Glen Cary Lutheran Church

December 8, 2011

From the pen of Junita:

FPAC Schedule

• I have attached a copy of the 2012 schedule. Please review and make note of your host/partner dates. If there is a conflict with a date on the calendar, please try contacting another host congregation to organize a swap. Once the swap is confirmed, please let me know and I will update the calendar and redistribute.
• New Brighton Christian Church has agreed to host FPAC for 2 weeks in 2012. We are grateful to have them join us as a hosting congregation in 2012.
• Thank you to Unity North for agreeing to host FPAC the week of Jan 1-8, 2012. Glen Cary & Community Methodist will serve as partner congregations during that host week.
• We are contacting congregations that have considered hosting FPAC in the past, with a goal of adding to our current congregations. We still have three weeks open in 2012. If your congregation is available to add an additional host week, please let me know which of the following weeks would work for you. The following dates remain open on the 2012 calendar:
  • April 15-22, 2012
  • June 24-July 1, 2012
  • September 16-23, 2012

• I have also attached a copy of the 2012 Volunteer Training & Coordinator Meeting Schedule. Please review and share with individuals that are looking to attend a training date. FPAC will have a new website beginning mid-January/early-February and we will have this information posted on the site. While RSVPs are not required, please refer volunteers to check the new website for any changes to the training schedule.

Day Center

• We have a full house right now with four families/fourteen guests. We had a family of eight join us last Thursday. We have had a little bit of adjusting at the day center and at the hosting congregations, but that is to be expected when you have such a drastic change. The families have become a community and we witness great moments of support as well as moments of discord, but overall things are working well.

 Fundraising

• TPC ROSE Update: Last night was an awesome experience for FPAC staff and board members. Many of you know about the 2011 partnership we had with TPC ROSE. This group of philanthropic women chose FPAC as the non-profit to benefit from their 2011 fundraising efforts. Last night they presented FPAC with a check for $60,000! This was an amazing gift and an even greater representation of the kindness and compassion that exists in this community. Thank you to each of you that supported this cause; from attending an event, donating a door prize or auction item to spreading the word amongst your congregation and friends. We are just excited to continue serving families that are experiencing homelessness.
• FACEBOOK Fan Challenge: Here's an easy way to help raise funds for FPAC. For every "Like" on Thrivent Community-North Central facebook fan page, Thrivent will donate $2 to FPAC. Just think, if we have 500 people "Like" their page, FPAC would receive a check for $1000. Help us spread the word! While you are on facebook, be sure to "Like" FPAC to always read about the good things we are doing in our community and to join in on conversations.
• SAVE THE DATE: February 9, 2012 FPAC will host our first fundraiser.Out of the Box. The goal of this fundraiser is to raise awareness around the issue of homelessness within Anoka County and to continue raising money to support FPAC. This event will be held at the Bunker Hills Activity Center. We are looking for businesses to sponsor the design of our boxes. We are also looking for teams of individuals: realty groups, mortgage officers, co-workers, youth groups, etc. to participate by designing a box. I have attached our event flyer for more information.
• MAGICAL SEASON OF GIVING: FPAC has a chance to receive up to $4000! For every $1 you spend at Northtown Mall between now and December 19^th, FPAC will receive one point. The nonprofit organization with the most points will win the first prize of $4000. It's as easy as that. Just take your receipts to Guest Services at Northtown Mall, let them know you want them added to Family Promise of Anoka County and we will accumulate points. There are opportunities to double the points designated for FPAC. Just review the attached flyer for additional information and please share this opportunity with your friends and family.

 I think that's it for now. Have a very Merry Christmas season and a fabulous day!

From the pen of Trisha: Day Center Happenings

Hello all the Day Center Volunteers! LOTS OF INFORMATION!! I wanted to take this time to tell you I am going to try to send out a weekly update on the Day Center. Currently we are full to capacity. Everyone is very active in trying to locate jobs and housing. There is a large family of 8 arrived. If you do happen to be volunteering on the weekends they love to play board games at the table. I was here last Saturday and they played Toy Story Monopoly four to five times. I played once and they beat me. The younger ones love doing crafts and easier things at the table. If you have an idea for ornaments I am sure they would love to do them. These are the families that we have here this week. Things change so fast! I have also forwarded things I thought you would all think interesting. If you know of anyone that wants to volunteer the next training will be Jan. 9^th from 6:30 to 8:30 at Grace Lutheran Church.

Family #1

Monica-mom

Mah'Jaiah-4 year old daughter

 Family #2

Essam (A'som) -dad

Sara-mom

Mansour (Man-sewer) -15 year old son

Waddah-14 year old son

Jasmine-10 year old daughter

Kareem-9 year old son

Waleed-6 year old son

Nadin (Na-den) -3 year old daughter· 

 Family #3

Marigold-mom

Ashlea-14 year old daughter

 Family #4

Kristi-mom

Jasmine-19 month old daughter

December 28, 2011

Day Center Update from Trisha

Hello Every One! Happy New Year! Our big family is still with us and Kristi moved out into her own place. We were so excited for her. The volunteer beautician from Cambridge came and cut the boys hair. They all look so nice. I hope the Christmas holidays went well. I am excited for 2012! We will be getting in a few new families within the month and I will keep you posted on the names and the ages of the children. If you have any questions or ideas do not hesitate to email or write me a note. I do want to thank the volunteers for writing notes for me and putting them on the bulletin board. If you know of anyone that wants to volunteer have them give me a call or I can call them if you give me there number. Also the volunteer training is January 9^th from 6:30-8:30 at Grace Lutheran Church, Andover. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you again for all that you do. If you cannot open the attached just send me a note.