On the afternoon of Nov. 5, Jessie Brown, self-sufficiency advocate with The Factory Ministries, led a group of about a dozen adults in making pine cone turkey favors to be used at a special meal that was later held on Nov. 14 at The Factory. "A local church donated a full Thanksgiving meal for a Friendsgiving meal," said Brown of the meal that was served to youth center attendees.
The Community Care Team, made up of mostly Paradise-area residents who participate at The Factory, meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. Generally, the craft Brown schedules for the Care Team to complete gives back to the community in some way. She also puts out puzzles and games.
"We made a plan for the Care Team to make the decorations for the meal," said Brown, who fashioned a model placemat for team members to duplicate in addition to the turkeys. The placemats were decorated with turkeys made from hand tracings, a poem, and the signature of the team member who created it. "I like using handprints because they are personal and simple," said Brown.
Another craft the team has completed was creating sunshine boxes for those who are ill. Team members also cut out curriculum for the literacy liaisons who work with children age 5 and under. The liaisons have their offices in The Factory.
On Nov. 19, Care Team members were at The Factory from 2 to 4 p.m. to complete a craft with the seventh- through 12th-grade students who attend The Factory's after-school program. "Youth center students come to work on homework at that time," said Brown. Generally, the students have a snack and then spend 45 minutes on homework, followed by some time learning a new skill.
For Christmas, Brown is planning some special activities. "We will go caroling to the Head Start children in The Factory," she said. "I think they will be excited about that. We may also do a cookie exchange."
Brown noted that some of the Care Team participants visit The Factory Food Pantry while they are there, leaving the group to complete their 15-minute appointment in the choice pantry at the designated time.
The Care Team began meeting about a year ago when Shira Zimmerman, director of advocates for The Factory Ministries, made an observation.
"(Zimmerman noticed) that a lot of the folks in this area don't have the opportunity to get out of their homes and meet other community members," said Brown. "Factory participants are interested in volunteering, helping out where they can, and showing care to their community." Although any adult in the community is welcome to take part, Brown noted that most Care Team members are Factory participants and senior citizens.
To make it easier for Care Team members to get to The Factory, advocate Kristen Vieldhouse drives The Factory van to the homes of those who need a ride.
Brown makes sure snacks are provided at each Care Team meeting. "We always have a fruit, a vegetable, and a dessert so people can munch while they're here," she said, noting that sometimes team members bring food to share.
"(Care Team members) Don and Connie Cable are the sweetest couple, and they love to cook and make crafts," said Brown. "They make bread, and they brought two loaves of rye bread with jam and cream cheese, and everyone loved it," she noted.
Readers who would like to learn more about The Factory Ministries, which is located at 3293 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise, may visit http://www.thefactoryministries.com or call 717-687-9594.
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