Each month we focus on a particular cause or mission to support. 

 

SPECIAL MISSION – February

HOPE 4 YOUTH SPECIAL MISSION

It may be shocking to realize that on any given night in Minnesota, 6,000 young people are without a home.  They are sleeping in cars, couch-hopping or struggling to survive in the streets.  Hope 4 Youth is a non-profit organization in Anoka County that helps young people, ages 16-24, who are homeless. 

The Mission of Hope 4 Youth is to end youth homelessness.  Here is their vision:  All youth will feel safe, valued and supported while reaching their full potential.  This begins with meeting their basic needs and leads to giving them roots to thrive.

Hope 4 Youth opened a drop-in center in 2013 located at 2665-4^th Ave. N. in Anoka.  The center focused mainly on basic needs.  Judy Ryan became our church representative, and FUMC became involved by bringing in some meals.  In addition, Hope Place, a transitional housing facility for homeless people aged 18-24 in need of a place to stay while rebuilding their lives, was opened in late 2016.  It is located at 10250 Foley Blvd. NW. in Coon Rapids.  Hope 4 Youth assists young people with counseling, education and employment opportunities that create career pathways.  In the past year there has been a 40% increase of visitors to the drop-in center.  Hope Place is continually at full capacity.  

There are several reasons for youth homelessness—many are from families that are dysfunctional or in financial crisis.  Some are no longer accepted at home for various reasons.  Hope 4 Youth meets them where they are, giving them trauma informed care, strengths-based mindset and harm reduction approaches.  A kind and caring staff provide good food to eat, clean clothes, counseling and parenting classes when needed.  Many receive help in filling out applications, finding employment and a permanent place to live.

The gift of hope is powerful!  It is overcoming challenging situations, finding a pathway and learning to thrive.  Let us help give God’s precious gift of hope to those youth who are in desperate need of it.        

Please consider donating to this worthy cause.  We are so grateful and appreciate your continued ministry to the missions of FUMC.  Remember that giving is easy using the “Give Online” button on the

FUMC website and then select “Missions.”  You can also mail your donation to the church’s office at 680 Mississippi Street, Fridley, MN  55432.  Please write “February Missions” on the memo line of your check.  Thank you for your generous support of our mission programs!

 

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Family Table is a free meal for those in need in the surrounding community and are looking for fellowship.  All are welcome.  It is held on the 4th Saturday of the month from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.   

2023 Schedule:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rainbow School and Daycare is a church owned ministry.  It was specifically created to be open to all children and respects persons of all faiths and those with no religious faith.  Provides DayCare to the public from infant through Pre-K.  Rainbow’s phone number is 763-571-7521.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drivers are always needed.   We drive one week per month during the lunch hour.  To volunteer contact  Janet Fossum @763-780-5694.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We serve at Feed My Starving Children. When we serve there we pack meals for children all over the world. This is a way you can make a difference for hungry kids. There are sitting jobs as well as standing jobs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering around the globe. UMCOR’s work includes programs and projects in disaster response, health, sustainable agriculture, food security, relief supplies, and more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We will be supporting a new missionary, Rev. J. Park.

 

Rev. J. Park is a United Methodist missionary serving as the Country Director of the Southeast Asia Mission Initiative, based in Ho Chi Minh City.  Rev. Park felt a call to ministry early in his life and has served as a pastor for 20 years, including starting multiple church plants.  His family came to the Christian faith through Methodist missionaries in Korea which inspired many of his family members to become pastors and missionaries.  His wife, T. Park, is also a missionary.  They are excited and happy to serve in Southeast Asia and hope to spread the Christian message in that part of the world.   The Minnesota Conference has a partnership with the Parks, and we can look forward to hearing more about them in the future.