From the Executive Director of CCSC, Michelle ShonbeckFrom the Executive Director of CCSC, Michelle Shonbeck
Dear CCSC Friend,
I confess to being recession-weary. I’m tired of hearing from the experts. While I take the recession very seriously, I think we need to carefully ensure that our fears with this recession do not define us. Rather, it should be a defining moment for our faith.
While life circumstances (and economic conditions) may vary, God’s faithfulness to us does not. He calls us to love him with our “whole heart, mind, strength and soul and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.” In so doing, our spiritual life deepens, giving us an inner strength to manage the ups and downs of life.
So, let’s not dwell on what is wrong. Instead, let’s focus in on what is going well, and at CCSC, we have had ample opportunities to transform lives in 2009. Following is just a snapshot of what has happened so far this year:
• The Louise J. Moran Vision Care program has worked with nine HISD schools this spring, providing professional optometry services to nearly 200 schoolchildren. Most of these students have received glasses, which is a great way for us to make a difference in the life of a child.
• We have fed thousands of people and reached record highs not seen since 2003. Thanks to your food drives and financial support, we have been equipped to serve these families. Please keep donating that food!
• The Sunshine Resale Shop offers high-quality goods at low prices to all customers, but especially to those who cannot afford full retail prices. With the recession, we have had more customers needing to shop with us, so the community donations have had a greater impact in 2009.
• Martha’s Way continues to graduate a record number of women from the program, and our graduates go out into our community to create businesses. These women increase their household income and therefore provide economic development for the community, which is truly a win-win.
The truth is that the recession will pose challenges to our neighbors, CCSC and our own families. While we should address those challenges, we should also entrust ourselves to the God who loves us beyond words and calls us into a relationship with Him and with our neighbors.
Thank you for your support of CCSC, and I hope this recession deepens your faith and enriches your life in surprising ways.
In Christ,
Michelle Shonbeck, Executive Director