Outreach
 

“Outreach” consists of:

Service Groups *  Hospitality * Pennies for Potties   

Community Projects   *    I.R.A.K.
 

SERVICE GROUPS

Service Groups are hosted in the Spring and Fall with help from neighbors and friends.     "Spring Break in Appalachia" weeks, and "Appalachia 101" educational weekends, are the most popular programs with folks coming in from all over the country.  I invite you to join us in life-giving work, meaningful prayer, open dialogue and peaceful actions, which I believe are means to fostering the type of society the Creator intended. 
(Click on Service Groups for more detailed information.)
HOSPITALITY

SHORT-TERM   (When you find yourself in a MESS...)
Mobilizing Emergency Short-term Services (M.E.S.S.) utilizes the Retreat House on the Sunny Bank Farm  when service groups are not scheduled.   Volunteers from the community host people in need of short-term housing (victims of fire or flood, transients, evictees, hospital discharges).   We are always looking for more people to join the M.E.S.S.  schedule and be on call one month or one week a year as they are able.   Please contact me if you're interested in being a Dispatcher, Greeter, Check-In, Night Call or Stocker.  M.E.S.S. Volunteers also come together to assist residents clean-up their properties after disasters from the Coal Companies to Katrina.

LONG-TERM
A self-sufficient apartment on the Land Trust is available for year-round living quarters for an individual in-need.   Free rent is given in exchange for care-taking responsibilities.  Utilities are not included.  --- There is no vacancy at this time. 

PENNIES for POTTIES

                       Flush your money down toilets for kids!

  

Many children in Nepal don't have bathroom facilities either at home or at school.
Help me raise funds to build potties for the schools around the village of Bandipur. 
All donations go directly to helping the children. 

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Participation on the boards of non-profit organizations gives opportunities to offer a unique perspective and a prophetic voice in the charitable projects going on in the area.   Each board listed has a mission that reflects aims similar to the Catholic Worker.  Each allows me to serve while working with others in the wider local and regional communities. 

Catholic Committee of Appalachia
         The Gift of Tears is on this Board to help:
                 Publish and distribute the Appalachian Bishops’ pastoral messages:  
                         This Land is Home to Me and At Home in the Web of Life.
                 Network with other church workers and local organizations who  
                          work to address the causes of poverty in Appalachia.
                 Provide a newsletter, annual meetings and workshops on regional
                           social justice issues which include, but are not limited to education, 
                          health care, labor,  economic development and fostering sustainable  communities.
                  For information on CCA or to become a member please email: ccappal@citynet.net
 
Roane Rural Housing -
        The Gift of Tears assists RRH in supporting, promoting, improving and providing decent and affordable housing to low income families in Roane County.
 
Sunny Bank Farm, Inc. -
         The Gift of Tears collaborates with Sunny Bank to provide programs that assist the marginalized of our community.
 
West Virginia Regional Land Trust -
        The Gift of Tears helps to secure this piece of land in Roane County as a natural sanctuary for all who visit it.

I.R.A.K. - (Isaac’s Random Acts of Kindness)

      I recycle clothes from people who have them to people who need them....

  

... visit inmates and correspond with them through mail...

  
..assist with Manna Meals and Helping Hand food programs.
..and a candle is lit for  special intentions.  Send me yours to be added to the list.
How You Can Help
  • Pray
  • monetary donations
  • volunteer for service
  • bring groups
  • take a retreat here
  • visit and tell others about it

The Corporal Works of Mercy

Feed the hungry, Give drink to the thirsty, Clothe the naked, Visit the imprisoned, Shelter the homeless, Care for the sick,  Bury the dead.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy
Admonish the sinner, Instruct the ignorant, Counsel the doubtful,  Comfort the sorrowful, Bear wrongs patiently, Forgive all injuries, Pray for the living and the dead.
 


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