Workprogram

Work up to two hours at one of our agencies in the Heartside neighborhood and earn $15 cash.

• Lottery Sign-up: Tuesdays 7:00 - 7:45 am • Limit: One job per person per month • Photo I.D. required To make contributions, to participate, or for more information about The Work Program, contact the director, Richard Johnson at 616.451.2879 ext. 125 or workprogram@grandrapidsfumc.org.

Helping others through God’s Loving Grace

First United Methodist Church

227 Fulton St E Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 451.2879

www.GrandRapidsFUMC.org revised 12/22/2014

Risk-taking Mission and Service

How We Work

The Work Program

Beginnings

Our Purpose

The Work Program began over three decades ago when our Commission on Social Concerns saw that some of the needs of inner-city residents and the homeless in the area were not being met. There are some needs that can be met only by having or using cash.

Members of First Church minister to our Heartside neighbors through the Work Program. A young mother can work to buy diapers for her baby, a father can work to support a sick child, or one can work to buy bus tickets to get to an interview.

A Mission Ministry in Action The decision was made to provide short-term jobs (each person may work for up to two hours once each month) at one of the participating agencies. When people in need come to First Church for help Tuesday mornings, they register for a drawing which is conducted at 8:00 am. If their number is chosen, they are assigned to an agency of their choice from a list of approximately twelve to fourteen agencies. The jobs are within walking distance and may be on days of the week other than Tuesday.

They fulfill their work requirement at the direction of the agency, have their work slips signed and stamped by their supervisor, and return to First Place with that slip for payment.

Mission Statement The Work Program, an outreach ministry of First United Methodist Church of Grand Rapids, works in collaboration with several Heartside neighborhood agencies to provide temporary employment for people who are homeless or living in extreme poverty. Striving to be an agent of Christ’s love, we are committed to helping the needy achieve hope, pride, dignity, and grace.

Participating Agencies The Heartside agencies who have agreed to accept our participants for work assignments include non-profit agencies and several local churches — all within walking distance of First United Methodist Church.