"My sons and I needed Open Arms after all we had been through."
When I first heard about Open Arms, I knew that I wanted my family to be a part of it because of the name, Open Arms. It sounded welcoming and after all that my sons and I had been through that was just what we needed.
The staff made us feel welcome and took care of us. They still help me and my kids when I need them but I'm working on being more independent.
Through the program we have received housing, counseling, a car and financial assistance to pay for insurance and gas. My kids have also received Christmas gifts and clothes for Back-to-School. Open Arms has helped me be a better parent.
I am so grateful to the program and to the staff whose "Open Arms" have given me the hope and support I need to take care of my family.
Anna,
Open Arms Participant
“Thank you for all you did to help me and my children put our lives back together." I am a single parent of four children. I entered the Adopt-A-family program in 2007. So much had gone wrong in my life; I was facing eviction from my home and we didn’t have a place to go. I had two special needs children and had really run out of options. When I came in for an interview I was greeted warmly and I felt the genuine concern for not only me but my children. I was accepted into the program and my family moved into a house provided by the CEC.
We felt truly blessed as our two year life change was about to begin. I had no idea about budgeting and being accountable. At first I fought budgeting, keeping up with receipts and putting everything down on paper. My first response was that I was an adult and didn’t need anyone looking over my shoulder. But I did and I realized later that same attitude was some of my problem.
When I first entered the program I could not get a good job and was making $9.00 p/hr. Today I am a crisis counselor and I'm no longer on assistance from any state agency. I am able to pay rent, pay bills and work on my credit.
I was truly blessed by this program in so many ways. Looking back on the last two years, my children and I have grown so much. I’ve used the tools that were taught to me by the CEC to teach parents that I now teach. I want to thank the staff for the time you all took to help me and my children put our lives back together.
Carolyn,
Adopt-A-Family Graduate
“We are blessed by the CEC
and people who support what they believe in.”
The CEC rescued my family. I was 37 years old, an executive in real estate, married with kids and we lived life fully never expecting to lose my job and not find another one. Well it happened to me…I lost my job, my savings helped us for six months, my marriage fell apart from the stress, my home was lost to foreclosure and my suburban to repossession. My dog passed away too; sounds like a country song.
When we came to the CEC, we had nothing. My family moved into a three bedroom apartment and we received food assistance weekly. Once a month I attended a life skills class (budgeting, insurance, buying a home) or the single parent network. My son was able to enroll in the GED program and the CEC found us a counselor to assist in our healing.
We have graduated from CEC and use the skills taught by the CEC daily. We are now living in a rent house, maintaining a budget and are again able to enjoy life. Thank you CEC!
Tammy, Adopt-A-Family Graduate
“Literacy for Life helped me pass the GED – 30
years out of school!”
I am a 45 year old woman who raised two boys on my own.
I never had the time to go back to school and get my GED. When I turned 45, I
decided I needed to do it for me. I went to the CEC and signed up for Literacy
for Life and began my journey.
I made sure I went twice a week to the Literacy for Life
classes and also studied on my own. Kim and Leslie are true blessings. They really
care about each person and what they can do to help people achieve their goals.
Something that sets them apart from other places is the
Power Path and Aztec learning systems. It really helped me prepare for my GED
test. I went two days before my test and took the Aztec pre-test before I took the actual
test.
Soon after I took the GED and passed – 30 plus years out of school! I am
proud I did this for me. The CEC, their staff and instructors made all the difference.
Now I volunteer on Tuesday nights and try to give back a little for the faith
and care they showed me.
Lacy Hollis, Literacy for Life Graduate
"The staff and volunteers are not only interested in giving food to the people having financial difficulties, but are interested in their total well-being."
With too much time on our hands after retirement, we decided to do something useful with some of that time. The first thing we thought of ws to volunteer at the CEC Food Pantry. It is a place that practices "...if anyone gives a cup of cold water...." (Matt 10:42). The staff and volunteers are not only interested in giving food to the people having financial difficulties, but are interested in their total well-being. One of the many things they do is to refer people to other CEC programs like Job Club. It is rewarding to see the success they have, and we rejoice with the people when they get interviews and job offers.
Volunteering two days a week, our main job is to greet and register people as they come in the front door. We also fill their requests for Bibles and prayers, make other referrals when the CEC cannot meet their needs and work in the back to fill food orders. Many people are intrigued by the fact that husband and wife are working there together. It gives us a good feeling to know that we have been a part of providing food for the needy. Most of the people are very grateful and thankful for the help they receive.
A bonus for us is the number of people we have gotten to know and the friends we have made at the CEC. We enjoy working with the staff and volunteers who are wonderful people with a giving heart working together to help people in our community by "giving a cup of cold water".
Donna & Bob Stambaugh , CEC Volunteer
If you would like to support the CEC's efforts to help families in our community,
please visit Our Support and/or Volunteer.
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