Summer Newsletter 2015 - Townsquare Interactive

Alpha Center  801 E. 41st St  Sioux Falls, SD 57105
www.alphacenterfriends.com  (605) 361-3500
Alpha Center Newsletter
Volume 32, Issue 3, Summer 2015
31
STAY UP TO DATE!
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YEARS OF CARING
Return Service Requested
Thank you!
What’s Inside
From the Founder– page 2
Volunteer Spotlight-page 2
Victory Dinner –page 3-4
Client Story
Gifts Given
Upcoming Events
Please keep us in your prayers in the coming
weeks and months as we look to fulfill our
vision of increasing our social network
presence, advancing our website
optimization, continuing our billboard/media
campaign and preparing our client services
to meet the needs of the clients we will see
as a result of the anti-coercion legislation.
Upcoming Events:
Sioux Empire Fair—July 31-August 9
LifeLight—September 4-6
Sidewalk Arts Festival—September 12
Bike for Life—September 19
Purity Ball—February 6, 2016
Page 8
*Diapers (all sizes; especially newborn, 4 and 5)
*Wipes
*Bottles & Pacifiers
*Diaper Bags
*Teething Rings
*Formula
*Toiletries (shampoo, lotion, non-talc baby powder, diaper rash
cream)
We want to extend a hero-sized thank you to
those who were part of the Alpha Center’s
Victory Dinner! Whether you were a guest,
volunteer, donor or prayer warrior, your
faithfulness and support were a blessing.
The Crevier family kicked off the night with
their amazing Spin-tacular Basketball Show.
The rest of the evening featured uplifting
special music, heart-touching testimonies
and a motivating inspirational speech from
featured speaker, Dr. Allen Unruh.
Thank you for being an Everyday Hero!
*Baby Baths
*Jumpers/Bouncy Seats
*Activity/Entertainment Centers
*Swings
*Car Seat/Stroller Combos
*Cribs
*Pack & Plays
*Gender Neutral Newborn Clothing
*Gender Neutral Swaddling Blankets
*12-24 Month and 2T Clothing for Boys and Girls
*Nursing Pads
*Pre-natal Vitamins
What an amazing opportunity it has been to wrap up from the Victory Dinner where we honored all our Everyday Heroes. I
enjoyed seeing the faces of everyone in attendance – those new to our ministry and those who have been with us since the
beginning. Even if you couldn’t join us this year, you can experience some of the Victory Dinner highlights in the next few
pages. I hope you find inspiration and encouragement as you read about some of our Everyday Heroes who serve as
volunteers in several aspects of our ministry.
The Alpha Center has been faithfully serving the tri-state area for 31 years – reaching women and men who are frightened,
alone and overwhelmed by their circumstances. Will you be an Everyday Hero by serving? We need you! We are actively
looking for Church Champions to be a contact person for their congregation and share about the work Alpha Center is doing
in the community. We are always in need of volunteers for special projects, upcoming events,
summer weeding/watering, mentors, prayer partners and financial supporters.
Please consider how you can make an impact in our community by coming alongside the
Alpha Center. You have the oppor tunity to change hearts and save babies. As you r ead
about the Life Skills classes in this newsletter, you will see how Alpha Center strives to meet
every client where they are at. Thank you in advance for your prayers and support.
Please contact us at [email protected], call 605-361-3500 or fill out the enclosed envelope
if you are interested in volunteering, being a Church Champion or to make a donation.
For HIS Unborn,
Leslee Unruh
Founder
My name is Nicole Osmundson and I have been volunteering at the Alpha Center in a variety of
counseling roles since my first child was born 14 years ago. After having a baby, I wasn’t
working full time and wanted to contribute my time to a cause that I was passionate about. My
mother suggested the Alpha Center and I soon started as a client advocate. As time went by, a
need arose for a post-abortion counselor. I didn’t think it was my calling, but agreed to pray
about it asking for a clear answer. God answered right away and I spent several years ministering
to women hurting after their abortion. Being a mom of four kids makes it difficult to come to the
Alpha Center to volunteer so I am now serving as a hotline advocate answering calls when the
office is closed.
My favorite role over the last 14 years was the time spent as a post-abortion counselor. I am in
awe of the transforming power of God’s forgiveness. To see a woman transformed through God’s
power is incredible and I have many memories of seeing women’s lives changed and restored. To see a woman who came in
broken and not even able to look me in the eye find restoration and self-respect so she could one day stand up in court to
testify against abortion is amazing. The women I counseled taught me and were so inspiring. I feel like I gain more from
volunteering than I give and I love being able to see how God can move in a person’s life. It is a great experience when a
baby is saved, but even more powerful when you see a woman saved and her family restored.
I love to share John 10:10 with the women I counsel. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that
they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus comes to give abundant life, regardless of the choices someone has made
in the past. I am so impressed with the Alpha Center staff who are on the battlefield day in and day out. I am honored to be
part of this awesome ministry of God.
Page 2
Stop by the Alpha Center on a Tuesday night and you
might have a hard time finding a parking spot! Walk in
and you’ll find clients attending a Life Skills class, a
Bible study or even a mentoring session.
We do three Life Skills sessions a year, each with 12
weeks of classes. Participants can graduate if they
attend 11 of the 12 classes. This year we have already
had 11 graduates. We survey the clients after each 12
week session ends and one thing that is consistently
requested is that we add more classes/weeks to the
session. They build friendships with each other and the
Tuesday night Alpha volunteers and they want to keep
coming!
One of our goals is to offer some specialized classes
throughout the year such as job training and dressing
for success. Another goal is to continue growing our list
of mentors so after a client graduates and their child is
born, they can still stay connected to the Alpha Center.
We currently have a number of mentor programs
meeting on Tuesday night and throughout the week
including 24/7 Mentor Dad, Women’s Bible Study,
Earn While You Learn, Sexual Integrity and the Family
Project.
All of these programs are successful because of the
amazing individuals who volunteer their time. This is a
great opportunity for someone who cannot volunteer
during our regular business hours. We are currently
looking for volunteers who would be willing to mentor
some of our clients, so if you are interested please call
the Alpha Center to get the volunteer process started!
Graduates of Life Skills Class
Mentor Deb with Client
These programs are an integral part of helping our
clients learn to make positive, life-changing choices
that will lead to becoming better individuals who can
successfully parent and build relationships. Thanks to
your generous financial gifts, we are able to provide
outstanding materials and resources for our volunteers
to use.
Volunteer Colleen leading Women’s Bible
Study
Mentor Dad Group
Page
“I needed to work through the
past and take hold of the hope that
Alpha Center offers.”
Shortly after I got pregnant, someone told me
that I had no integrity. That statement really
upset me, and for a long time, I held on to it
for all the wrong reasons. But now I see that
what they said was true, and that I needed to
work through the past and take hold of the
hope that Alpha Center offers.
The main program I focused on is the Sexual
Integrity Program, and it has been very
difficult for me. In the past, I convinced
myself to avoid uncomfortable tasks. This
program has made me realize that I cannot
stuff memories and emotions down and hope
they will change. This program has shown
me that I need to do the hard work to
make changes in my life.
Over and over again I have been reminded
through this program that I need to be honest
– with myself and with others. I know that I
cannot keep having children with men who
do not value me. I believe what I am
learning. I believe my counselor. I am even
starting to believe in myself. But most of all,
I believe in the love that Jesus has for me. I
believe that I was bought at a price (1
Corinthians 7:23) and that I am worth more
than many sparrows (Matthew 10:31).
I am excited that my children will have a
mother who will be free at last to see
herself as the Creator does. I know we will
have the best life – a life of loving
relationships, self-respect, and Jesus at the
center of it all. To God be every victory for
each of us. Thank you and be blessed.
Page
Name
In Memory of
Dr. Ronald & Janell Beck
Gloria Beck
Alfred & Gwen Braddock
Walt & Frieda Petersen and Alfred & Doris Braddock
C. Kevin & Betty Carson
Tobias Carson
Rev. George & Mary Clausen Evelyn Aldorfer and Clare Clausen
Joann De Kruif
William J. De Kruif
Jerry D & Darlene Delker
Rose Arbach & Anna Vielhauer
Dave & Rose Marie Eitemiller Cheryl Anne Anderson
Orma Fieber
Don Fieber
Michael & Sandra Fitzgibbons Leo J. Travis
Larry & Gaylen Grensberg
Caryl Lynn Poppen
Russ & Rhonda Grimm
Shirley Gingery
Marvin & Vernette Guthmiller Ruth Simonsen
Terry & Marcia Haaland
Phoenix Burmeister
Vern & Arlene Haase
Verina Teide and Darwin Behl
Calvin & Alice Hagge
Cornelia Hagge
Gene & Jeanine Harms
Donald and Eunice Hampton
Larry & Marcia Hoekstra
Harry DeJager, Harvey & Katie Hoekstra and Andy &
Tillie Sipma
Fannie Janssen
Minnie Molengraaf and Ady Walburg
Alvin & Bonnie Jensen
Sharon Jensen
Gary & Janice Jerke
Edward Claassen and Verina Tiede
Aric & Sharla Kelderman
Mary Ann Wynia
William & Sadie Kortemeyer Pete Kooi and Duane Blare
Allan L. & Jeanette Kostboth Mary Schmidt
Vernon & Loretta Kraft
Karen Bechen and Kenny Peters
Carolyn Kroeker
Lorraine Kroeker and Suzanne Hofer
David & Kay Kroese
Pier W. Wynia
Dwaine & Wilma Kruse
Sherrie Heimgartner
Renee M. & Merle Leibel
Charlotte Mulloy & Frances Leibel
Peter Mack
Mildred Schweer and Charles Strang
Denise & Dwight Melius
Rosemarie Melius
Betty J. Merritt
Johanna Branigan, Ruth Merritt, Patricia Nichols & Kate
Donald & Georgia Miller
Tammy & Brett Miller
Kristin & Justin Nichols
Ervin R. & Arleen Ortman
Tim & Juli Peppel
Peter & Nelva Pollema
Carl & Cindy Pravecek
Patricia Proper
Samantha Miller
Samantha Miller
Dale Stange
Minnie Ortman and Elsie Thiele
Travis
Clarence and Jennie DeKam
Alice Pravecek
Raymond Proper, William & Cora Proper, Nelson Proper,
Sherian Czajka & Ted & Stella Czajka
Al & Carol Reuer
Denis Arbach
Shirley Roetman
Leo J. Travis
Alan & Gloria Rops
Wava Rops and Mildred Gilbertson
Agnes Salverson
Michael Leonard and Bill Witt
Arlan & Marcia Scholten
Esther Scholten
Alice Ann Stange
Alyce Hoyer
Rose Stocking
Vivian Stocking
Tom & Barb Travis
Leo J. Travis
Merle Twedt
Dan Nagel
William L. & Margaret Urlick Irene Ward
Orville & Arlene Van't Hul Daniel Gene Vant Hul
Vernon & Janice Van Vuren Nellie VanderKlok and Richard VanderKlok
Stephen & Catherine Wilson Baby Klinkhammer
Willard & Donna Zeeb
Leona Mehlhaf
Larry & Sylvia Zevenbergen Donna Gasper
Name
Marj Anderson
Rosemary & LeRoy Bender
Dwight & Deb Beukelman
Lillian & Dennis Beukelman
Boyers Automotive Repair
Donald & Helen Brands
Edward & Claudia Brunick
Mark & Jean Conzemius
Dennis & Sharon Den Hartog
Grant & Linda Diekevers
Mr. Daniel T. & Angela Digatono
Russ & Rhonda Grimm
Roger & Olive Grimsrud
Royce & Lunette Grimsrud
Louis & Becky Hall
Harriet Hansen
Dr. Leslie & Lisbeth Heinemann
Larry & Marcia Hoekstra
Ben & Agnes Hofer
Lee & Betty Holst
Joseph & Cara Hull
Fannie Janssen
Mitchell & Nancy Johnson
Harald Julsrud Jr.
Carol Kelderman
David & Kay Kroese
Dwaine & Wilma Kruse
Jason & Alexis Kuiken
Virginia & David Kull
Chris & Stephanie Kuperus
Larry & Marvella Landman
Dick & Loretta Leonard
Denise & Dwight Melius
Erica & Andrew Miller
Kristin & Justin Nichols
Curt & Cheryl Niewenhuis
Larry & Susan Olson
David & Barbara Overland
Sue Parton
Tim & Juli Peppel
Stephanie & Tim Pierson
Mark Powers
Floyd & Karel Reiman
Brad & April Ruckert
Daryl & Kathy Runion
John & Karen Rust
Reverend George & Julene Sagissor
Gary & Amy Schaap
Doug & Linda Schaeffer
Arlan & Marcia Scholten
Katie & Travis Shaykett
Jeff & Nora Slykhuis
Rose Stocking
Darwin & Camille Tuscherer
Warren & Pat Vander Pol
Mark & Deb Van't Hul
Orville & Arlene Van't Hul
Dale & Katie Van Veldhuizen
Gerald & Donna Wiersma
Steve & Jennifer Williams
Bruce & Holly Wilsey
Sharon Zylstra
In Honor of
Dorothy Henkel, Marilyn Mendenhall, Teresa Deckert, Rebecca Mikel and Monica Spoerer
Stacy Sims, Jaimee Bender, Jenn Bender, Vanessa Boyd and Victoria Boote
Marlyss Hanssen, Lillian Beukelman, Tiffany Pope and Brittany Foley
Our 9 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren
Chris Briest
Harriet Moss
Mary L. Harris
Dr. Glenn Ridder
Jeanette Roetman
Joan Rens
Betty Barrett
Rhonda Grimm
Lori Keller and Lunette Grimsrud
Lori Keller and Olive Grimsrud
Veronica Niehaus
Jan Hansen, Lindsey Hansen, Kristi Hansen, Katie Dale and Stephanie Slater
Kathleen Fromelt and Sister Gianna
Burdella DeJager
Emily Gulbrandson
Vicki Holst, Deanna Holst, Belinda Isaac, Karen Whitehead, Young Mi Kim and Ita Mututwa
Karen Hull and Valerie Able
Jodi Deen, Karen Janssen, Michelle Janssen and Ashley Janssen
All mother's greatest gift from God- Children!
Lalita Godinez and Fabiola G. Julsrud
Sharla Kelderman, Kari Kelderman, Kayla VanVeldhuizen, Trisha Kelderman, Hermina VanMeeteren, Gertrude Kelderman
Joyce Vander Well, LaVonne Kroese and Hilmore Kroese
Jennie Engelkes, Tillie Rook, Thelma Dick, Sharma Brockmeyer and Raevette Loonan
Kelli Richter, Karen Kuiken, Brandi Bethke and Kasey Kuiken
Mary Guenther
Nyla Kuperus and Carol Lems
Leslee Unruh
Our 34 great grandchildren
Donna Neises, Laura Melius, Angela Johnson, Katie Melius and Jodi Melius
Jenelle Miller and Patti Graber
Kate and Ellie
LaVonne Dykstra
Emilie
Marjorie Beckel and Ernestine Aggen
Violet Whitworth
Zachary Aston
Reyna Sharpe and Kathy Pierson
Debi Powers
Goldie Eisenbraun
Marian Carpenter.
Elyse Joy Whitley
Ruth Voss and Edwina Rust
My grandchildren
Iris Schultz and Anna Schaap
Donna Zeeb
Irene Pennings and Miranda King
Barb Swift
Shirley Stewart, Kristin Slykhuis, Marlene Slykhuis and Maretta Budden
Stephanie Williams, Shannon Williams ,Michelle Hill, Ali Hart, Kendra Edwards, Jan Stocking, Rita Stocking, LaVonne
Stocking, Ivette Stocking, Ronda Stocking and Janelle Stocking
Amaya
Joan Caswell and Agnes Vander Pol
Kathryn Vaandrager and Mary Van't Hul
Sherry Van't Hul and Darla Van't Hul and Benjamin Vant Hul's 22nd Birthday!
Catherine Mino
Donna Wiersma
Sandy Strom
Carolyn Bill and Caroline Wilsey
Page
My sponsored daughter
Attorney General Marty Jackley served
as Emcee for the night
The Crevier family provided entertainment with
their Spin-tacular basketball show!
April Kurtz provided beautiful dinner music
Featured Speaker Dr. Allen Unruh
captivated the audience with his message
Client Emilie gave her testimony of how
she came to the Alpha Center
Board Member Dr. Patti Giebink lead prayer and
shared how God changed her heart
Alpha Center Founder Leslee Unruh
gave the Ministry Update
Attorney Bret Merkle gave a testimony of why he and
his family support the Alpha Center
Deanna Grimm shared her awesome
musical talents during the program
Client Darnesia shared how the Alpha Center has impacted her
and her son’s lives