in AWE.  He had never had to think about what it would feel like to go to school on the first day and not have the necessary supplies.  He had never had to ask the teacher for a pencil because his family could not afford one.  He always had his binders, notebooks and Kleenex to hand in.  I challenge each of you to think about how that would feel...and I also challenge you to become apart of this year's program.  And just to let you know she is already working on school supplies for 2010, I just saw an email confirming dates!!

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU MARISSA!!

Another program that touches everyone's hearts is Santa's Sleigh, our Program for helping those families in need provide Christmas for their children. Our Santa Sleigh Program is Co-Chaired by 2 precious women; Alice Linecum and Lauren Semple. It is through their tireless passion (for alomost 4 months) and their desire to see kids have Christmas that we helped close to 2000 kids in 2009.  There is nothing like seeing the look on a mom's face when we hand her the black trash bags filled with gifts and roll out a bicycle for her child.  This program could not happen without the support of the community, and so I also challenge you to start thinking now about how many children you can take this year. Our client numbers are up again this year, we know the need will be great...I hope you will be able to join us for this incredible JOY filled event.

You are both a Blessing & Inspiration to me and KCM.

(By the way, you are both coming back this year.)

 OK...I know what your thinking...these people are amazing but I just don't have that kind of time, energy or resources to give right now. You don't have to give months of time, or even days of time.  We need volunteers who can give 4 hours once a week, or once a month or once a year.  You know what time you have to give, you know where your heart is with volunteering...my challenge to you is to follow that desire and give back!!

For more information on volunteering please conatact
 Michelle Johns at: 

281-346-8041 or michelle.johns@ktcm.org

The Blessings of Volunteers...

One area of KCM that we don't talk much about is our Crisis Center.  Our Crisis Center is a safe place where survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault can come to seek refuge, healing and God's love.  We offer crisis counsleing, advocacy through their entire process, support groups for adults and children and love and support through their healing.  Our Crisis Center Director is Lisa Sanchez and she is supported by an incredible staff of 5 advocates and educational trainers.  God daily uses these 6 individuals to bring Hope, Joy and Love to those who need it most...the survivors, but the Crisis Center could not deliver Jesus to these people without their volunteers and today we are highlighting 3 of the most wonderful, generous and loving people you could know.

The first is one of  the sweetest ladies who comes to volunteer. Her name is Ms Janet Musgrove. She Blesses us once a week, for a couple of hours, and is always ready to work, and when I say work I mean putting folders together, shredding papers or answering the phone. Stuff that would not necessarily be considered the "fun" jobs.  She even at times will share a "funny" that will help us get through the day.

Thank you Ms Janet for always putting a smile on our faces!!

We also have two other volunteers in our Crisis Center that help out on our hotlines, Dawn Hampton and Anita Mancini. These ladies both started volunteering in 2005 and have been faithful ever since to volunteer atleast 1 week out of the month each night if not 2 weeks.   Let me explain a little more about this much needed help.  During non-business hours the calls that come into our 2 crisis lines are transferred to a hotline call center which in turn forwards the call to the individual "on call".  Depending on the situation the on-call person may have to go to the hospital or police station to assist the victim.  These ladies take a week or more each month to put their lives on hold to be avaialble to help people in crisis...without these ladies our staff would not get the much needed breaks they offer at times. THANK YOU BOTH...YOU ARE AMAZING AND MUCH APPRECIATED!!
 
If you know someone who is currently living in Domestic Violence (chances are you do, even if you don't know about it) and would like more information please call our Crisis Center Domestic Abuse Number at 281-391-4504...if you find yourself in an emergency situation please call our Domestic Violence Help Line at 281-391-4357.
 
If you, your friend, daughter, son, loved one...anyone in your life has been the victim of sexual abuse, rape or incest please know there is help.  Please call our Crisis Center Sexual Assault Number at 281-391-5262.  If you find yourself in an emergency situation please call our Sexual Abuse Center Hotline at 281-693-7273.
 
If you would like more information on volunteering please contact Michelle at 281-346-8041.

A KCM Volunteer is...

We live in a world that is fast-paced, with instant satisfaction of exactly what we want...we want a grand lifestyle in a drive-thru window.  Don't worry I am not going to try to reason why this is a necessary way of life or why it is not...but I do want to try to give us all something to think about. 

What would happen if we all slowed down for a minute to help someone else?

That is what the Volunteers at KCM do each time they give of their time. 

For the next few weeks I want to take the opportunity to shine the light on some of our Volunteers, without their dedication & suuport KCM would not be where we are today.  

Today I want to focus on 2 volunteers that make a difference in KCM...over the next few weeks I will introduce you to volunteers in each area of KCM so check back often to see who is mentioned...it might be someone you know...or even YOU!!

We have one volunteer, whom I will call Janet Boeve (by the way that is her real name), who gives of herself tirelessly to KCM.  Two days (at minimum) she works in our Administration Office, one day is up front helping our receptionist and the other is in Social Services doing anything they need help with.  She is also an active KCM Board Member, as well as a regular store volunteer.  She is also CRAZY active in her church and cooks large meals to host dinner at her house for the leaders of her church and others in her community, and the most important role she has is being an Amazing MOM.  Just hearing about a week in her world makes me tired, but also so Blessed to be able to work with such a Wonderful Women.  Thank you Janet for all you do!!

We have another volunteer who likes to stay in the shadows. Let's call him Mike Buehner.  Mike has been volunteering in KCM for quite some time, but he really began to stand-out when we started the new store project.  Mike has given more hours than any one person should (who is not being paid, that is) to the store.  It is not uncommon to see Mike working in the store after work in the evenings or most Saturday's.  As we were getting the store open he would take personal time from work to help with any detail needed, from pulling cable in the ceiling to sweeping.  He would meet each week with the New Store Committee early in the morinng (ok like 7:00 AM or so...but that's early to me) and work on anything he was asked to do.  He is also now helping KCM with some technological upgrades.  He continues to donate his own time, money and resources to make the New Super Store and KCM all it can be.  It is his dedication that is an inspiration to me and so many others!!  Thank you Mike for being YOU!!

To volunteer you don't have to give 10+ hours a week, or even 1 hour a week, volunteering is giving when you can, how you can.  Over the next weeks you will be shown different volunteer opportunities through real people who do the jobs themselves.  Volunteering at KCM gives you an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ, that maybe you wouldn't have other wise. 

If you would like more information on volunteering please conatct Michelle Johns at:

michelle.johns@ktcm.org or 281-346-8041

HUGE Gala Announcement!!

KCM Gala

A Night To Remember

with

Tom DeLay

April 23, 2010

Sponsorships up to $7500.00

Tables for 8 - $750.00

Individual Ticket - $100.00

Get your table soon as space is limited!!

To purchase a table online please visit our webiste and click on the "Make a Donation" on the home page.

To purchase a table or questions please contact

Michelle at 281-346-8041

Jesus, Others, Yourself...

Jesus, Others, Yourself.

My husband was in a Bible Study this past Saturday and heard:  JOY is Jesus, Others then Yourself, and it made me think...and then God brought me front and center with JOY in a very real and refreshing way.


Please excuse me as this post will be more personal than professional, but being that KCM is a large part of my life it will all be brought together.  This past weekend was a profound one for me. My sister-in-law, Mary, ran the Houston Marathon, and when I say ran I mean like RAN the marathon.  Her goal was to qualify for the Boston Marathon, in order to do so she had to have a time of 3:40:00...yes that is only 3 hours and 40 minutes.  For those of us not in the running world a marathon is 26.2 miles, and to accomplish this HUGE feat she would need to run on average a 8:10 mile.  If you are anything like myself you cannot help but chuckle at the idea, but for Mary it is a very real possiblity.  In the end she ran it in 3:45:16, meaning she missed your dream by a mere 5 minutes and 16 seconds.  When we got her time we were all so sad and disappointed for her.  Disappointed that she did not succeed, sad that she would not get to see her dream fulfilled...but we all had another thing coming.  Mary was not sad or disappointed, she was so excited that she ran her best time by 13 minutes, there was no sense of failure in her. 

As we sat at brunch congratulating her on an amazing morning I couldn't help but sit in awe of how humble and sincere she was.  Please don't get me wrong, Mary is always very humble and incredibly sincere, but if it were me I would have been prancing around showing off my medal to everyone in the restaurant and expecting praise from them.  Instead she blushed when we clapped for her as she entered and then quietly sat down and began looking at the menu and graciously thanked us for being there.  It was then in that moment that I saw JOY all over her.  Through Mary's running she has touched so many lives, and has been able to be a wonerful and powerful influence to those she run's with.  Mary exudes Christ in all that she does, but through her running she has been able to share Him with other's.  You see running to Mary is all about Jesus, and sharing Him with Others and then she worries about Herself...so running is a JOY filled passion for her.


This all made me start to think about what JOY I have expereinced lately.  Where in my life is Jesus First, Other's Second and Myself Last?  Where is my JOY?  As I sat and pondered those very questions the answer was right in front of me...my JOY is my work at KCM and serving with and for those around me.  Please don't get me  wrong, my Family is my greatest JOY and accomplishment, but the work that KCM does in the community and the piece of it I get to experience fills my heart with a JOY I have never expereinced before.

Have you expereinced JOY in your life recently?  Have you experienced JOY Today?  Are you experiencing JOY this very Minute? If not, what needs to change in your Life?

I pray that this next week will be a JOY filled week for you, and that you will find a new JOY!!

Why Donate...

I have been asked...why donate or even better why donate to KCM?  My answer is always the same...it is through donations that KCM is able to help OUR Community and it is from the sale of donations we are able to help fund our Direct Service Programs.  Many times their response is the same...and what does that mean??  SO...I thought I would address that question along with a few others.

1.  How much of the sales go to Direct Service Programs?

Remarkably, $.87 of every doallar go back to help fund Direct Service Programs.

2.  What are Direct Service Programs?

Direct Service Programs are the places that people from OUR Community can come for help.  Below are the 11 Direct Service Programs of

Katy Christian Ministries.

Social Service - Katy

Social Service - Fulshear

Food Pantry - Katy

Food Pantry - Fulshear

Domestic Abuse Center

Sexual Assault Center

HPRP - Homlessness Prevention Program

Mason Resale Store

1st St Store - Old Katy

Donation Center - Katy

Donation Center - Fulshear

3.  Why are the stores and donation centers listed as a direct service program?

The answer is simple. When there is a a client in need they can receive a voucher for the store to be used for clothes, specific house wares if needed, and even furniture. It is through the Donation Centers and Stores that KCM is able to assist those in need outside of direct financial assitance and food...

we can assist them in helping make a house a home and getting their life back.

4.  Why are there so many Programs?

To simply put it  because there is so much need. 

Last year KCM saw our client numbers almost double.

I have a story I would like to share about this very thing.

Recently there was a lady that found herself without a job, with a child in school and no where to live.  This family had been living in their car, just getting by day to day, for a few months.  They came to the Social Service Office in Katy to ask for help.  Thankfully KCM has just started a new Federal Program called HPRP which is the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program from HUD.  This program is specifically designed for those who are on the verge of being homless or are newly homeless.  Needles to say this family would qualify.  They were able to meet with a case manager later that day and thankfully, we were able to place them in a motel and get them food from our food pantry until we could secure them housing.  Within a week, they were in their new home, with some furniture, house wares and clothing from our resale store that they were able to pick out using a voucher.  This is just one story of many that show how all the programs work together to help people in need.  Just this one family utilized 5 Programs; the Katy Social Service, Katy Food Pantry, HPRP, Mason Rd Store and the Donation Center where some of the furniture was donated.  Just think for a second where this family could have ended-up without these Programs.

5. What do I donate?

Gently Used:

Furniture

House Wares

Clothing

Books

Toys

Monetary Donations

Time & Talents - KCM Volunteer Program

6.  Where do I donate?

For items

Katy Donation Center

Call for directions or pick-up

281-391-7400

Mason Road Store

333. S Mason

Monetary

http://www.ktcm.org/

or

PO Box 986, Katy, Texas 77492.

Time & Talents

Call Michelle at 281-346-8041

Prayer

Always and Anywhere

7.  Why Donate?

To help KCM continue to help OUR neighbors better themsleves

and OUR Community.

I hope this has addressed the question...why donate?  In this hard economic time it may seem out of your reach to give a little extra to someone or to an organization, but please try and remember that it could be you needing help this time next year, just as your neighbor may be the one asking for help the first time today. 

Thank you for your continued support of Katy Christian Ministries.

JOY...KCM Word for 2010

JOY

What is JOY to you?  Where does JOY come from?  Are you a JOYFUL person?

Before we get into the questions above, let me explain why KCM has a Word of the Year.  Back in 2002 our CEO, Sandy Faucett, began praying that God would give her a Word for KCM, a focus for the year, and so it started in 2003 with CHANGE, then 2004 brought OBEDIENCE and in 2005 it was all about TRUST while 2006 was about BELIEVING.  In 2007 we were challenged with FAITH and in 2008 we renewed our HOPE while 2009 helped bring about new PURPOSE and in 2010 we are anticipating His JOY.  While each of the Words have brought their own challenges they have also brought their own rewards.


So now that we all know about the Words...let's get back the Word for 2010...JOY.  The Word is not annaoucned to staff until our Annual In-Service, which is our first Monday back in January.  As we sat in our meeting yesterday and our CEO, Sandy, began talking about how she had been praying for the word and how she knew God had given her this specific word, you could see the excitement in her, I thought I would bust...and then she said it...JOY.  Immediately tears filled my eyes just at the sound of the Word...JOY.  JOY is what we pray each client can have when they walk out of our office, JOY is what we pray each customer feels in the store, JOY is what God wants each of us to experience daily...JOY is Jesus and knowing HIM.

Even now as I type this, some 24 hours later, tears still fill my eyes.  The tears are JOYful tears, full of anticipation of all God has for KCM this year, full of excitement that He has put me in this place to be apart of such a time as this, full of desire to seek Him so intently so I do not miss a single ounce of JOY that he has for us.

At the beginning I posed 3 questions. 
I know what those answers are for me....what are they for you? 
Do you have answers to them? 
Do you want answers to them? 
I encourage you to seek out the answers...feel free to email me, speak to your pastor, read your Bible, Pray...God wants you to know JOY!!

Please continue to join me as we blog our way into a JOY filled 2010 together.