Council of Christian Communions

The Council of Christian Communions Enlists Church Members

to Support CPS Students

Hundreds of volunteers are needed to serve as tutors and mentors, or to assist with enrichment programs for students in Cincinnati Public Schools. In an effort to help recruit these volunteers, the Council of Christian Communions recently reached out to 350 of their ecumenical partners with a Call-to-Action as part of the CPS Be the Change campaign.

The Council, which was incorporated in 1914, is comprised of churches throughout Greater Cincinnati. One of its primary goals is to make a difference in the lives of children, so they work to connect those in the faith community who wish to serve with organizations needing their help. CPS, the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative and the 2020 Champions Program are Council partners.

“We provide the avenue and environment for people to support our youth,” says Joellen Grady, executive director for the Council of Christian Communions. “We noticed that many of our church members are retired teachers and principals or corporate executives. They have the time and the skills to share, but are not currently linked with students because no one has shown them how to get involved. We want our churches to encourage their members to participate. We hope that, at some point, everybody has an opportunity to interact with a child. We are here to provide that link.”

While caring adults are desperately needed to help with students’ academic performance, Grady says that being a tutor or mentor are not the only opportunities. Volunteers might read to young classes, teach children to cook or crochet, or be a pen pal. Commitments vary; for those who don’t have a lot of time, spending a few minutes a month writing a letter to a kindergartener would help them with reading and comprehension skills. Interaction with students takes place either at school, in the Community Learning Centers or at a YMCA location with school resource coordinators present. Grady says the Council makes it as easy as possible to participate.

“The youth are not only our future, they are our present,” says Grady. “If we don’t help them now, we won’t have a future.”

Grady hopes to have 100 churches actively participating within a year. While this appeal is still in early stages, response so far has been positive. The Council’s next Call-to-Action meeting will be held sometime this spring. In the meantime, those who are interested in making a difference in the lives of students at CPS may contact Joellen Grady at 513-351-6789 or joellengrady@zoomtown.com.

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Council of Christian Communions

Council of Christian Communions

Of Greater Cincinnati

Fact Sheet

“Creating opportunities for ministry among the people and institutions of Greater Cincinnati”

Mission

“The Council  of Christian Communions is called to be the visible expression of Christian unity, an effective witness to the Gospel, partners in Christ’s service, and builders of bridges, working with churches and other denominational bodies and others to serve the community through organized ecumenical  programs in education and justice, ministering to youth and families.”

History

· Incorporated in 1914 to unite Christians of Greater Cincinnati together in ministry.

· Educational—Weekday Released Time Christian education program started in 1924 through Cincinnati Public Schools

· “Church by the Side of the Road” radio ministry in 1935

· “Church Today” television program in 1980

· Jail ministry began in the early 1980’s and transitioned to a regional ministry in 2007

· Man-to-Man/Woman-to-Woman (M-M/W-W)  started matching prisoners with volunteers in 1971 and joined the Council in 2003 with its prison Bus Ministry—”Linking Families Together”

Community Position

· The only formal “hands on” ecumenical Christian organization in Cincinnati

· Addresses community issues from a Christian perspective

· Provides opportunities for ministry – is not a political influence organization

· Focuses only on the needs of Greater Cincinnati – no national affiliation

· Primary faith-based organization working within the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Youth Center, Cincinnati Public Schools Community Learning Centers, YMCACincyAfterSchool and Cincinnati Youth   Collaborative

Focus On Youth Ministries

Education—

· Partnering for Youth: Call to Action – Council partners with YMCA CincyAfterSchool; Cincinnati Public Schools, Community Learning Centers; Cincinnati Youth Collaborative (CYC) and Hamilton County Juvenile Court Youth Center to provide opportunities for volunteers from 29 area churches to form teams that mentor, tutor and interact with youth at the partner sites.

· Serves as a catalyst to connect the faith community to show God’s love to youth in a relevant and    meaningful way, resulting in improved outcomes for the youth.

· Anger management/conflict resolution and life skills training –11 classes held at the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Youth Center – Volunteers provided over 5,408 hours to over 1,000 youth in 20010

Council of Christian Communions

HI COUNCIL FRIEND --- reach more youth and their families IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

PLEASE DON'T FORGET THE NEXT MEETING ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 25 AT SOUTH AVONDALE SCHOOL. BEGINS AT 6:00 WITH FOOD. PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR PARTNERING FOR YOUTH.

Want to reach more youth and their families in your neighborhood? And have them join the life of your church? We at the Council of Christian Communions can help.

 Cincinnati Public Schools has immediate need for volunteers to serve at all their schools. These volunteers are needed to empower students to develop their potential, including academic performance. Though CPS has made huge strides in improving district-wide student achievement, many students still need help now. And this offers a wonderful opportunity for God's people to step-up to make a difference for these youth and their families, as well as our schools and neighborhoods.

The Council invites you, your youth leaders and everyone interested in serving youth to be our guests at our next Call-to-Action meeting. The meetings will be held on Tuesday, January 25 at 6 pm at the new South Avondale Elementary School,

636 Prospect Place, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229

. Food will be served from 6:00 to 6: 30 p.m., when the program will begin. Please RSVP to 351-6789.

 At this meeting, the Council and our partners, Cincinnati Public Schools, the YMCA and the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, will make short presentations about volunteer opportunities. Right now, hundreds of caring volunteers are needed in all schools to serve as tutors and in other capacities like mentors, pen pals and in after-school art, music, athletic and other enrichment programs. Representatives from South Avondale, Quebec Heights and Mt. Airy Elementary Schools will overview specific needs.

 We'll also debut the 2020 CCC Champions Program which will match caring adult Christians with youth after they are released from the Juvenile Court system. After the presentations, you'll be able to speak directly with the organizations about your interests and next steps in serving our young people.

 As you may know, the Council's mission is to bring churches and community service organizations together to effectively address large-scale needs that we could not individually. Our program, Partnering for Youth, links churches and organizations with excellent youth programs to serve large numbers of youth and their families in Greater Cincinnati. The attachment overviews how this program can help you and your congregation connect with more young people and their families. Through these relationships, caring Christians from your congregation can share God's love to empower them to reach their God-given potential.

 We look forward to you joining us on January 25 as the Christian community comes together to make a significant difference in the lives of many more young people and their families. And as we partner, our schools and neighborhoods will improve, and you'll be able to grow your youth ministry and church.

 May the Lord continue to bless you!

Yours at the Council in Christ's Service,

 Joellen W. Grady & Bishop Dwight Wilkins

 Executive Director President of the Board