Super helpful information for our guests!
REDBUD AREA MINISTRIES
My name is Jan Nowak Walters. As the Executive Director, I have had the privilege of leading this amazing service organization since 2018. I came to Redbud Area Ministries (RAM) from another social ministry location in Niles, where I worked as the Director of Caring Ministries for nearly ten years. There I had the opportunity of learning how best to serve those in need, and I also learned what NOT to do. I brought all that experience with me to RAM, and God willing, this is where I intend to stay.
First, the nuts and bolts of who and what we are. We are tax exempt, currently categorized as a church but doing community social ministry outreach. Redbud Area Ministries began 40 years ago THIS YEAR, as a non-profit Christian social outreach ministry to those in need in the cities of Buchanan and Galien, Michigan. We offer a food pantry, clothing, personal care items, seasonal support programs and limited financial assistance for utility shut-offs or eviction prevention. But more than that, we create a service atmosphere of nurture, rebuilding and hope for our guests.
We also offer a free library for our guests because we so strongly believe that readers are leaders, that reading builds lifelong learning habits. This is available to not only our adult guests, but for the children as well. We screen the books before putting them on our shelves, insuring that appropriate, quality materials are on our shelves.
For those growing up in homes challenges by limited financial resources, art and art supplies are often not found. Let’s face it, for many families there is no choice between a gallon of milk and art supplies. Yet like reading, experiencing the arts grows critical thinking skills in children, and then better equips them as adults. To satisfy this unmet need for children growing up in poverty, we have created a program called “Art for RAM Kids”. Every month, when families come in for pantry support, they receive for their children a new satchel with multiple art projects, all needed supplies, a new book to read and a full dose of “Hey kid, you MATTER TO US”. Both our parents and the children have really come to look forward to receiving these monthly blessings. The feedback from parents has been remarkable.
We offer a designated prayer room for those conversations that require a confidential sharing or the telling of a tearful situation. Obviously, our guests generally do not come into RAM because their life is are in GREAT shape. They come because something is lacking, or broken or they are feeling lost and hopeless. The Prayer Room allows our guests and staff to come together and release the burden of their hearts to the Lord.
It is noteworthy to mention that we are strongly and largely community funded. We choose not go after government funding. Our community and area business partners have very high regard for RAM; our reputation has generated strong fiduciary support. Folks tell us they prefer to support locally because they see their funds staying local, and they are comfortable and confident with the impact we have.
Our entire team of staff members, sans the Executive Director, are volunteers, and they donate between 325 – 450 hours monthly to maintain the operations of RAM. This rare dedicated team of angels give of themselves and their time to be servants to those who come in our doors, guiding them through our material goods, assessing their needs and helping to assuage their angst. Along the way, our guests feel cared for, heard, appreciated and supported.
While our primary goods are food and clothing, we like to believe that these are merely the biproduct of what we really are here to vend, which is hope, dignity and a renewed spirit. Through all that we do, we endeavor to have our guest leave our place BETTER than when they entered our building. Everything that we do is to give our guests their dignity back, to support them as they journey toward better versions of themselves.
My name is Jan Nowak Walters. As the Executive Director, I have had the privilege of leading this amazing service organization since 2018. I came to Redbud Area Ministries (RAM) from another social ministry location in Niles, where I worked as the Director of Caring Ministries for nearly ten years. There I had the opportunity of learning how best to serve those in need, and I also learned what NOT to do. I brought all that experience with me to RAM, and God willing, this is where I intend to stay.
First, the nuts and bolts of who and what we are. We are tax exempt, currently categorized as a church but doing community social ministry outreach. Redbud Area Ministries began 40 years ago THIS YEAR, as a non-profit Christian social outreach ministry to those in need in the cities of Buchanan and Galien, Michigan. We offer a food pantry, clothing, personal care items, seasonal support programs and limited financial assistance for utility shut-offs or eviction prevention. But more than that, we create a service atmosphere of nurture, rebuilding and hope for our guests.
We also offer a free library for our guests because we so strongly believe that readers are leaders, that reading builds lifelong learning habits. This is available to not only our adult guests, but for the children as well. We screen the books before putting them on our shelves, insuring that appropriate, quality materials are on our shelves.
For those growing up in homes challenges by limited financial resources, art and art supplies are often not found. Let’s face it, for many families there is no choice between a gallon of milk and art supplies. Yet like reading, experiencing the arts grows critical thinking skills in children, and then better equips them as adults. To satisfy this unmet need for children growing up in poverty, we have created a program called “Art for RAM Kids”. Every month, when families come in for pantry support, they receive for their children a new satchel with multiple art projects, all needed supplies, a new book to read and a full dose of “Hey kid, you MATTER TO US”. Both our parents and the children have really come to look forward to receiving these monthly blessings. The feedback from parents has been remarkable.
We offer a designated prayer room for those conversations that require a confidential sharing or the telling of a tearful situation. Obviously, our guests generally do not come into RAM because their life is are in GREAT shape. They come because something is lacking, or broken or they are feeling lost and hopeless. The Prayer Room allows our guests and staff to come together and release the burden of their hearts to the Lord.
It is noteworthy to mention that we are strongly and largely community funded. We choose not go after government funding. Our community and area business partners have very high regard for RAM; our reputation has generated strong fiduciary support. Folks tell us they prefer to support locally because they see their funds staying local, and they are comfortable and confident with the impact we have.
Our entire team of staff members, sans the Executive Director, are volunteers, and they donate between 325 – 450 hours monthly to maintain the operations of RAM. This rare dedicated team of angels give of themselves and their time to be servants to those who come in our doors, guiding them through our material goods, assessing their needs and helping to assuage their angst. Along the way, our guests feel cared for, heard, appreciated and supported.
While our primary goods are food and clothing, we like to believe that these are merely the biproduct of what we really are here to vend, which is hope, dignity and a renewed spirit. Through all that we do, we endeavor to have our guest leave our place BETTER than when they entered our building. Everything that we do is to give our guests their dignity back, to support them as they journey toward better versions of themselves.
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Services available through Redbud Area Ministries
For question regarding any or our services or processes, please call our offices at 695-5083, or email us at [email protected]. Food Pantry –
Toiletries & Personal Care Items –
Clothing –
Housewares-
Limited Financial Assistance – UTILITY HELP -
SEASONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS-
Additional offerings -
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