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Building with Habitat

Blackhawk annually partners with eleven other local churches in an Apostles Build program through Habitat for Humanity that builds one house each year, beginning in the fall and then finishing construction in May/June. Blackhawk's commitment is physical, in providing labor for several workdays; financial, in raising money to pay for a portion of the house's construction; and spiritual, in praying for the family and being examples of Christ's love to them. If you are interested in volunteering, donating, or interested in leadership, please contact Jeremy Akins.

"We desire to build a compassionate community of believers who seek to share the practical love of Jesus Christ by building homes for families in need. As we partner with and work alongside these families, we strive to enable, encourage, and strengthen each other."

The Homeless Shelter ministry team serves breakfast at the shelter at Grace Episcopal Church (downtown) once a month. Team members purchase supplies (reimbursement is provided) and work at the shelter from about 4:45 am to 7:30 am, preparing, serving, and cleaning up after the meal. If you are interested in being a part of this team, contact Greg Goetsch.

• Life Groups and other groups are invited to make brown-bag lunches for the men at the shelter. If you would like to volunteer, contact Greg Goetsch to get some printed instructions and helpful tips.
• Drivers are urgently needed for a shuttle that takes individuals from the shelter to the Martin Street office. Hours/days are extremely flexible. Contact Greg Goetsch.

Interfaith Hospitality (IHN) is a group of religious congregations joining together to provide temporary overnight lodging, meals and assistance for homeless families in the Madison area. The first program of its kind opened in New Jersey in 1986. Today, based on that model, there are IHN's in many communities across the USA. IHN has been open in Madison since April of 1999.
There are approximately 40 congregations involved in IHN in the Madison area. There are 12 host congregations that house the homeless for 1 week 4 or 5 times a year and 28 buddy churches that come alongside the host church. Blackhawk serves as a buddy church with the host church, Covenant Presbyterian Church (Mineral Pt. and Segoe Rd). IHN operates a day center where professional staff provides management services and families have access to phone, fax, laundry and showers. It also provides workshops on depression, parenting and nutrition.

The homeless families (16 people at a time) are offered 30 to 45 days in the program. Volunteers from the host or buddy churches donate, prepare and serve dinner and breakfast, then eat and fellowship with homeless families. They also do activities with the kids for a few hours each evening, and some stay overnight with the homeless families. From the day center, the homeless parents go to work or look for work or housing, while the children go to school or daycare.

Small groups, teams, families and individuals can serve by:

• Supplying, cooking, setting up, serving or eating with homeless and cleaning up dinner or breakfast
• Planning and participating in evening activities for the homeless kids.
• Staying overnight with the homeless families
• Taking the homeless families on Saturdays after breakfast, for the day or part of the day (to the zoo, picnicking, park, etc.)
• Giving donations: Baby wipes, diapers, back packs, school supplies, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene supplies, Madison Metro bus passes, postage stamps and many more items

From January to June 2002 IHN had to turn away 262 people (including lots of kids) in need of shelter due to lack of space. IHN provides training for all volunteers and highly recommends it to help to make every volunteer feel more comfortable when interacting with the homeless families. The good Lord has given Blackhawk Church a great opportunity to use and develop our gifts, talents and skills for Him as we serve alongside another church, help the less fortunate and make imprints for Him. We are His hands and feet and this gives us an opportunity to put our limbs into motion.

Our serving opportunities with the Interfaith Hospitality Network are currently full, but if you are interested in finding out more about this ministry, please contact Leigh Larson.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' " Matt 25:35-40