COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMUNITY SERVICES
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
Hockessin United Methodist Church is the most active mission church in our region for the United Methodist Conference.
INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
LOCAL PROJECTS
NATIONAL PROJECTS
ASSISTED LIVING
IN DELAWARE FAMILY PROMISE
There are over 20,000 assisted living facilities across the US that we have collected data on, and over 34 in the state of Delaware. According to our research, a resident in an assisted living community in Delaware will pay $5,350 per month on average. Click Here for more information
While assisted living facilities (ALFs) may be slightly more expensive than neighboring states, Delaware is actually easier on the wallet than other areas. Seniors in Delaware qualify for to up to $12,500 state income tax exclusions from retirement income and an additional $2,500 exclusion for those over age 65. There is no sales tax and there is less gas tax than other states. As well as the financial perks, Delaware is home to scenic beaches and peaceful parks, close to many historical landmarks, and a thriving jazz hub.
The fastest growing population of homeless people are intact families. Existing programs in Delaware are focused on single adults and/or women with young children – few organizations in Delaware are designed to help families who lose their homes.
Family Promise is a national interfaith organization providing food and hospitality for homeless families since 1988. There are more than 141 operating networks in over 39 states, involving more than 120,000 volunteers from more than 5,000 congregations – assisting more than 220,000 people, including more than 130,000 children. In 2006, 80% of the families assisted by Family Promise found housing!
The Northern New Castle County Plan: A “Network” involves a partnership of 13 congregations, a Family Promise Day Center and a van for transport. A Family Promise Center provides assistance (job leads, counseling, shower and laundry facilities, etc.) during the day. In the evenings the families are transported to an area congregation where they are provided dinner, their own rooms for the night, and breakfast. The families are taken back to the Day Center. Participating congregations host three or four families for one week each quarter (only four weeks a year). The Network provides the beds and the transportation to and from the Family Promise Center.
Hockessin United Methodist Church is a host congregation. By hosting families, we meet, help and worship with the homeless families we are hosting. Nationally, Family Promise has found this model to be economical vs. other types of assistance.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Hockessin United Methodist Church supports Habitat for Humanity in many ways. Recently, a silent auction raised almost $3,500 to support Habitat's objective of providing housing.
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization.
We welcome all people to join us as we build simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with those who lack adequate shelter.
Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 175,000 houses, providing shelter for nearly 900,000 people worldwide. Now at work in 100 countries, we are building a house every 26 minutes. By 2006, Habitat houses will be sheltering 1 million people.
Local Habitat affiliates coordinate house building and select partner families.
Habitat houses are purchased by the homeowner families. Three factors make the houses affordable to low-income people worldwide:
charged on the mortgage.
under trained supervision.
provide financial support.
Homeowner families are chosen according to their need; their ability to repay the no-profit, no-interest mortgage; and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat. Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate according to race, religion or ethnic group.
ADDITIONAL OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
CLOTHES CLOSET
Housed in the basement of Founders' Hall, HUMC provides the only clothes ministry in the area. Volunteers are needed to sort and organize the clothes and to staff the clothes closet.
APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT
Appalachia Service Project is a Christian ministry, open to all people, that inspires hope and service through volunteer home repair in Central Appalachia.
EMMANUEL DINING ROOM
Emmanuel Dining Room is in center city Wilmington and provides daily hot lunches to needy adults and children. Hockessin UMC provides the daily hot meal on the 9th of
each month. Cooking is done at HUMC on the 7th. Volunteers are needed both days, and also as cookie bakers.
SUNDAY BREAKFAST MISSION
Sunday Breakfast Mission is a non-profit agency dedicated to providing programs for low to moderate income families, youth, adults and senior citizens. HUMC members contribute food and other items for the Food Closet, Thanksgiving and Easter meal baskets.
METHODIST ACTION PROGRAM
Methodist Action Program provides many kinds of mission outreach to the people of Wilmington. Outreach is designed to enable people to become independent of government assistance.
GOOD NEIGHBORS HOME REPAIR
Good Neighbors Inc. provides home repairs and financial guidance to homeowners who lack the physical or financial means to make necessary home repairs. For 25 years, with support from generous donors and local volunteers, Good Neighbors has helped hundreds of families in southern Chester County, PA. In so doing, we restore hope and dignity to our neighbors and our neighborhoods. Now, we are expanding in to northern New Castle County, DE to share with homeowners there our hope as neighbors who care.
READ ALOUD
Each week Hockessin UMC members read aloud to toddlers and pre-school children from low income families at 2 area sites.
URBAN PROMISE
The mission of UrbanPromise is to teach children and young adults the skills necessary for spiritual growth, academic achievement, life management and Christian leadership. Hockessin UMC members volunteer in a variety of ways to support this ministry
ANGEL TREE MINISTRY
Angel Tree reaches out to the children of prisoners and their families helping to meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs through Christ. Angel Tree Christmas works by connecting parents in prison with their children through the delivery of Christmas gifts.