Serve

The Catalyst community, a Bible study group at COTS, serves dinner on the second Thursday of every month at the City Mission men’s shelter. Dinner preparation usually takes place in the Calvary Hall kitchen the preceding Wednesday evening. After serving the meal, the group enjoys sitting down to dinner and conversation with the men of the shelter before starting clean-up. Opportunities to contribute include: helping with preparation or serving, financial donations, and, of course, prayer. Contact: Pete Evangelista, (216) 647-4774

Habitat for Humanity works to end substandard housing by renovating simple, decent affordable houses for lower-income families. Since 1987, Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity has built/rehabbed just over 200 homes using volunteer labor. This work has been accomplished using a variety of skill levels. Contact: Bob Layton, (216) 297-1812, email r_w_layton@yahoo.com

Food donations from COTS go to two food distribution sites of the Hunger Network of Cleveland, Heights Emergency Food Center at Disciples Church on Mayfield Rd in Cleveland Heights and Cory United Methodist Hunger Center. Non-perishable donations are collected on a continuous basis with items left in the Tower Entrance plus special donation events, e.g. ‘Souper Bowl Sunday’. Cory UM provides emergency food assistance in the Glenville area; their center can also use cloth grocery bags and light rolling carts.

The world’s future leaders are on campuses in Cleveland right now! The International Student Ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship is a strategic opportunity to share Christ’s love through meeting the practical and spiritual needs of these international students in the Greater Cleveland area. You can be a world missionary (without language study, visa or travel) by sharing a holiday meal, picking someone up at the airport, hosting a new student for 3 days, donating unused furniture or being a friendship partner; For further info, contact Bok or Heidi Chew at (216) 371-3114 or bokchew@yahoo.com.

“Kairos” is a Greek word, meaning “God’s special time”. The mission of Kairos is to build Christian community within the prison. To introduce inmates into that community, Kairos holds two long-weekend events per year, per prison. Trained volunteers show, live, and teach the transforming love of Jesus Christ over the course of the weekend, in addition to on-going programs to support the Kairos community “inside”. Church of the Saviour supports Kairos in the form of volunteers, home-baked cookies, posters, placemats, and, of course, prayer. Contact: Pete Evangelista, (216) 647-4774

The ECHO group represents COTS at the St. Philomena Food and Clothing Pantry in East Cleveland. Along with volunteers from other churches and organizations we pack and distribute groceries, sort and distribute clothing, and/or provide hospitality assistance, registration and check-in for the clients. The pantry, in its new home at 14305 Shaw Avenue is open every Saturday from 10-12: ECHO service dates are periodic based on need and availability. Contact: Tom Wadsworth, (216) 321-3890, email tewadsworth@gmail.com

Scranton Rd. Ministries C.D.C. actively contributes to the spiritual, economic and physical restoration of Cleveland. Over the past 14 years, Scranton Rd. Ministries has provided over 12,570 traditionally under-served Cleveland youth and adults with a comprehensive portfolio of Biblically-based services, including workforce development, educational enrichment, legal services, medical assistance, leadership development and computer training. Our Vision is to revitalize our community, one life at a time; as lives are transformed by the Gospel of Christ and restored to His noble purpose. Contact: Tom Wadsworth, (216) 321-3890, email tewadsworth@gmail.com

Church of the Saviour has established the Urban Scholar’s Grant to aid inner city students’ in their college education. Students from our East Tech Mentoring program are attending Cuyahoga Community College. The Metro Missions Committee has donated half the amount allowed for each student for the year, and COTS members will donate the other half. This year we are supporting three students.  If you wish to help support the education of an inner city student, contact Metro Missions. Contact: Juanita Taylor, (330) 217-2412, email  jajuarez1@yahoo.com

Chat Pals, a telephone and/or a video-conference program that offers a way for COTS members to share friendship and compassion with those in need in our community and for members who could benefit from a friendly voice. Contact: Kristen Riley at Greater Cleveland Volunteers, (216)391-9500 x2124 or kriley@greaterclevelandvolunteers.org

Scholarships for teens at the  P22 Youth Foundation annual Teen Spiritual Summer Retreat. Volunteer opportunities for church members. Contact: Joe Walker, (216)235-9868