Martha O'Bryan Center
Courtney Mott, PW Liaison
The Martha O'Bryan Center was founded over 110 years ago by Martha O'Bryan, a member of First Presbyterian Church. The MOB Center is located next to the James A. Cayce Homes, the oldest and largest public housing development in Nashville. Ninety-two percent of households are headed by single mothers and the average income is approximately $5,000. The challenges of high unemployment rates and poverty lead to violence, drugs, and gangs in this neighborhood.
Martha O'Bryan began her ministry providing necessary household items, and "hope" to families, and eventually formed the "gleaners", a circle of young women teaching reading and sewing. Her goal was to help each member in a family (adult, child, and teen). Today the Center's mission is to help overcome the obstacles of poverty, and to attain greater levels of well-being and self-reliance through work, love and education.
Circles are encouraged to support Martha O'Bryan (MOB) Center this year in:
Pre-School Reading Program - Circles are asked to choose one day, any month to visit MOB and read to preschoolers. (This must be arranged through Judy Gaither, Volunteer Coordinator, in conjunction with the Director of the Early Learning Center.)
Toys & More Store, December 14, 2007 - a Christmas assistance program allowing parents to purchase toys, using vouchers earned by doing community service, at very low prices for their children. Circle members are asked to volunteer to help in the MOB Toy Store. You may also purchase new toys for the Toy Store drive.
Welcome Baskets – MOB has an ongoing need for 15-20 Welcome Baskets per month to welcome new residents to the neighborhood. Circles may choose to do baskets collectively, or on an individual basis. A laundry basket should be filled with cleaning supplies and personal toiletry items. Suggested items include:
Towels, Washcloths, Toilet Paper, Toothpaste, Body Soap, Hand Lotion, Hand Soap, Shampoo, Razors, Trash Bags, Mr. Clean, Paper Towels, Sponges, Scouring Pads, Dish Detergent, Laundry Detergent, Broom, Small Hotel Toiletries. Diapers/Formula are ALWAYS needed.
Meals on Wheels - MOB needs drivers to deliver meals once a month to seniors and shut-ins in the 37206 zip code area. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday. It takes approximately 40 minutes to deliver the meals. Contact Judy Gaither at 254-1791, Ext. 125 or jgaither@marthaobryan.org for more information.
Youth Reading Program - MOB seeks volunteers to assist in the youth reading program from 3:30-5:00 P.M., once a week at MOB or Dalewood High School. Lesson plans are already prepared. Contact Judy Gaither at 254-1791, Ext. 125 or jgaither@marthaobryan.org for more information or to volunteer.
Monroe Harding Children's Home
Betsy Davies, PW Liaison
Monroe Harding was founded in 1893 by Fannie Harding and named after her late husband, Monroe Harding. The organization provides safe shelter and guidance to young people torn apart by truancy, violence, alcoholism, and drug abuse. Monroe Harding partners with at-risk youth and families to provide a bridge toward independence and success.
Circles are asked to support Monroe Harding this year in:
Hanging of the Greens : Sunday, December 2, 2007, 2:00-4:00 P.M.
Field trip to Monroe Harding : Monday, March 3, 2008. All Circle members are invited. Monroe Harding will provide lunch afterward.
Seeds of Hope Garden Tour & Gift Shop : Saturday, June 7, 2008. Clean out your closets, basements, and sheds to find donations of antiques or items which might be purchased in a gift shop and appeal to the gardener or garden-lover: birdhouses, statuary, garden signs, wrought iron containers, or other decorative items for the home or garden are being sought to stock the Gift Shop. Donations of homemade canned items such as jams, jellies, pickles, and salsa have sold well in past years and are also needed. All items can be left in the bin under the bulletin board (outside Courtenay Lounge). Volunteers are also needed to work in the gift shop.
Wish List Items : We will collect the items lisated below from January 2008 through May 2008. Donated items may be placed in the bins by the PW Bulletin Board.
Scientific Calculators; 3-Subject Notebooks; 2-Pocket Folders; Backpacks; Pens (blue/black); 2-Year Pocket Planner; 3-Ring Binders; Candy Bars; Cinnamon Sticks; Youth Toiletries; Youth movies (ages 1-6); Youth Toys (ages 1-6); Toilet Paper; Towels/Washcloths (new); Dixie Disposable Cups; Ziploc Bags; Colored Printer Paper; Ankle socks (new). Additionally, gift cards are requested from: Sam's/Costco, Home Depot/Lowe's, Target, Wal-Mart, Kroger, CVS, Restaurants, Sports/Event Tickets, Movie Passes, and Postage Stamps. Please give these to your Circle local missions representative or Betsy Davies.
FPC's Local Missions Committee has interviewed many agencies and has generously donated budgeted money to the following agencies where many Circle members have volunteered their time.
The Bridge Program of Nashville
Campus for Human Development
Christian Leadership Concepts
Christian Women's Job Corp
Cumberland Heights
Faith Family Medical Clinic
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
First Steps, Inc./Duncanwood Campus
Green Hills Mobile Meals
Habitat for Humanity
Hope and Life Ministry
Hospital Hospitality House
Interfaith Dental Clinic
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship of Vanderbilt
Martha O'Bryan Center
Matthew 25
Men of Valor
Miriam's Promise
Monroe Harding
Nashville Rescue Mission
Oasis Center
Pastoral Counseling Centers of TN
Presbyterian Campus Ministry at Vanderbilt
Presbyterian Student Fellowship at MTSU
Preston Taylor Ministries
Reconciliation Ministries
Renewal House
Rocketown of Middle Tennessee
Rooftop
Room In the Inn
S.A.V.E. (Survivors Against Violent Environments)
Safe Haven Family Shelter
Second Harvest Food Bank
Siloam Family Health Center
The Next Door
Y-CAP
Young Life Nashville
Please pray about where God will lead you in His work. Contact Karen Pasquale with questions or comments. |
