A Word from Our Director

In this issue >>>

Parish Nurse News

Annual Coat Giveaway

Thanksgiving 2014

October Calendar of Events

A Newsletter Ministry of the Urban Mission Ministries, Inc.

Visiting our Unity Kitchen last Wednesday I noticed this sign on the pop machine. It had been placed there by one of our guests who eats lunch with us quite often. During the time of announcements, the woman stood up and spoke about a young couple and their six month old daughter who was having surgery. The woman asked the Unity Kitchen crowd if they would consider donating $0.25 to the family so they could eat a few meals in the hospital during their stay.

“Even if we send them $5 it will mean a whole lot!” she shared.

A coffee can was passed around from one table to the next. The sound of change hitting the bottom of the can rang out.

After lunch I went back upstairs to tend to a few things. Not too long after, a volunteer came running up the stairs to share the good news. “$61 dollars was collected!!” she exclaimed.

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow….” I thought to myself.

October begins the holiday season for the Urban Mission. As the leaves turn, so does our attention to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This is often an anxious time for our staff as we see the number of families in need rise.

This year we expect to pack and distribute 1,400 bags of food – the most we’ve ever done.

I have full confidence because of YOUR support we will be able to say…

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”

Blessings,

Plastic bags are needed for the pantry. Please save your

clean, dry bags for us and

bring them to the Ware-

house, 311 North 6th Street.

And when you drop them off, ask to see

our new Shop-Thru Pantry!!

Rev. Ashley A. Steele, Executive Director

Angie Brown, Newsletter Editor

BrightBrightBright HorizonsHorizonsHorizons

Urban Mission Ministries, Inc. 301 North 5th Street

Steubenville, OH 43952

Phone: 740-282-8010 Fax: 740-282-8514

Email: mail@urbanmission.org www.urbanmission.org

Calendar of Events

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Steubenville, OH 43952

Permit No. 103

The “busy” season of Thanksgiving and Christmas is upon us. We invite you to volunteer this holiday season.

In the next few weeks, our parents will register for Christmas help; Bountiful Thom Turkey, our resident Thanksgiving mascot will be jet-setting around town ruffling feathers along the way; new carpet will be installed at our homeless shelter and so much more. We can certainly use a few extra hands on deck!

If you haven't partnered with us before, here is your chance!

Several volunteer roles are available including:

Answering phones Folding newsletters Meal prep and serving Carrying groceries for seniors Hosting worship

There is a place for you!

If you are ready to jump aboard the Mission’s volunteer train, we’ve saved a seat for you! (Psst...And it’s in first class!)

For more information, please call Linda Smith at 740.282.2911 or visit us online at www.urbanmission.org.

October 2014

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

LABEL

Our Unity Kitchen is open for lunch every Mon., Tues.

and Wed. from 12-1pm 1 2 3 4

Mission Rejoice

5-7 pm 5 6

Parish Nurse 11am

Lupus Support 6pm

7 Food Pick-up

Group A-E 8:30am-2:30pm

8 Food Pick-up

Group A-E 8:30am-2:30pm

9 Food Pick-up

Group A-E 8:30am-2:30pm

10 11 Mission Rejoice

5-7 pm 12 13

Parish Nurse 11am 14 Food Pick-up

Group F-L 8:30am-2:30pm

15 Food Pick-up

Group F-L 8:30am-2:30pm

16 Food Pick-up

Group F-L 8:30am-2:30pm

17

18 Mission Rejoice

5-7 pm 19 20

Parish Nurse 11am

Christmas

Registration & Coat Distribution

9-12; 1-3

Lupus Line

Dancing 6pm

21 Food Pick-up

Group M-R 8:30am-2:30pm

Christmas Registration

&Coat Distribution 9-12; 1-3

22 Food Pick-up

Group M-R 8:30am-2:30pm

Christmas Registration

&Coat Distribution 9-12; 1-3

23 Food Pick-up

Group M-R 8:30am-2:30pm

24 25

Mission Rejoice

5-7 pm

26 27

Parish Nurse 11am 28

Food Pick-up

Group S-Z

8:30am-2:30pm

29

Food Pick-up

Group S-Z

8:30am-2:30pm

30

Food Pick-up

Group S-Z

8:30am-2:30pm

31

Get Engaged!

P.S. Several service opportunities are available throughout this newsletter.

I invite you to support the program that speaks to YOUR heart!

Annual Coat Giveaway October 20, 21 & 22

Did you know there are people in our own community who are either sleeping outside or in unsuitable conditions on any given night? As the weather cools off, we are asking for your help in keeping these families warm.

How you can help: Donate your gently used coats for our Annual Coat Giveaway. Men’s, Women's and Children’s coats of all sizes are accepted. New coats are always welcome as well.

The average high in the winter months for Steubenville is less than 40 degrees. Your donation will make the difference this winter!

Coat donations will be received at the Warehouse, 311 North 6th

Street, Steubenville, OH until by Monday, October 13, 2014.

Interested in volunteering during distribution? Call Cynthia at 740.282.8010.

Need a Winter Coat?

The Mission is here for you! Just stop by the Warehouse from 9-12 & 1-3 on October 20, 21 or 22.

Planning a Thanksgiving Feast

Just the mention of the word “Thanksgiving” often brings thoughts of a golden brown turkey, savory stuffing and all the trimmings. Are you getting hungry yet?

Your help is needed to provide that same feast of a meal for hungry families in our community. To make the meal complete, we are in need of the following items for the 1,400 bags to be distributed:

Mashed potatoes (boxed) Green Beans Corn Cranberry Sauce Yellow Cake Mix Noodles Cake Frosting Sweet Potatoes Gravy Mix

Next time you are shopping, consider stocking your cart with a few of these items.

Your donation will be instrumental in providing joy to our families by providing a wonderful meal to sit down and enjoy together on Thanksgiving.

To help your neighbors in need this holiday season, call me at 740.282.2911. I look forward to working with you to help others enjoy the spirit of the holiday season.

-Linda Smith, Program Director

Christmas Registration Info

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday October 20, 21 & 22, 2014

9:00 AM-12 Noon & 1:00 PM -3:00 PM

Mt. Carmel Community Baptist Church 708 North 5th Street, Steubenville

Christmas registration opening for families participating in our food distribution program. Those with children 18 and under are accepted. Children ages 0-12 will receive gifts and ages 13-18 receive a teen stocking.

To register you must bring the following items:

1. A form of identification 2. Written verification of address (utility bill, rent receipt, etc.)

3. Monthly food card that you received when you registered for food assistance with the Mission. 4. Birth certificate or medical card for all children in the household. 5. Clothing sizes and three gift ideas (families with children 0-12.)

All the above information must be presented in order to register.

Choose your Holiday Project

This holiday season over 1,400 area families will be impacted by your help! Below are opportunities for you to get involved at the Mission this Christmas season.

Christmas Kid’s Adopt a Child

“Adopt” a child, two children or a family and help provide Christmas presents. The names and information for each child will be ready for adoption beginning November 3, 2014.

Mitten Tree

Donate hats, gloves, mittens, scarves and socks for the Mitten Tree. A 7ft Christmas Tree is placed in the office area and decorated with donated goods. Parents will be receive items for their children during their gift pickup. Drop off donations at 301 North 5th Street, Steubenville by Monday, December 8, 2014. (New items only please.)

Operation Teen Stockings

Fill a Christmas stocking or gift bag with toiletry items and other small items for teen girls and boys. Ideas of items to include are shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste/brush, lotion, body wash, aftershave, hairbrush, comb, gum, candy, razors, makeup, perfume, cologne, fast food gift cards, etc. Donations needed by

Monday, December 8, 2014.

Handy Tip… Gift bags work wonderfully as a “stocking” because items will stand.

Santa’s Recycle Shop

Collect gently used toys, games and puzzles. Parents who missed registering for Christmas will “shop” for gifts for under the tree. Your children and grandchildren can also be involved by cleaning out their toy boxes and sharing a toy or two with a child in need. Donations are needed by December 10. (New toys are welcome.)

For more information on these or any of our programs, please contact Linda Smith at 740.282.2911 or visit us on the web at

www.urbanmission.org.

Parish Nurse News

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I am sure everyone has personally known at least one woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. As a nurse, I have cared for countless women with breast cancer, but I can name 6

women whom I personally know who have had breast cancer: 2 relatives, 2 neighbors, 1 woman from my church, and 1 close friend. These women ranged in age from late 20’s to 70’s when they were diagnosed. Let’s take a few minutes and review information about breast cancer.

According to the CDC, breast cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women in the U.S. Here are some additional facts:

Breast cancer is an abnormal growth in the cells of the breast.

These abnormal cells may be “benign” which means they are not

cancerous, or they may be “malignant” or cancerous. Malignant

cells also have the ability to travel to other parts of the body

(metastasize). That is why it is so important to find breast cancer early, so that it can be treated before it metastasizes.

Breast cancer occurs in both women and men, and 1 in every 8

women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

The most recent statistics from the CDC (2012) reveal that 206,966

women and 2,309 men were diagnosed with breast cancer in the

US and 40,996 women and 439 men died of breast cancer in the US

in that year.

Scientists are studying ways to prevent breast cancer and have compiled this list:

Get regular exercise

Maintain a healthy weight

Avoid hormone replacement therapy (or find out the risks and

benefits to see if it is right for you)

Limit the amount of alcohol you drink

These activities are only suggestions that may help to prevent breast cancer, but are not a guarantee.

The symptoms of breast cancer may include: A new lump in the breast

A lump that has changed

A change in the size or shape of a breast

Pain in the breast or nipple area that does not go away

Flaky, red, or swollen skin anywhere on the breast

A nipple that is very tender or that suddenly turns inward

Blood or any other type of fluid coming from the nipple

that is not milk when nursing a baby (any time during your lifetime)

Early treatment of breast cancer has the best success rate, and early detection is the key to success. Talk with your physician or nurse practitioner about the proper procedure for monthly breast self-examination, when and how often you should have a screening mammogram and what steps should you take if you have symptoms.

During this month, let’s take the time to talk about this disease with our friends and relatives. Ask these women what measures they take to detect and diagnose breast cancer, especially if they have had a close female relative with breast cancer. Let’s do everything we can to detect breast cancer earlier and decrease the number of deaths from this disease.

~Michalene A. King, PhD, RN, CNE

Other ways you can help this Thanksgiving season:

Pray for the Mission

Send funds for baskets in the enclosed envelope ($35 each basket). Each basket will provide enough for a Thanksgiving feast and more for a family of four.

Volunteer to help pack Thanksgiving Baskets on Tuesday, November 18.

Volunteer to help with Distribution on November 19, 20 and/or 21.

NCDC News

Essay Winners Chosen

Last month the Mission’s Youth Wellness Program sponsored a “Lights, Camera, Action” essay contest. The aim of the contest

was to raise awareness of the growing issue of Childhood Obesity. Area students described why eating healthy and exercising is important. We were privileged to read these powerful words from our next generation of leaders. Congratulations to our contest winners. These students will collectively be developing and starring in their own commercial airing soon on WTOV TV9 in observance of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.

Free Counseling Available Struggling in life?

Dealing with anxiety or fear?

We can help with:

Substance Abuse Support Job Skills Relationship Skills Conflict Management

Anger/Stress Management Relaxation Techniques Family Issues Depression

Don’t struggle alone any longer!

Help is available by calling 740-282-8010 ext. 209

Sponsored by the Franciscan University Mental Health Department.

Client services held at the Urban Mission in Steubenville.

Local Lupus Support

Lupus Optimum Health Support Group

Monday October 6, 2014 6:00 - 8:00 pm Hampton Inn

820 University Blvd., Steubenville

Topic: Caregiving, is it for you?

Lupus Outreach Program Line Dancing

Monday October 20, 2014 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Martin Luther King Center 905 Market Street, Steubenville

Instructor: Trina Lawson