S KY L INES S P R I N G
A semiannual newsletter by Urban Ministries of Wake County about our people and programs.
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Has winter got you feeling all COOPED up? Get outdoors for the Tenth Annual Tour D’ Coop on Saturday, May 17, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tour D’ Coop is a self-guided tour of urban chicken coops and gardens in Raleigh and Cary. It’s a great way to get outside on a spring day, visit some beautiful gardens and urban chicken coops, and learn about healthy food you can grow in your own backyard!
The Tour D’ Coop and Coop Carnival are fun, educational, healthy and, best of all, they support Urban Ministries’ mission of helping our neighbors in need! To pre-purchase tickets please contact Suzanne Regan at sregan@urbanmin.org or visit www.tourdcoop.com/ tickets/ Pre-purchase ticket deadline May 15th.
You can also enjoy the tour by bike or try our new hive To sponsor the Tenth Annual Tour D’ Coop contact Martha hike (for you bee enthusiasts). This year we’re including Browning at mbrowning@urbanmin.org or 919-256Urban Ministries’ main roost on Capital Boulevard as a 2187. Sponsor print deadline by May 5th. ticket site. Come to our Coop Carnival, featuring chicken coops on display, tours of Urban Ministries, presentations by our community partners, music, food trucks, games, and more!
THANKS FOR MAKING GARDENS, GRILLS AND GRAINS A SUCCESS! Urban Ministries’ 2014 Garden Party, themed Gardens, Grills and Grains, was a bloomin’ blowout! Thanks to Fred and Annette Anderson for opening their beautiful home. Thanks to our sponsors, planning committee, donors, and all who came out for the fun to support Urban Ministries. Thanks to the donors of food, drink and everything that made the event successful. Your generosity assures that the proceeds will help feed, heal and shelter our neighbors in need!
In this issue... COVER Tour d’Coop Gardens, Grills & Grains
BACK PAGE T-shirt Campaign Community Award Board and Staff Lists
PAGE 2 Letter from Peter Calling all Garden Volunteers PAGE 3 Cooking Matters
Beautiful home of Annette and Fred Anderson, the 2014 Gardens, Grills and Grains host
PAGE 4 Health Care Homelessness Hunger
PAGE 6 Board Spotlight Community Spotlight Funder Spotlight
PAGE 5 Dr. Greenberg Recognized Volunteer at Urban Ministries Volunteer & RSVP Spotlight
PAGE 7 Our Wish List 52-Week Members/One Ton Club Access to Affordable Care
Letter from Peter Anne Burke once suggested that the real constituency of Urban Ministries is our volunteers. I’ve come to believe that Anne is right. Urban Ministries was formed to harness the efforts of an interfaith community intent on meeting the needs of the homeless through volunteers. Crisis services and the Open Door Clinic soon were added – again, each relying on volunteers to deliver services. Our staff serves to serve our volunteers. Volunteerism is at the core of our services and shapes our approach to clients: with a smile, dignity and respect, and the confidence that we can meet our clients’ needs.
Dr. Peter Morris, Executive Director
Volunteers are also our advocates in our community. Without advocacy, service is certain to lead us to more service while the conditions that create the need go unaddressed. We meet the needs of the hungry with improved nutrition; assure that patients leave our clinic not having simply received healthcare, but empowered to become healthier; and help homeless women find home. Changes in the availability of food assistance, the lack of health insurance, and the lack of adequate wages to afford housing are core conditions that prevent us from becoming obsolete.
Advocacy is a word that makes some uncomfortable. Advocacy is reframing what we do; it’s telling stories, sharing experiences, teaching and learning, bridging misunderstandings and busting stereotypes. Volunteers register, enroll, determine eligibility, fill bags with food, prescribe medications and fill prescriptions. But, our volunteers do so much more. Volunteers create hospitality, greet the stranger, feed the hungry, heal the sick, give solace to the lonely, and provide shelter to the homeless. Imagine telling your friends and neighbors that yesterday you healed the sick. “What,” they might say, “How?” Our volunteers can say “I met the stranger and opened the door to help her be healthy, to get out of the cold, to eat better while staving off hunger. I didn’t just volunteer. I made a difference. I volunteered at Urban Ministries.” Wouldn’t it be great if more of our friends and neighbors opened their hands to serve, their hearts to compassion, and their minds to the possibility that all in our community can do better?
We’d love to serve more volunteers and advocates, like you.
Peter Morris, MD, MPH, MDiv
Calling all garden volunteers Learn about Sack Mound Gardening! Did you know that Urban Ministries has two community gardens run by volunteers and staff? Last year these gardens provided more than a ton of fresh produce to our clients in the Food Pantry. We’re launching an exciting new garden program to teach clients how to garden in their back yards with just a sack. To become an Urban Ministries garden mentor please contact Martha Browning at mbrowning@urbanmin.org or 919.256.2187.
Beyond feeding…nutrition! Stay Connected. You can find us on:
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Cooking Matters in the Classroom - and at home Betty McDaniel calls the Urban Ministries Open Door Clinic her medical home and now calls Cooking Matters a great program to participate in.
Betty at Cooking Matters
COOKING MATTERS COMES TO URBAN MINISTRIES Urban Ministries and the Interfaith Food Shuttle (IFFS) are leveraging a grant from the WalMart Foundation to bring Cooking Matters classes to our teaching kitchen and to improve nutrition for our clients and patients. “We still are here to serve people food to meet their daily needs,” said John Welch, Director of Development at Urban Ministries, “but we are also committed to distributing food that’s part of a healthy diet. Cooking Matters helps people make better food choices when shopping, preparing and changing their diets.” “Many of our patients have diseases that are the result of poor food choices, and can be improved with healthy diets,” explained Pablo Escobar, Clinic Director. Nearly 80% of Cooking Matters participants finish the classes with improved cooking skills. Two thirds eat more vegetables, more fruits and more whole grains following the classes. Classes are tailored to adults, families, kids and teens in 6-week sessions and are offered in English and Spanish. Menu planning, food shopping and budgeting, and kid- and family-friendly recipes are all parts of the curriculum. Paulina Tran is an AmeriCorps volunteer recruited to implement the program under the supervision of Jill Brown at IFFS. “Participants see fresh food being prepared, taste the food and take home groceries to try the recipes at home,” said Ms. Tran, who recruited for the classes by serving healthy foods in the waiting area. Low calorie “fizzy drinks” and creative appetizers including a pumpkin and cream cheese spread on apple slices were served. “Urban Ministries is moving from simply filling hungry bellies to providing better nutrition and fresh produce,” said Martha Browning, Development Associate. “We hope to engage our church and community volunteers to improve nutrition at the Helen Wright Center too,” added Carol Schwartz, Outreach Coordinator at Urban Ministries. “Beyond hunger, we will improve nutrition,” said Welch. “Urban Ministries can help alleviate the growing problem of food insecurity and impact nutritional choices that contribute to obesity and the development of chronic illness.”
“I was in the hospital,” she said. “Fluid came around my lungs then they determined I had congestive heart failure.” ‘Social workers referred me here.’ “I used to return to the hospital for adjustments to my medicine, but not since I came to Urban Ministries.” Ms. McDaniel knew the Cooking Matters classes might help her diet. “I knew, growing up as a southern cook you don’t always do things the healthiest way, and it might be a good opportunity to learn to cook with a healthier style and also to meet new friends, to interact with other people.” “Last week we were given groceries to replicate some of the things we did, and I did it with some changes but I would never have thought to put some things together if it weren’t for the classes,” continued Ms. McDaniel. “We made a jambalaya with some ground turkey and I had some turkey legs that I cut up. I added the vegetables then seasoned and sautéed them.” Zucchini, pepper and onions were among the food shared to take home. Cooking Matters tries to change the shopping, preparing and eating habits not only of those who attend classes, but of their families, friends and neighbors as well. “When I cook up a pot of something I like to share it,” laughed Ms. McDaniel. “That’s what makes it better. “Eventually it will get out that I am doing the classes and others might come, too.” For more information about the Cooking Matters 6-week classes and Cooking Matters at the Store, contact CookingMatters@FoodShuttle.org. Cooking Matters at the Store is a two-hour tour of a grocery store to learn how to read labels and make healthy choices, and includes a voucher to buy foods to prepare at home.
From grocery to kitchen, Cooking Matters makes a difference. 3
health care
QUALITY CARE MEASUREMENTS: HEALTHCARE OUTCOMES We’re proud of our Open Door Clinic, but should you care about how many doctor visits, prescriptions, or lab tests we process? Shouldn’t you simply care if people get more healthy? Urban Ministries and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation think so. “We stress outcomes over outputs,” said medical director Gary Greenberg. Do patients feel better? Are they missing fewer days of work? Are they visiting the hospital less frequently?” “We’ve done well on these measures,” added Pablo Escobar, clinic director. “Very well: our funding from the Foundation increased by 25% this year.” “North Carolina is the envy of free clinic associations around the nation,” continued Escobar. “Urban Ministries is considered a star among our fellow free clinics.” How does the Open Door do it? Care-providers review each chart to assure best practice interventions are performed. Medication profile review is essential to adjust medications to match the patient’s current condition. Patients receive counseling regarding diet and exercise. They can meet with a nutritionist for counseling on diet and other lifestyle habits. The greatest improvements result from our Electronic Medical Records. Providers can access information in the patient’s chart without sorting through stacks of paper and illegible handwritten notes. We are grateful to all our Open Door Clinic volunteers for helping patients stay healthy so they can enjoy family, work, and play.
homelessness
Beyond Shelter ...a path home. HELEN WRIGHT CENTER BEAUTIFICATION PROCESS Urban Ministries reached our goal of collecting 36 comforters for the Helen Wright Center for Women! “We can’t do it without our generous sponsors, funders, and donors. Special thanks go to the ACC Sunday School Class at Hayes Barton,” explained Carol Schwartz, “They jumpstarted donations with six comforters and challenged others to do the same. Bed, Bath and Beyond, gave us an excellent price on 36 pink/purple reversible comforters.”
“The Helen Wright Center could use some additional items and repairs,” said Dawn McCullough, shelter manager. “We’ve been serving our community for over 25 years at the Carrabus Street location and it’s showing its age.” Opportunities to help include painting, electrical repair and other facility maintenance issues, or furnishing new towels, rolling laundry bins, and more. Contact Carol Schwartz at 919-256-2179 or cschwartz@ urbanmin.org to learn how you can help with gifts large and small. Thank you for your generosity!
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hunger Beyond Feeding...we nourish. FEED A KID - FEED A FAMILY For some children and families, summer break is a burden, not a relief. PLAN A SUMMER FOOD DRIVE NOW. Each June thousands of Wake County students on traditional calendar escape school for a few months of summer fun. For some families, however, summertime brings the added burden of growing kids with big appetites but insufficient resources to feed them well. More than 40,000 Wake County students rely on the Free and Reduced Lunch program for a nutritious breakfast and lunch. Help us help these families by planning a summer food drive now! The following weeks in our 52 Week Food Drive are still unclaimed – will you “adopt” one?
Adopt a Week.
Beyond Medicine ...a healthier life.
1st Week 3rd Week 1st Week 3rd Week 1st Week 3rd Week 4th Week 1st Week
January January February February March March March April
2nd Week 2nd Week 3rd Week 4th Week 1st Week 3rd Week 4th Week
April May November November December December December
A HUGE Thanks Huge Thanks to these food donors, who have committed to helping us feed hungry Wake County families this summer:
52 Week Food Drive Summer Donors McConnell Golf Hillyer Memorial Connections Church Youth BB&T Employees of NC OAH Chick-fill-a Christmas in July
Millbrook Baptist Church St. Michael’s Episcopal Church The News & Observer Publishing Company UCB Biosciences, Inc. Kiwanis/Alpha Graphics
Kiwanis Club of Raleigh and Alphagraphics partnering to provide TONS of food and cash p donations EVERY summer!
Local Chick-Fil-A stores are planning a Christmas in July food drive this year! Thank you to Systel for helping us with logistics and pick-ups.
Dr. Greenberg Recognized for Years of Service to the Uninsured Dr. Gary Greenberg, MD, MPH, Medical Director of Urban Ministries Open Door Clinic was honored by the American College of Physicians with their Volunteerism and Community Service Award. “I can think of no one more deserving,” said Dr. John Emory, a volunteer at the clinic. “I couldn’t see the complicated patients we see here without having him as a consultant.” “It’s great to see Gary’s passion recognized and awarded by his peers, said Dr. Peter Morris. “It’s no secret that Gary has a big heart and is a great practitioner who shares his wisdom with patients, volunteers and staff.” Gary Greenberg, MD, MPH,
The American College of Physicians (ACP) North Carolina Chapter is a prestigious society. Dr. Greenberg is board certified in both internal medicine and preventive medicine. Dr. Greenberg first volunteered with Urban Ministries Open Door clinic 10 years ago and became its first staff physician in 2007. Dr. Greenberg is a great recruiter of volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other professionals. More than 400 professionals volunteer at the clinic each year. “Volunteer providers are the heart and soul of the Open Door Clinic, explained Clinic Director Pablo Escobar. Dr. Greenberg is active in promoting social justice, advocating as a member of Durham CAN, Project Access of Durham, and the Partnership for a Healthy Durham, among other organizations.
RSVP: Retired & Senior Volunteer Program The Retired & Senior Volunteer Program of Raleigh is one of the best-kept secrets in town. Help us get the word out! Volunteers over age 55 can be reimbursed for mileage. More than 1,000 RSVP volunteers in Raleigh and Wake County contribute more than 90,000 hours annually. RSVP volunteers receive mileage reimbursement, supplemental accident and liability insurance, an annual recognition banquet, a quarterly newsletter, birthday and holiday greetings, and -- perhaps most important -- a sense of belonging. Call the Community Services Department at 919996-6295 to learn more.
VOLUNTEER at URBAN MINISTRIES? Feeding, healing, sheltering and helping our neighbors in need toward stable, rewarding lives would not be possible without
YOU. Only with your help can 94 cents on the dollar feed, heal, shelter and help our neighbors get back on their feet to lead stable and rewarding lives.
THANK YOU!!! For information on volunteering contact Hannah Pettus: (919) 256-2169 or at volunteer@urbanmin.org
Volunteer Spotlight : Meet Jim Robinson, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Jim came to us in October, 2012 to give back to the community. Jim committed to two full-days in the clinic each week, serving from 9am-5pm. Jim has a big presence when he’s on duty. His positive demeanor and Jim Robinson, big smile are appreciated ) NP ioner (F Family Nurse Practit by patients, staff and other volunteers. It is no secret that Jim loves the Open Door Clinic and that we love him! Please join us with a heart-felt thank you to Jim Robinson! Thanks to our professional volunteers, Urban Ministries’ Open Door Clinic provided more than $8 million worth of superior healthcare to our uninsured Wake County neighbors in 2013!
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Spotlight on: our board member:
Dr. Ted Kunstling Urban Ministries Board Director Ted Kunstling recently retired as Chief Medical Officer of Duke Raleigh Hospital. Dr. Kunstling has touched many lives in Wake County through his medical practice and his philanthropic involvement. He joined Urban Ministries 15 years ago as a volunteer in the Open Door Clinic and remains a dedicated, engaged board member. Dr. Kunstling
orchestrated the sale of 400 Holiday Honor Cards last fall, benefiting Urban Ministries and brightening the holidays for Duke Raleigh patients and employees. Urban Ministries is fortunate to have such a caring, generous and knowledgeable board member helping to strengthen our mission. Thanks Dr. Kunstling!
our community partner:
our funder:
Activate Good
PPM, Inc.
AT THE ROOT OF GREAT COMMUNITIES
Urban Ministries has a wonderful community to support our mission, including Activate Good, a nonprofit that coordinates volunteerism throughout the Triangle. Three ways in which we’ve benefited are their 9/11 Day of Service, their volunteering forum board and their Pro Heroes program. During the 9/11 day of service more than 958 pounds of donated food filled a truck for the Food Pantry. Also, volunteers wrote encouraging letters to Helen Wright women, sorted food, and packaged beans and rice for distribution to families in need. Through Activate Good’s Pro Heroes program, Urban Ministries received the help of two heroes’ superpowers. Nola Johnson, a past hero for Urban Ministries, developed a marketing and public relations plan to help us reach of more supporters and donors. Glenn Itliong, a current hero for Urban Ministries, is evaluating our volunteer programs. Thanks, Activate Good!
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Professional Properties Management, Inc. of Raleigh (PPM, Inc.) is a premier community management company offering services to homeowner associations in Wake County. PPM, Inc. is very involved in philanthropy and focuses on organizations that are committed to helping struggling families. In 2013, they donated more than two truckloads of food and $3,000 to Urban Ministries! PPM noted our need for a larger scale. and returned with another generous donation of a pallet jack with a scale! Urban Ministries provides 240 tons of food assistance annually, and we will greatly benefit from this donation. Urban Ministries is grateful to PPM, Inc. and thankful for their generous support!
our wish list one TON club week FOOD drive
While we always need and appreciate your cash donations, you can help Urban Ministries save money and keep 94 cents of every dollar going to programs by contributing in-kind gifts, too. For ideas, please visit www.urbanmin.org/wish/.
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(since January
More families sought food assistance at Urban Ministries last year because of cuts and backlogs in government programs. We increased our service from 40 to 50 families per day on faith that the community would respond, and you did! Our 52 Week Food Drive brought new recurring donors and our One Ton Club grew. 2013) Thanks to the following donors for contributing more than a ton of food:
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UCB Biosciences, Inc. (12,853 pounds) Bible Application Class, Inc. (8,914 pounds) White Memorial Presbyterian Church (8,635 pounds) Crossroads Fellowship (7,954 pounds) Edenton Street United Methodist Church (7,826 pounds) Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (6,507 pounds) York Properties, Inc. (5,897 pounds) BB&T (5,353 pounds) West Raleigh Exchange Club (5,149 pounds) Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh (4,960 pounds) Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (4,869 pounds)
Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church (4,270 pounds) Community United Church of Christ (4,162 pounds) Red Hat (4,000 pounds) St. Michael’s Episcopal Church (3,743 pounds) First Baptist Church of Raleigh (3,710 pounds) Curves for Women (3,624 pounds) Umstead Park United Church of Christ (3,138 pounds) St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (2,853 pounds) St. Philip Lutheran Church (2,368 pounds) Samaria Baptist Church (2,356 pounds) Trinity United Methodist Church (2,303 pounds)
Urban Ministries is grateful for the significant contributions of our partner agencies, The Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC and The Interfaith Food Shuttle, for helping us provide food to families in need.
Access to Affordable Care: Navigators and the Enrollment Fair The greatest barrier to health care is a lack of health insurance. Urban Ministries is collaborating with partner agencies to increase access to health insurance for our clients. “Though not a part of the Federal Health Exchange, Urban Ministries has been a site for enrollment in subsidized health insurance,” said Pablo Escobar, clinic director. “The Capital Care Collaborative and North Carolina Legal Aid have helped our clients apply for insurance and when eligible, enroll them as well.” Urban Ministries facilitated enrollment in the Health Exchange for 100 clients during regular weekly sessions, plus an additional 120 clients via three enrollment fairs in October, January, and March.
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S KY L INES S P R I N G
PAID
RALEIGH, NC PERMIT NO. 1910
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U r b a n M i n i s t r i e s o f Wa k e C o u n t y
Renewing lives. Restoring hope.
New Urban Ministries T-shirts:
1390 Capital Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27603
URBAN MINISTRIES 30-DAY T-SHIRT CAMPAIGN! Get your limited edition Urban Ministries Tees! Options include $14 for short sleeve shirts, $19 for long sleeve shirts and $26 for hoodies. Proceeds benefit Urban Ministries of Wake County. Order online at http://teespring.com/umgrey and get them shipped right to your house for $3.85 (add $0.25 shipping per additional shirt) or avoid shipping costs by picking your order up at Urban Ministries. Shirts will be available 10-14 days after the end of the campaign. We’re required to meet a minimum order of 30 shirts before the campaign orders can be fulfilled. The campaign will start on May 5th and ends on June 4th. Mark your calendars and order your new Urban Ministries t-shirt. Demand was high last time, so act now!
URBAN MINISTRIES COMMUNITY AWARDS Urban Ministries has been recognized as a Valued Partner Agency by the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina for distributing 99,890 lbs of food from the food bank for year 12/13. Urban Ministries is a proud Agency of Excellence member of the Triangle United Way.
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE
Triangle United Way Number: 840 Combined Federal Campaign Code: 28226 .
Board of Directors Fran Abdou Jo Allen Paul L. Anderson Andy A. Bonin Jon P. Carr, Chair Jean W. Carter Hunt Choi Lori Christian Lisa K. Cunningham Christine Dennis Yashika N. Dickerson Susan Ehrlich Reid Fogelman Mark Gregory Courtney Humphrey Kacy Hunt Ted Kunstling Carla Liberatore Sherman P. McCoy John Peterson Doug Riddle Susan Stephenson W. Stan Taylor Eugene Weeks Whitney W. Zinner Members Emeritus Anne Bullard Anne Burke Mary Anne Howard Don Lucey David Maurer Harry A. White
Administration Peter Morris, MD, MPH, MDiv Executive Director John Welch Director of Development Kathleen Donahue Director of Finance and Human Resources
Administrative Offices
1390 Capital Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27603 Mailing address:
PO Box 26476 Raleigh, NC 27611 919.256.2172 Fax 919.836.1352 Web:
Open Door Clinic Gary Greenberg, MD Medical Director Pablo Escobar Clinic Director Hannah Pettus Manager of Volunteer Services Crisis Support Sam McLean Director of Crisis Support Helen Wright Center for Women Dawn McCullough Lead Housing Manager
www.urbanmin.org info@urbanmin.org Crisis Support Program
1390 Capital Blvd. 919.256.2181 Food Pantry
1390 Capital Blvd. 919.256.2170 The Open Door Clinic
1390 Capital Blvd. 919.832.0820 Helen Wright Center
401 W. Cabarrus St. 919.833.1748