Category: Educational

ACS Participates in National VOAD Conference

Post author By acs_admin
Post date May 25, 2022

Adventist Community Services was one of 70 national member organizations that participated in the annual National VOAD Conference held from May 2-5, 2022, at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. The theme for this year was “Empowering Resiliency”. Despite having not met in person since 2019, the 2022 Conference was well attended with over 700 people attendees, including around 350 first-time attendees. ACS leaders from the North Pacific Union Conference, and Texas, Georgia-Cumberland, Allegheny East, and Chesapeake conferences joined the NAD ACS team at the event. For some of us who were first-time attendees, the First Timer Orientation Session gave an insight on the VOAD Community and the role of the network within the disaster community.

The mission and purpose of National VOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) is to provide a forum where organizations can gather to collaborate and network, sharing knowledge and resources, to effectively assist communities affected by disaster. ACS is one of the few original founding members of National VOAD which was founded in 1970 when seven voluntary organizations convened together to discuss how to improve responses following Hurricane Camille in August 1969.

There were fifty exhibitors and sponsors. Besides ACS, the exhibit hall was filled with booth displays from several other faith-based disaster response and relief organizations such as FEMA, American Red Cross, Islamic Relief USA, Salvation Army, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Mennonite Disaster Services, Good360, and United Methodist Committee on Relief, and etc. We had ACS volunteers from the Chesapeake and Allegheny East conferences who helped us out by managing the ACS exhibit and educating people on our services.

In addition to the exhibit, the other highlights of the conference consisted of various plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities.

W. Derrick Lea taking a moment to stop by at our exhibit before the meetings begin.

We began each day with a prayer and a brief meeting with the ACS personnel who participated in the conference.

Colette and Wynelle visiting the Liv-Connected exhibit. They specialize in designing elegant, effortlessly customizable modular and tiny homes.

Colette and Wynelle visiting with some of the best disaster response volunteers out there from the HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response.

Click here to view more photos from the event.

Educational Events Partnership

Nonprofit Leadership Certification Program 2021

Post author By acs_admin
Post date August 10, 2021

The Nonprofit Leadership Certification Program (NLCP) 2021 was held in Orlando, Florida, from August 2-4 (Monday – Wednesday). It was co-sponsored by the North American Division Adventist Community Services (NAD ACS) in partnership with Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI), Andrews University, Central California Conference, and Human Resources of the General Conference. The program was well-attended by over 40 participants from around the North American Division. We had a diverse group that consisted of ACS directors, conference and church leaders, pastors, leaders involved in various ministries, and those interested in starting a non-profit organization.

The workshops included topics on urban ministry, cross-cultural ministry, conflict management, marketing and communications, volunteer engagement, and inspirational, impactful, and strategic leadership. Participants were also given opportunities to network and engage in discussion with one another. “Being able to engage in conversation with people of similar interests and passion for non-profit leadership is very enlightening,” one participant said. Another said that this was his first time attending the NLCP and loved everything about it.

Community Educational Local Church

Dupont Park Church Hosts Baby Shower and Back-to-School Giveaway

Post author By acs_admin
Post date October 28, 2020

Story by Dupont Park Church Staff

Members of Allegheny East Conference’s Dupont Park church in Washington, D.C., were disappointed when they had to suspend their Community Baby Shower (CBS) and Back to School Giveaway, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several months into the community’s new normal of social distancing, and after much prayer and discussion over the church’s spiritual obligation to the community, church members started planning the event.

Dupont Park’s Inner-City Ministries leader, Lamont Bailey, says, “Our goal [was] simple: to eliminate the choice parents have to make—deciding between what’s best for their kids and best for their budget.”

Valerie Freeman, marketing manager for Inner-City Ministries, adds, “We knew that serving God also meant serving others, and this was another way to share the message of God’s love through giving, and that our church was a dwelling place for love.”

Church members donated diapers—an essential item not covered by many government assistance programs—wipes, baby clothing and 100 backpacks filled with school supplies. But the group still needed an additional 15,000 diapers to meet their goal.

Volunteers prayerfully continued to reach out for donations and were able to collect some 17,200 diapers, books from local libraries and other items to meet community needs.

“We often limit our capacity by forgetting that if we partner with Christ and have faith, all things are possible,” says Freeman. “The team learned an important lesson throughout this venture: If we pray for rain, we should automatically bring an umbrella, for this is a reflection of our faith. God answers prayers.”

In October, the church held their CBS event and provided essential items to 223 new and expectant moms and families at a Drive-By Community Shower and Back to School Giveaway.

Prayer warriors greeted and prayed with each mother or family that entered the CBS parade. Organizers report that the attendees appreciated how church members doted on them and the impending birth of their babies.

The highlight of the event was a pregnant mother with a huge baby bump who bravely walked into the CBS with a friend, not knowing what to expect. This walk-in mother left enthusiastically because she received bags of the things she needed for her baby. “Dupont Park CBS staff supported and loved every mom with each bag given,” says Freeman.

Educational Emotional & Spiritual Care Events

Emotional & Spiritual Care Session at NAD

Post author By Laura
Post date January 3, 2019

The first ACS Emotional & Spiritual Care session at the North American Division headquarters was held on December 11-12, 2018. It was conducted by W. Derrick Lea, NAD ACS Disaster Response Director. Twenty-six pastors, lay members, and community service leaders took advantage of this opportunity which provided participants needed practical skills for critical incident response. The majority of participants were from the Chesapeake, Allegheny East, and Allegheny West conferences.

The session started out with the 2-hour ‘Special Issues in Emotional & Spiritual Care’ class which was followed by the 13-hour ‘Assisting Individuals in Crisis’ class forming a joint 2-day intensive program. Derrick presented useful tools and techniques on how to assess and reach people in various critical situations to meet their immediate needs. The session consisted of interactive lectures, group activities, videos, and role-play scenarios. Participants also shared stories and experiences of their encounters with individuals in crisis, and how they addressed their concerns. The session ended with the participants receiving their certificates, followed by a brief speech by Elder Debra Brill, NAD Vice President for Ministries, who addressed the attendees and also appreciated them for their dedicated service and efforts in community outreach.

The classes were well received. The participants found them to be extremely helpful in enhancing their crisis management skills to respond to individuals affected by a disaster or trauma by providing emotional and spiritual care. One pastor stated, “It is helping prepare me as a community pastor to minister to those who encounter emotional crisis.” Another participant said, “These classes provided invaluable information that helps me better to be equipped to serve.” The participants are now eligible to become a credentialed ACS Emotional & Spiritual Care Provider I.

Educational

Urban Ministry D.Min. Scholarship

Post author By Laura
Post date December 17, 2018

The North American Division Adventist Community Services is offering scholarships to doctoral students who are interested in the 2019 Urban Ministry D.Min. Program at Andrews University. We will provide a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 per year for four years to ten participants of this cohort. We are thankful to the NAD ACS Board for their support; and also to Dr. Skip Bell, Coordinator and Lead teacher for the D.Min. Urban Ministry concentration, for his vision in urban mission and ministry.

Our mission is to empower pastors with the passion and skills necessary to further the Kingdom of God in the 21st century. The D.Min. in Urban Ministry Program will help us move towards our mission by equipping and developing pastors with Theological/Biblical concepts of urban ministry, strategies, and professional skills to successfully minister.

Dr. Sung Kwon, Executive Director of NAD ACS, stated, “I am privileged to have participated in the 2015 Cohort, and I can testify to its invaluable tremendous learning opportunity. I have been enlightened with a broad understanding of the complexity of the urban mission and ministry. Field-based learning opportunities will increase your knowledge, enhance your competencies, and influence your outlook on urban ministry in real life settings.”

The application deadline to secure a place in the new Urban Ministry cohort is January 31, 2019. Don’t miss this tremendous opportunity!

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Skip Bell directly at sjbell@andrews.edu or 269-471-3306.

Educational Events

Nonprofit Leadership Certification Program 2018

Post author By Laura
Post date September 12, 2018

The ACS Nonprofit Leadership Certification Program (NLCP) 2018 was held at Andrews University from September 4-7 (Tuesday – Friday). It was co-sponsored by the North American Division ACS in partnership with Andrews University, Philanthropic Services for Institutions, and Adventist Risk Management. The event was well-attended by over 40 participants from the US, Canada, UK, South Korea, and Myanmar. We had a diverse group that consisted of ACS directors, ADRA leaders, pastors, students, and directors and coordinators from various ministries such as Personal, Compassion, Prayer, and Health Ministry.

The workshops included topics on holistic ministry, community assessment and program development, urban ministry, leadership and team development, ministering cross-culturally, risk management, legal issues, fundraising strategies, grant proposal writing, marketing and communications, volunteer engagement, performance measurement for ministries, and logic model development. The last session of the event ended on Friday afternoon with presentations by each participant on how they can utilize the Logic Model method in enhancing their own community outreach programs and activities.

Visit our NAD ACS Facebook page for photos.

Disaster Response Educational Events

ACS Participation in Emergency Management Training

Post author By Laura
Post date September 11, 2018

ACS and ADRA participated in an innovative Emergency Management Training program from August 26-31. ADRA coordinated the effort, taking the lead in training sessions and managing the simulation exercise.

Five ACS DR Team members started the training with a three-day classroom session, and ended with a simulation that took place for another three days. The participants received expert knowledge in International response. Some of the topics included Communications, Protection, Cultural Parameters around the world, and United Nations assistance. In addition to the onsite classroom work, each person was required to take over 40 hours of online training prior to class attendance.

The second half of the training called for an exciting simulation exercise when ADRA staff whisked the participants away to an undisclosed location. The exercise entailed real life team deployment, hostages by actors from the community, and objectives and deadlines that had to be met in a way that ultimately served the public best. A part of the exercise involved the Team members being awakened at 3 am by local community participants screaming about a flooding that had destroyed a village next door. Though all this was simulated activity, the realism of the participants raised heart rates throughout the camp.

Even though both ACS and ADRA work with partners outside of the church like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and even Governmental authorities; however, up until this time we had not the opportunity to work together in such an endeavor. W. Derrick Lea, NAD ACS DR Director, said “While we both respond to similar disasters, typically the need within the NAD and outside of this area are different. Understanding the rules and environment each of us operates under requires expanding our knowledge, skills and abilities”. Expressing his excitement, Lea continued “I am truly proud of the dedication, enthusiasm and proficiency of our ACS DR team. I also believe a foundation has been laid for more collaborative efforts with ADRA”.

Educational Emotional & Spiritual Care

ACS Offers Emotional & Spiritual Care Session in Rwanda

Post author By Laura
Post date August 21, 2018

Our first ACS Emotional and Spiritual Care class outside of the North American Division was conducted last week in Rwanda. The ‘Assisting Individuals in Crisis’ course was taught by W. Derrick Lea, NAD ACS Disaster Response Director, in the city of Kigali from August 13-15. A few months ago ADRA Rwanda reached out to us asking if we’d be willing to offer guidance in Emotional Spiritual Care training to their team onsite. Many of the other ADRA country offices in Africa also expressed interest in attending the training, as well. We had 35 people from seven countries (Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, Congo, Kenya, and Tanzania) that turned up for it.

One of the clearest indications of how different some of our work is within the NAD occurred during the introductions when each participant was asked to say their name along with a disaster they had responded to in the last six months. The list of events that was compiled included cholera, malaria, Ebola outbreaks, refugee influxes, cyclones, drought, and mudslides. War conflicts within countries were also highlighted as one of the major crises. These events signify the degree of trauma many in attendance were dealing with daily. As the first day of the class began, it was evident that the attendees had a need to share their experiences and the challenge of meeting their concerns was one Derrick took very seriously.

Each day of the session focused on how part of our task was to offer support to communities that in several cases were still recovering from crisis events in various areas. An example of this was described by one of the country directors from the South Congo. Since war has been a reality in this area for over 20 years, many of those he encounters have been displaced from their homes and living in a refugee camp for 5-10 years, which is beyond the norm and original intent of a refugee camp. These families continue to be impacted by the loss of a home and exposure to an outbreak of cholera in the area, leaving them in a perpetual state of crisis. These are the type of multilevel events that compound an already challenging situation.

Another country director spoke of communities that are in such a sense of shock that they will not verbalize or communicate the level of tragedy to anyone trying to help or assist them in any way. This challenge complicates the assessment of the needed support for this group. These are the type of issues that were discussed over the course of the session with those in attendance. The responses we received from them was overwhelmingly positive. “I hope we can again work out the particulars of how ACS and ADRA can work together in support of communities that experience crisis around the world. As we become more familiar with the strengths both organizations bring to recovery efforts, those affected will ultimately be better served by the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” said Derrick.

Here are a few photos of the Emotional & Spiritual Care session in Rwanda:

Educational Local Church Partnership

ACS ‘CHOP’ Program with Ochsner Foundation

Post author By Laura
Post date August 9, 2018

The ACS Center of Westbank United SDA Church in New Orleans, Louisiana, recently entered into a collaboration with Ochsner Foundation Healthcare System to offer children in their community ‘The CHOP Toolkit’. The acronym CHOP stands for “Cooking Up Healthy Options and Portions”, which complements the health message of our Church very well. The purpose of this program is to teach the children of our congregations and neighborhoods the importance of good nutrition, eating small portions, as well as learning to safely use kitchen tools.

The CHOP Toolkit is a eight-to-ten week program, providing the necessary space for teaching and cooking vegetarian meals. It will include communicating regularly with the CHOP basic staff, completing a pre and post test with participants, and providing documentation and receipts for purchases that were made through Walmart gift cards that were supplied for food supplies.

The first summer event of the CHOP program was held from June 13-July 16 at the Westbank United SDA Church. It was sponsored by Ochsner Foundation, Westbank United SDA Church, City of New Orleans Tricentennial Committee and Neighborhood Engagement, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Washington, and Colistics Pharmacy. The activity schedule included the following; 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m – Cooking lessons and Lunch; 2:00 to 3:00 p.m – Recreation/Break; 3:15 to 4:00 p.m – Anger Management/Problem Solving; 4:00 to 4:50 p.m – Christian Grooming and Manners; and at 5:00 p.m was Dismissal.

Each child and staff member were given a study manual and an apron. The CHOP Instructor Manual was supplied by Irene H. Williams, Director of ACS Center of the Westbank United SDA Church. “The children and staff had a wonderful learning experience together. The children had fun while learning to cook and work as a team”, said Ms. Williams. She is excited about this new collaborative opportunity and is looking forward to many more events like this in the future.