How Do We Help

Every few months, we offer a training called "How Do We Help". The training covers questions such as:

• Should I give money to homeless people?
• What's the best way to love my neighbors in need?
• What are some of the root causes of poverty? 

In the training, we encourage participants to build a relationship with their neighbors. This is easier said than done, as we are all busy people and real relationships take time and effort!

However, I recently got an email from a How Do we Help participant named Betsey*. She told me that she's become friends with a homeless woman named Lauren* in her neighborhood. They meet every week or so for a meal and just to talk... just like "regular" friends do! Through this relationship, Betsey has been able to understand Lauren's needs in a personal way and to help her in practical ways, like helping her sign up for CalFresh so she'll have some money for food.

This type of "person to person" care is far more effective than any official social work program that KCB or any other organization could offer. If each one of us become friends, real friends, with just one neighbor in need... imagine the transformation that would come to our city!

If you're interested in having this "How Do We Help" presentation at your church or small group, please contact us! We would love to share more with you!

-Abbey

*Names changed

Final Intern Reflections: Isaac

STORIES

Everyone has a story. Everyone is a story. If story were a verb, it would be my favorite. One of the most exciting things about people is their ability to story. To be someone, to tell something, to share somehow: that is to story.

           I could write paragraphs and paragraphs of the things I did this summer, because for the past 10 weeks, I lived an amazing story. Working with outreach meant working with the people of the community and hearing their stories. Some were happy, some were sad. All were captivating, because in stories, we find something to relate to because we ourselves story.

           At what point though, does the story become boring and we lose interest? When it’s all about facts? -- I can tell you facts. We served 100 hot dogs and 100 hamburgers (and some fish) at the community barbecue in Compton. Many, many people have been helped get food and homes by the people I’ve been storying with all summer. Those are facts. -- Or maybe we tire of a story that is too negative? Or when we stop relating? Or perhaps when too many questions are asked? A good story will take all of the elements that could make us give up on it, and use them to its advantage.

           So could I tell a good story that sums up all of the things I’ve done and seen this summer while still keeping you entertained? Maybe… With a lot of time and effort. However, I’m not that good of a storyteller. Thankfully, I can tell you one of the biggest things I have learned through the story of my time with Kingdom Causes:

           In the end, it’s not about me and my story. It’s about Jesus and His story. He is using my story every day to tell His, and the best stories I tell all came from Him.

So you can ask me to tell you a story and I will do so with all of my might. But what this summer has taught me is that, as I go along storying, I’m not doing it alone. God is storying alongside me, as he did all summer long.

Thank you everyone for being a part of my story.

Final Internship Reflections: Betsy

Setting up, planning the class, getting supplies ready for 25+ kids. Hearing kids talk in a room creating a fun zone sounding environment.Kids calling my name, sometimes 4 kids at a time. Why are there so many things out of their place and why is there paper on the floor? Are there enough paper plates, paper cups and paint set out? Will this be enough? Will they like it? Will all my helpers be here today?

By now you can tell I was talking about my Art class. It ended last Thursday, and I miss the kids already. There are a couple of ways in which I learned about myself from this experience. I learned that even though I like to coordinate, I cant be organized –I am working on that. There were a couple of incidents in which I didn’t keep track of all the supplies or keep the room organized. There was a couple of times I showed up to work to realize I had forgotten something from the days activity at home, which made me think I should keep a checklist. Secondly, another thing I should work on is saying no. I am guilty of wanting the kids to like me so I would let them get away with things. I was too nice, sometimes there was just no way I would raise my voice to a kid. I did occasionally keep them in line, but for the most part I let them be well, “kids”.

This internship has been the closest thing I have had to a real job. I have never had a job before, but this internship gave me that job experience. I woke up early so I can be on time to the intern meetings, I was always punctual and completed all my hours. It was funny, because this is a paid internship and time to time I would forget my paychecks at KCB *OOPS* haha. All in all from the first day I set foot in as a new intern I gave my class my 100% and from what I can remember there was never a time I lost my temper with a kid. Which I am pretty proud of, I didn’t know I had so much patience. I liked those kids way too much, but It was a hassle trying to work with 20+ kids with only 2 helpers sometimes but me and my co intern survived. I think we handled everything pretty well. God never gives you more than you can handle rings true.

Overall, this summer was a journey ill never forget. It was a unique and a growing experience for me. At first I was skeptical that I wouldn’t be able to handle it, but I did. It helped me grow spiritually too because each time I got scared something wouldn’t go right I prayed and God would answer me. I wont forget the mixed feelings I had when I first got an email saying I was going to be the art teacher. It sounded fun and exciting but I knew there was a lot of responsibilty waiting to happen. I am so blessed to have found KCB and having been chosen for art class. I would have never thought I was going to be in charge of a kids class for a summer, it was pretty awesome.

Final Internship Reflections: Jocelyn

It’s the last week of my internship and it’s a bittersweet feeling. I don’t know where to begin expressing my gratitude. It began with my friend Katie rushing to Kingdom Causes to find out the deadline to apply for the internship. After applying, having the face to face interview with Robert Verwys and being accepted to be a part of the Friendship Manor. Also, spending time with the residents from the Friendship Manor and helping Sarah with activities for the grand finale - the Comedy show. It’s been a pleasure to be a part of the Kingdom Causes Family and be allowed to share God’s love with Friendship Manor in Bellflower.

Life has a funny way of teaching us to love it. From my experience at the Friendship Manor, I came to a realize that I am not any different from the elderly. I learned from them as much as they say they learned from me… but I still feel guilty. I feel that I gained so much more from them then I could have offered. From their stories, lessons about life, and their perception of me. It has all touched me, and I will be forever grateful. They overwhelmed me with compliments, that helped my self-esteem, and taught me to love myself. As human being, the act of giving is ironic because the receiver receives but the giver gets so much more. In my case, I was there to give my time and I am walking away with friendships I truly care for. The residents taught me to love life in a way I had never experienced before.

They taught me that visiting and listening goes a long way. A simple visit can turn a straight face into a bright smile. I invested many hours at the Manor and with the residents. Imelda, one of the residents, has earned a special place in my heart. Despite her illnesses and her with struggle life, she was always willing to open her home to me. There were times that she felt depressed and did not want to go outside or see anyone, but when I knocked she welcomed me in. We would laugh and share stories about our childhood. When she grew tired or sleepy and it was time for me to go, she spoke kind words to me like “I’m glad you came to visit”, “ That beautiful smile will stay with me for a week” and other kind words that uplifted her spirit and mine as well. It was a privilege to become very close friends with Imelda and others who I plan on visiting even when the internship is over.

So I want to thank everyone who welcomed me into the office of KCB in the mornings with their bright smiles and hello’s. Also Sarah Leck, who was always so patient and helpful in anything that I needed assisting with. It’s been a great summer.

Final Internship Reflections: Crystal

The Last Day: The last day of my science class was supposed to be the perfect farewell. My students were supposed to enjoy homemade ice cream and select prizes after weeks of saving tickets. It was my seventh week as a science teacher and I was still expecting the day to go as planned. My seventh class was by far the most chaotic, with supplies running low and all sorts of liquids seeping through kids’ fingertips. Once I took a closer look, however, I noticed some miraculous moments. I heard kids shouting with excitement as volunteers poured vinegar onto baking soda. I spotted volunteers giving instructions to make slime and kids responding with precision. While the day continued to be filled with mishaps and mayhem, I found relief in the fact that a number of kids were truly enjoying themselves. It was already an honor to be called teacher, but being told “Thank you so much” and “I will miss this class” was such a humbling experience. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the students who had opened up their minds to science and the volunteers who had dedicated their time to the class. I even had a few parents stay afterward to help me clean up. It was far from perfect, but I could not have asked for a better last day.

Lessons Learned: I started my internship at Kingdom Causes as a high schooler with no formal teaching experience and little to no idea of what community development entailed. It took a leap of faith for me to seize this opportunity and take advantage of the freedom I had been given. I could simply complete the assigned tasks or devote my time to making a class that would benefit the youth of Bellflower. I wanted to motivate the kids to be fully engaged in their education and be curious about the world around them. Although I never specifically stated this goal to my students, I attempted to provide a learning environment where they could utilize their creativity and acquired knowledge to build something all their own. I could congratulate myself for a job well done, but at the day there was something bigger than me at work. I was simply responding to the needs of the community and loving my city the best way I knew how. Thank you Kingdom Causes for giving me that opportunity.

Looking Forward: As my internship comes to a close, I become more and more certain that I have obtained valuable skills and unforgettable experiences along my journey. I was able to connect with my students, my co-workers, and my city. Establishing these relationships was my favorite part of this internship. I opened my heart to the community and they opened their heart to me. With this also came letting go of pride, ego, and sometimes control. At first I was uncomfortable with the chaos, but then I realized a small dose can be necessary (especially when you put science and kids together). My internship began with saying goodbye to a much beloved community leader. My internship ended with saying hello to a new executive director and a future of being invested in my community.

Dance Classes at KCB!

For the last couple of months a dedicated group of kids have been attending Kingdom Causes' First Dance Class. While there are many benefits to dance: improvement on flexibility, strength and endurance, what is more exhilarating is that dance gives them an overall sense of well-being by increasing their self-confidence, reducing stress and tension, and building teamwork. It is exciting to see them eager to learn new steps and ask for challenging moves. Not only have the kids been excited but there is a great sense of excitement and support by their parents as well, who have helped tremendously by making sure their kids are stretching and practicing their moves at home. It is compelling to teach these amazing kids and get them ready for their first performance. If you would like more information about this dance class or are interested in signing up your child, please contact April at 562-804-2189.