Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church…

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church


Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church
7706 S 96th Street
LaVista, NE 68128


About the Congregation:

 1. What year was your church established?
    Beautiful Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church was established on January 12, 1962.

 2. How many members does your church have?
    The current membership of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church is 2,000 members.

 3. On an average, how many people attend your weekly worship services?
    On a weekly basis Beautiful Savior averages 1,005 people.

 4. In two or three sentences, explain how the congregation has changed over the
    past 5 ­ 10 years.
    The church, through its members, continues to reach out to the community they are
    located in by offering outreach programs and continually grows its membership. It
    continues to have a mission emphasis so members are growing spiritually as they
    attend services and Bible studies and go on mission trips.

 5. In two or three sentences, explain what experience the congregation has in the
    project area that you are addressing.
    For the past year and a half the congregation has been working in the Hispanic
    community to establish the presence of a Hispanic Pastor in the Hispanic community
    and to start a Hispanic Lutheran Mission congregation. We want to provide ESL
    classes in this community and we are using church members as volunteers,
    community volunteers, and a few experts that have worked on programs like this.




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Project Description

Needs Assessment and Program Description

1. What community needs will you address through this project?
   To provide ESL classes, computer training classes, and citizenship classes with child
   care available during the classes.

2. How do you know the community has these needs?
   A demographic study was conducted and there are approximately 100,000 Latino
   people in the South Omaha area and they only speak Spanish. There is also a smaller
   Sudanese population. Many parents work opposite shifts so there is no one available
   to care for children during classes.

3. What other resources exist in your community to meet these needs?
   ESL classes are offered at the Metropolitan Community College but without the child
   care component. No other resource was found for the citizenship class or Hispanic
   led computer class.

4. Describe how your proposed project will meet these needs. Specifically describe
   what you will do. For example, if you will have workshops or classes, describe
   when they will be held, how long each session will be, how often will sessions be
   held and what will you do in each session.
   A pilot program in ESL classes will run for ten weeks beginning March 3, 2008. This
   will allow us to evaluate how the various pieces of our plan are working and make
   changes before launching a larger program.

    Two or three levels of English will be offered depending upon attendance. Each class
    will be taught by a teacher and aide using standard ESL texts and workbooks. There
    will be time for conversation practice as well as written practice. Classes will last for
    approximately 2 hours and will be held on Monday and Thursday evenings.
    Childcare will be available on both evenings.

    In September, 2008, two semesters of ESL classes (based upon the pilot program
    model) and classes in basic computer skills will be offered. At that time, we plan to
    add ESL computer software (Rosetta Stone in English) to give students additional
    practice and to build vocabulary. This software will be used at all levels.

    The computer skills classes will also be available on Monday and Thursday evenings
    for 2 hours. They will utilize computers and standard office software. The skills
    taught will include the basics of using the mouse and keyboard, opening documents,
    filing, etc. The teacher is Spanish speaking and this will allow students to learn in a
    comfortable atmosphere. As we observe how quickly the students advance, we will
    determine when, if, and how to add subsequent skills and/or additional classes.

    The citizenship class will be taught with materials from the Department of
    Immigration and Naturalization. This class is being offered for 2 hours on Saturdays
    for ten weeks.

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5. How will you involve newcomers in your program beyond providing them a
   service?
   We are promoting active participation by providing helpers in the class so the
   students get practice by talking to English speaking people. As we get to know
   students in the classes, we will look for those with more advanced skills to partner
   with lower-skilled students for practice times so they will actually be involved in
   "teaching". Also, the pilot program will give us an opportunity to look for students or
   their relatives or friends who might be able and willing to help with registration,
   snack time, child care, etc. when the fall session begins.

6. What stage of the project planning process is the congregation in?
   The location for the classes has been determined. Teachers, helpers and a child care
   coordinator have been obtained, and teacher training is scheduled. We are in the
   process of recruiting additional child care workers and volunteers for miscellaneous
   duties. The first day of class for the pilot program is planned for March 3.

    Has a committee been formed?
    Yes, there is a committee of 4 people working on this specific project.

    Has a plan been developed?
    Yes. The plan includes the pilot ESL program as described above and the
    continuation of long term ESL, computer skills classes, and citizenship classes as
    described above.

    Has publicity been considered?
    Yes. We will have a sign in front of the building. Flyers and posters will be
    distributed to area businesses, especially Hispanic businesses, schools, and places of
    employment. We will also have Spanish language newspaper and Spanish radio
    station announcements.

    Have you requested matching funds from the congregation?
    No, matching funds from the congregation have not been requested. We have
    requested matching funds from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

    If you are currently providing these services, when did they begin?
    ESL classes have been offered on a small group basis and sometimes one on one at
    Cross Lutheran church by one of the members of our committee for about 4 years.
    However, the Cross location is not large enough to have larger ESL classes or
    computer classes and child care is not available. Also, computer classes have not
    been offered because computers and space are not available.

7. What other steps will you need to complete before your project can be
   implemented?
   We need to promote and advertise the classes in the community, in the local churches,
   and with the Hispanic leaders. The classrooms in the new facility we are using need
   to be prepared to conduct the classes. They are currently being used as storage


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    rooms. Before the program is expanded in September, 2008, we will need to recruit
    additional volunteers.

8. How will you support the church's infrastructure that is needed to carry out the
   program?
   Secretarial and clerical support will be provided and paid for by Beautiful Savior
   Lutheran Church and Cross Lutheran Church as in kind support.
   Volunteers (the major infrastructure for this project) will be supported by teacher
   training and staff meetings and given recognition through small gifts, thank yous
   (verbal or written) and a recognition activity at the end of the session (e.g. a dinner or
   picnic).

9. Will you be collaborating or partnering with any other community
   organizations?
   Beautiful Savior will be partnering with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
   Nebraska District and Cross Lutheran Church.

    If so, what will their responsibilities be?
    The LCMS Nebraska District will be providing guidance and the building site for this
    project. We have been working together to promote a Hispanic called Pastor that
    works in the Hispanic community. The Hispanic Pastor will be working with the
    community to promote the ESL classes and computer classes. Cross Lutheran
    Church is providing a building and office for the Hispanic Pastor and they are the
    ones that are currently offering the ESL classes. Cross has the background in
    teaching the classes and volunteers to help teach ESL classes.

10. If your project is working with adults, how will the children be cared for during
    the time of your program? (Past grantees indicate that adult programs are more
    likely to be successful when childcare is also provided.)
    We have arranged for volunteers to provide childcare in the facility where the classes
    are being offered.

Outcomes:

11. How many newcomers will be served by your project?
    We anticipate 40 during the first year.

12. What are the goals of your project? How will lives of both those you serve and
   those in your congregation be changed as a result of your project? (For
   example, "Newcomers will learn to speak English" or "Native-born congregants
   will be exposed to a new culture.")
   The goals of the ESL classes are for people to learn English so they can communicate
   with the schools and teachers of their children, they can shop effectively and more
   economically by learning the money, terms of purchase, etc. They can usually get
   better jobs or a higher position because they are bi-lingual. They can communicate
   medical needs for themselves and their children. It will also build their self
   confidence and self esteem. As an example, a student worked at McDonalds. When
   she was able to communicate in English, she was promoted to a Supervisor.

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    The computer classes will also help them to be more marketable to obtain a job in the
    business community.

    The goal of the citizenship classes is for them to become citizens of the United States
    and be a part of the American community.

    The Native-born congregants will be exposed to a new culture and will also build new
    relationships with the newcomers. This will also build their self confidence to work
    with the Hispanic community and to do more volunteer work in the Hispanic
    community. Because of their experiences and successes, they will encourage family
    and friends to volunteer.

13. What are the outcomes of your project?
   The outcomes for the ESL classes are for Hispanic and other immigrant people to
   learn to speak and to understand English better, leading to improved communication
   with schools, in the workplace and in their daily lives.

    The outcome of the computer classes is for them to learn basic computer skills that
    will help them to more easily obtain information and communicate in their daily lives
    and to improve their opportunities for better jobs.

    The outcome for the citizenship classes is for more people to become US citizens.

    For all classes the outcome will be the development of relationships between
    newcomers and native-born volunteers that will lead to greater understanding
    between cultures.

    How will you measure changes in the lives of newcomers and of native born
    people in your congregation? (For example, "80 percent of those in English as
    second language classes will be able to read a job description they could not read
    before the classes" or 75 percent of native-born congregants will increase the
    number of meals they share with newcomer families during the year.")
    80% of newcomers who complete the ESL classes will be able to complete a job
    application that they could not complete before and to also communicate with a
    tentative employer more completely than they could before. 80% of newcomers who
    complete the computer class will be able to use the computer for the basic functions
    of typing and handling documents. 90% of newcomers who complete the citizenship
    class will pass the citizenship exam and become citizens. 75% of native-born
    volunteers will spend time (have coffee, share a meal) with one or more newcomers
    outside of class time.

14. How will you raise public awareness of the blessings of welcoming the stranger?
   By inviting them to group activities at our church to help them get acquainted with
   congregants and to make them welcome in the community.

15. Exactly for what will Good Samaritan funds be used? (For example, project
   director staff, curriculum, etc.)

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    Textbooks, teaching materials and teacher training
    Computers, Computer software and networking of computers

16. Describe your plan to sustain this project after the Good Samaritan seed grant.
    Funds budgeted as part of the Beautiful Savior/Cross Hispanic Ministries partnership.
    Donations from congregations and individuals for ESL/Citizenship/Computer classes.
    Donations from students toward the cost of books.

17. What would happen if you were offered less than the full amount you are
    requesting?
    We would have to reduce the number of computers and computer software that are
    purchased.

    Would you be able to implement the program and if so, how?
    We would not be able to implement the full program in September. The majority of
    the cost will be for the computers and software so we would have to postpone that
    until more funds are obtained.

Staffing

18. How many paid staff and unpaid staff will participate in your project? List
   both paid and unpaid staff positions, what they will do and the number of hours
   each will work per month for the project.
   Paid ­ Spiritual advisor, counselor and Spanish speaking liaison ­ will be available
   before and/or after classes to offer spiritual counseling and assistance with other
   social or economic needs of students. One evening a week will offer a devotional
   time after classes. Will recruit Spanish speaking church members who need to take
   classes or who can assist with the program and will translate publicity and other
   materials as needed. Will work 12 hours per month. This is included in the Beautiful
   Savior budget.
   Unpaid ­ Co-coordinators - 2 ­ Will oversee and coordinate all aspects of the
   program including recruitment of volunteers, purchase of books, supplies and
   equipment, oversee the running of the facility and generally see that the whole
   program runs smoothly. Will each work 24 hours per month.
   Assistant Coordinator ­ Will assist with the above work and substitute as needed.
   Will be responsible for publicity. Will work 12 hours per month.
   Teachers ­ 5 ­ Will prepare for and teach the classes. Will attend training and staff
   meetings. Four will each work 12 hours per month. One will work 20 hours per
   month.
   Teacher Aides ­ 4 ­ Assist the teacher as needed. Will attend training and staff
   meetings. Will work 9 hours per month.
   Childcare Coordinators ­ 2 ­ Will oversee the childcare during classes and arrange a
   schedule of childcare workers. Will each work 10 hours per month.
   Miscellaneous Volunteers ­ 10 ­ Will assist as needed, e.g. registration, snacks,
   cleanup, greeter, security. Will each work 4 hours per month.




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Budget
See attached forms for Congregational and Project Budgets.

Letters of Support
See attached letters from Pastor Keith Grimm, Beautiful Savior and
Rev. Russ Sommerfeld, LCMS District President.




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