As one of the Four Foundations of the Christian life, Service for Others is a vital part of life at Christ Church of the Ascension. Listed below are some of the agencies and programs we encourage our members to volunteer to serve. While we have established relationships with these agencies, the list is by no means exhaustive. You and your family may already give of your time to a charitable organization. From our perspective, the important thing is that we get out into the world and serve in the name of Christ.


PHOENIX RESCUE MISSION

In the year of 2008, Phoenix Rescue Mission served over 266,000 meals to hungry men, women and children. We provided over 41,000 nights of shelter to the Valley's homeless men. The number of families assisted by food boxes and through our special programs continues to grow every year.

Volunteers from the parish participate by serving food twice a month at the Phoenix Rescue Mission shelter.   Food and water drives are held several times during the year which is donated to the Rescue Mission.

We serve noon meals on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month



Water Drive

As temperatures start hitting triple digits in Phoenix, Phoenix Rescue Mission’s top priority is providing a cool drink and a place to escape the 100 degree temperatures to those living on the street. As part of the City of Phoenix Heat Relief Network, Phoenix Rescue Mission acts as a hydration station, heat refuge and water donation point.

The focus of this network is to prevent as many dehydration and heat-related exposure deaths as possible for those who have no shelter or access to water. The elderly are particularly vulnerable, so this year we have added wellness checks for senior citizens who are homebound.

You can also donate items for the Heat Relief Packs that accompany Phoenix Rescue’s bottled water including new socks, new or gently used t-shirts, lip balm, sun block, hats and hand sanitizer

The Phoenix Rescue Mission’s annual Back to School Event assists over 1,200 children from low-income families by providing everything they need to start the school year with school clothes and backpack full of school gear.

Please provide a backpack full of the following school supplies:


•    Crayons
•    #2 Pencils
•    Pencil Box or Pouch
•    Glue
•    Scissors
•    Pens
•    Two Pocket Folders
•    1″ 3 Ring Binders
•    Colored Pencils
•    Wide-Ruled Filler Paper
•    Wide-Ruled Notebooks
•    Composition books
•    Marker

Phoenix Rescue also provides students from Kindergarten through 8th Grade with uniforms. You can help by donating the following in Children's, Youth and Adult sizes:

•    White Polo Shirts
•    Navy Shorts
•    Underwear
•    Socks


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INTERFAITH COOPERATIVE MINISTRIES (ICM)

CCA members are involved with supporting a free medical clinic on eight saturdays per year at ICM, Interfaith Cooperative Ministries, The clinic is a cooperation between ICM and Cathedral Health Services. Services that are provided included diabetic , cholesterol, women's health, vision and glaucoma screening, bone density,pediatric and medical screening. Most of the clients are Spanish speaking. This is an opportunity for individuals with medical training and Spanish translation skills to help.

The 3rd Sat AM of each month we sort food, clothing and distribute food boxes. First sat of most months we provide medical services to ICM clients. We need medical professionals and Spanish translators to help with our program.

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DUET: PARTNERS IN HEALTH & AGING   
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HONDURAS MEDICAL MISSION

Honduran Medical Mission October, 2010.

Six members of CCA organized by Dr and Mrs. Charles Echols joined by members from Alaska, Virginia. Illinois and other congregations here in the valley, spent five days delivering medical care in rural Honduras out of Trinidad into the mountains to three isolated villages. There were three physicians and one pediatric nurse practitioner plus translators, support staff dispensing medications and eye glasses We saw over 700 patients of whom there were 191 children, 55 youth and 47 elderly.

Thanks to the generosity of CCA parishioner, we were able to distribute 105 water filters which will provide clean drinking water to many families. The
Red Cross working with two of our Peace Corp worker were able to place over twenty of these filters one each in twenty schools where clean water would
be available and health education could be provided. 

We are in the active planning stages for this Octobers trip leaving on the25th for the village of Cortina on the border with Guatemala.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
 

The Episcopal Habitat Coalition dedicated it's 21st home in the Phoenix area on the 1st of May, 2010.  Christ church of the Ascension was a founding member of the coalition which has now grown to include 17 Episcopal Churches has built 46 homes world wide, providing shelter for 164 people and has raised $800,000 for these efforts. The next build date will be November 19, 2011 at 447 N. 1st Avenue in Mesa.  We will need help with trim work and landscaping.  For more information please contact John Harlan at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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ST. PAUL’S MISSION CHURCH        

St. Paul’s is a new mission church in south Phoenix.  Parishioners volunteer to work on construction projects in coordination with the Mission’s needs.