Current News

CHRISTWALK RESIDENTS PAINT THE MEN'S HOUSES! NOW THEY NEED NEW ROOFS. ChristWalk's male residents completed the exterior painting of the Men's House and Apartment by November, 2011. The photo shows what a great job they did! ...even with 3 different colors of paint! But now the houses need new roofs.

Consumers Power Charitable Trust has mailed their challenge grant of $1,000 to ChristWalk for the roof. ChristWalk received enough donations from the community to make up the balance needed to purchase new materials for the roof. However, our male population has changed and the current male residents are not able to get up on the roof. If anyone reading this has experience replacing roofs and is willing to donate labor, please contact ChristWalk at 541-258-3387.

The second photo shows the interior of the ChristWalk Thrift Shop. Come visit us! ChristWalk Board Member Martin Jones is the Thrift Shop Supervisor, managing the work of Melissa Poole, our new Americorps VISTA member. Melissa will be working to write a business plan, build a volunteer base with a schedule, and devise procedures and a training program for volunteers in order to build the ChristWalk Thrift Shop capacity. Melissa and Martin can be reached at the ChristWalk Thrift Shop number, 541-258-5426.

Volunteers needed for ChristWalk's Thrift Shop Fun! Martin is seeking more volunteers for each Thrift Shop 4-hour shift (9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m.) and to pick up donations. In-store volunteers would sort, clean, and price donations; schedule pickups; put out priced goods and arrange the shop in an attractive way; and help customers with purchases. Someone skilled to test and price electronics is also needed. If you love to pick through boxes and find hidden treasures, give Martin a call!

Martin has partnered with LBCC's Work Experience Program for DHS clients to work at the ChristWalk Thrift Shop. We welcome these volunteers, who have worked with board and staff to organize and display donated goods.Donations may be left at ChristWalk Thrift Shop during operating hours, or if necessary, you may call Martin at 541-258-5426 for pickup of large items. Please do NOT leave any donations outside on the sidewalk. Thank you!

The two smaller photos show the entrance to ChristWalk's Thrift Shop on 600 Main St., and our antiques shelf. Volunteers with experience in pricing any of a variety of goods would be deeply appreciated.

AN EASIER WAY TO GIVE MONTHLY. ChristWalk is deeply grateful to all those who have already agreed to be Foundation Stones, giving faithfully each month. Now ChristWalk has contracted with Umpqua Bank to allow you to give electronically each month. This saves you the time and effort of writing and mailing a check. Just check the Bank Transfer box on one of our donation cards, then mail the card and a check for your first month's donation, showing your bank routing numbers, to PO Box 695, Lebanon, OR, 97355. If you can't find a donation card, just send us a note; state you want to give monthly; specify how much you will give each month; state you want to use the Bank Transfer program; sign your statement; and include your first month's check. Please pray about this need, and determine if YOU can be one of our Foundation Stones. If you have questions, please call the ACH administrator, June, at 541-926-1922 and leave a message if necessary. THANK YOU!

THERE ARE 70 HOMELESS CHILDREN IN LEBANON! ChristWalk's Development Director Gina Vee and Martin Jones, former Family Case Manager, learned this sad news when they met with staff of Lebanon Community Schools, one of our partners.

"I have lost my job. I don't have enough money to keep my family in our apartment. I will do anything! My wife and I can't find work. We can't keep the kids in school while we're living in our car. Can you help us?" ChristWalk hears from homeless families daily. Like this father, broken and frightened for his wife and children, they are desperate for your help.

If you can make a donation, big or small, please do it now. All are appreciated and will be put to good use housing the Lebanon area's homeless. You can donate online here (just click on the Donate button), or mail your check payable to ChristWalk to PO Box 695, Lebanon, OR 97355. Call ChristWalk at 541-258-3387 for more information or email us. The email is lesservices@lebemsh.org.

CHRISTWALK PARTNERS WITH COMMUNITY AGENCIES. ChristWalk partners with Parole & Probation, the Oregon prison system, DHS, the Lebanon Community Schools, Lebanon Police Department, Community Services Consortium, the Family Tree Relief Nursery, Albany's Adult Services Team, Linn County Drug Treatment Court, Good Samaritan Hospital's Social Work Dept., FISH of Lebanon, Teen Challenge, Lebanon Soup Kitchen, St. Vincent dePaul, Salvation Army, The River Center, Furniture Share of Linn-Benton, Senior & Disability Services, The Family Program, and Love INC. We also work with Albany Partnership for Housing's Permanent Supportive Housing Program, as a permanent location for selected female graduates whom the Partnership is able to accept.

ChristWalk's 5-Plex, Women's House, and Apartment provide warm homes for many homeless Lebanon citizens!

This photo shows the bright, cheery living room of the Women's House. ChristWalk is keeping the House open month by month as funds come in, for the women who need a safe home so badly. Items are still needed for each house(especially toilet paper; see full Wish List below). If you can donate anything, please call ChristWalk at 541-258-3387.

ChristWalk's board is ecumenical, with members from the area churches noted below. We believe strongly that Jesus Christ changes lives, and agree with AA/NA that belief in a Higher Power helps free people from addictions. Our services are open to people of all faiths or no faith, and Bible studies are available, but never mandatory.

Our board members come from six local churches—the First United Methodist Church, the Lebanon Mennonite Church, the First Presbyterian Church, The River Center, Crowfoot Baptist, and St. Bernard in Scio. If you would like to join our board, please call the ChristWalk office: 541-258-3387.