Would you be interested in participating in a community garden? If so, please let us know! Produce that isn’t used by your family will be donated to local area food banks to help other families in need.
Community Garden
Thanksgiving Meal 2019
The Cassopolis United Methodist Church (located at 209 South Rowland) will host a Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 28, 2019. A traditional Thanksgiving meal will be served in the Church fellowship hall between 1:00 and 3:30 pm. There will be holiday crafts and cookie decorating for the kids. Please RSVP for planning purposes by contacting the church secretary with the number of people who will be attending at 269-445-3107.
In addition, the Church will have delivery for shut-ins, emergency personnel, and service workers in our area that the community helps us identify. If you or someone you know would benefit from a delivered meal please contact the church secretary by November 17, 2019.
Free Clothing Exchange Recap
2018: OFFKM’s Year In Transition
This year, 2018, has been a tremendously transitional one for Our Father’s Family Keeper Ministries, as we have adapted our services to better serve those in our community.
For several years, OFFKM provided free and low-cost housing to women and women with children and others who were un-housed. This year, we were moved to transition from our Transitional Housing services.
We are strengthening the supports we provide to local families and others, particularly providing increased transportation and childcare to them.
Following are just some of the highlights of our more recent service:
- We recently transported a Mississippi resident, who was living in Cassopolis, to her doctor’s appointment in Kalamazoo, after she was unable to obtain assistance from local agencies.
- We provide transportation to- and from school for a 4-year-old Head Start age girl, providing service from her rural home to her bus stop. We plan to do this until her mother starts driving again.
- Provided care for newborn twins, while their mother took care of other family business at various agencies. This woman is also mother to 2-, 4-, 5- and 10-year-old children.
- Since the end of August, we have been blessed to provide childcare to a former Transition House guest. This has proved to be not just a blessing to this family, but to us, as the Lord has given this child a joyful spirit, and she often is smiling and laughing, lifting our spirits in the process.
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OFFKM: 2018, Our Year in Transition
Happy New Year ~ From OFFKM to you!
OFFKM leaves transitional housing business
After years of providing low-cost housing to women and women with children and parolees/probationers, Our Father’s Family Keepers is moving on from offering transitional housing.
If you are looking for housing and other resources, please check out this resource list on our website: https://tinyurl.com/OFFKM2018ResourcesList, or https://ourfathersfamilykeeper.org/services/bridges-out-of-poverty/other-resources/.
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‘Experience’ 4-H Outdoor Experience Day Camp on Saturday, Sept. 8
Youth can spend next Saturday learning about string art, wood burning, tin punch, terrariums and bead craft at a 4-H event in Lawless Park in Jones, Mich.
The event is the Outdoor Experience Day Camp, planned for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018; it is organized by the Leaders’ Association.
The event is open to youth 5 to 13 and costs $5 per person or $10 per family.
Registration and payment can be made the day of the event, beginning at 9 a.m.; the camp begins at 10 a.m.
Projects made at this event may be used for the 2019 Cass County Fair.
For more information, contact Hailey Harman, 4-H Program Coordinator, @ 269-445-4438.
Our Father’s Family Keeper Ministries is willing to provide transporation to/from this event, for free; to sign up, please call 269-476-1257.
Salvation Army hosts Back-To-School BackPack Giveaway
It’s Back To School time: Do you or your family ned help getting a BackPack and other supplies for school?
If so, plan to be at the Niles Salvation Army BackPack GiveAway on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 in Casspolis. The GiveAway is open for youth in kindergarten through 12th grades.
The BackPacks are free and are stacked with age-appropriate school materials.
No appointments are necessary and families will be served on a first-come, first-served walk-in basis.
The GiveAway times in Cassopolis are:
* 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31
* 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1
For more information, call 269.684-2660.
Niles Salvation Army to host backpack giveaway for Berrien, Cass students
Pattern Changing helps women escape abuse
Are you in or have you ever been in an abusive relationship?
Know you should get help, but don’t know where to turn?
Check out “Pattern Changing,” a 15-week session coming to Cass County to help area women rebuild their lives and identify and strengthen areas that make them susceptible to re-entering another abusive relationship.
For more information, call Kelli King @ 269.782.0304.
Trauma-awareness workshop planned for Dowagiac
DOWAGIAC ~ A workshop is planned for mid-August to help the community understand the impact of trauma on individuals and groups.
The meeting is from 9 a.m. to 12 noon Aug. 16, 2018, at Dowagiac Middle School in Dowagiac. The workshop is free.
The Great Start Collaborative of Cass County is partnering with Dowagiac Schools, Lewis Cass ISD and United Way of Southwest Michigan to offer the opportunity.
Workshop presenters plan to present information to help others:
- to develop knowledge and understanding of trauma and its impact on children;
- to learn about how to help children and families develop resilience;
- to strengthen collaboration among providers, educators, and other concerned groups and individuals.
To register or get more information, visit traumainformedcommunities.eventbrite.com. ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ OFFKM opens Transition House for parolees, probationers.