en http://www.mercystreetdallas.org © Copyright 2000 - 2010Church Community Builder. All Rights Reserved. http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=67 Facebook: Join Mercy Street on Facebook Picasa: View the Mercy Street Photo Album Twitter: Join us on Twitter Blog: Visit the Mercy Street Blog Thu, 4 Mar 2010 13:40:15 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=169 West Dallas Little League registration is officially open and game play begins March 2010. This season the new neighborhood field will open for play. MORE Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:08:23 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=160 If your mentee is in high school, please consider registering him/her for either of these two opportunities: The 2nd Annual Black Student Leadership Conference of North Texas and the 2nd Annual Dallas Hispanic Youth Symposium. Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:07:40 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=152 Helping students through their journey of accessing education after high school is one of our goals at Mercy Street. One of the partnerships we have formed to achieve this goal is with Education Is Freedom (EIF), which is housed at Pinkston High School. MORE Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:07:40 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=146 ¿Hablas español? If so, we could use your help. Mercy Street has several family members that are Spanish dominant or Spanish only. In an effort to communicate effectively with guardians and/or parents of students, we are compiling a list of volunteers that are fluent in Spanish. MORE Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:07:40 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=116 UPDATED: Mercy Street has several ways that individuals and families can serve together with members of West Dallas. To learn about these opportunities click here. MORE Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:07:40 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=168 Join us for the 4th Annual Eggstravaganza Community Event from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 27th at the West Dallas Community School Field, corner of Hampton & Canada. MORE Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:07:08 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=161 On March 6 from 8 to 3 p.m., the Mercy Street High School Ministry will sponsor a community garage sale at Mercy Street. All funds from the event will benefit The Mercy Street College Tour to Atlanta, Ga. March 17 - 20. The goal is to raise $3,000 dollars through the Mercy Street Garage Sale. MORE Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:06:53 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=167 Find out what is happening at Mercy Street and in West Dallas during the months of March & April. MORE Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:05:41 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=165 Uplift Education's West Dallas School is a free public school. La Escuela de Uplight Education West Dallas es una escuela pulica y gratuita; More/Mas Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:05:31 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=166 Mentors you are invited to a mentor training event titled, “The Mentor Round Table” from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 17 at Mercy Street. MORE Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:04:32 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=32 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=32&article_id=35 The West Dallas Little League (est. 2006) is a member of Little League baseball. The league provides children between the ages of 5-14 years the opportunity to learn the basic fundamentals of baseball while promoting fun, safe and competitive environment for kids of every level of ability. This past year we had 14 teams participating in all age divisions from tee ball to Juniors. Click here for more information. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:22:32 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=54 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=54&article_id=156 Mercy Street hosts orientation meetings 2-4 times per month for our incoming mentors and regular volunteers. Please check the Mercy Street Calendar to learn about upcoming mentor training events. Link to Google Map of Mercy Street By attending the training, you are not committing to anything. It is an informative meeting to aid you in your decision to prayerfully "count the cost" (Luke 14:28-33) of mentoring or volunteering with us. However, it is a mandatory next step for those that want to travel down this path. The orientation will cover topics like: the geography and history of West Dallas the history, mission, and vision of Mercy Street an introduction to our mentoring program and philosophy of ministry impact of mentoring in your life and your students responsibilities, expectations, and common frustrations The orientation is also a time for you to get to know others who concurrently are joining us in our mission. It will streamline our process if you will fill out the relevant forms prior to the orientation. For mentors, please fill out the Statement of Faith PDF at the top. For volunteers, please fill out the background PDF. For both of these, you can fax, scan and email (orientation@mercystreetdallas.org), or snail mail these back to us. After the orientation meeting, we will run a background check on all of our prospective mentors and volunteers. For prospective mentors, our mentor coordinators will prayerfully consider your application next to our unmatched students and will make a match. From there, a introductory meeting with the student, their family, your mentor coordinator and you will be set up. Or, if we have a large wave of incoming mentors, a "match party" will be organized for everyone by our mentor coordinators. Thank you for your interest in joining Mercy Street's movement of developing indigenous leaders who are making a positive, permanent change in West Dallas through the context of relationship. Any questions, comments or suggestions, please email orientation@mercystreetdallas.org. Fri, 5 Feb 2010 11:11:34 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=53 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=53&article_id=155 Mercy Street hosts orientation meetings 2-4 times per month for our incoming mentors and regular volunteers. By attending the training, you are not committing to anything. It is an informative meeting to aid you in your decision to prayerfully "count the cost" (Luke 14:28-33) of mentoring or volunteering with us. However, it is a mandatory next step for those that want to travel down this path. The orientation will cover topics like: the geography, history, and problems of inner-city West Dallas the history, mission, and vision of Mercy Street an introduction to our mentoring program and philosophy of ministry impact of mentoring in your life and your students responsibilities, expectations, and common frustrations The orientation is also a time for you to get to know others who concurrently are joining us in our mission. It will streamline our process if you will fill out the relevant forms prior to the orientation. For mentors, please fill out the Statement of Faith PDF at the top. For volunteers, please fill out the background PDF. For both of these, you can fax, scan and email (orientation@mercystreetdallas.org), or snail mail these back to us. After the orientation meeting, we will run a background check on all of our prospective mentors and volunteers. For prospective mentors, our mentor coordinators will prayerfully consider your application next to our unmatched students and will make a match. From there, a introductory meeting with the student, their family, your mentor coordinator and you will be set up. Or, if we have a large wave of incoming mentors, a "match party" will be organized for everyone by our mentor coordinators. Thank you for your interest in joining Mercy Street's movement of developing indigenous leaders who will make a positive, permanent change in West Dallas through the context of relationship. Any questions, comments or suggestions, please email orientation@mercystreetdallas.org. Link to Google Map of Mercy Street Wed, 3 Feb 2010 17:32:04 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=112 Candy Hill, Special Events Coordinator, candy@mercystreetdallas.org, 214-905-1042 x111 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:09:19 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=40 Johnny Garippa, Pathways Coordinator, johnny@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x108 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:08:35 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=43 Hannah Garippa, Office Manager, Hannah@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x100 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:07:37 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=29 Mindy Smith, Edison Middle School Girl's Mentor Coordinator, mindys@mercystreetdallas.org, 214-905-1042 x105 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:06:40 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=38 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=38&article_id=61 Women's Bible Study September to May 11 Every Tuesday from 11 to 1 p.m Mercy Street invites women from the West Dallas community for a Bible study. The group studies the Bible, sings, and has fellowship. Each week lunch is served. Transportation is provided for those who attend. Volunteer Opportunities:Need a van driver to pick up women in the community (from 10:30 to 11 p.m.)Teach arts and crafts and provide materials (11 to 1 p.m.Help with child care during classHelp pass out flyers to the community (Monday thru Friday 10-11 a.m.-January 18-22)Several of the women in the West Dallas community are Spanish dominant. We always need volunteers that are bilingual or can serve as translators to our neighbors. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Annie Roberson at Annie@mercystreetdallas.org. Organizing World Vision Donations One time a month, TBD Once a month Mercy Street received picks up donated items from the World Vision Storehouse. Items are then distributed to families in West Dallas or used at Mercy Street. Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers are needed to help pickup gifts in kind from the World Vision Storehouse once a month. Volunteers are also needed to sort and distribute these items. Mercy Street receives an appointment once a month from World Vision. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Annie Roberson at Annie@mercystreetdallas.org. Teach a Child Improve His/Her Reading Skills Mondays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Several of the children in the Mercy Street program have expressed an interest in having a tutor help them improve their reading skills. Volunteer Opportunities: Help children learn how to read and/or improve his/her reading skills on Mondays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Annie Roberson at Annie@mercystreetdallas.org. Serving Meals to Children on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday September to May Mercy Street provides Karate classes for children in the West Dallas Community. Karate classes run from 4 to 6 p.m. Children in the program are served a hot meal after school. Volunteer Opportunities: Help serve a hot meal to children in the Karate program from 3:15 to 3:45. Elementary Bible Study September to May Thursdays from 3 to 4:30 p.m. come and join us as we host elementary students at Mercy Street for an after school Bible Club. The time if filled with games, a lesson, a snack, and lots of fun. Volunteer Opportunities: Lead Bible study & provide crafts for children grades 3-4. Serve meals and serve as table hosts for elementary children. Donations in Kind: New childrens toys, clothes & school supplies for the Mercy Street Store. Children earn Mercy Street bucks for good behavior, learning Scripture verses, and attendance. Children sometimes purchase household items for their parents and/or gifts for siblings. For more information contact Sam Flores at Sam@mercystreetdallas.org Ice Cream Socials September to May During the school year, Mercy Street hosts an Ice Cream Social the second and fourth Thursday of each month. This is a time for Mentors and Mentees to play games, eat ice cream, and meet other members of the Mercy Street staff. Volunteer Opportunities: Come and help serve ice cream and play games with mentors and their mentees. Donations in Kind: Ice Cream and/or other snack items are needed for Ice Cream Socials. For more information, contact candy@mercystreetdallas.org Little League Baseball Spring Sports is a great way for children to gain skills in team building, exercise, and meet new friends. Volunteer Opportunities: Serve as a Little League Coach (co-ed) approximately 2-4 nights/week during season For more information, contact Jim at Jim@mercystreetdallas.org or Tim at Tim@mercystreetdallas.org. West Dallas United Soccer League Fall Sports is a great way for children to gain skills in team building, exercise, and meet new friends. Volunteer Opportunities: Serve as a Soccer Coach (co-ed) approximately 2-4 nights/week during season For more information, contact Jim at Jim@mercystreetdallas.org or Tim at Tim@mercystreetdallas.org. West Dallas United Futsal League (indoor soccer) Winter Sports is a great way for children to gain skills in team building, exercise, and meet new friends. Volunteer Opportunities: Serve as a Fusal Coach (co-ed) approximately 2-4 nights/week during season For more information, contact Jim at Jim@mercystreetdallas.org or Tim at Tim@mercystreetdallas.org.The Young Men and Young Women's Seminar February 13, 2010These are two different events that target the students in our program and their mentors. The Young Ladies' event will be held at Mercy St. from 11am to 1pm. The guy's event will be held at West Dallas Community School from 10am to 2pm. On this day and at these times we need people to serve on the: 1. Food Team- People to help serve food 2. Admin Team- People for registration/greeters/ 3. Games Team- Athletic people who will play some games with the students 4. Prayer Team- People who will commit to praying for this event and during the event. 5. Set-up and Breakdown Team- People to come early and or Stay after to help set-up or break down.For more information, contact Carlton Oby at Carlton@mercystreetdallas.org or 214. 905.1042. The Garage Sale March 6, 2010 (8am to 2pm at Mercy St.) We will begin taking items on Monday March 1, 2010 but if someone really needs to get rid of the items they want to donate we will make arrangements to get them. Here are some things that we are looking for to help with this event: 1. Churches to be a drop off place for their members to drop off items they want to donate? 2. We need people to help organize the items the week of the event, for the garage sale on Saturday. I am thinking we could use help during the day or after school to organize and sign items so they will be ready to go. 3. We also need people for the day of to help the kids run the sale. 4. We need new or gently used items that people can no longer use or would like to donate to this cause. We don't need junk. We need items that will be a blessing to the people in the community. Clothing, Furniture, Appliances, Toys ECT. We also will accept monetary donations. Anyone who donates can receive a tax deductible receipt from Mercy St. All of the proceeds will go to the trip for the students. If anyone wants to give they may send their contribution to Mercy Street and place College Tour in the memo line. 5. We are praying for one or more people or groups to match the money that is made from the garage sale.For more information, contact Carlton Oby at Carlton@mercystreetdallas.org or 214. 905.1042. The College Tour March 17th- 20th - Atlanta, Ga. While on the trip we need people to pray for us. Here are some specific ways: 1. That we are able to raise all of the money. 2. Safety in traveling and while we are in Atlanta. 3. That we assemble the right group of student to go. We still have 4 young men spots and 7 young women spots available. 4. The assembly and unity among the team of leaders. We still need 2 male volunteers and 1 female to be chaperones on the tour. 5. That the students get inspired to not only go to college but that they will fall in love with Jesus.For more information, contact Carlton Oby at Carlton@mercystreetdallas.org or 214. 905.1042. Eggstravanganzzza March 27, 2010 (This is our Easter Community Outreach Event) 10am to 2pm location TBA During this event we need people to serve along side us in these capacities: 1. Food Team- People to help serve food 2. Admin Team- People for registration/greeters/ 3. Games Team- Athletic people who will play some games with the students 4. Prayer Team- People who will commit to praying for this event and during the event. For more information, contact Candy Hill at Candy@mercystreetdallas.org or 214.905.1042. The Mercy Street Kitchen Ongoing Having a commercial kitchen to adequately meet the needs at Mercy Street is greatly needed. The Mercy Street staff currently serves over 200 people a week during the school year not including those served by our partner organizations. In addition, there are items that we can always use at Mercy Street. These items include: 1. Cleaning: Someone to clean and/or straighten the Mercy Street Kitchen and Pantry 2. Donated Items: a. Kitchen supplies: Commercial pots, pans, cleaning supplies, sponges, towels, spices, glasses, plates or other kitchen essentials b. Snacks: Baked Chips, Individually wrapped juices, individually wrapped pretzels, peanut butter and crackers Pantry Items: cake/cookie decorating supplies, cake mixes, sugar, flour, coffee, tea, individually wrapped drinks, plastic ware For more information, contact Candy Hill at Candy@mercystreetdallas.org or 214.905.1042 Spanish Translators Ongoing ¿Hablas español? If so, we could use your help. Mercy Street has several family members that are Spanish dominant. In an effort to communicate effectively with guardians and/or parents of students, we compiling a list of volunteers that are fluent in Spanish. This list of volunteers will assist Mercy Street staff in translating Mercy Street documents into Spanish (including portions of the website), providing translation at Mercy Street events where translation is needed and serve as a resource for mentors who need assistance communicating with their mentees. To volunteer, please contact Laura Cadena at Laura@mercystreetdallas.org. Please list your level of fluency (speaking, reading, writing, or any of these combination's) and include any past experience serving as a Spanish language translator. Translation samples are welcomed. Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:14:42 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=24 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=24&article_id=32 VK2 is the middle school version of Mercy Street’s mentoring program in West Dallas. Our dream is for God to raise up a new generation of leaders in West Dallas who will live out lives both upward in worship and outward in service. We trust God to captivate the hearts of West Dallas youth through whatever means necessary. Yet, we believe God’s primary desire is to work through God's people. And so VK2 exists to build on the 2 year foundation built by mentors in the elementary Vision Life program. We seek to equip mentors to journey with their students through the rocky, often awkward years of adolescence. We hope after three years in middle school and 5 years of being mentored West Dallas youth might continue to be transformed and begin the process of maturing into young community leaders. Below is a description of the initiatives at Mercy Street which make up the VK2 program along with information about the staff coordinating the program. VK2 Initiatives One-on-One Mentoring Relationships – Currently we have 220 students engaged in this type of a relationship with a caring Christian adult. This makes up over 30 percent of the student body at the local middle school. Mentors are asked to see their students twice a month face-to-face and then contact them two additional times through some other means. Monthly Events – Each month Mercy Street hosts an event to help foster these mentoring relationships. Mentors and students are invited to come with their families and enjoy a particular activity together. Some events in the past have been ice skating, the country fair day, a mentor/student banquet, college tours, and an annual valentines forum on relationships. Sports – Middle school students are invited to participate in the Mercy Street sports program. We currently have leagues organized for soccer and baseball. Pathways – Middle school students are invited to participate in Mercy Street’s bike shop, landscaping micro-enterprise, gardening, car shop, and art initiatives. All of these activities are done in small group settings enabling students to engage in relationships with the leaders. Bible Study – Each coordinator hosts a weekly Bible study for particular students with mentors. Students are selected based upon their willingness to attend, eagerness to learn, and their desire to be a community leader. VK2 Coordinators: Garrett & Mindy Smith The Smith’s moved to Dallas in 2005 after they got married to pursue Bible training at Dallas Theological Seminary in preparation for a lifetime of ministry. They anticipated returning overseas after their 2 year stint in Dallas, but God moved them across the river to West Dallas. Their hearts were captivated by the young people in this community. The Smiths moved into West Dallas and within 6 months took in their god daughter Amber (a teen in the Mercy Street program) in January 2008. In addition to Amber God enlarged their family when Mindy gave birth to their daughter, Hattibelle, in May of 2009. Mindy is overseeing the mentoring program and Bible studies for women and young girls and Garrett oversees the men with their boys. You can reach them at Mindy – (812)345-3804 (cell) or Mindy@mercystreetdallas.org Garrett – (812)345-3804 (cell) or Garrett@mercystreetdallas.org or in their office at 214-905-1042 x 105 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:59:44 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=39 Jacque Lacy, Sequoyah Mentor Coordinator, jacque@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x107 Mon, 7 Dec 2009 11:59:42 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=34 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=34&article_id=97 Below are ways to donate to Mercy Street: By Mail: Mercy Street Attn.: Bill FarrellPO Box 561992Dallas, TX 75356 Contact Bill Farrell for more information on donating to Mercy Street. Online Giving: Click here to donate securely online by credit card or e-check. Your statement for the donation will say "Mercy Street--Simple Give". Fri, 4 Dec 2009 18:26:31 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=42 Garrett Smith, Edison Middle School Boy's Mentor Coordinator, garrett@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x105 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:51:45 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=57 Brett VanderMolen, Director of Operations, brett@mercystreetdallas.org, 214 905 1042 x115 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:48:31 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=113 Elizabeth Tamez, High School Mentor Coordinator, Elizabeth@mercystreetdallas.org, 214-905-1042 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:46:52 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=47 Jim Riley, Director of Mercy Street Sports, jim@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x110 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:42:47 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=48 Tim Hershey, Sports Ministry Coordinator, tim@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x112 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:42:47 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=16 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=16&article_id=9 We want to ensure that the gospel is being heard. To do that we do weekly Bible clubs for each of the age groups--elementary school through high school.. Vision Life--Elementary Bible Club More Sunday School than hyped Club event, Vision Life is a weekly time of games, singing and Bible lessons for the elementary-aged school kids. The goal is to expose children to the stories of the Bible and the Gospel message becuase so many of our kids are not in church. Vision Life Club is held on Thursdays from 3 to 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact Jacque or Annie at 214-905-1042. Women's Bible Study Women from the West Dallas community come together once a week to study God's Word, share a meal, and make crafts. Feel free to join us for a great time of fellowship and community building. The Women's Bible Study is held on Tuesdays from 11 to 1 p.m. For more information, contact Jacque or Annie at 214-905-1042. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:02:58 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=53 Laura Cadena, Director of Communications, Laura@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x114 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:23:28 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=25 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=25&article_id=33 Our Mission: To prepare High School students for their next phase in life. Our Vision: To see every student that graduates from our program equipped to reach their next step weather that is college or career. Our Strategy: We combine one-on-one mentoring, small group discipleship, camp, college preparation and job skills training. Below is a brief explanation of each. One-one-One Mentoring: At Mercy Street we match students with a caring Christian adults and ask the student and adult to walk together from 4th Grade until graduation.Group Discipleship: We have gender specific groups that meet on a regular basis for a time of Food, Fun, Fellowship and to Focus on the Word of God.Camp: Each summer we take students from our program to summer camp to get away for the norms of West Dallas. Student have the opportunity to explore and experience God through nature. College Preparation: For the past 2 years we have taken students on local college tours. We are currently evaluating our program and looking at other organizations to develop a more comprehensive effort to prepare our students for college.Job Skills Training: For the past 2 years Mercy Street has been able to hire some of the students from our program to earn some extra money and gain basic skills that will prepare them for the work force.How can you get involved? Pray for the Next Phase Program- The students, mentors and leadersMentor a high school studentServe in one of the small groups as a teacher, small group leader, cook, transportation specialist, prayer warrior or administration specialist.Go to camp with us as a chaperone or sponsor a kid to go to campServe on our College prep team.Help us teach the young men and women skills they will need to be successful in the work place.Offer jobs for our young people to work after school or during the summer.Serve at one of our monthly events.Make a financial contribution to the next phase program.For more information, questions or comments please contact Elizabeth at 214-905-1042 ext 117 or Carlton at 214-905-1042 ext 102. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:14:22 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=23 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=23&article_id=31 Vision Kids is our elementary school-aged mentoring program and the first step in a long-term mentoring relationship.Our elementary partner schools are George Washington Carver Elementary School and Sequoyah Elementary School. For the first two years of the program the goal is simple, but not always easy to attain--to establish a loving, trusting relationship between the mentor and student. To help facilitate this our mentor coordinators for each school spend time interacting with the faculty, staff, family and students to be a conduit of information to the mentor. We also plan fun, engaging monthly events for the mentors and students to participate in. To learn more about our monthly events, visit the Mercy Street calendar. Two of our monthly events for students and their guardians is the weekly discipleship class for female guardians of our students every Tuesday from 11 to 1 p.m. and Vision Kids club every Thursday from 3:00 to 4:30. As the students progress through school they will move along with their mentor to our Middle School program in Middle School and then our High School program. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:37:00 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=14 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=14&article_id=14 Relationship is at the heart of the ministry of Mercy Street. Rather than being event or program driven, we put a premium on engaging in relationships with the children of West Dallas and their families. We do that through our mentoring programs:Vision Kids--Elementary Mentoring VK2--Middle School Mentoring Next Phase--High School Mentoring We do programs and events at Mercy Street, but they are intended to enhance and serve the relationships between the children and their mentors. Some of the programs that we run are:Mercy Street Sports Bible ClubsSummer Camps Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:46:31 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=44 Carlton Oby, LG Pinkston Mentor Coordinator, carlton@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x102 Wed, 9 Sep 2009 14:54:58 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=49 Tracy Henry, Facilities Manager, tracy@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x114 Wed, 9 Sep 2009 14:54:58 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=38 Annie Roberson, GW Carver Mentor Coordinator, annie@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x 101 Wed, 9 Sep 2009 14:54:58 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37&article_id=60 Mercy Street's mission is to instill values, worth and sense of purpose into the youth of West Dallas. By engaging in Christ-honoring, mutually transforming relationships with the children in the community we will raise up a new generation of leaders who will bring about a positive, permanent change in our community. The Role of a Mentor: Walk with a young person and develop an on-going, one-to one relationship Serve as a role modelGood listenerRespectful of differencesCommunicate with student on a regular basisMeet with your student face-to-face at lest twice monthlyTo communicate with your student via the phone, email, or letter at least twice monthlyTo walk along side your student until they finish high school Requirements to Mentor:Be at least 18 years oldComplete a Mercy Street Mentor application Complete a DISD Volunteer Application Form Complete a background checkPersonal interview with a Mercy Street staff personPray for your student on a regular basis Provide three personal referencesAttend one-hour mentor training For more information about becoming a mentor, contact Sam Flores at 214-905-1042 x113 or Sam@mercystreetdallas.org. To complete a Mercy Street Mentor application online, visit FORMS. Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:32:32 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=15 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=15&article_id=30 Mentoring (or discipling) is the foundation of what we do at Mercy Street. We place mentors with the children in the public schools in West Dallas, starting in the 4th grade. Believing that we need to capture the hearts and minds of the children early, we make all of our "matches" in elementary school and ask the mentor to walk with the student through high school. Jesus established the mentoring model with his disciples and they in turn replicated it. The apostle Paul took to heart the call to invest himself in others as evidences particularly through his relationship with Timothy. Here is Paul's mentoring plan for the church in Thessalonica: But we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (I Thes. 2:7-8, 11-12) So this is the plan we follow to make Christ's name known in West Dallas and hopefully to see a lasting transformation occur. In addition to the mentoring relationship, we also provide many other activities to supplement the relationship. We do weekly Bible Clubs. We run sports leagues. We take the kids to summer camps around the country. To apply to be a mentor, complete the Mercy Street Mentoring Application. Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:30:54 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=41 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=41&article_id=70 To view the Monthly Mercy Street E-Newsletter visit the Mercy Street Blog To sign up for Mercy Street's E-Newsletter, click here. Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:51:12 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=92 3801 Holystone Street Dallas, Texas 75212 Phone: 214.905.1042 Fax: 214.905.1014 Mon, 8 Jun 2009 13:02:44 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=56 Sam Flores, Assistant Director of Development, Sam@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x113 Mon, 8 Jun 2009 13:02:40 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=28 Bill Farrell, Director of Development, bill@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 Mon, 8 Jun 2009 13:02:40 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=27 Trey Hill, Executive Director, trey@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x106 Mon, 8 Jun 2009 13:02:40 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=29 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=29&article_id=24 1. There is one living and true God, infinitely perfect in glory, wisdom, holiness, justice, power and love, one in His essence but eternally existing in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God sovereignly created the world out of nothing, so that God's creation, while wholly dependent upon God, neither compromises part of God, nor conditions God's essential perfection. 2. The books which form the canon of the Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired by God, inerrant in the original writings, the only infallible rule of faith and practice. 3. God created man in God's own image, in a state of original righteousness, from which man subsequently fell by a voluntary revolt, and consequently is guilty, inherently corrupt and subject to divine wrath. 4. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, became man without ceasing to be God by uniting to God's divine nature a true human nature in His incarnation, and so continues to be both God and man, in two distinct natures and one person, forever. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, exhibited His deity by manifold miracles, fulfilled the requirements of the Law by His sinless life, shed His blood as a vicarious and propitiatory atonement for man's sin, was resurrected from the dead in the same body, now glorified. He ascended into heaven and now intercedes in glory for His redeemed as our great high priest and advocate, and as the Head of the Church and Lord of the individual believer. 5. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, through the ministry of regeneration and sanctification applies salvation and places believers into the Church, guides and comforts God's children, indwells, directs, gifts and empowers the Church in godly living and service in order to fulfill the Great Commission, and seals and keeps the believer until Christ returns. 6. Every person, regardless of race or rank, who receives the Lord Jesus Christ by faith is born into the family of God and receives eternal life. This occurs solely because of the grace of God and has no ground in human merit. 7. The Holy Church is the one institution specifically ordained of God to function in the furthering of the Kingdom until Christ comes again. It consists of all those regenerated by the Spirit of God, in mystical union and communion both with Christ, the head of the Body, and with fellow-believers. Neighborhood congregations are the local manifestation of the Church universal. In obedience to the command of Christ, these congregations preach the word of God, equip God's people for the work of ministry, and administer the Lord's Supper and Baptism. 8. The Lord Jesus Christ will return bodily, visibly and personally to receive His own, to conform believers to His own image and to establish His kingdom forever. He will judge the quick and the dead and will effect a final separation of the redeemed and the lost, assigning unbelievers to eternal punishment and believers to eternal glory, enjoying conscious fellowship with Him. 9. Man's chief end in life is to glorify God. Personal salvation is a means to this end. Fri, 1 May 2009 13:08:58 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3&article_id=64 1. There is one living and true God, infinitely perfect in glory, wisdom, holiness, justice, power and love, one in His essence but eternally existing in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God sovereignly created the world out of nothing, so that His creation, while wholly dependent upon Him, neither compromises part of God, nor conditions His essential perfection. 2. The books which form the canon of the Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired by God, inerrant in the original writings, the only infallible rule of faith and practice. 3. God created man in His own image, in a state of original righteousness, from which man subsequently fell by a voluntary revolt, and consequently is guilty, inherently corrupt and subject to divine wrath. 4. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, became man without ceasing to be God by uniting to His divine nature a true human nature in His incarnation, and so continues to be both God and man, in two distinct natures and one person, forever. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, exhibited His deity by manifold miracles, fulfilled the requirements of the Law by His sinless life, shed His blood as a vicarious and propitiatory atonement for man's sin, was resurrected from the dead in the same body, now glorified. He ascended into heaven and now intercedes in glory for His redeemed as our great high priest and advocate, and as the Head of the Church and Lord of the individual believer. 5. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, through the ministry of regeneration and sanctification applies salvation and places believers into the Church, guides and comforts God's children, indwells, directs, gifts and empowers the Church in godly living and service in order to fulfill the Great Commission, and seals and keeps the believer until Christ returns. 6. Every man, regardless of race or rank, who receives the Lord Jesus Christ by faith is born into the family of God and receives eternal life. This occurs solely because of the grace of God and has no ground in human merit. 7. The Holy Church is the one institution specifically ordained of God to function in the furthering of the Kingdom until Christ comes again. It consists of all those regenerated by the Spirit of God, in mystical union and communion both with Christ, the head of the Body, and with fellow-believers. Neighborhood congregations are the local manifestation of the Church universal. In obedience to the command of Christ, these congregations preach the word of God, equip God's people for the work of ministry, and administer the Lord's Supper and Baptism. 8. The Lord Jesus Christ will return bodily, visibly and personally to receive His own, to conform believers to His own image and to establish His kingdom forever. He will judge the quick and the dead and will effect a final separation of the redeemed and the lost, assigning unbelievers to eternal punishment and believers to eternal glory, enjoying conscious fellowship with Him. 9. Man's chief end in life is to glorify God. Personal salvation is a means to this end. Fri, 1 May 2009 12:59:33 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=36 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=36&article_id=59 Join us by engaging in Christ-honoring, mutually transforming relationships with children in West Dallas. Together we can raise up a new generation of leaders who will bring about a positive, permanent change in Dallas. Mercy Street's commitment to mentors and short term volunteers:To strive to honor Christ above all and in allTo pray for your relationship with your student and the children in West Dallas To be a helpful, available and reliable resource for you in West DallasTo keep you informed of events and activities at Mercy Street and in West Dallas To learn how you can get involved: MentoringShort-term Opportunities Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:19:00 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=17 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=17&article_id=58 As part of our strategy, we take children to summer camp. The goal is to take children out of the city and give them the opportunity experience the beauty God's creation so they can have uncluttered eyes and ears to see and hear from God. Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:28:42 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=27 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=27&article_id=19 Aiming for Success My dad used to tell me, “If you don’t know what you’re aiming at, you’ll hit it every time.” Many of you have asked what the aim of the mentoring program is. We have a well established vision of long-term community transformation through spiritual revitalization, and we could articulate goals about lowering drop out rates and helping students make better grades. We knew that we had to instruct our kids on how to make wise choices and growing in righteousness, but the specific target was still fuzzy. It was all a bit too abstract to give concrete discussion items. So as a staff we started to try and more clearly focus the aim our mentoring program—to create a portrait, if you will--for the students we work with and their mentors. Here is what we came up with: We desire every student to have an authentic, growing relationship with Jesus Christ that motivates them to have: A commitment to graduate from high school with a plan for continuing education.A commitment to sexual purity evidenced by waiting to have babies until after marriage.A “future story” that recognizes the students unique giftedness and includes giving back to the community. The first two points, high school dropouts and fatherlessness, are widely known to be two of the largest contributors to ongoing, generational poverty. If we can make strides in helping our kids live up to their god-given potential in education and stress the wisdom of waiting to have babies within the confines of marriage the young people will be well down the road to a future of success. The last point, having a future story, is an insight gained from Ruby Payne and her book Bridges Out of Poverty. In it, Dr. Payne stresses the importance of having a vision of the future and a plan to get there. However, as she points out, a person living in poverty tends to be oriented to the present, living in “survival” mode, struggling to make it day-to-day. This is one of the primary ways we can help our students, by helping them look down the road and form a plan for the future. With a plan we also need to help provide resources and support to implement the plan. And of course, as we have said from day one, our Vision Kids are the future leaders of the community. We want then to succeed in school and life and them come and help another student do the same. Hopefully many will choose to make a positive difference in West Dallas. Lastly, remember we have many years with our students. Not every moment has to be spent driving one of these points home. There will be hundreds of opportunities over the years to talk about these issues in context. We will also orient our programming to help provide opportunities to dialog about these issues as well. Thanks for all you do. I have said it many times over, but it bears repeating again. We cannot do the job we have been called to without you. Mentors are at the heart of our strategy. I pray that God will continue to do a work in your life as you invest into a child’s life. Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:55:24 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=30 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=30&article_id=25 Mercy Street grew out of the desire to see a small pocket of poverty in Dallas-called West Dallas--transformed by the gospel. Believing that that best occurs in the context of relationship, Mercy Street started a mentoring program to address the tragedy happening in the children's lives. (Highlighting the tragedy is the academic outcomes in the community. The high school graduation rate was alarming. Of 394 students who entered Pinkston High School in the fall of 1999, only 85 were in the senior class in 2003. Only 20% of those passed the TAKS test--now required for graduation. The average SAT score was 758.) Mercy Street believes that true and lasting change is brought about by the residents of the community. Sometimes all that is needed is an infusion of hope from the outside. Following the pattern Christ established by dwelling among those he ministered to, Mercy Street seeks to be "incarnational" in its ministry efforts. Therefore, many of the employees and the Executive Director of the ministry live in the community. Mercy Street's hope is to raise children from the community to be the leaders of tomorrow. We determined that the schools needed help and that the best and only way to help the schools was to work directly with the children and reinforce the parent's efforts by engaging a caring Christian adult in the life of every child in West Dallas. The mentor is tasked with being an encourager, friend, and advisor to the child over the course of many years. In the spring of 2003, Mercy Street placed its first Mentor Coordinator at George Washington Carver and mentors were recruited from churches around the city to shepherd every child in the 4th and 5th grades of that school. At first it started slowly as the parents began to sign releases for their children to enter the program. By the end of that year 90% of the students in the 4th and 5th grades enrolled in the program. Our commitment to each school is to take on every incoming fourth grade class. To do that, Mercy Street partners with area churches who provide mentors. Park Cities Presbyterian Church birthed the ministry and remains an indispensable partner. Many other churches have since joined the effort, including Highland Park Presbyterian, Watermark Community Church, Northwest Bible Church, West Dallas Community Church, Highland Park Methodist, Grace Bible Church, and many others. We are hungry for more urban churches to help as we desire to represent the Kingdom in all of its diversity of ethnicity and socio-economic groups. Another key to our beginnings was the building the Dallas Housing Authority graciously leased to Mercy Street for $1 per year. We are proud to call the old Edgar Ward Community Center, a 25,000 square foot facility from the historic old projects, our home. The now renovated building is centrally located within 1 mile of the 5 schools that we seek to minister to. This building is now used as office and meeting space for the ministry, a church, a meeting place for the mentors and students, office space for West Dallas Young Life, and space for the Dallas Pregnancy Resource Center. Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:03:49 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=33 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=33&article_id=36 The West Dallas United Soccer Club (est. 2007) is a recreational soccer league which provides children between the ages of 5-14 years the opportunity to learn and play the game of soccer. The goal of WDU is to teach the global sport of soccer, creating an environment that is fun for every child involved and challenging them to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for learning the game. In addition, our coaches will use soccer as a vehicle to instruct kids in wisdom, develop character and teach teamwork and discipline. Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:51:55 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=19 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=19&article_id=10 Mercy Street Sports exists to compliment the efforts of the mentoring program and to expand the kingdom of heaven by using sports as a tool of gospel outreach to the community. The goal is to provide the children of West Dallas with individual and team sports opportunities which will assist in the child's physical, spiritual, and mental growth by teaching Christian ethics and values which are founded upon Jesus Christ. We currently run the West Dallas Little League, and beginning in the fall of 2007 we will start a West Dallas United soccer league. Sat, 8 Sep 2007 14:52:12 MST