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State of the Ministry Report 2009

Greensboro Urban Ministry has been especially blessed once again by the tremendous support of a loving and caring community.  Even though many of our volunteers and donors faced economic challenges of their own, time and treasure were provided so that record numbers of men, women, and children were served in the name of a loving and compassionate Lord! 
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Progress was made in our efforts to end hunger and homelessness, but much more work needs to be done. The Winter Emergency (WE!) overflow shelters were opened again on December 1 at seven different churches thanks to the generous contributions of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, the United Way of Greater Greensboro, Bank of America Foundation, Ecolab Foundation, Smith Richardson Foundation, Tom Watkins Family Fund, Operation Greensboro Cares, and many other congregations, individuals, and donors.  First Baptist and Faithstep Ministries were added to last year’s WE sites: Mt. Zion Baptist, Pleasant Garden Baptist, Grace Community Church, West Market Street United Methodist, and First Presbyterian.  Each night over 100 men and women were housed at these sites in addition to 140 at Weaver House, which is 40 more than their regular 100 bed capacity.
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Weaver House guests were provided transportation each day to the newly opened Interactive Resource Center (IRC), a day center for the homeless located at Bessemer United Methodist Church.  In 2010, the IRC will move into their new building downtown on Washington Street.
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Beyond Pathways completed its first full year of operation by rapidly rehousing 28 families in 2009 with the help of five Welcome Home Teams.  These teams came from St. Pius X Catholic, Westminster Presbyterian, First Lutheran, Genesis Baptist, and West Market Street United Methodist.  Major funding for Beyond Pathways in 2009 came from the Lincoln Financial Foundation.
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Partnership Village was able to complete a new addition to their Community Building with the help of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro.  With this addition, a computer lab will be installed, and there will be many more opportunities for residents and their children to improve their life situation.  An active PV Advisory Board is providing direction and follow-through for these endeavors.
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On Christmas Eve, 2009, our own Bill Mangum was featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams as part of their “Making A Difference” series.  The 2009 Honor Card, “Moving On,” had raised over $228,000 by the end of the year with even more funds expected.
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In early 2010, the Homeless Prevention Coalition of Guilford County and the leadership council of the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness merged to become Partners Ending Homelessness (PEH).  Urban Ministry is committed to working closely with PEH and other partners in Guilford County to eliminate homelessness and bring promise and hope where there is doubt and despair. 

Rev. Mike Aiken, Executive Director
Mr. Neal Dorman, Chairperson of the Board
2009 Annual Report