November Edition of Response

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"Strengthening Families, Securing Futures" by Yvette Moore

The Atlantic Street Center in Seattle, Washington, offers a variety of culture-sensitive programs to help strengthen families. This article details how this center reaches out to homeless children to help them cope; and how it assists families to get back on their feet. Once the families receive housing, the center gives continuing support such as money-management courses or substance-abuse counseling.

"Spiritual Home for Seattle's Homeless" by Patricia Schug

More than 600 women live on Seattle's street, and it was Rev. Jean Kim who discovered that these women may have food, clothing, and health care. However, many are missing the spiritual aspect of life. So, Rev. Kim founded The Church of Mary Magdalene, a church for homeless women, which is housed in Seattle's First United Methodist Church. This article looks at the way in which this church goes beyond worship and the people who help make a difference in many homeless women's lives.

"Amazing Grace: Faith Grows in Cuba" by Janet Parmely

Ilse Built, a Cuban journalist, entitles her personal story "Amazing Grace." She physically lost her sight. And she feels that she was spiritually found. As a teenager, a Methodist gave her a Bible. She encountered many Methodists throughout her life. When she became blind, a friend took her to the Methodist church in Punta Brava. Her story shows the faith of many Cubans who believe "love is the first thing in the world."

"A Home for Children in Need" by Jan Peterson and Yvette Moore The children of Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana, Illinois, deal with different issues than the children who first lived there in 1895. The children today have lived with abuse, neglect, crack cocaine, and physical and psychological problems. This facility reaches out to young people providing help according to the assessed needs. This article explores the programs and the continuing mission, which started more than 100 years ago.

"Hong Kong Challenge: Aging with Dignity" by Jane Schreibman

Each day, the general secretary of the Methodist Church Center in Hong Kong noticed the number of elderly people sitting idly on park benches. Agency social workers began to talk to the elderly, their needs became apparent, and the agency developed a program that addresses these issues. Schreibman looks at the plight of "war widows" and elderly men, their need for care, their living conditions, and how the Methodist Center reaches out to these persons.

"Keeping Hope Alive" by Jane Schreibman

This article tells the story of several young and middle age people from China who lost their eyesight or hearing, and began to feel a sense of helplessness. The Chinese government provides some disabled adults with a small stipend, grain, and oil, but not enough for sustenance. However, the Amity foundation locates these people in need, offers services and training to improve their quality of living, and helps them regain hope and independence.

"To Visit the Imprisoned" by Yvette Moore

Yelena Tischenko and other volunteers from the Church of the Return United Methodist Church (UMC) regularly visit jails for women and men. In doing so, they can travel for four hours and spend U.S. $40. However, Ms. Tischenko and others view this as part of their ministry. This article explores this mission in Russia, how it is expanding, the differences between correctional facilities in Russia and the United States, and a new partnership for U.S./Russia prison ministries.