September 1, 2006

• Rachel's House: Samaritan Award finalist and featured in WORLD Magazine
  Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty, a Michigan-based think tank that has as one of its components the Center for Effective Compassion, recently named "Rachel's House" as one of only ten winners for their Annual Samaritan Award.  This award is presented to organizations that offer individuals support through a "faith-based approach."  This is a considerable achievement considering Rachel's House was keeping company with nearly 250 other national programs competing for the award.  Click here for the full evaluation from the Acton Institute.
  
  In response to being named for this award, WORLD Magazine,  featured Rachel's House in their September 2006 edition and named our program, "one of the best groups doing the hardest work in America."  Full Story
   
• Christian Health Center Expansion Nears Completion to Serve More
  On August 9, 2006, the Lower Lights Christian Health Center (CHC) hosted an open house to celebrate the expansion of their 1251 W. Broad Street facility.  In addition to renovating existing space, CHC added much needed exam rooms and office space to meet the growing need for quality, affordable health care.  The renovations were made possible through a grant from Access Health.

 May 7, 2006

• Governor Bob Taft Visits Rachel's House
  On Tuesday, May 7th Ohio Governor Bob Taft visited Lower Lights Ministries and Rachel's House to announce grant winners throughout the State for the Ohio Strengthening Families Initiative and the Ohio Compassion Capital Project.  The grants were awarded as part of a continued partnership between the State of Ohio and faith-based organizations through the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. 
  
  Rachel's House is part of a Demonstration Project with four partnering organizations that will seek to make prisoner reentry more effective throughout the Central Ohio region, and of the $440,000 received for the project, Rachel's House will receive $67,000 to hire three part-time employees: a licensed social worker, volunteer coordinator and a project coordinator.  The money also includes money to improve our current services. 

Because of our existing relationship with the Governor's Office; having received a $4,100 grant last year for capacity building and for our effectiveness in prisoner reentry, Krista Sisterhen (Director of the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives) and Governor Taft decided to hold their press conference to announce grant awards throughout the state that totaled over $15 million.  Grant recipients are faith or community-based in nature and therefore often are unable to compete for government funding.

We are excited that one of our current graduates, Shauna, was able to share her testimony at the press conference.  Shauna gave glory to God for His work in her life and was surprised by her father who was able to attend the press conference. We are also excited for more opportunities to partner with our state government in improving the lives of others.

March 2006

• Many Attend Volunteer Orientation
  Thank you to all who attended our very first Volunteer Orientation on February 4^th.   Nearly forty people, both current and prospective volunteers, came to the 2-hour session in order to learn about Lower Lights and the community of Franklinton, and also about the needs and opportunities for volunteers to serve with us.  Since volunteers, like these, are the foundation that keeps our ministry going, we are excited about the response from those who came. 

  Following the orientation, we enjoyed lunch, generously provided by Chick-Fil-A of Polaris, while the volunteers heard more about the specific ministries of Lower Lights.

  We especially would like to extend thanks to Doug Chivington from Bellefontaine, Ohio.  Doug attends the Marysville Church of the Nazarene, and has volunteered his many years of expertise in Human Resources at Honda of America to assist us in developing our Volunteer Handbook and Lower Lights policies.   

  If you are interested in learning more, or are already volunteering with Lower Lights Ministries and did not attend the orientation, the next session will be held on Saturday, May 6^th.  Please contact our office to register.
   

• Special Night Celebrating Rachel's House
  Rachel’s House residents, staff, and volunteers gather for an evening of celebrating freedom and new beginnings at the First Annual Celebration of Freedom banquet. 

  This year, Rachel’s House hosted its first ‘Celebration of Freedom’ banquet to recognize the hard work of our committed volunteers.  The evening began with a testimony in song by Shauna, praising God for His continual work both in the program and in the hearts of each individual.  The volunteers then proceeded to the basement of Bellows, beautifully transformed by the residents, to enjoy a home-cooked international cuisine.  The delighted response to the meal was unanimous – Rachel’s House is known to harbor some of the very finest chefs in all of Ohio!

  During dinner each of the residents gave a testimony and thanks both, to God, and to our volunteers who were present that evening.  We realized that next year we’ll have to provide a pack of tissues to each volunteer; we were all brought to tears numerous times by the stories the women shared.  It is easy to see how dramatically the community of Rachel’s House changes lives, and all because of the love of Christ.  The evening concluded with a few special awards that the ladies wanted to extend to specific volunteers, one of the highlights being the award to Mr. Bill Ruark, husband of director Pastor Jan, as the “Best Dad” for his unfailing fatherly love, commitment, and guidance to all of the residents.  Thank you, all of our volunteers, for sharing your lives and your love with us!
   

• Franklinton Families Experience True Love this Valentines Day
  We had a great time in February as several Franklinton families joined us for a special Family Fun Day – Be My Valentine, Jesus.  Once again, Lower Lights Ministries partnered with the Columbus Northwest Nazarene Church under the leadership of Andi Hansen. 

  One part of the Bellows Avenue Church was transformed into an elegant dining area as mothers and other ladies from Franklinton enjoyed a beautiful luncheon and an inspiring message of love from Cathy Manson (Pickerington Church of the Nazarene).   Teenage boys and the men of Franklinton sat back, with buffalo wings and chips, and were “pumped up” with a message from Shawn Harper, former Indianapolis Colts lineman.  After ripping a phone book in two and bending a frying pan into a burrito, Shawn discussed how true strength comes from our relationship with God.  It was truly a “family” fun day.