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Treasuring an underserved population |
Mary and Joe Blazer were praying about the next step
their church, the Lighthouse Worship Center in Dundee, would take as
an outreach to the community.
“We felt he wanted us to reach out to an underserved population,”
Mary Blazer said. Joe Blazer is pastor at the worship center.
Because she had been a special education teacher for more than 10
years for people who were delayed developmentally and physically,
Mary Blazer felt the idea would be a good fit at her church.
Thus began Tuesday’s Treasures, a program that partners with Love
INC, a clearing house for churches offering services in Newberg, and
Dundee United Methodist Church to provide activities for disabled
persons ages 10 and older.
From 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Dundee
Methodist Church, on 11th Street and Highway 99W, the program offers
fellowship, singing, Bible stories, crafts, games and snacks.
The program was started in Sherwood by George Fox University
graduate Steve Ristow. Ristow found few activities for the disabled
while he was doing research for his master’s project on respite
care.
He began the Quiet Waters Outreach Center in Sherwood, which
included a Tuesday’s Treasures program there. But there was nothing
similar to the program in Yamhill County, and Ristow wanted to
expand.
Mary Blazer, coordinator of the program, sought ideas from Polly
Siler, executive director for Love INC. Siler was excited and
flooded Blazer with ideas.
The group has met twice, once in January and again this past
Tuesday.
She said the program will offer people with disabilities a safe
place to meet people and “be who they are, who they want to be and
who they need to be.”
“They hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and have a good time. The
kids in the program are looking for a place to get out and meet
people in an environment that is fun and not overstimulating. Anyone
with a physical mental disability (is) welcome to come.”
The next meeting will be March 7. |
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From
Feb. 11, 2006, Newberg Graphic
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