‘We’re bringing the services to them’

On Aug. 12, the ministry will be having its second annual Community Outreach Day, where school supplies and household goods will be passed out for Westwood residents and many services offered.

The event will be held at the future church site, 900 N. Gettysburg Ave.

“In Troy, this was started as a storefront ministry, but we now have about 1,000 members,” said Pastor Mitchell. “We bought the old Kroger store on Gettysburg Ave. seven years ago, and are trying to raise funds for building renovations. Banks are no longer favorable to church loans, since so many are closing.”

In Mitchell’s ministry, community outreach is the focus. “Instead of a sanctuary, which is only used one day a week, we want a community center to use seven days a week,” said Pastor Mitchell. “We need to think outside the box and are trying to partner with local organizations to use that 56,000-square-foot building to house programs that will help the community.”

The ministry already transports and feeds children in the community and offers love to residents in many forms.

Pastor Mitchell’s aunt, Belinda Mitchell, is an elder in the ministry and was put in charge of the second annual Community Outreach Day. “She has a vision for it and does a great job,” said Pastor Mitchell. “This year, she’s added more giveaways and services and will raise awareness of the opioid epidemic.”

Elder Mitchell has put a team together that helps with the ambitious project. “We’re doing an holistic picture this year at our Community Outreach Day,” she said. “In addition to bookbags and school supplies for the children, we’re blessing the people in the neighborhood with household items, cleaning supplies, toys, coupons for local businesses, and supportive and preventive services. Everyone will get something.”

Agencies that will be on hand include Artemis House, the Dayton Healthmobile, Wesley Center, Dayton Public Library, FiveRiver Health Center, Premier Health, the fire and sheriff’s departments.

“We’ve partnered with Westwood School, and passed out fliers throughout the Westwood community. Many local businesses are providing donations,” said Elder Mitchell.

Estridge Market on Gettysburg is providing the food for the cookout; a local distribution center has given walkers; a packing company in Moraine has donated 300 lunchboxes, toothpaste, floss and T-shirts; and the SMILE program, based in Michigan, sent 750 toothbrushes.

“Carl Kennebrew, president of the IUE-CWA Local 755 got people in the union to donate,” said Elder Mitchell, who noted that “last year, we had at least 600 residents attend, and this year, our target is 1,000. More than 50 members of the ministry volunteer to help at the event, and we’ve had no incidents at any of our programs.

“Our residents can’t always get to the services that provide health testing and screenings, voter registration, employment, help with raising children, and many others — so we’re bringing the services to them,” she said.