Stories From The Mission
From the desk of Pastor Tom
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Paul Harvey told about a 4-year-old boy who went to the grocery store with his mother. On this trip she had decided the family needed to eat healthier. So, before they entered the grocery store she told the young man, "We are not going to buy any chocolate chip cookies today, so don’t ask." She put him up in the cart, and he sat in the little child’s seat while she wheeled down the aisles. He was doing just fine until they came to the cookie section. Upon seeing the chocolate chip cookies he felt compelled to stand up in his seat and ask, “Mom, can you please buy some chocolate chip cookies?” She replied, “I told you not to ask me for cookies. We are not going to buy any cookies today.” So he quietly sat back down. They continued down the aisles in their search for certain items. The little boy again felt a strong compulsion arising from within, so he stood up and asked, “Mom, please, please, can you buy some chocolate chip cookies?” Now upset, she gave him one of those looks that only a mother can give, and in a stern voice said, “I told you NO. We are not going to buy any chocolate chip cookies. Now sit down and be quiet!”
Finally, they approached the checkout lane. The little boy sensed that he was at his last chance to nab some cookies. So he stood up on the seat of the cart and in his loudest voice shouted, “In the name of Jesus, may I have some chocolate chip cookies?” Everyone around them began laughing, and some even applauded. According to Paul Harvey, due to the generosity of the other shoppers, the little boy and his mother left the store with 23 boxes of chocolate chip cookies....
This is a great illustration of what someone can do with enough conviction and dogged perseverance. Sometimes victory comes by just sticking with it. And most often success is not defined by results but by our convictions. So here is my encouragement to you. Don’t be quick to give up on what you have set in your heart to do. Your heart might be right!
- Category: Pastor Tom
Mission launches transitional living program for young women
The Mission will soon be launching a new transitional program for young women. The program, for women ages 18–21, seeks to provide housing for young women who have aged out of the foster care system. In order to be accepted, a young woman must fill out an application and participate in an informal interview to determine if she is a right fit for the program. Applications will be accepted beginning May 1. An official name for the program will be announced at the Lincoln Homeless Coalition meeting on April 26.
The program will last for a full year, and there are two tracks: one for single women and one for current and expectant mothers. Each track is made of five different elements geared toward helping women explore their passions and recognize their unique gifts. Each week, women will attend life skills classes, have casework and house meetings, contribute to house chores, serve in outreach, and attend a recovery session. Each woman is also required to pursue education or employment while enrolled in the program. The goal is to graduate confident women who are prepared to live independently.
Mission staff member Allison Hraban is the director of the new program. According to Hraban, the Mission is exploring additional ways to help set these young women up for long-term success.
“We’re really concerned with permanency,” said Hraban. “…How we set young women up even after they’ve left. We just don’t want to leave them high and dry.” In order to achieve success in that area, the program will need support from the local community.
“First and foremost, we need people who are willing to pray for these young women and our program,” said Hraban. “We could also really use consistent and committed mentors, teachers, babysitters—individuals who have a heart for these women.” The consistency in volunteers and staff will help give young women a sense of stability, important for moving forward independently.
The program could also use donations of baby care items and gift cards to help teach and build up the young women who enroll. Possible options include gift cards to: grocery stores, Target, and local restaurants. If you are interested in donating or volunteering, please contact Allison Hraban at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
- Category: Homeless
Mission receives grant from CVS Pharmacy
The People's City Mission Free Medical Clinic has received a $2,500 CVS Caremark Community Grant. The Community Grants program was created by CVS Caremark as part of its commitment to helping people on the path to better health. The program is designed to help give at-risk and underserved populations greater access to health care and health education. The support from CVS Caremark will help the Mission run its free medical clinic, which serves the homeless, uninsured, and underinsured in the Lincoln community.
From all of us at the Mission: Thank you CVS Caremark!
- Category: Social Entrepreneurship , Health Care
