Just Initiative 2020 Newsletter creating pathways out of poverty for women & children |
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2020 Highlights at Just Initiative - Opened a new office and drop-in center for prayer, pastoral counseling and case management in conjunction with the Timothy Initiative
- 491 hours of Bible study groups, life skills classes, and tutoring
- 223 individuals served with basic needs and support in housing, education and economic opportunity
- Celebrated 5 years since the opening of our residential program, Petra House
- Added a bathroom at Petra House and a bathroom in the Zone for COVID precautions
- All main leaders have completed or are in process for becoming a Certified Mental Health Coach
- Baptism at the outside service at the PopUp Church in the park
- A Backyard Wedding with our neighbors
- Delivered an abundance of food, clothes, furniture and household goods to neighbors
- Candlelight vigil for a neighbor who was murdered
- Time to Lament service in the wake of the killing of George Floyd
- Directly facilitated the graduation from High School of 2 young men during e-learning due to Covid
- Advocated for and tutored a student to participate in the Step Up program enabling her to skip 7th grade & start the year at the age appropriate grade level
- Received grants from the Children's Board and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
- Assisted 42 children in Back-to-School preparation - school supplies, clothes, shoes, hair cuts, etc
- 13 people have found refuge and moms have experienced intentional discipleship at Petra House - Covid obviously brought challenges to running a residential program and we have made necessary adjustments to move forward with caution taking CDC recommendations
- Supported parents and children in education system through covid and e-learning challenges & decisions
- Facilitated multiracial groups through beginning to wade through the complexities of racism in the US and standing up for what is good and right through protest, prayer, and searching our own hearts together for a way forward in love and equity
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Click Below for a 1 min Video Testimony |
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2020 was Time to Thrive for Lisa About 5 years ago, Lisa moved into our neighborhood when she was 14 years old. Her mother died shortly before the move and her father was unexpectedly left with the responsibility to raise her and her three brothers by himself. For much of the past 5 years, they have lived doubled up with another family of four to make ends meet. Since the passing of her mother, Lisa never felt understood or at peace. Lisa often reached out for help with laundry, transportation or a listening ear. When Lisa |
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turned 18 her calls became more frequent because she didn’t know how to handle the conflict in the house. Lisa lives with an intellectual disability and that can make relationships more difficult. She was often finding herself kicked out and desperate to find a place to sleep. Her situation was overwhelming to her and she didn't know where to start to make a way forward. By the grace of God, her life has changed so much this year, in spite of the limitations of COVID-19. Through the help of several people on the Just Initiative team we were able to help Lisa move forward, set herself up for success in the future and accomplish more than she thought was possible. Here are the high points: - Obtain her out-of-state Birth Certificate, get a voter's registration card, get her social security card and ultimately her ID. Without this important documentation, the options for Lisa were very limited!
- Apply for and get approved for her own Food Stamps and learn to shop and make the most of her funds
- Apply for and get approved for Disability through Social Security to give her a monthly income
- Began working with Vocational Rehabilitation
- Secured a job and works 3 days a week
- Began receiving services through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) through the Medicaid Waiver
- Moved into her own housing, with APD staff support. The place is within walking distance to her dad’s house, it is near a bus stop, she has her own room, her own key and air conditioning, she is learning life skills, and loving it!
We used to get emergency calls from Lisa all the time, but now when we hear from Lisa she is talking about how much better her life is. She is stable and secure and happy. We are so proud of her! |
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In Memory of Maria (1955 - 2020) Our hearts were broken in July of this year when our sister in Christ, Rosario Rivera-Martinez (aka Maria), stepped out of this life as we know it and into the next life. Maria was involved in many levels of Just Initiative which included serving people, Bible study, relationships, outreach, consultant and serving as the our bookkeeper. She embodied the quote by Pope John Paul II, "nobody is too poor not to give and nobody is too rich not to receive." She would gracefully give |
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and receive and lead others in the same. Maria was a passionate advocate for the homeless and had lived experience to give her such wisdom, insight and compassion. In ways in which she was aware and in many ways she wasn't aware, she shaped the heart of what Just Initiative is today. We love you, Maria. We miss you, Maria. And we hold fast to the hope of seeing you again. |
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As 2020 is coming to a close, I think the whole world has the feeling of "what just happened?!" In many ways, this year has been marked with suffering, shaking, solidifying & growth. The year has left us breathless, and in awe of God. |
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Through it all, I have a renewed desire and passion to draw more people into this awe & into worship of the Most High, our proven refuge and strength time & time again. At every turn of 2020, we have pivoted and continued to press forward. Between the virus, the civil unrest, the fight to uproot racism, and the toxic political climate and high levels of uncertainty in the future, we are standing in the gap to bring hope. We are offering a level of |
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emotional, spiritual and financial support that so many in our city and neighborhoods have been desperate for this year. We started the year with a grant from the Children's Board of Hillsborough County to assist us in preparing for the growth we were beginning to see. With this grant, a consultant (Inovo Strategic Consulting) came alongside our board of directors. She honed our vision and helped us articulate our model for facilitating change in our city. Our vision is beautiful and we intend to continue the work until we see it to fruition: Thriving Neighborhoods where Community is Cultivated, Suffering is Alleviated and Poverty is Eradicated. To achieve this vision we will build community across racial and economic divides and by doing so we will create pathways out of poverty. Bringing people together in real relationship with each other will change lives and change our society. We need to make the shift from seeing each other as "us and them" to recognizing we are all in need and at the same time we all have something to offer each other. Even with all the challenges in 2020, we are closing this year in gratitude. We are reflecting on the team of people God is bringing together in Just Initiative - the volunteers, the board members, the financial supporters, the neighbors, and the staff - all of us working together to fight the evils of poverty and see the expansion of the Kingdom of God. If you are already part of the Just Team, thank you for the role you have played! Let's move forward in to 2021, more unified than ever, with a focus on our hope for a better future. In love and hope, |
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Join us in Creating Pathways out of Poverty Contact us for relational opportunities. To put your finances to work - click below Facebook will be matching donations at 8am on #GivingTuesday, Dec 1st. facebook.com/justinitiative |
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You can click above to give to Just through paypal for a one time or monthly donation. If you want to mail a check: Just Initiative 909 E 22nd Ave Tampa, FL 33605 |
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