Benton Harbor Street Ministry
CROP Walk
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Founded in 1990, the Benton Harbor Street Ministry was originally an outreach program to area street residents – homeless persons, drug users, and the mentally ill. Over the past decade, the program has evolved into a neighborhood-based operation, focusing on empowering individuals of all ages through the promotion of personal responsibility and education.
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Executive Director Yvonne Hester and her volunteers work with children, teenagers, adults, and seniors, providing an array of services including:
- GED classesTeen M.O.P.S. (Teenage Mothers of Pre-Schoolers)
Food pantry
- Tutoring assistance
- Computer lab
- “Buddies for Life” (mentoring program run in conjunction with students from Andrews University)
- “Digital Excellence” (partnership with the CWCC to provide qualifying families with internet skills and access)
- Pastor’s Prayer group
- Women’s Prayer group
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Vision
To provide hope and encouragement, empowering people to recognize thier full potential through multi-culutural, networking, education and support services...with respect for every individual. |
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The Need...
The Berrien County Association of Churches founded the Benton Harbor Street Ministry in the belief it offers a way of following Christ.
In anxious times the BHSM provides our community a place for mutual help, respite and the opportunity to give and receive unconditional love and respect. Located tow lots from a house burned in the June 2003, riots, within two months BHSM hosted a Day of Celebration attended by over two hundred people. It was a turnaround timte for young and old residents of the neighborhood...a time to reflect upon positive changes that can happen.
Whoever gives, whether it be money, time, prayer or talent, will receive in a measure pressed down and running over... Whoever receives will be be enabled to give in the same measure.
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You can help reach the unreachable
Come and see, volunteer, or consider making an operational donation. Operational donations, the lifeblood of athe day-to-day ministry, should be made payable to BHSM.
To those who support the BHSM, we ask if you are able to go the extra mile and make a commitment to our newly established Endowment Fund, either as a lump sum, a pledge over three years, a legacy, a charitable remainder trust, or a gift of life insurance.
The Fund, established with the Berrien Community Foundation, will be a continuing and stable financial backing for the BHSM. It provides Michigan donors a Michigan Community Foundation tax credit opportunity.
Our goal is to raise $100,000 over three years. Payout to the BHSM will begin when the endowment reaches $25,000.
Thank you for your support!
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The Street Ministry is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The Ministry operates out of an office at 200 E. Empire. The mailing address is:
P.O. Box 1081
Benton Harbor, MI 49023-1081.
bhsm@berrienchurches.org
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