|
I realize that it has been way to long since I have updated you all on what has been happening at Power House. There is a lot to tell you so cuddle in and lets get started!
Our Monday programs are going great. The students are loving the activities, food, and building relationships. The students enjoyed a lot of outdoor activities this summer (kayaking, pudgy pie making, geo-caching, topography map & compass reading, fishing, water & land games, & mini golf). We also had a chance to give back to our community during our service project which was cleaning up the fairgrounds after our county fair. It is exciting to teach this generation that they are a part of a community which means they need to do their part to give back! Power House also had a 'face' during the fair in the education tent with our display board/information and held an activity for several hours for children and youth to stop and paint rocks. Everyone had a good time eating brownies and painting. The students participated in the local parade by handing out freezes and information on Power House. At the end of August, the students participated in minute-to-win-it games during the back to school bash for a chance to win prizes. Now that school is back in session, we are offering tutoring during our Monday programming. One student, who has struggled in math with D's and F's, has been meeting one-on-one with our math tutor most Mondays has an "A" in math so far this year! It is so encouraging to watch these students get the help they need academically and see how it changes their whole countenance and self-worth. One of the BIG things 3 of us worked on very hard this summer was a grant that the Ladysmith Servite Sisters provided called "Mary Alphonse Bradley." We found out 3 weeks ago that we received $30,000 for our building renovations! Renovations have been going on this summer, not without their obstacles, and we are excited to see progress in our building. We are hoping that in the next two weeks the plumber will be able to begin his part with the bathrooms. Please keep praying for safety for all the contractors as they work in the building and that things will move forward smoothly. On Tuesday, Oct 16th we had our first annual fundraising banquet. There were over 170 guests present to hear all the wonderful things the Lord is doing through Power House because of your prayer, financial, and volunteer support. Guests had the privilege of hearing from Brian Gerig, co-founder of Power House. He shared stories of how Power House has touched the lives of thousands of students since it's inception over 20 years ago. The big take away point for me was the concept of "family" that they really focus on. Many of the students in our world today do not know what a healthy family should be like. What Brian's group has been doing is bringing students into their homes and sharing a family meal with them and having conversations around the table that have spiritual meaning. This has been the starting point for many of the students that have recently received Christ and whose lives have been transformed. The evening program included testimonies from a student and her mother on what Power House (Ladysmith) has meant for each of them and how it has affected their family. Crystal Miller, program director, gave a fantastic overview of what Monday programming looks like and I updated everyone on where we are headed for 2019 and the community involvement. It was a wonderful evening and we raised around $25,000 for programming! Thank you to each of you for making a difference in the lives of the youth of Rusk County. Our future is bright because of your sacrifices. God bless, Lanita Stutzman Executive Director-Power House If you would like to give a tax-deductible gift to Power House here are several ways to do that: 1. Send a check made to Power House P.O. Box 426 Ladysmith, WI 54848 2. Online at powerhouseladysmith.com (Once in PayPal please click on the friends and family option to prevent fees) |
RSS Feed