"My broken world needs you. Many a weary troubled heart needs you. Many a troubled heart will be gladdened by you, drawn near to Me by you." -- The Two Listeners, in "God Calling"
In my prayer time each day, I keep feeling that even more people than ever before need the yarny goodness that all of you create -- and the quote up top just clinched it for me the other day. The quote was in a daily devotional reading that Angel Lisa and I do together each day. I've been researching and talking with agencies and groups serving families in need, and today I have the great pleasure to announce that the Crafty Angels will begin serving two new groups of very special people!
Up first is
WellSpring Center for Hope. WellSpring, started over 20 years ago, serves women who are victims of domestic violence and their children on the southeast side of Chicago -- providing shelter, help getting back on their feet, opportunities to learn new skills, and counseling for all. My denomination, the
Evangelical Covenant Church, is actively involved in supporting this organization, as is my
church. I know its director, Eloise Spencer, well through my work at the
Central Conference. I have seen first-hand the effects of domestic violence on women and their children in my work as a social worker and know what a difficult time these families face. This is definitely a group worthy of our support!
Eloise shared a story with me this week: WellSpring used to have a woman who made baby blankets, hats, and scarves for the families WellSpring served -- but that stopped several years ago. In a staff meeting recently she shared that she really wished someone would want to provide that kind of yarny goodness again -- it made such an impact on the families who received those love gifts. But she had no idea how to find someone to do that. After the meeting, she went back to her desk and opened her email -- and there was MY email asking if the Crafty Angels could help!! So I think this union is definitely a God thing!
WellSpring needs baby blankets, baby hats, hats and scarves -- the same kind of lovely things you all are already making in washable yarns. And don't you think spa bags for the moms would be a good idea? We'll be distributing them to the families in November, so that they can become part of a Thanksgiving gift basket that WellSpring gives to each family they serve. How cool is that?!?!?
The SECOND new group we will be serving is
Parenting ProGRESS. This group, started by one of our sister churches,
Ravenswood Covenant Church, supports teen moms and their babies here on the north side of Chicago so that the moms can finish high school. The moms attend
Amundsen or
Lake View High School or are recent graduates. The children of the teen parents attend
Ravenswood Community Child Care Center at a discounted rate. Ravenswood Community Child Care Center is a NAEYC accredited child care center located in the church building and serves children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. By providing child care for the children, the teen parents are able to focus on educational and vocational goals. Parenting Progress has a long history and a very high success rate.
The Parenting ProGRESS program provides weekly Life Skills classes for parents, and has partnered with
MOPS International to provide quality curriculum-based support. Topics include but are not limited to: budgeting, resume writing, nutrition, basic cooking and reading to your children. Teen parents are always welcome to stop by after school to receive help with homework as well.
The Ravenswood Covenant volunteers who help run this program were absolutely thrilled when I contacted them to see if the Crafty Angels could help! They specifically need hats, scarves, and mittens to fit toddlers in sizes 2T to 4 T - and of course need baby blankets and baby hats. I'd also like us to provide warm hats and scarves for the teen moms -- so you can get as fun and creative as you want, as long as the yarn is easily washable! I can even see some spa bags heading out that way! I'll be delivering baby blankets and baby things to them throughout the year as needed, and the hats, scarves, and spa bags will be distributed in time for Christmas.
So are you up for the increased work load, Angels? I'm betting you all are, because you have hearts of gold that are big enough to care for even more people in need. And look what has come in to help that effort!
Angel Margie Chan from Chicago has made a commitment to send something each month to us, and look came this time -- a beautiful baby blanket that will be the first one in the stack for WellSpring!

I love the bright colors she chose, and I just know that the new mom will treasure it! Thank you, Margie, for making this commitment and following through on it - you are a blessing to us! Margie also wanted me to remind all of you that
Worldwide Knit in Public Day will be 06/13 and 06/14 -- as well as 06/20 and 06/21. She plans to work on some Crafty Angel projects on those days, so that when she is asked what she is making, she can tell them about us! AWESOME!!! Thank you, Margie, for spreading the word!
Those additional spa bags I mentioned earlier got some help from Angel Alexis Leuth in Winter Springs, FL. Look what she picked up for us for a grand total of $25, which our fearless Supervisor Cowboy had to thoroughly check out:

"What do you mean you didn't hide any kitty treats in here?!??!?!?!?"

"These bath gels and lotions REALLY smell good, Mom!"
I can't believe that Alexis got all these wash cloths, and matching bath gels and body lotions, for only $25! Now that is POWERSHOPPING! Thank you, Alexis -- we can put these to use immediately!
And we have a new Angel! Amy Gawura from Chicago sent us some wonderful yarn, just perfect for those additional baby things we now need:

"Princess Cody, get ready! As soon as that little flash thingy goes off, these go on the floor! You get the one on the right and I'll get the one on the left while Mom freaks out. Then RUN!!!!"
And yes, our Supervisor Cowboy did exactly that as soon as the "little flash thingy" went off! I was able to safely retrieve the yarn before the two of them had it strung all over the living room, but Cowboy and Princess Cody were really moving fast!! Thank you, Amy, for helping keep our yarn bins full, and for caring for those in need -- your yarn will warm even more hearts this year!
If you are in the Chicago area and want to learn more about WellSpring and Parenting ProGRESS, join us at our next Crafty Angels get-together on Saturday, June 13 -- Knit in Public Day! We'll meet at 10:30 AM at my house at
6357 N. Leoti Ave. in Chicago -- and after we "oohhh! and aaahhh!" over all the yarny goodness you bring in, we'll dive into some special treats and troll the yarn bins for knitting and crocheting ideas. Everyone is welcome, so come on over!
Angels, you are all so completely awesome and special -- I think that even more every day when I pray for each one of you. As the quote up top says, many trouble hearts will be gladdened by you -- even more than ever before! What a blessing each of you are to our troubled world!