VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 11/28/07) - American Baptist-related Curtis Park Community Center, a mainstay of ministry for countless thousands in Denver, Colo., for nearly 70 years, remains open, committed to serving its community and debunking recent inaccurate information that it had closed.
Begun as a Christian center by American Baptist Churches USA in 1938, Curtis Park continues to offer essential ministries to those in need within metropolitan Denver. It is part of the Neighborhood Action Program, a National Ministries-supported network of community, Christian and neighborhood centers throughout the United States that serve individuals and families facing economic, employment and other challenges.
In addition to numerous on-site ministries, the center's New Life Youth Media Team helped to produce video and digital accounts of the denomination's NEW LIFE 2010 emphasis, including significant work at the 2001 Biennial Meeting of American Baptist Churches USA in Providence, R.I.
Currently under the direction of its board of directors and an outside consultant, Curtis Park Community Center is in the process of reorganization. Its original programs "continue to provide the much needed services of the community as defined by the guidelines of the ABC Neighborhood Action Program," says board member Gin Butler.
Despite limited staff and funds, Butler notes that through mid-November, the center provided food to more than 12,500 individuals and clothing to more than 5,000 individuals. In addition, the victim assistance program ministered to close to 150 persons, and Curtis Park served lunch to more than 600 senior citizens. A licensed professional counselor donates time one day per week at the center.
"Our Christmas efforts are being enhanced by the arrival of boxes from White Cross," Butler says. "This will ensure that as many families as possible will be assisted. Additionally, Leadership Denver Class of '07, a leadership development program of the Greater Denver Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is volunteering to wrap Christmas gifts to aid us."
Whatever the focus of its reorganization, Curtis Park Community Center will continue to provide ongoing essential services. "Even with new ministries and direction, the current funded ministries will continue," Butler says. "All of the services being provided are staffed by individuals funded by already budgeted dollars."
Contributions to support the ongoing mission and ministry of Curtis Park Community Center are welcome and encouraged. Churches and individuals are invited to send gifts directly to Curtis Park at 929 29th Street, Denver, CO 80205. Also, checks may be sent to National Ministries, Attn: Finance Dept., P.O. Box 851 Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; please note " Specific Gift-Curtis Park" on the memo line.
Neighborhood Action Program centers such as Curtis Park are one way National Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA, carries out the home mission of The American Baptist Home Mission Societies, ministering throughout the United States and Puerto Rico to transform leaders and transform lives through evangelism, church planting, and social justice programs, and many more.
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/