“Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?" Luke 11:40
|
|
Achieving greatness first requires the work of going inward, challenging our deepest assumptions about who we are and what God is calling us to do. Thanks to all of you, BCM has accomplished some remarkable things. Against a backdrop of more than three decades of dignified service, in these past twelve months alone, BCM has grown dramatically. For example,
Budget for Life
™
is now offered at three locations, features a modernized curriculum, and serves three times the number of families than in prior years. However, with such growth comes the need to reflect on process, controls, and values. We must approach this introspection with fresh eyes and question everything, complying with Albert Einstein's statement: "A true genius admits they know nothing." Toward this end, BCM has engaged with strategic planning partners Warren Averett and The Bee Colony to help us look inward with new perspectives at who we are and what God is calling us to do. So, for the next 6-8 months you will not only be hearing about our strategic planning process, but will even be a part of it, as we call on you to help!
In this edition of
The Way
,
you will read about
new roles and new people, exciting growth, and a powerful story of a client's first home purchase. We hope you will spend time with this special edition, written entirely
–
save my reflection
–
by Communications Intern, Meghan Daniel, an English major and rising senior from Wofford College. We are grateful for our young people and the new insight they bring to institutions like BCM.
Thank you for a remarkable fiscal year 2019. We look forward to serving with you in 2020.
Keeva Kase
President and CEO
Buckhead Christian Ministry
|
|
BCM President and CEO, Keeva Kase, was recently distinguished as the 2019 Rotarian of the Year by the Rotary Club of Buckhead. With only 18 months under his belt as a Buckhead Rotarian, this award recognizes the momentum Keeva has brought to the club. Keeva's involvement in Rotary has blended the two organizations by bringing Rotarians into the BCM Board and donor pool.
|
|
BCM's commitment to an introspective and intentional assessment of the organization of our ministry has prompted us to reposition two key BCM staff members.
Robyn Hazelrigs, General Manager of BCM’s THRIFT
ique
for more than ten years, and Michelle Krompegal, former Director of Development, have been repositioned within BCM to continue their integral service to the ministry in new capacities.
In early June, Robyn began her new role as Food Pantry Manager. Here, her cheery and welcoming demeanor will allow for the continuation of positive volunteer experiences within the recently renovated food pantry. Robyn’s new position will also entail the implementation of client choice, a new facet of the food pantry which will allow clients to ‘shop’ for their own food instead of receiving pre-selected food bags, and the incorporation of more fresh foods into the selection.
Michelle moved down the road to BCM’s boutique-style resale store, THRIFT
ique
, where she took on the role of Director of Retail Operations. In addition to overseeing the expansion effort, which you will read about further below, Michelle is directing a facelift of the space to improve customer experience and appeal.
Thank you, Robyn and Michelle, for your continued service to BCM!
|
|
Brandi Underwood, a 9-year veteran of BCM, returned in March 2018 to cover two interim positions, Director of Housing and Director of Volunteers and Community Engagement, while two of our staff were on maternity leave. Brandi previously worked at BCM as an Emergency Assistance Program Manager and worked her way through various services within the ministry, eventually being named the Director of Services. With this extensive experience at BCM in her back pocket, Brandi made a smooth transition back into the tempo of our ministry. Her return was so fitting, in fact, that she was hired as BCM's new Chief Operating Officer nearly a year after she stepped in to cover the two interim positions. Brandi says her new role has been "stimulating" and has allowed her to "learn and grow with BCM from an operational standpoint." Keeva says of Brandi's return "We could not be more thrilled to have Brandi back on the BCM team. She knows our work inside and out and is making us all shine! Welcome home, Brandi!"
|
|
Buckhead THRIFT
ique,
recently named by CBS Atlanta as Atlanta's second best thrift store, is undergoing major expansion and renovation.
Judy Ginn, a 20-year THRIFT
ique
volunteer, says she “loves that THRIFT
ique
is getting the attention it deserves" and is "thrilled about doubling the space and being able to sell furniture.” She added, “THRIFT
ique
is the perfect example of ‘God’s hands and feet’—helping clients get on their feet again by treating them with dignity, giving them hope, and always showing them God’s love.” Ten-year THRIFT
ique
volunteer Meryl Dilcher concurs, calling the store her favorite place to volunteer.
The store will continue to rely on the crucial role of volunteers as it functions to offer affordable, quality clothing provisions to BCM clients while operating as a source of revenue for the ministry’s efforts.
If you are interested in volunteering at THRIFT
ique
, please email
volunteer@bcmatlanta.org.
The renovations, which will increase the floor space from 4,200 square feet to 8,400 square feet, are expected to be completed in the coming months.
As the store expands physically, we hope, in turn, to be able to increase our reach into the surrounding community.
|
|
BCM is now accepting planned (estate) gifts through our Legacy Society. BCM’s Legacy Society is comprised of individuals who have communicated to us that they have generously included BCM in their estate planning. If you already included BCM in your estate plan but have not let us know, please do so we can recognize you! If you have not, please consider doing so; any amount is welcome. Including BCM in your estate plan can be as simple as indicating a direct bequeath or changing IRA beneficiaries, among other ways.
Please email
BCMLegacySociety@bcmatlanta.org
if you feel inclined to offer future support to the ministry, or if you would like to start a conversation about leaving your legacy with BCM.
|
|
BCM's Board of Directors is also undergoing internal changes. As of July 1, Shirley Davis officially assumed the role of Board Chair, a position formerly held by John Shepard. Both are members of Trinity Presbyterian Church.
John began his term in 2017, a few months before Keeva was hired. He says that the many friendships that formed as a byproduct of his tenure, along with the infectious “energy, passion, and devotion” that Keeva brought to the table, are the highlights of his time as board chair.
Shirley began volunteering with BCM in 2013 and has served on the board since 2016. She also served as chair of the Seeds of Change luncheon in 2015 and 2016, has been a coach in the
Budget for Life
™ program, was a part of the search committee that found Keeva, and has been the Development Committee Chair since 2017. She says that the way BCM offers assistance to people in “dire straits” and sets them up for long-term “self-sufficiency” resonates with her.
We are so thankful for the leadership of both John and Shirley.
|
|
In addition to a transition in leadership, the Board of Directors also voted in five new members: Dr. Michael Rich, Bert Ponder, Dr. Pat Meadors, Titania Jordan, and Sharmeen Hawkins.
- Michael’s involvement with BCM consists of participating in church-sponsored food drives and engaging his Policy Analysis class at Emory in a collaboration with BCM to help the ministry obtain a better understanding of our data systems, as well as track the work and impact of our programs and services. He has experience with a number of housing and homelessness studies at the federal, state, and local levels.
- After rotating off another non-profit board, Bert heard Keeva speak about the ministry one Sunday at church and understood this to be divine intervention. He brings experience in finance, administration and non-profits, as well as a passion for “working with kids and families that are either down on their luck or a little less fortunate.”
- Pat has been involved with the food pantry through her church for years but says her eyes were opened to the "nearness of the cause" of BCM when our staff showed up to assist evicted residents of The Darlington Apartments last fall. As a doctor at Piedmont Hospital, many of these residents were her neighbors and patients. Pat was instrumental in helping BCM receive a $25,000 grant from the hospital that went toward our efforts in relocating the evicted residents.
- Titania, CMO and Chief Parent Officer of Bark.us, brings marketing, communications, and PR experience to the table and is eager to apply these skills to "help scale the mission and impact" of BCM. Keeva recruited Titania after hearing her speak at Rotary.
- Sharmeen says she is eager to begin her service on the board of a ministry that uplifts our community. She is especially looking forward to contributing to the work of the Seeds of Change Society, which has a special focus on women and children in crisis.
|
|
After successfully achieving the ambitious goals of BCM’s 2017-19 strategic plan, which led to the doubling of Emergency Assistance and Foundation 3, and the tripling of Budget for Life, BCM is now embarking on a new strategic planning process. BCM has retained the services of
Warren Averett
and
The Bee Colony
, who will work with a diverse strategic planning committee comprised of board members, President's Circle members, staff, volunteers, and clients. Over the next six to nine months, in addition to examining our core values and programs, BCM will set an inspiring vision for the future and implement plans to realize it. In regard to the connection between the planning process and mission of BCM, Keeva says, “The working poor in our communities deserve a place to call home and the opportunity to thrive and contribute. Given our current momentum, support, and focus on quality results for our clients, BCM is uniquely poised to lead on these issues for people in need. This strategic planning process will help us focus on exactly who we are and what God is calling us to do in our communities.”
Please stay tuned for updates from this process.
|
|
Cathy was a client of Michelle Ramirez, BCM's Director of Financial Education, two years ago. While in the 22-week program, she worked with her coach, recently instated Chair of the Board of Directors, Shirley Davis, on establishing and maintaining a budget that worked for her lifestyle. As a new mother at the time, Cathy recalls the difficulty in abiding by strict spending rules. In retrospect, she is thankful for the guidance of her coach and mentor, Shirley, which equipped her with the skills she needed to succeed.
To our delight, Cathy reached out to Shirley last month to share the good news that she had closed on her first home in mid-June and to thank Shirley for helping her reach this momentous achievement.
Cathy is one of around 258 clients that BCM has helped to establish financial stability through
Budget for Life™
. Through this program, BCM staff and volunteer coaches help participants acquire money-managing skills, mitigate debt, and provide a savings match. These steps help clients break out of the cycle of poverty, which a culmination of factors associated with social health and well-being, and lack thereof, tend to perpetuate.
Budget for Life™
is one way that BCM is committed to improving the well-being of our community at-large.
|
|
Monday, September 23rd at 11am
Don't miss this opportunity to engage in fellowship and support your community through the game of golf. For 22 years, BCM has enjoyed hosting the Tee It Up Golf Tournament as a way to bring the BCM community together and introduce newcomers to our ministry. If you would like to learn more about this event or purchase a sponsorship, please visit the link below.
|
|
Click on the image or button below to see the CBS Atlanta news article which features THRIFT
ique
, our very own resale store, as one of the top four thrift stores in Atlanta!
|
|
|
Shop, donate or volunteer at Buckhead THRIFT
ique
to directly support BCM's programs!
|
|
Shop AmazonSmile and earn donations for BCM! When you choose BCM at checkout, with every purchase, AmazonSmile donates .5% of the price of eligible purchases to our ministry.
|
|
When you buy or sell your house with A Happy House and Keller Williams Real Estate Agents, upon closing, you can choose BCM as the charity they'll support through the sale!
|
|
By enrolling in Kroger Community Rewards and selecting BCM, every trip to the grocery store using your Plus Card is a rewarding experience for BCM!
|
|
Book your next move with Two Men And A Truck.
They give back to BCM!
|
Two Men and a Truck donate their time, talents, and resources to BCM by providing moving services for our clients. Their services are invaluable to our clients, many of whom would otherwise be at a loss when it comes to moving transportation. As a way of showing our gratitude on behalf of our clients, we encourage you to book your next move with this company, which comes with a 96% customer referral rate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
