2014-15 Impact Report: Outreach Ministry

The majority of CSMs work is done through the local church and with partner ministries who are daily in the field providing care for those in need. This is a hard job. At CSM we are able to come alongside what they are doing and provide special opportunities using the resources we have to help them have a bigger impact in their community. Our ability to facilitate a large-scale program helps them to stay focused on the individuals in the community, building relationships, and spreading the Gospel.

CSM Programs
CSM’s programs include: Operation WE, Thanksgiving “Baskets of Kindness,” Christmas meals and gifts, Easter in Avondale, “I Remember Mom” Mother’s Day nursing home visits and luncheon, STAIR tutoring program at Oliver Elementary, Kids Across America camp, and Compassion Packs.

Highlights
Last summer we partnered with two churches to host Operation WE in Lynn Park. Over 3,000 people were reached. CSM provided over $96,000 in resources helping the churches multiply their efforts and reach more people.

2014: Distributing Operation WE in Lynn Park

In September, we partnered with United Way and were able to distribute 800 resource bags of school supplies to teachers. Our ministry partners delivered the supplies.

2014: Urban Hope delivering school supplies in Fairfield

This Thanksgiving and Christmas 2,500 meals were sponsored, purchased, packaged, and distributed into homes. Our partner churches saw an increase in church attendance with the recipients and it helped them build deeper relationships with those served.

2014: Thanksgiving Baskets of Kindness event

Easter is a wonderful time of remembrance and celebration and Avondale UMC brings together communities to celebrate that He Has Risen Indeed. They provide the service and we provide the food and cooking for the cookout while children enjoy an Easter egg hunt. It’s a great celebration just a few blocks from our Ministry Center in Avondale Park.

This summer 140 children and 12 adult leaders went to Kids Across America camp in June. CSM handles the logistics and sponsorships helping our ministry partners take children who would normally not be able to attend a summer camp away from Birmingham.

KAA campers leaving Birmingham at midnight on their way to camp!

In May we served 1,500 underserved moms who are in nursing homes. We treated them to a special gift bag and program. Our partner churches are able to care for moms who may be forgotten or alone because we are able to provide the resources and handle the logistics. 130 moms were treated to a Mother’s Day luncheon at South Highlands Presbyterian Church. This was the first time that some of these moms have been served in a way that truly honors the special role God has called mothers to.

This school year we tutored 8 second-graders all who were reading below a first-grade level. Our volunteers enjoyed helping the children not only with reading but also with all that they have going on in their lives.