NEW LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST
Bishop Smith’s vision is to plant new ministries of outreach in hopes to reach lost souls. This vision includes an overall plan for neighborhood revitalization, community building and economic empowerment and development. It also includes a child development center, educational advocacy, job readiness program, technology access/training, housing resource center, tutoring consortium, neighborhood health/wellness services, food services, community workshops, community building, among others.
The New Life Community Center is part of New Life’s overall plan for neighborhood revitalization, community building and economic empowerment/development.
We want to be a trend-setting example of neighborhood revitalization. We want to breathe ‘new life’ into this community and plant seeds of success and self-sufficiency.‛ The not-for-profit community center will offer information, resources, education and assistance and programs to the neighboring community. Goals include economic empowerment, educating the community and evangelism within the community we serve. We want to invest in our community to provide programs, seminars and workshops that will enrich the lives of residents and promote sustainable communities that will result in empowerment and growth. This will be accomplished through grants, volunteers and donations.
The New Life Center also will house educational programs. I pray these ministries help lead people to Christ. The plan is to establish these ministries while planting seeds in hopes to reap a harvest of souls.
New Life advocates for neighboring families to be heard by the school system Quality Education for All is one of our three strategic goals. We support educational initiatives that bring together parents, students, teachers, and the community. We share the vision of stronger local schools and school systems with legislators, foundations, and other entities concerned and committed to education by:
The New Life Employment Center will provide unemployed individuals and ex-offenders with the tools and resources to get, keep, and maintain professional employment. The services include job search, training, and placement; resume building and basic computer skills; and career counseling and support. We will offer community-based employment and training programs (job readiness-search process, occupational skills training, resume/cover letter writing)
We will offer a community technology/learning center that will bridge the divide by providing individuals and families in the New Life service area with access to current technologies. We will establish a computer lab and offer technology tours for local residents. We will continue to make computers accessible to residents by offering free classes and free computer access at the technology center. Our aim is to close the digital divide by:
New Life Community Center will offer a Housing Resource Center that will include a "one-stop housing resource shop" for area residents. The Housing Resource Center will serve as a clearinghouse for renters and potential homebuyers. The center also will work to promote homeownership—to include information on loans and programs for housing improvements, home purchase/ownership and credit counseling.
Volunteers will tutor at-risk youth in various academic subjects. Other programs that will be offered include arts and crafts and mentoring programs, SAT/ACT classes and G.E.D. classes. The tutoring program also aims to lower dropout rates, raise grade point averages, and increase the number of high school graduates.
This program will address the physical and mental health needs of residents, as well as health-related issues, to provide a comprehensive picture of the needs of the local community. We will work with community partners to establish priority needs and health and wellness outreach activities in the neighborhoods. Such topics include healthcare access for infants and children, prenatal and child development. Other topics will include how and when to obtain speech and occupational therapy for your child and other issues affecting children such as Autism, Auditory Processing Disorder, Sleep Apnea, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, etc.
New Life Community Center also will help meet other community needs including offering food services—and providing emergency food supplies to families and individuals referred by social services as well as the homeless and others in need. Services include a summer feeding program and food pantry.
The New Life Community Center will offer informational workshops to discuss and address a variety of community issues such as crime, youth violence, teenage pregnancy, un/underemployment, poor school achievement, and others. We will partner with community experts and organizations to organize a monthly series of topical workshops to help identify community resources, build faith-based capacity, empower residents, and promote a greater sense of community in the neighborhood.
Community organizing will be a key part of New Life. It will be a key connection for all of New Life’s programs. We want to help contribute to: