Publication vol 3 summer 14 .pdf

RCOM ON THE MOVE
June — August 2014

Summer

Volume II

The Summer Lunch Program

Calendar of Activities
Summer 2014


The Summer Lunch Program
 Weekly Food Pantry



Upward Mobility Discount Bus
Passes


The Family Clothes Closet



Emergency Food/clothing


Referrals

Coming in Fall 2014


The Children’s Community
Garden & Art Program



The Parent Project-Loving
Solutions Class


Annual Health Fair



Family Nutrition Program,



Computer literacy Classes

REVIVAL COMMUNITY
OUTREACH MINISTRIES
1144 W 6th Street
Riviera Beach, Florida, 33404Carmen Garcia, Executive Director
carmengarcia@rcomfl.org
(561)201-7152
Barbara Pembamoto, Board Chair
bepembamoto@rcomfl.org
(561)951-6626
www.rcomfl.org
www.facebook.com/Revivalcom

What an amazing opportunity RCOM has had this year as we participated in the Summer Lunch Program. We decided to take part in this
amazing program because being right a cross from an elementary
school that is completely Title 1 (free and reduced lunch) we knew
that many of the children would not have the possibility of having a
nutritious lunch served to them during the summer vacation. Barbara
(Board Chair) and Carmen (ED) as well as Leanet (AA) and Joyce
(volunteer) took part in the training for this is a very complete program supervised by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Food and Nutrition and Wellness. Well, little did we know when we launched the program just how successful it
would be! Monday-Friday for nine weeks we have fed fifty children a
healthy lunch. The kids are so grateful and happy as they come and
have their meal. The first day the first 3 children tried to pay for the
lunch.
We learned about many of their hardships and have made relationships that otherwise might have never existed. Several families
signed up for the weekly food pantry and others for the discount bus
passes. Many found clothes for their children and themselves. We
had several summer academy programs participate, bringing their
children daily, sometimes before or after a field trip. We are pleased
to be a part of the summer lunch program.

Our Mission: To provide individuals and families with direct services and resources that will
equip them to achieve a life of self-sufficiency . (Inspire, Commit, Train, Serve, Ownership)

From the board Chair.
It has been a delightful, productive, and sometimes challenging summer at RCOM. A diverse group of people of various lifestyles came to our doors. A woman who felt abandoned by her family came to our door. She shared her story
with us, we were able to contact her family, and they came to get her. While she waited for them, we gave her food and
water and she found a change of clothes and pair of new shoes in the Clothes Closet. When her family arrived, they
were grateful that she had come to “safe place” and that we had notified them. The number of calls for “emergency
food” went from two to three a month to three to five per week. Some of these calls were from especially large families
(10 to 14 people). A call from a working parent who does not earn enough to feed the family for the whole week. Then
there are the various groups of delightful children in the summer lunch program. It is a pleasant sight to see the children
enjoying the food, each other, and the volunteers.
In each situation, both the challenges and the pleasant encounters, we were able to help, to educate, and to empower
people. All of this is possible because of the awesome RCOM team of board members, staff, and volunteers.

Showcase: Spotlight on Leanet Newman
Every day she shows up for work willing and caring. Everyday she does her job with enthusiasm and patience. All we can say about our fabulous administrative
assistant, Leanet Newman is that without her we would
really have a struggle to get things done. Ever since she
started to work at RCOM, she has taken action and helped
to transform and to pull the pieces of the puzzle together. She handles all that we give her and more. She
oversees the packing and distribution of the food. She
also monitors the temperature of the fridges, and makes
sure all of the food for the Food Pantry is ready for our
families. She handles the Clothes Closet, sorting and
hanging or folding every piece of clothing with care and
making sure everyone knows that clothes are available. During the Summer Lunch Program, she comes in
earlier to ensure that someone is there to receive the
lunches. Leanet is a quick learner and her common sense
attitude enables her to be successful, and do a great job
at RCOM. We hold a very special place in our hearts for
her and pray that she continues to assist us as we
grow. Thank you Leanet for all that you do!

Health Fair October 11, 2014
Its almost time again for the fourth annual Revival Community Outreach Ministries
Health Fair. The wonderful City of Riviera
Beach will again be a part of the family
friendly educational experience. Many vendors
will be on hand to provide the community with
much needed health information and services
so that we may all stay healthy and aware. The
City will have on hand some of their finest Police and Fire rescue department as well as the
Mobile Library and other educational departments. This will be a fun time for all, as we
will have food and prizes.
We look forward to seeing you here on
Saturday Oct 11 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

From the Executive Director:
“Actions

speak

so

much

LOUDER

than

words!”

Yes, actions surely do speak louder than words and this year I have seen “Actions” that make you jump
for JOY. I am speaking about the wonderful energetic bunch of volunteers that have blessed us here at
RCOM. Each one of these folks, the young and the wiser, has brought with them a heart full of joy, a determination, and desire to help others and that is what it is all about!
“A Gem “

“It is well!”
Let me start with Joyce, a lady who
comes and makes me know that
God is present as her favorite
phrase is "It is well, It is well!" She
has been volunteering at RCOM forever and especially this summer
during our Summer Lunch Program. Joyce is ready to give out
our lunches, to engage in conversation with the kids, and to embrace
the situation with love and care.

Then we have Miss Barbara Jean...what can I say about this gem of a
Lady who cries just as much as I do when she sees injustice. She
not only sees it, she is prepared to resolve it. One day we had a little
boy who did not have shoes...well the next day Barbara Jean showed
up with half a dozen pairs of shoes in different sizes. I am talking
about taking action, a real compassionate giver. She not only gives
of herself and her resources but also recruits others to give to help
the children and their families.

“A smile to warm your heart”
“ Helping Hands “
And there is Mrs. Young, she brings her
grand children for lunch but she insists that
she wants to help. Even though her health
is delicate, you will find her by the sink in
our kitchen cutting up chicken or any meat
we have to distribute for our Food Pantry.
Her experience in food service is a real asset. Always thinking about others and putting herself last she is a great role model for
all of us.

“Another Gem”
Trudy is another jewel. She has made
sure that all of the kids around her get a
nutritious lunch, even transporting them
and their parents to our program. Eligible
parents have signed up for the food pantry. Trudy knows that most kids are hungry during these summer months and she
will do whatever it takes to ensure they get
a meal.

That’s our Jordan…a young man sent from “heaven” this summer to help us. Jordan is an inspiring teenager who wants to
get as many of his community service hours in during the summer so that he does not worry about it and studying at the same
time. I can tell you his heart is really in the right place! Attentive to all the needs, he makes sure the kids get their lunch; he
makes the process fast and fun. Helping the seniors and others
who come for food or helping to unload the van, he picks up
and lifts boxes like no one else. I say he is the strongest guy I
know around here. Jordon is willing to do anything that we ask
of him, and does so with a smile. We thank Jordan for being
part of our RCOM family and look forward to having him back
next summer.

“Our Pearl ”
Miss Rosa comes in after teaching in summer school and does
whatever we need her to do.... Sidekick to Miss Barbara Jean, they
clean tables after each group, they do the food pantry inventory,
and help sort clothes donations and any other tasks that need to be
done. She will do it with joy because she believes in the outreach.
That is why she is our pearl,

Then there’s our volunteer of the year, Danny Davis who does the food and baked good pickup three
days a week as well as help wherever needed. We also have Lisa and Marilyn who help us as much
as their schedules permit.
These are just some of the people and some of the actions that make me realize that it takes a team
like the one we have here at RCOM to get things done well! We are blessed and fortunate to see
God touching so many hearts...and using His people to accomplish His many tasks.
40

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:40

Parents...are you ready for your kids to go back to school?
Before you know it, it will be time to go back to school! Do I hear kids groaning and parents going "Yippee?”
If you are not prepared, getting ready to go back to school can seem like a hectic and stressful chore. However, it does not have to be that way!
Here are 9 great tips to help you get ready without a lot of pain and fuss.
9 Great Back to School Tips
Be Prepared The best overall advice to get ready for back to school. . . start early!! Don't wait until the
Friday before school starts to get ready.
Clean Out Go through the house. Get rid of any of last year's paperwork that you don't want to keep. If
there are sentimental items you want to keep, store them in a 3-ring notebook. Label it with the child's
name, school and year.
Refresh Get rid of any broken craft supplies. Throw out rumpled paper, broken scissor, pencils, pens,
crayons, etc. Refresh and buy new ones.
Clothing Prep If you plan on recycling your child's clothing, be sure to get them mended,
cleaned and pressed. Don't forget to donate useable clothing and shoes that no longer serves
your child's needs.
Shop Early Get the school supply list as early as you can. Shop NOW!! If your child is into extracurricular activities, get lists from the coaches as soon as possible. Buying things early gives you the
"pick of the litter!"
Get & Stay Healthy Check with your child's doctor. Make sure your child's immunizations are up-to-date.
Check with coaches about sports physicals. Schedule those as soon as possible.
Food Rush Mornings are hectic. Shop now and stock up on breakfast, lunches and after
-school snacks. Have on-the-go foods ready (things that can be eaten in the car on
the way to school). Put bins in the pantry or refrigerator at child level and label
them. Putting items within easy reach of the kids teaches them skills to take responsibility for their mornings.
Uniforms Many schools require uniforms. Items go quickly. Shop early to get the best choices. Purchase a
variety (long and short sleeves, shirts, blouses, pants, etc.). Mixing and matching these combinations
will provide many outfit varieties.
Learning Area Set aside a special area for study. Make sure it's quiet. Studying in front of the TV is not
conducive to good study habits. Make sure to have all necessary desk supplies (pens, paper, etc.)
Following these tips, you and your child can have an enjoyable back to school experience.