UPDATE 11/29/11: We still need your help! With the Christmas Store just days away, we are still short on presents. Please consider:

We know that it is difficult to think Christmas when the weather is so beautiful!  However, Christmas is just 2 months away and parents are already earning credit in the neighborhood for the annual Christmas Store at The Other Way Ministries!  Your participation is so important to the success of this program as we seek to restore dignity to Christmas for the families we are walking alongside.

Included below is all of the information you will need to promote this program in your church, organization or with your family.  It would be helpful for our planning if you could indicate your involvement and commitment as soon as possible so that we can make decisions and preparations for the many families we serve.

• Please call or e-mail Kurt by October 31st to express your commitment.
• If you would like a copy of this information sent to you directly, please let us know and we will drop one in the mail.
• 2 short promotional videos as well as pictures are available on our website:  http://theotherway.org/gallery

Since we mention it a lot, you’re probably familiar with the GRIL U program (Grand Rapids Initiative for Leaders) that trains teens from around the City to become Christ-like, Cross-cultural leaders.  You may be less familiar with the GRIL Community Leadership Program, the adult program that invests in emerging leaders to transform communities.

Several members of our staff (Brian, Jevon and Kyle) and past staff (Andréa, Ann, Randy and Shawna) have graduated from the Community Leadership or Adult Youth Worker programs and benefited from them greatly.

This year, we’re excited to have our Americorps Volunteer, Karl, in the Community Leadership Program. Over a nine month period, Karl will go through scripturally based curriculum to help leaders expand or develop certain core values and some “breakthrough” skills. This process will help him, as a leader, to plan and implement personal, professional and ministry growth more effectively within the Westown community.

Please help us celebrate with and give thanks for God’s servants, Lou and Deb!

Join us to praise God for His faithful servants, Deb Borst and Lou Roossien.

God called them each to The Other Way Ministries, in His time, and now God is calling each of them to explore different ministry opportunities.

We want to celebrate their investment in The Other Way, the Westown neighborhood and especially our neighbors and friends.

Join us for an Open House from 4-7 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 in the Activity Center (704 W Fulton) at The Other Way. Light snacks will be served.

Lou has served as Executive Director for eight years and will leave at the end of December. His strategic, transitional leadership and care for staff, donors and neighbors will be missed.

Deb has served and loved our neighbors and staff in Westown for over 23 years in Women’s Ministry, Family Development Ministry, Program oversight and on the HR team. She leaves at the end of October. Her loving spirit has been a light for Jesus and will be missed.

Contact Sandy if you would like to contribute to a gift for either Deb or Lou (ssmith@theotherway.org).

We hope to see you there!

As a way of jump starting our fall season of work with families we hosted a big chili supper at the Family Center.

Families from all of our programs and both of our local elementary schools, Sibley & Shawmut Hills, were invited to share a meal and hear about the things that will be happening this fall at The Other Way.

We were delighted to have 37 families join us that evening! It gave us the opportunity to meet some new families, sign people up for classes, update information and simply celebrate God’s gift of community.

On Tuesday, September 27 we celebrated our 7th Annual Fall Fundraiser . We had a great turnout, filling the Goei Center with neighbors, staff and supporters of The Other Way.

The event gave us the chance to thank Lou and Deb for their years of service (please remember that we will be officially thanking Deb and Lou at an Open House event on Tuesday, November 15 from 4-7 pm – click here for more details), welcome Wayburn Dean as our new director, and introduce our new Legacy Partners Program.

Kurt had the opportunity to share stories about ways we’re wrestling and wondering about how God is transforming Westown and our neighbors.

We’re so grateful for all who came to celebrate with us. Thank you to all who supported The Other Way at the event, those who sponsored the night and to the Goei Center for hosting us.

We will be introducing our new Legacy Partners opportunity at the 7th Annual Fall Fundraiser, this coming Tuesday, September 27. As part of this program, we have set up a website dedicated to answering your questions and assisting you in the planned giving process.  Please visit the new site by clicking here.

Have you ever heard the story of the classic rock band Van Halen and their notorious insistence that a bowl of M&M’s be provided backstage – with every single brown candy removed?

This was actually written into the contract, allowing Van Halen to cancel a show with full compensation if this provision was not implemented correctly, according to the book The Checklist Manifesto. Van Halen reportedly followed through at least once, canceling a show in Colorado when the band leader found some brown M&M’s in his dressing room.

It turns out this was not a case of arrogant celebrities making insane demands; but rather an ingenious safeguard to ensure every detail was handled correctly. Van Halen was the first band to take huge productions into smaller arenas, where technical errors were common. As lead singer David Lee Roth explained, “If I saw a brown M&M in the bowl…guaranteed you’d run into a problem. And the mistakes could be life-threatening.”

If details are important for a rock concert, how much more so for the precious resources God has entrusted to us to bless our families and the ministry organizations close to our hearts! Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” (Luke 16:10). One important way we can be trustworthy – whether we have little or much – is to make sure we have an up to date Will.

For a FREE copy of “Estate Planning Checklist Inspired by Brown M&Ms”, contact Lou at (616) 454-4011 ext. 5113 or Lroossien@theotherway.org

Source: Igniting a Life of Generosity by Chris McDaniel

This summer, The Other Way partnered with Grand Rapids Initiative for Leaders (GRIL) and the Believe 2 Become (B2B)initiative. Student participants spent eight weeks learning about leadership, social justice and the importance of social action. Students identified issues of bullying, internalized racism, and health and wellness as areas of interest.  All of the students participated in a silent demonstration, a strategy used to raise awareness in a non-threatening way.  Forty five students participated in this summer program.

You’re Invited!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Desserts & Fellowship 6:30 pm ~ Program 7:15 pm
at the Goei Center, 818 Butterworth St. SW, Grand Rapids 49504
(Complimentary valet parking is provided)

Please RSVP by e-mail to Jackie to reserve your spot by September 16 so we can plan food and seating.

At this year’s event:

• Lou Roossien, Executive Director, will introduce our new Legacy Campaign
• We’ll meet the incoming Executive Director
• We’ll have a chance to thank Lou for his eight years of leadership and ministry
• We’ll thank Deb Borst for her 23 years of dedication to serving God and The Other Way
• We’ll praise God for the wonderful work he is doing in Westown

Family Resource Co-op

Every person in our community has gifts to contribute. By coordinating opportunities to use, share and develop their gifts, family members are affirmed and empowered. These activities increase access to resources not only through our Co-op store, but also through new connections made in the broader community

The Other Way’s Family Resource Co-op is similar to its Christmas Store program. Participants earn credit by attending classes or volunteering in the community. Co-op shelves are stocked with donated personal and family supplies. All items are new (not used). Participating families purchase items with earned credit. Co-op stock includes: laundry detergent, diapers, clothing, toys, furniture, tools, etc.

The most essential items in the Family Resource Co-op are:

• Diapers (disposable, sizes 3, 4 & 5)
• Bath soap and shampoo
• Socks

Will you bring one or more of these items as an additional donation to the event?

On Thursday, August 18, the Y.E.S. program celebrated the end of the summer and all of the accomplishments and hard work of the teens.

Each summer, we spend time recognizing the teens who dedicate between 12 and 20 hours each week mowing neighborhood lawns, learning how to write resumes and participate in successful interviews, visiting local colleges and universities, learning from local community leaders and business people, and more! The End of Summer picnic is a time to gather the teen employees, their families, the staff of The Other Way and all those who supported the Y.E.S. program in a variety of ways.

This year we enjoyed a delicious meal from El Granjero, a local favorite, and listened on as Lindsey recognized each of the teens individually for their commitment and hard work. The teens also had a chance to share a few words about what they learned throughout the summer.

Thanks to all those who made the Y.E.S. program a success again this summer!