Serving Our Community

 

ICS = Interfaith Community Support of Yucaipa Valley

This multi-church sponsored ministry distributes food to those in our community who are in need and provides other essential resources to promote self-sufficiency. Opportunities to help serve are available. The address is: 12687 California Street, Yucaipa, CA 92399-4405. The phone number is: (909) 797-0007.


Stephen Ministries

A complete system for training and organizing lay people to provide one-on-one Christian care to hurting people in and around the church congregation. Hurts can arise from unexpected crises, and the process is initiated by a request made to the Senior Pastor. He will recommend a referral, and after much prayer, a caregiver is matched to the care receiver. Stephen ministers receive an initial fifty hours of training with materials sent from the organization headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. There are some Stephen Ministers who have received Leadership Training, so that the caregivers have adequate guidance and ongoing continuing education.


People who need care:

  • Receive quality, Christ-centered, confidential care for their hurts and needs.

  • Find hope, healing, and a new sense of self-worth through thr support of a Stephen Minister.

  • Know they are remembered and supported by their congregation in times of personal difficulty.

  • Receive ongoing care for continuing needs long after the onset of a crisis, when many others have forgotten about them.

  • Grow in a deeper relationship with the Lord as they experience God’s unconditional love for them through their Stephen Minister.


Convalescent Hospital Services

Christ-centered services are held at more than one facility, bringing the Word, music, and prayer to shut-ins.


The Blessing Center of Redlands

The Blessing Center, established in 1998, is a community based, non-profit, charitable aid organization working to alleviate poverty and despair through multi-faceted resourcing of marginalized families, in dire need of hope and encouragement, living in the Inland Valley region of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.

It is a 99% volunteer organization, with literally hundreds of caring and compassionate local individuals and families, giving graciously of their time each and every week, which come from a wide array of churches, civic groups, service clubs and businesses throughout the area.

It is located at 760 E. Stuart Ave (Stuart and Church), in the city of Redlands, CA in our beautifully apportioned, fully equipped, 10,000 sq. ft. facility. The phone number is (909) 793-5677. The Blessing Center building is home to a multitude of programs and projects designed to fulfill our vision through new and innovative approaches constantly evaluated to maximize our impact in the lives of those in need.

Currently it operates Joseph’s Storehouse Food bank and Resource Center which provides free food and clothing to over 500 families each week – equating to over 9,000 persons cumulative total fed each and every month. Large food boxes (worth in excess of $75.00 of quality food-stuff per box) are distributed to families in need in our effort to aggressively help prevent homelessness by providing over $300 per month in food savings which is redirected toward paying rent and utilities. Client families can shop for good quality clothing which is also provided free of charge. By generously and lovingly offering these vital resources to our client families we keep them in their homes and help sustain them in their time of need.

The Blessing Center is also home to the H.O.P.E. Initiative which works with local families suffering with an HIV Positive/A.I.D.S. family member. The many caring and sensitive volunteers involved in this program transport food boxes and clothing directly to the client families’ homes and spend time in visiting and interacting with the entire family.

During the months of December through March, The Blessing Center serves as the Emergency cold weather shelter for the greater Redlands area. Every night during inclement weather between 3- to 40 homeless individuals and families, some with children, are provided clean, safe, and secure lodging. Soft, comfortable bedding is provided with clean sheets and blankets along with a hot meal in the evening and light breakfast in the morning. This is a city sanctioned program.

The Resource Center operates as a one-stop-shop to assist job seekers in pursuing potential employment opportunities through résumé writing, filling out employment applications, interview coaching and even providing proper clothing for job interviews. A dedicated team of coaches and mentors also help ‘low-ended’ clients obtain basic requirements such as ID cards, food stamp applications, and Social Security cards, etc.

The Blessing Center is constantly working to increase our effectiveness in providing aid and resources in a loving and caring environment. Soon to be established is a full service free Medical and Dental Clinic which will provide our client families with much needed medical and dental services by a committed team of doctors and nurses, dentists and dental technicians.

Also in the planning stages is a Homeless Center which will be located directly across the street from our existing facility enabling us to provide a much needed safe and secure environment for dispossessed families and individuals including laundry services, shower facilities and a small ‘open air’ park for daytime use.