Community Spotlight

Submitted On: Monday, March 19th, 2007
Submitted by: Gary Lee Parker
Website: http://globalnazarenelambshope.blogspot.com

Global Nazarene Lamb's Hope The blog created by Gary Lee Parker is to allow people with similar hopes and dreams for people with disabilities

Submitted On: Wednesday, February 28th, 2007
Submitted by: James Alfred Lowell Parker
Website: http://bethsimchat.org/

Beth Simchat HaMashiach is Hebrew for, “The House of Joy in The Messiah”. We are a Nazarene Messianic Congregation of Jews and non-Jews who worship Yeshua (Jesus), the Messiah as prophesied in the Tanakh (Old Covenant) and revealed in the B’rit Hadassah (New Covenant). We believe in the God who is echad, one in corporal unity, as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. We also believe the only way to receive atonement for sin is through the acceptance of the shed blood sacrifice God provided through His Son Yeshua. It is by this means only that the free gift of eternal life is received. We are not a “two-house” congregation; by this we mean we do not agree that Gentiles are actually part of the Ephraimite line and are now therefore Jewish. Were such the case, it would have been moot for Paul to ask the Gentiles to provoke the Jews to enviousness of Messiah, if indeed all the Gentiles were in actuality, Jews. We believe in the use of all the spiritual gifts, as long as such usage is in agreement with Scripture. This mean that if one were to engage in a tongue, or language unknown to the congregation, an interpretation is mandatory

Submitted On: Tuesday, November 28th, 2006
Submitted by: David
Website: http://rahijada.blogspot.com

It's that time of year again, the holiday season is upon us. Thought I'd take a moment to tell everyone about an awesome display of community action that's been going on for the past 10 years, it's called "Hope For The Holidays", and it's being done by The Johnny Dare Morning Show on 98.9 The Rock. Their goal is to help people out who are overlooked by the conventional organizations. They're trying to help people in the area to have a brighter Christmas. They read about people's stories on the air, then call and talk to them about what's going on. Once they've determined what the persons needs are they start taking calls. The phones light up with people calling in wanting to help. One example that happened this morning was for a woman with three kids. One of the kids was a 14 year old boy, a guy called in and said he had an XBOX he didn't play anymore and about 10 games, he wanted to donate that and $300 dollars to the family. If you can, you should try and listen to the show, they even have an online stream.

Submitted On: Friday, November 24th, 2006
Submitted by: David
Website: http://rahijada.blogspot.com

Last night I logged into Larryville to check on a few listings and I saw a post titled "Not Santa Clause, just a guy tryin to make a difference." I clicked on it out of curiousity and read a story about a local guy who wants to be able to make a difference for people around Christmas. I'm not going to recite the story, but encourage you to check it out.

Submitted On: Tuesday, November 21st, 2006
Submitted by: James Parker
Website: http://www.communityworksinc.com

In 1991, after working for 19 years in various capacities for people living with disabilities, communityworks founder and owner, Dr. Janet Williams, established communityworks to respond to requests from people living with disabilities and to address the need for a new approach to rehabilitative services - one that gives control back to the individual. Working from that principal, Dr. Williams developed an operating model for communityworks that makes a shift from professionally driven to consumer driven services. By focusing on consumer control, communityworks functions as a vibrant service network and a distinctive support system based around the wishes of consumers and their families. People using the services and their families know themselves best. Services must promote self sufficiency and community membership. Services must be functional and take place in relevant environments. People using services have input into who is hired to work with them. All people have a place to participate and contribute in the community. It is our job to assist in finding that place. All people have goals and aspirations. Our job is to assist in setting those goals and working toward those aspirations. Support resources include "natural supports", community supports and personal assistance services. People must live in generic, affordable, safe and accessible housing within communities and neighborhoods. The provision of support services is seperate from housing. We do not own or operate property where consumers live. Medical services are provided for medical issues. Our job is to assist people in attaining their goals, get connected to the community and get out of their lives. Hope is an essential fuel for the future. communityworks recognizes that service and therapy decisions are rarely left to those most affected by the outcomes, the people living with disability.

Submitted On: Monday, November 20th, 2006
Submitted by: L'Arche
Website: http://www.larcheks.org

L'Arche was founded in France in 1964 when Jean Vanier invited Raphael Simi and Phillippe Seux, two men institutionalized with mental disabilities, to live with him at his home. Having visited them in the institution, Jean believed that a warm and loving environment would have significant positive impact on the lives of these two men. His desire was to create a home with them based on the values expressed in the Beatitudes. With that desire, but with no working knowledge about persons with disabilities or formal training in the field, Jean, Raphael and Phillippe began their journey together. L'Arche's founding roots are in the Roman Catholic tradition but has now evolved into an ecumenical organization and embraces many cultures and religious traditions. L'Arche's humble beginning as one man's desire for two persons with disabilities to live with him and share his home, has grown into an international network of communities. Today there are over 110 communities in more than 30 countries. L'Arche provides spiritual, emotional and educational support to individual communities through its zone, regional and international structures

Submitted On: Thursday, November 9th, 2006
Submitted by: James Alfred Lowell Parker
Website: http://www.hueyduck.faithweb.com

Radio for the blind and print-disabled The Kansas Audio-Reader Network is a reading and information service for blind, visually impaired, and print disabled individuals in Kansas and western Missouri. Services are offered free of charge to anyone in our listening area who is unable to read normal printed material. Audio-Reader offers print-disabled persons the opportunity for greater personal independence by providing access to the printed word and visual information, via electronic media and other technologies.

Submitted On: Monday, October 16th, 2006
Submitted by: Sarah
Website: http://sarahrahija.blogspot.com

Today we tried a new eating establishment for lunch following the morning service at Faith Church (we had no children today, and didn't want to eat McDonald's). After driving around Lawrence for a while, we stopped at The Slow Ride Roadhouse, in east Lawrence, near "Tee Pee Junction" (US Hwy 24/40 heading to Tonganoxie). I was a bit unsure of what we would find inside, as it is a "biker" place ... whatever that means, but, not being the "biker" type really much at all, I was fearful that I would stick out like the proverbial sore thumb. Well, I was right. We walked through the door, into the bar and grille, and were met by several stares, of "bikers", in their black leather and sturgis gear. Country music was blaring, and although there were several empty tables/booths, we didn't know whether to just grab a spot, or to "wait to be seated". I felt like crawling behind David (who usually looks like he would fit in there a little more, however, today, his GAP shirt also squealed "outsider!"). We kinda stood there uncomfortably for a moment, trying to look un-uncomfortable, yet I am sure unsuccessfully so, when an amazing thing happened. A server made eye contact with me, surveyed the situation, and grabbed two menus and hurried over to us with a smile. She told us we could sit anywhere, and asked us for our drink orders. She was very kind, and it seemed trying to ease our tension. After ordering and settling in, I felt a little more comfortalbe to take in the surroundings, and I noticed something ... a community. We were not part of it, but there was a guy sitting at the bar, who ocassionally stared at us without returning any smile or emotion of any sort, but who visited with everyone else sitting at the bar, and those who came in the door (that hew knew, obviously). People chatted easily and familiarly with the servers. Patrons greeted each other and ordered the $.75 tacos that they knew were the special of the day. It was as if we entered a secret society, unknowingly, and failed to give the right secret handshake ... However, our server, endeavored to make our experience enjoyable, and although didn't initiate conversation, returned it -- they have the BEST spinach/artichoke dip I have ever tasted (sorry Applebee's, but they have you beat!), and when I complimented it, opened up a bit and visited. This is not a community I "fit" in -- I was definitely the square peg, however, this community was alive, and breathing, reaching out, and growing. It was interesting to watch. I think we've found a new place to enjoy more frequently, even if it feels weird to walk in -- next time, I think I'll leave my light green jacket in the car :)

Submitted On: Sunday, October 15th, 2006
Submitted by: David Rahija
Website: http://rahijada.blogspot.com

I was watching videos on You Tube a few days back and came across a video titled "Free Hugs". I watched and it was a video of a guy standing in the middle of a large walking mall, holding a sign saying "Free Hugs". At first it showed alot of people rejecting his offer, but as the video played on it started to show people getting hugs. You could tell that some of them were doing it just to be goofy, but you could tell that to others that hug meant the world to them. After a while of him doing this he ended up getting told her couldn't do it by the local authorities. He started a pettition and it showed them gathering signatures for the petition, the numbers grew, and eventually he had over 10,000 signatures saying they wanted him to be able to offer the free hugs again. Maybe a hug doesn't mean much to some people, but I like to think for others, it does mean the world.

Submitted On: Sunday, October 15th, 2006
Submitted by: David Rahija
Website: http://rahijada.blogspot.com

The other day I was on the Larryville website and I saw a post in which someone had a window in their car that wasn't working. They were asking if anyone could help them get the window up as the weather was getting colder. As I read through the posts, someone offered to do if for her free of charge. After that I saw a number of other people post on there to put them on the free of charge list and if the first person fell through go to the next. When I last read the post there were 5 different people who had voluntered to help out for free.