The programs of County Corrections Gospel Mission bring us in touch with a wide variety of people in the communities we serve. These include families (men, women, youth), church members as well as professionals and their spouses in Enforcement, Corrections and Justice. Their needs, equally wide-ranging, become our needs and we appreciate every contribution to help meet them. The ministry and its property also generate some challenges that can only be met with the generous gifts of our partners and friends. It is interesting to note how the seasons affect these needs. In broad terms, we always need prayer to which can be added the need for volunteers, finance and gifts-in-kind.
Men
Most of the men we serve are presently in a correctional facility where we help them prepare for successful reentry into their families and communities. The most pressing need is always to find employment and sustainable, legal sources of income but the existence of powerful stigmas in society against hiring (or generally trusting) returning former-inmates makes this a very challenging obstacle. We apply gifts to the following:
Ground Zero Leadership Program: Funds for transport, food and refreshments, training material, corporate clothing
Malachi Dad Program: Funds for prescribed training material
Recommendations and suggestions for employment.
Special gifting towards purchase of independent Bible Study materials for prisoners:
‘Experiencing God’ by Henry Blackaby
‘Repentance: First Word of the Gospel’ by Richard Owen Roberts ($16.00/book)
Women
Women and especially grandmothers carry the biggest burden of caring for blended households that may include individuals from different generations. These needs are typical to any household and include paying for utilities, food, clothing and accommodation. Here are a few practical ideas to help these women:
Special gifting of hams, turkeys, or potatoes for Holy-Day meals for ministry families in Coatesville and gift cards for gas or groceries from companies such as Wawa, Turkey Hill, Giant or Wal-Mart.
Youth
Summer Camps and Back-to-School Needs
During the summer months we host several hundred children at Camp at Old Mill and your financial gifts will relieve the unavoidable demand on the ministry’s resources.
- Sponsors for June’s Campers (Children of Coatesville/ ages 6-12). They are asked to contribute $15.00/child which secures a joyous experience of 4 nights/5 days… CCGM’s actual costs exceed $150.00 per child
- Special gifts that will supply funding for groceries, water shoes, art supplies, T-shirts, snacks and provision for 3 meals and evening fruit item, daily
- Prayers and Intercessions for our volunteer-experienced-committed counselors who supply $200.00 towards their own support
- Servant-Hearted Volunteers and Churches who would come alongside our many needful tasks: mowing, weed-whacking, kitchen-help and servant-hearts that would be available to meet ongoing, daily needs during these most demanding weeks which spend all the energy and time of our entire staff
Fall
The fall months causes many challenges as children return to school. They all need book bags and all the “goodies” typically needed: stationary and clothing. Help us to help them.
Winter
We try our best to bring a smile to the faces of our Kid’s Club children on Christmas Day. Individuals, congregations, corporations or other groups can become part of the joy of giving. All contributions are important. Contact us now to become part of this year’s plan.
Church
Our goal is to serve and encourage local churches but especially to be a spearhead ministry on behalf of the local church. Our need in this regard is to become acquainted with local congregations and to enter into a meaningful relationship with its leaders and members. We would appreciate opportunities to your church’s pulpit and to share about the ministry with the goal of involving interested church members in our programs. Congregations that do not meet on Sunday nights are also invited to attend our Sunday evening programs at Camp at Old Mill.
Enforcement and Corrections
Serving the professionals the professionals in uniform has always been at the core at the ministry’s existence. County Corrections Gospel Mission facilitates opportunities for fellowship, training, networking and recreation for Christian officers and their families while also promoting creative evangelism and outreach opportunities. One way to reach and serve professionals in uniform is to link arms with strategic partners including the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO), the Christian Police Association (CPA-USA) and the Pointmen Leadership Institute. Needs associated with these activities are often related to hosting and catering.
Public Sector Leadership
County Corrections Gospel Mission endeavors to interact with public sector leaders and influence policy that impacts our target audiences.
Facilities
Camp at Old Mill is a very special facility which the Lord made available to County Corrections Gospel Mission. It has a very rich history where we can host visitors from a very wide spectrum and for varying purposes and activities. The property is venue to the ministry office and base for many of the ministry’s programs. The facility naturally generate ongoing maintenance and service expenses while we always strive to improve it as an attractive venue for churches to use for their own purposes.
Work teams from local churches fulfill an incredible role to take the burden from the small group of staff for general maintenance but those activities also serves as unique team building and fellowship opportunities for the team itself. Another possibility is special gifting towards utility costs (fuel oil, propane, electric) and the expense of removing liquid waste due to the proximity to the Brandywine Creek.