Social Witness & Community Ministries

Mission Statement of Social Witness & Community Ministries Council

For the neighborhood: to listen to the voices of people in need who live around the church and in the greater Columbus community, to discover the word of God proclaimed in their lives, to share the resources of this congregation with them, joined together as sisters and brothers in Christ's compassion and love.

This may mean, but is not limited to, the provision of food, clothing, health care, educational opportunities, and referral services so long as they are necessary. It includes working with religious, neighborhood, and civic bodies, and developing new ministries, and implementing appropriate advocacy efforts.

For the City: to tell the Good News to people in the metropolitan area in a way that invites participation in the mission of the congregation and to witness to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in ways that are appropriate in a state capital community.

Social Witness and Community Ministries Council

This is the Session Committee responsible for Broad Street Presbyterian Church’s community outreach which takes many forms, including social programs managed by Broad Street volunteers and staff, partnerships with community organizations and other denominations, political action, financial support for community needs, and much more. The three major areas of focus of this council are Social Concerns, Civic Ministries, and Neighborhood Ministries. 

Social Concerns involves:

· Analysis of major issues facing the church and society.

· Presentation of annual educational programs to enable BSPC members to function as informed, responsible Christians.

· Generating interest and support for new program initiatives.

 Civic Ministries involves:

· Identifying issues, concerns and opportunities of importance to the mission of BSPC in Columbus and beyond.

· Presenting issues and recommendations to Session, and then taking responses back to the community.

· Responding to emergency and long-term funding requests from community groups.

· Representing the church in community-wide groups and programs.

· Speaking out on ethical, social and political issues on which the Council believes the church is called to take a stand. 

Neighborhood Ministries involves:

· Overseeing the five social outreach programs housed at the church which directly impact the community surrounding the church (ASAP, BIT-C, COMPASS, Food Pantry, and Rainbow).

· Participation in other programs using the resources of Broad Street to help residents of both the surrounding neighborhood and the greater Columbus community (Adopt-A-School, B.R.E.A.D., Habitat for Humanity).

Broadstreet programs:

Adopt-A-School

This program provides financial assistance to the neighboring Clearbrook Middle School, where Columbus Public Schools' severe behavior handicapped (SBH) junior high age students learn. Financial aid helps funds field trips.

After School Academic Partnerships (ASAP)

ASAP offers a safe and smart after school opportunity by linking tutors with Columbus Public School children for one hour of one-on-one homework assistance in the church dining room. Tutors commit to at least one hour once a week, on either Tuesday or Thursday afternoons, between the hours of 3:30 to 6:30pm.

Tutors come from the church and the Columbus community, OSU students enrolled in Service Learning continue to be a cornerstone of this popular program. The ASAP program is committed to nurturing relationships between tutor and student, providing enriching learning activities, and strengthening partnerships between families and schools.

B.R.E.A.D.

Building Responsibility Equality, and Dignity is a congregationally based community organization committed to drawing together people of faith to address issues of justice and fairness in the Columbus community. BSPC is a sponsoring congregation, along with three other Presbyterian churches: Bethany, Eastminister, and Indianola. Members participate on research committees, the Board, and in a variety of public actions.

Broad Street Infant & Toddler Center (BIT-C)

BIT-C offers child care for children of persons working in the downtown area and for children of low-income families from the near east side. There are spaces for 16 infants (6 weeks to 18 months) and 20 toddlers (18 months to 3 years) one third of which are reserved as Title XX spaces for low-income families.   To contact BIT-C call: 221-6102.

COMPASS (Church Outreach Ministries Program of Social Service & Assistance)

COMPASS helps people with acute and immediate needs that cannot be resolved adequately or quickly enough by existing public programs. After assessing the individual’s or the family’s needs, assistance with housing, rent, utilities, counseling, etc., may be provided through referrals or from funds raised by Broad Street and twenty cooperating churches. To contact COMPASS call: 463-9612.

Food Pantry

The Food Pantry distributes roughly two and a half tons of food every week to persons from the neighborhoods surrounding the church. Open Monday through Friday, 11:00 am to 1:30 pm, the Food Pantry is staffed by volunteers from the Broad Street and Bethany Presbyterian Churches, as well as members from other cooperating churches and community volunteers.

Habitat For Humanity

This internationally regarded program is known not only for building homes but self-confidence as well. Habitat families become homeowners through the investment of their "sweat equity" and their money. Broadstreeters have financed and participated in the building of several Habitat homes through the "Eastside Partnership."

Rainbow

Jointly sponsored by Broad Street and Bethany Presbyterian Churches, this summer program of morning classes helps neighborhood children ages 4-11 in the areas of personal growth and skill enrichment. Each summer 100 children are served from mid June to early August. Each June, members and friends of the church raise a portion of the funds through a special 10K event, Run for the Rainbow.