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Home > Tabor Publications> Tabor Talk Tabor Talk Spring 2001 Articles: Standing at the doorway of conflict is inevitable. Yet it presents itself right in front of us every day. Because of past hurts, some may lash out in conflict in response to their own hurts. However, most of us do not look forward to conflict. We fear the doorway of conflict because we have seen it lead to turmoil, destruction and hurt. Wars, divorce, and split churches are examples of reasons that in many cases validate this paradigm. However, I argue that while these results might be commonplace, they are not inevitable. On the contrary, we can accomplish the opposite outcomes of peace, intimacy, growth and healing through conflict. In fact, I argue that by walking through this doorway girded with grace is oftentimes the only way to peace, intimacy, growth and healing. Our counselors deal with conflict on a daily basis. When presenting clients with a new way of life, we immediately have presented lifestyles and behaviors that run counter to past patterns. We ask creditors and landlords to make concessions and work out plans that are different than traditional models. The job and fight can be tiring. Choosing to see the picture of peace, intimacy and healing that is displayed on the other side of the door can provide the motivation we need. We must recognize that conflict does not have to lead to destruction. Recognizing that good can come from conflict and that the possibilities and resources are limitless is critical. On the flip side, we must acknowledge that the alternative to conflict can be more devastating. Wars, divorce and church splits often occur because some ignore or do not deal with conflict in healthy ways. The encouraging part is that with each doorway that we step through, we become stronger. We become stronger to turn these conflicts into something good. So let's draw the sword, see it shine and with it promote healing, peace and intimacy. Let's open the door.
What a change of life! Moving from subsidized housing to her own home gave Ada DeJesus and her children a proud sense of accomplishment. Ada accomplished home ownership and a whole lot more through a few of Tabor's programs. After completing the Family Self-Sufficiency program which helps lower income families achieve self-sufficiency, Ada was ready to build a better life for herself and her four children. She diligently worked with Tabor's STEPS Pre-Purchase program and proudly purchased her own home in Elizabethtown in 2000. During that time in March of 1999, Ada also enrolled in Tabor's Family Savings Account (FSA) program and started the discipline of saving an average of $10 a week for her children's education. By changing her spending and saving habits, Ada has saved more than $1,300 and received a $600 FSA match for her goal of saving for her children's education! Ada also learned of Pennsylvania's Tuition Account Program (TAP) in her FSA financial workshops and purchased an account for each of her four children with her FSA savings and matching grant. Ada now feels that her children have what they need for their future. Her children have that extra push and increased desire to continue with their education. "I feel that I've given my family a better future to reach their dreams and that's something I didn't have before FSA," commented Ada. " I also realized that nothing is impossible when you set your mind to it." Through FSA, Ada also learned about other financial opportunities and plans on saving for retirement next. I must admit that my first reaction to that question is "No." I'm not wealthy, how could I "leave a legacy?" What I have learned about philanthropy lately is that it's not just for the wealthy. It cuts across boundaries of economics, race and religion. Tabor recently joined ranks with the Leave a Legacy Lancaster County, a program administered through The Susquehanna Valley Planned Giving Council. Leave a Legacy works in partnership with civic-minded volunteers, professional advisors and other non-profit organizations like Tabor to encourage planned giving. It is part of a nationwide effort to promote charitable giving among people of all ages and backgrounds. While nearly three quarters of all Americans make charitable contributions during their lifetime, fewer than 10% include charitable gifts in their estate plans. In fact, approximately 50% of Americans die without a will or any type of estate plan. There's no mystery to charitable planned giving. In its simplest form, it involves taking stock of what's been important in your life, choosing an organization or cause that matches your priorities, and setting up a means to fund their work, often through your will. Take action. Put your personal estate plans into place. For information on Tabor's planned giving program, please call Jeane' Hershey at 397.5182 ext. 112
For over two years, Tabor's Family Savings Account program has encouraged lower-income families to save for assets such as a home, education, a car or retirement, etc. Qualifying families deposit an average of $10 a week for a period of 12 to 24 months after which they are eligible for a 50% to 100% match up to a maximum of $1,200. To many families, this is a daunting task. Planning and saving for purchases in the future is a discipline that many families have not mastered. Encouragement and case management from Tabor's FSA coordinator, Zulma Gonzalez, and FSA case manager, Janice Stork, are indicative. To keep savers on track and provide them with money saving tips, Zulma created the FSA Savers' Exchange Club which meets regularly. It's a fun time of food, fellowship, kids' crafts and of course a time to share successes and challenges in saving for financial goals. The January Savers' Exchange
Club was a true "exchange" in every sense of the word.
A recent FSA graduate enthusiastically shared about her experience
with Tabor's FSA program. She recently purchased a home in October
and shared how FSA and Tabor's home pre-purchase program helped
her to understand how to make the most of her finances. She also
expressed her appreciation for all the financial information she
gained during the workshops and counseling sessions. She explained
how she is planning to renovate her kitchen and a fellow FSA saver,
who happens to be a cabinetmaker, offered his expertise! Another
"exchange" came when a participant spoke about saving
for her first vehicle (at age 45) and her dire need for driving
lessons to attain her license. Another fellow saver, who is a bus
driver, offered her time to give her free driving "The entire evening displayed the true essence of the Savers' Exchange Club, commented FSA coordinator, Zulma Gonzalez. Savers not only enjoyed good food and fellowship but encouragement from friends and savers to persevere with their personal financial goals." See page 3 for Savers' exchange volunteer needs. Spring is a time of newness and rebirth of nature. Budding trees and flowers bring us a promise of warmer weather and the marvel of a new season. Just as it's time for spring, Tabor is also budding into a new season of its own. With the expertise of North Star Marketing, Tabor is undertaking a project to recreate themselves by forming a new logo and collateral materials. North Star Marketing and local printing companies are graciously donating over $15,000 of services to Tabor to complete this "marketing makeover." "Tabor's new look truly reflects its mission," said Groshong of North Star Marketing. "It's a mission focused on rebuilding: communities, families and people's lives through housing and financial care. It is this sense of caring - from providing bricks and mortar in the form of housing to care in consumer credit counseling that we have used as the basis for Tabor's new design and look." Over the past five years, Tabor's size of staff and services has grown considerably. "As Tabor continues to provide more and more services to the community the need became apparent for a fresh, new look in logo and materials, commented Tabor President, Michael Weaver. Tabor is excited to introduce the new logo to you and are certain that you will enjoy the newfound look." Stay tuned in the following months for the introduction of Tabor's new logo. Tabor Community Services is once again participating in Dream Ride 2001 for Lancaster County. Dream Ride is a community-based event to raise funds for local charities. This year Tabor is sponsoring Tom Conway, Gerry Umble and Ivan Umble to cycle 177 miles around the perimeter of the county on Saturday, June 9, 2001. Tabor is also looking for riders to cycle and gain pledges for shorter 15, 30, 62.5 and 100 mile routes on Saturday, June 16. If interested, please contact Jeane' Hershey at 397.5182 ext. 112. Joshua Benjamin, Tim Charles, Jose Jimmenez,Joe Stauffer, Jared Hankee and Brad Hertzler are six college students that are eager for spring to arrive. No, not because they want to play frisbee golf on the college lawn but because they want to get to know their neighbors on S. Ann Street a little better. These six college students are currently renting (at a reduced rate) a house from Tabor on S. Ann Street in exchange for community rebuilding in the neighborhood. It is evident that community redevelopment is something that is near to their hearts as a few of them also have part-time jobs working with other kids' programs in the city of Lancaster in addition to their college work and community projects. "On most days our doors are open to the kids in the neighborhood." "There are probably three or more kids that actually come most every day to hang out and play games," commented Charles. By talking to the students about their work in the city of Lancaster, it is evident that they have a sincere desire to make a difference. "We are all growing tremendously and we can see a difference in the neighborhood already," responded Jimminez. "We are so thankful for God's protection and can really sense God guiding us through our work in the neighborhood." The students are interested in building a resource of games, books, crayons, etc. for grades 3-6 when the children come to the house. To donate items please call Jeané Hershey at 397.5182 ext. 112. On Thursday, March 29th, Tabor hosted its 33rd annual fundraising banquet. Over 325 Tabor supporters joined together for fellowship, an enjoyable meal and a humorous evening with guest speaker, Lynn Miller. As always, Lynn's message on stewardship was spiced with good-natured humor he has become known for. Even the mild mannered of the crowd chuckled at Lynn's great story telling. Tabor also presented awards
to five individuals for their exceptional achievement in 2000: John
Pauls-Volunteer of the Year, Bev Campbell-Housing Client of the
Year, Dolores McCarthy-Landlord of the Year, Judy Meckley of Ephrata
National Bank-CCCS Creditor of the Year, and Ileana Valentin-CCCS
Client of the Year. Congratulations and thank you for your Thanks to our many business sponsors and donors who made our banquet a financial success. Tabor is deeply grateful for your support. Tabor Talk is the general newsletter
at Tabor Community Services and is mailed quarterly. To receive
future newsletters, please contact Tabor Community Services Inc.
at 717.397.5182 or email us at Contribute@Tabornet.com. |
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