News and Updates
Volunteer of the Year Award for 2020
There is a verse in the Bible that says King David is a man after God's own heart. This year, we are beginning the "God's Heart" Volunteer of the Year Award to recognize an outstanding volunteer in 2020.
This award acknowledges a volunteer who exemplifies God's character of love, compassion and sacrifice. This persons service is a way of life, to honor God above all else. They serve not for what they can get out of it, but because it is a reflection of their devotion to God.
This year's award goes to Pat Arkauskas. Pat served for over 13 years at We Care, primarily in the Bangor office. She was a living testimony to the foundation of We Care and this award, especially this past year during the pandemic. Although Pat passed away suddenly in January of 2021, we honor her commitment to God, her community and to We Care for 2020.
To watch the presentation of the award (pictured above) that was presented to Pat's daughter Pam and with Debbie McPike, the Bangor Office Manger, click here.
New episodes every Monday morning.
Fall is my favorite time of year and I am pleased announce many exciting things going on at We Care.
First, we invite you to join us at our Open House on Thursday, September 9th from 5 - 7 p.m. at our South Haven office (1301 M-43 Hwy, South Haven, MI). The Chamber will be there at 5 pm for a ribbon cutting ceremony, and we'll have refreshments as well.
Second, we partnered with the National Blueberry Festival on the Blueberry 5K, and raised almost $6,000 through ticket sales and private donations. We are thrilled! Thank you to all who came out, supported us and the festival, ran, walked and/or volunteered. We appreciate you!
Third, our annual Community Impact Report for 2021 is now available - see below or go to our website at www.wecare-inc.org.
And fourth, we have partnered with South Haven and Covert schools to provide a school supplies closet for teachers to access when they discover a student in need. We have had a Back to School program for many years, but over the years we have found a decline in parents accessing this resource, as well as multiple new distributions in our area. With the pandemic, there are even more opportunities for parents to find and receive the needed supplies for their kids. However, those supplies stay home, some parents aren't able to attend the distributions or it is simply not a priority and children go without the needed items. Teachers are on the front lines and see these needs within the first few weeks of school. So we decided to help our teachers help our community kids - win win for everyone. Our goal is for kids to now have what they need at home and at school. Click here for more information on how you can join this effort, now through September 13th. This will help kids like Junior. The first few days of school, Junior had a backpack and shoes and everything seemed normal. Then one day he didn't have his backpack and his shoes were unrecognizable. His teacher compassionately investigated to find that Junior and his uncle were homeless and living in a car. Junior was using his backpack for a pillow, and his shoes were wet and caked in mud from the rain, but he didn't have another pair. Let's partner to help kids like Junior feel confident and secure in their education.
From all of us at We Care, we hope to see you at our open house. Have a wonderful fall,
Erika Morrison
Executive Director
We Care Community Resource Center
Would you like the opportunity to make a difference this holiday season? You can provide a meal basket to a family in need during the holidays. Check our website for items needed and for ways you can give a special meal. E-mail Lynn@wecare-inc.org to sign up to receive or donate.
www.wecare-inc.org/holiday-programs
COVID-19 RESPONSE
Updated on June 12, 2020
We are so excited to open our office beginning June 15th (June 16th for Bangor). Due to the COVID-19 crisis, our offices have been closed for over 2 months and we've been working hard to assist all needs over the phone and directly through our pantries.
Although this triage-approach has worked, it has been far from ideal. Two of We Care's Core Values are hospitality and volunteerism. We've been able to enact both due to the shut-down of our state.
Now, we are able to reopen safely to volunteers, staff and donors. We will still be available to everyone by phone - 269-637-4342 (South Haven) or 269-427-9581. And hopefully, we will be able to reopen to everyone on Monday, July 6th! We can't wait to see everyone again! (Please see guidelines below as they will be in place for all those coming to our offices.)
Thank you for your patience and support during this time!
Love and blessings to each of you,
Erika Morrison
Director, We Care INC
Updated on May 13, 2020
Dear Friends of We Care INC, In order to remain a safe place for all of our community, we want to share with your what we are doing to promote good health in our area. In response to the COVID-19, influenza, strep throat and other communicable diseases, We Care In the Name Christ has implemented the following:
· Within the We Care offices -
o All surfaces, doorknobs and pulls, phones, keyboards, office equipment, etc. will be wiped down frequently throughout the day.
o Hand sanitizer will be mandatory upon entry and exit.
o Gloves will be made available to everyone coming into the office.
o We will be utilizing closed containers for beverages.
o Masks must be worn at all times.
o All staff and volunteers must remain six feet away from each other at all times.
· We are following the State of Michigan protocols and recommend that our community follow them as well:
o Hand washing is mandatory after every interaction.
o No handshakes.
o Stay home when you are sick.
· We Care is open to phone calls only. Our office is closed to walk-ins. You can contact us at 269-637-4342 in South Haven, 269-427-9581in Bangor.
· We encourage our PANTRIES AND MINISTRIES to do the following:
o Have curbside pick-up only; no indoor service.
o Use face-masks and gloves.
o Load all groceries and products into plastic bags and carry to the car so that the family does not have to get out, and place in the trunk of the car.
· We urge our VOLUNTEERS to:
o Stay home if you feel uncomfortable coming into the office or pantries/ministries.
o If you have any signs of upper respiratory issues, please stay home.
· For our CHURCH and COMMUNITY PARTNERS, the State of Michigan recommends cancelling all indoor gatherings. Consider utilizing YouTube or other online platforms for your services or events indefinitely.
We Care remains committed to providing a safe place for our community and those in need. Therefore, we want to be the place of encouragement during this time of uncertainty. As Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” We are here for you; please let us know if we can help in any way. From all of us at We Care,
Erika Morrison
Director, We Care INC 06321 Blue Star Hwy. | South Haven, MI | 49090 269-637-4342x101 (office) | 269-351-2803 (cell) | 269-427-9581 - Bangor Office www.wecare-inc.orG.
Administrative Office
1301 M-43 Hwy, Suite 2B
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-4342
