Ascension Outbound
Mission

Ascension Outbound is committed to making God's infinite love a living presence in our community, serving the needs of our neighbors and the world with compassion to transform lives and ignite a spirit of hope.

Goal: To build a solid foundation by which we at Ascension can initiate and sustain inistries that make a significant and sustainable difference in the lives of the poor and otherwise isadvantaged in our community and the world.

Objectives:
" Enhance scriptural understanding of God's heart for the poor and Christ's service to others.
" Increase awareness of community needs and existing programs and ministries designed to serve the poor and disadvantaged.
" Provide volunteer opportunities that are relational and have a direct impact on the poor and disadvantaged within our community.
" Build partnerships with other organizations and ministries having similar missions.
" Mentor and equip volunteers and lay leaders for ministry.

Outbound Ministry Descriptions

Stults Road Elementary School: Coordinators: Dabney Dwyer/Marsha Gadsden

Description: Stults Road Elementary is a primary school located less than a mile north of Ascension. Stults Road is a Title I school characterized by large % of minority students and those on reduced or free lunch program. Ascension has had a relationship with Stults Road Elementary since 2006 providing mentors, teacher appreciation, read-a-thons, donating books, science fair judges and other activities.

Outbound Opportunities:
" Weekly mentoring program.
" Tutoring
" Teacher appreciation.
" Read-a-thons twice per year.
" Uniform shirt drive.
" Holiday food and gift bags.
" Science fair judges.

Stults elementary recently won the prestigious Silver Cup Award for Community On-Campus - click here for more information.

Austin Street Shelter: Coordinators, Ed Brickell/Sally Lewis

Description: Austin Street Shelter (Feed the Homeless) is a long-standing ministry at Ascension.

Volunteers prepare lasagna and take to the shelter to serve residents living there. This ministry feeds an average of 300 people per month.

Outbound Opportunities:
" Cook lasagnas, cover in foil/paper and bring to church once per month.
" Serve lasagnas at the shelter on the first Saturday of each month (except Jan, July and Sept.).
" Make lemonade, or purchase other items such as fruit to serve at the Shelter.
" Assist with other activities as needed throughout the year such as clothing and book drives.

Elaine Kadane Food Pantry : Coordinators: Anne Vernon/Hope Harbeck

Description: The food pantry at Ascension provides bagged goods to needy families every first and third Tuesday of the month. Hours are from 9:30-11:00 am.

This ministry has been active since January of 1992 and named the Elaine Kadane Food Pantry in honor of the woman who inspired parishioners to take action and establish the pantry

Outbound Opportunities:
" Purchase food (specific items).
" Stock shelves in the pantry.
" Fill food bags.
" Register recipients and hand out food bags
" Provide coffee and donuts to recipients several times per year.
" Donate food.
" Assist with filling food bags during the holidays.

Dallas Community Lighthouse (at FoxMoor Apartments):
Coordinators: Diana McAfee/Katie Dickinson

Description: The mission of Dallas Community Lighthouse (DCL) is to assist at-risk youth discover pathways to success by concentrating on their social, educational, personal and environmental issues.

The program focuses on the whole child and provides personal assistance to families, helping build healthy homes and community environments.

Outbound Opportunities:
" Assist with providing dinner to residents at Foxmoor Apartments four (4) times per year.
" Assist with the after school program and/or summer school program.
" Tutoring
" Be a guest speaker at one of the dinner nights at the apartments.
" Lead or assist with "Campus Klubs" (ongoing enrichment activities for residents). Examples include: Exercise, gardening, cooking

Slideshow of Foxmoor

People Helping People: Coordinator: Pete Fenner

Description: People Helping People is a once per year ministry and partnership with the City of Dallas. The City through their program helps identify houses needing repairs in the nearby neighborhood.

Ascension volunteers help scrape and paint, do minor repairs and landscape homes with residents who have limited physical abilities.

Outbound Opportunities:
" Assist during the workday (typically during the fall months) including; scraping, painting, landscaping, etc.
" Provide meals for the workers.
" Volunteer to bring supplies such as gloves, ladders, brushes, towels, scrappers, etc.
" Make a potted plant for the homeowner.
" Assist supervising other volunteers such as teens who need service hours.

Other Outbound Activities

" Mission trips to Mississippi/ New Orleans (Adult and Youth): Mary Lou Howell, Katie Wright
" Mission to the Sudan and Fund Raising for Primary Schools: Ernie McAfee, Mamer Akec

Contact: Ascension Outbound 214 340-4196