Outreach Ministry
Thrivent Community at Redeemer Lutheran Church
Members of Redeemer, through involvement in the Thrivent Community, are meeting with representatives of the Board of Directors of the Rural Development Corporation, a non-profit organization in Vineland. Rural Development acts as a food distribution center to many area food pantries and receives clients who have lost their home and do not have a place to live. Through its’ Cumberland Family Shelter division, Rural Development provides temporary housing at their facility in south Vineland.
Serving men, women and children, it allows for families to reside together at one location. Background checks and screenings are conducted on every person accepted and each client has a plan of action based on their individual case that requires them to conduct a minimum of ten housing and ten job searches per week. School age children are required to be enrolled in school and are transported by their local school system.
The shelter has a bus that provides transportation so that residents may conduct job searches, attend job fairs, complete housing searches, access community health care, etc… It is in the business of helping people back to, or to continue in, a productive life keeping families together while providing for their well-being and safety. The residents are provided with the means to obtain a fresh start on life and to resolve their housing issues.
The Thrivent Community is working through and with members and leaders of Redeemer Lutheran Church to identify ways to assist the Cumberland Family Shelter.
Utilizing Community Seed Money, we are planning a first step to provide assistance… to assemble Welcome Kits that contain toiletries and personal items for the residents. You can help by being a part of Redeemer’s Welcome Kit Program. You’ll soon learn more about donating supplies for the Welcome Kits in a manner similar to the Boxes for Soldiers program. The Thrivent Community at Redeemer will provide significant funding to assist.
Please prayerfully consider if embracing this need is important to you and supports the human life values that you cherish, and then watch for more news as we finalize our plans.
Any member of Redeemer can be part of the Thrivent Community. You need not be a Thrivent Member to participate in the planning and actions of the committee. We welcome everyone to join in our outreach projects.
Luther Acres
Luther Acres, run by Redeemer Lutheran Housing Inc., is an outreach ministry of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. The three-story Y-shaped building, located at 560 Sarah Place, Vineland, consists of 99 air-conditioned apartments, a community room, small store and a library. Units are available to senior citizens age 62 and older or to people with disabilities
To be considered for tenancy one must complete an application and show proof of income, assets, and expenses. Tenants need to meet the HUD annual income limit requirements. People with disabilities must have proper certification from a physician.
For more information contact the management office at 856-696-0896.
Family Promise of Cumberland County
Redeemer is one of the founding host churches of Family Promise of Cumberland County. The 501-c-3 organization provides temporary housing to displaced moms and their children in host congregations. Meals and support are provided for the family as well as training and assistance in finding suitable jobs and housing.
As of the fall of 2011, 9 congregations have made commitments to host families. 4 more are needed for the affiliate to open its doors. Meetings are held monthly in host churches while the affiliate is organizing.
It is anticipated that a Day Center Office will be opened in 2012, after a director has been hired and the 13 churches are in place. Family Promise of Cumberland County will join 17 other Day Centers operating in 21 New Jersey Counties. For more information or to donate contact the church office.