Local Ellinwood Rotary chapter welcomed Raechel Manley, Director of Point of Grace Pregnancy and Parenting Resources, as a speaker at their weekly meeting this past Tuesday.
Ellinwood Rotary has sponsored and organized the After Harvest parade in Ellinwood for 41 years. They also support the June Jaunt run and provide several local scholarships. The club has helped provide playground equipment for the community, and sponsor the Annual Sports banquet.
“Knowing Raechel and the work she does for Rice and Barton counties, I knew she would provide an interesting and enlightening presentation since she has a similar mission as the Rotary Club,” said Catherine Strecker, Rotary President.
Manley shared about her ministry and it’s outreach to young families, “We primarily serve moms and dads ages 12 to 24 by helping them set goals and reach those goals. Our focus is to give families a hand up, not a hand out. There are many benefits to the program, including weekly support meetings, bible studies, housing, individualized parenting plans, access to local and regional resources, and the ability to earn Mommy Money and Daddy Dollars to use towards the family’s needs.”
Point of Grace Pregnancy and Parenting Resources began in 2013 as a way to help teen and twenty somethings who are pregnant or parenting become better parents and contributing members of society. Through local connections in Lyons, Ellinwood, and Great Bend, Manley has established a network of resources that she leans upon to help the families she serves. “It can be confusing to navigate the paperwork for resources, or even to know where to go for what help. We can help parents get setup, and inspire them to better their families, and guide them in the process so they can get degrees find jobs with decent wages, and hopefully end the cycle of system abuse and teen parenting,” she stated.
The program has received grants from Wal-Mart and South Central Community Foundation as well as donations from churches and womens groups to help offset the cost of supplies needed and core curriculum, but funding is always a need.
“All funds donated go directly back into the program, housing, and the like,” said Manley,”we have no salaried positions, it is all strictly done by volunteers, and there is always a need for those who have a heart for young families to help.”
Some of the ways persons can volunteer include: creating baby blankets (knitting, crocheting, or quilting), serving meals or snacks at weekly meetings, transporting the families to and from meetings and appointments, helping with construction of apartments and office space, hosting a supply drive, serving as a guest speaker in your field of expertise, being a Father Friend or Mother Mentor, clerical work, setting up speaking engagements with your local groups, soliciting monetary donations, planning fundraisers and events, etc.
“Whether you have an hour a day, an hour a week, or an hour a month we appreciate any and all volunteer support. It is important for us to meet with new volunteers and discern where and how they feel called so we can appropriately place them. We want your experience volunteering with our program to fill up your cup as well as the cups of the families we serve, “ shared the Director.
Young parents who would benefit from the program are encouraged to contact Point of Grace directly, or can be referred by any agency or person.
To learn more about Point of Grace log on to www.pointofgracepprc.org or contact Raechel Manley directly at (620) 680-2119. To learn more about the work of the Rotary Club log on to http://rotarydistrict5670.org/.