“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow."
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Dear BCM Community,
In the face of a global pandemic, national unrest, turbulent markets, and overall uncertainty about practically everything – BCM’s community showed up powerfully.
Because of your generosity, encouragement, and trust in our effective mission, BCM’s staff and volunteers pressed through all these challenges, serving unprecedented numbers of households. In the last quarter of FY2020, BCM served more families than all three prior quarters combined. The largest
Budget for Life
™ class in BCM’s history retired record-setting amounts of debt and saved more than any class in the program’s history. BCM’s donor base, foundations, county government, and partner churches gave so much that this year will be BCM’s most successful fundraising year to-date.
This is all because of you. Thank you.
This edition of
The Way
focuses on the good work we have accomplished together and the gratitude we have for everyone who has faithfully shown up during such daunting times. More than anything, we are proud of the clients who are working hard to improve their lives as we continue to walk alongside of them, which is only possible thanks to your generosity.
Keeva Kase
President and CEO
Buckhead Christian Ministry
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Pressing On Amid a Pandemic
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In mid-March, BCM staff adjusted the implementation of our services in a manner that was safe for both our clients and staff and still in keeping with our mission. As faithful contributors to our mission, you made that transition with us and met our community where and when it needed you. Because of your unwavering support, we take joy in being able to report that our 4th quarter emergency financial assistance more than tripled from the previous quarter.
We are overwhelmed with gratitude for your prayerful and financial support, which has allowed us to provide financial assistance to 2,711 households in the last fiscal year (July 1, 2019-June 26, 2020).
Well done, good and faithful servants!
Click here
to view a graph illustrating the quarterly emergency financial assistance BCM provided in FY2020.
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Celebrating Unparalled Success
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On June 10 and 17,
Budget for Life
volunteers, staff and participants alike rallied together for graduation ceremonies celebrating the participants in what
Budget for Life
volunteer
Rebecca Clements calls a "transformative, empowering" program. This year's classes paid off a total of $202,139 in debt--the largest amount of debt paid off by a
Budget for Life
class to date! The class also saved $72,724. In addition, BCM added a dollar for dollar savings match of up to $1,000!
Please join us in celebrating these accomplishments and continuing to keep the group in mind as they enter Phase II of the program, the Savings Match, this month.
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Perseverance Pays Off: A Client Success Story
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Yolanda first met with her
Foundation 3
case manager in October of 2018. After preliminary meetings, her case manager then met with the Career Placement Director where Yolanda was employed. While her case manager advocated on her behalf, Yolanda remained patient and positive and continued to fully apply herself within the organization.
Yolanda's work ethic, coupled with her case manager's advocacy, earned her a promotion in January of this year with a company recognized as a global leader in the HR Services industry. However, Yolanda knew her skills qualified her for an even higher position. She earned yet another promotion in June and is now an auditor, earning $19/hour with full benefits. Since having graduated from
Foundation 3
in April, Yolanda has continued to meet bi-weekly with her BCM case manager, who encourages Yolanda to aim high.
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THRIFT
ique
: Open and Ready for Business!
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Since having reopened in early June, THRIFT
ique
has been operating under limited hours and volunteer opportunities. Both will expand as deemed appropriate in the coming weeks. We will also release a memo regarding new donations policies and procedures in the coming weeks. Stay up to date with store hours, events, sales, and other news from Buckhead THRIFT
ique
on
Facebook
and
Instagram
.
One new feature of
THRIFT
ique
is online shopping!
This past week, LOVE ATLANTA hosted the third Facebook Live sale, showcasing a selection of great pieces at the store. We are grateful for their commitment to BCM and for creative ways to share what's in stock at
THRIFT
ique
!
If you feel comfortable returning to
THRIFT
ique
to volunteer,
visit this link
to sign up for shifts. We would love to see you back at the store as you join us in
#SteppingForwardwithBCM
! (From six feet away, of course.)
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Mark Your Calendars for a Hole Lot of Swinging!
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In the spirit of resilience and community, we are excited to host our 23rd fundraiser golf tournament, Tee it Up, on September 21, 2020 at Peachtree Golf Club from 9am-5pm. Due to COVID-19, we will be changing some of the traditional events to ensure the safety and health of all our attendees. Grab a four-some and join us!
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The Magic Words: Thank You
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Each day of our lives brings new and unique challenges. This has proven to ring true--loud and clear--in recent months. As a world, as a nation, as a community, and as a ministry, we've been hit hard by a virus that has prompted an onslaught of fear, uncertainty, and, of course, illness. However, you have walked with us in the storm. You did not shrink in fear, or retract your support in favor of isolation. You have been an exemplary testament to the truest form of the word "community." For that, we are grateful. Thank you, BCM community.
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You've asked us how you can contribute to BCM's mission in our community, so we've compiled a list of ways you can show
greATLove
:
1. Make a gift today by clicking
here
.
2. Sign up to volunteer in-person and virtually with us by clicking
here
.
3. Pray for each staff member to have strength for the journey.
4. Reach out to a staff member via email with words of encouragement.
5
.
Post the attached greATLove logo to your social media page with “I stand with #TEAMBCM,” or the hashtag "
#SteppingForwardwithBCM
," along with a link to our donation page.
We need you now more than ever to step forward with BCM as we step forward to help those most in need.
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Shop, donate or volunteer at Buckhead THRIFT
ique
to directly support BCM's programs!
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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.
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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!
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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!
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Book your next move with Two Men And A Truck.
They give back to BCM!
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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.
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