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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
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July/August 2004 |
Summer concert supports growing inner-city ministry
Story and picture by Molly Hunteman
INDIANAPOLIS - When Pat Ladd was growing up, her mom would come home from the neighborhood community center and complain that all it offered was bingo. For this reason despite her membership at St. Paul United Methodist Church on Indianapolis' near east side, she never became involved with the Brightwood Community Center housed there.
Then the Rev. Debra Grady, St. Paul pastor and Brightwood director, talked her into giving the center another chance, and then she realized, "they didn't play bingo. They give the community someplace where their children can get help, someplace they can get help."
Ladd, now grown and on Brightwood's board of directors, explained to concert goers the many facets of this outreach center during the first Campaign for Brightwood Benefit Concert held June 18 in the sanctuary of North United Methodist Church.
Opportunities for children in this poverty-stricken neighborhood abound with an after-school program, an eight-week-long Summer Fun and Frolic program, a children's choir and a Girl Scout troop. Ladd said, "It keeps kids off the streets and makes them want to achieve in school. We want to see them go to college." More than 80 children are enrolled in the summer program.
Adults also are welcome at the center with young adult survival skills classes, senior programming, a food pantry, computer classes and an emerging clothing store. High school and college students are taking a trip to trace the "Underground Railroad" this summer through the center. Hundreds of adults take advantage of the food pantry and clothing store while nine seniors regularly meet and up to 10 adults participate in each session of the survival skills and computer classes.
Between gospel and jazz segments, concert goers learned not only about the programs, but also about the influence these ministries have had on the lives of area residents. Ashley Roger, a sophomore at Ball State University, started volunteering at the center five years ago. "People say how much I've done for the kids, but they don't understand how much I need them," she said, smiling at the children's choir preparing to sing.
As a first-grade teacher, Grady always wanted to stay with her students into high school so that they would have a consistent base of discipline. With her current position she said, "Now I see the kids more than when I was teaching and I've been able to stay with them. The influence keeps spreading."
With all of the services provided to the Brightwood neighborhood, volunteers and community members have much to celebrate. Rogers said, "I just thought that I'd go and help out for a while, but the kids kept me coming back." Volunteers, sponsors, kids and adults all keep coming back to be touched by this growing ministry.
The concert raised more than $7,000 during the June 18 concert. Brightwood needs funds for the summer program, plus food and clothing donations. Since more children are expected to participate in this coming year's after-school programs. They will also be in need of more volunteers tutors, leaders and mentors. The center operates with an annual budget of $184,000. Brightwood is a South Indiana Conference Advance Special Ministry.
For more information write to Brightwood Community Center, 2410 N. Station St., Indianapolis, IN 46218, or call 317-546-8200, or by e-mail write to brightwood2410@aol.com.
Molly Hunteman serves as summer intern in the Indiana Area Communications office. She is a sophomore at Butler University and a member of the Mooresville UMC.
Last updated on July 09, 2004