January 22 Menu

Minestrone
Chicken-based soup
Bread and butter
Sandwiches
Chips
Soda

We’ll also be giving away some clothing items

Christmas Dinner!

We will be hosting a special Youth Lounge on Christmas (December 25th) from 2-6 PM with a delicious meal and a holiday movie following.

So far, the menu we’re planning includes:

Ham

Meat Loaf

Collard Greens

Macaroni and Cheese

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Green Beans

Crescent Rolls

A Christmas Tree Cake

Christmas Cookies

Hope to see you there!

September 25 Menu

On the Menu:

Spaghetti

Garlic bread

Salad

We appreciate donations!

• uncooked spaghetti (2-3 Large boxes)
• sauce (3-4 jars)
• garlic break loaves (5-6)
• lettuce (4-5 heads)
• salad fixings (tomatoes, carrots, etc.)
• salad dressing (2 varieties, 2 each)
• drink mix
• soda

See Z Williams for additional information.

Toiletry Items Drive

The Youth Lounge volunteers will start giving the youth toiletry items they need during Youth Lounge.  We need your help.  We appreciate donations so that we can provide this service to our Lakeview Youth.  We need travel size products of the items listed below.  We service anywhere from 50-100 Youth per month.

We appreciate donations – travel size

• Zip lock bags (half gallon size)
• new and clean wash cloths (face size)
• bar soap
• deodorant
• shampoo
• toothpaste
• toothbrushes
• mouth wash
• hand sanitizer
• lotion
• feminine hygiene products
• disposable razors

Next Youth Lounge September 25, 2010

See Dee Dorsey for additional information or if you have questions.

Youth Lounge Information and Opportunities

Article Submitted to Broadway UMC’s August Newsletter

I’ve been working with the Youth Lounge for four months. It’s just a once-a-month gathering at this point, but it’s been enough to challenge me to change the way I look at the neighborhood that surrounds Broadway. At first I hesitated to tell Z I was interested in volunteering because I wasn’t sure I wanted to commit to an ongoing project, but I’m certainly glad I did. Participating in the Youth Lounge has shown me how little I knew before and how much more I want to learn about people, communities, and just what a difference respect and trust can make.

It takes a special kind of attitude, vulnerability, and openness to work directly with the youth we’re serving, and as I’ve worked with Z, Vernice, and the other volunteers in our training sessions, I’m learning how important it is not to lose sight of that. I’m so thankful for Z’s many years of experience and for the vision and passion of our leadership.

Almost all the youth that walk through our doors every fourth Saturday are LGBTQA. Many are homeless, many participate in other youth programs in the area, and all seem relieved to walk through doors where no one searches their bags, no one demands to see ID, and no one tells them what they’ll be doing for the next three and a half hours. We provide snacks and sometimes meals, and the youth are free to sit around and talk, play cards, listen to music, sing, dance, or play video games. We offer them space where they can feel welcomed and affirmed; this is a beautiful extension of Broadway’s mission.

The volunteers who interact with the youth need to have received special training, and in the fall there will be another open conversation for prospective volunteers to learn about the different opportunities for service. In the meantime, we are looking for help from the larger church body with donations, setup, and take down.

We are always in need of items like soda, juice, chips, cookies, and candy for the youth to enjoy while in the building, and we also like to provide more substantial food options from time to time: for example chicken wings have been a popular item. We would like to have individual-size food and drink items folks can take with them when they leave as well. Ideas are sodas, bottles of water, cereal, chips, and applesauce. If you are interested in donating food or beverages or if you want to help set up or take down, please contact Z Williams.

In addition, we’re also looking to put together some toiletry kits that would include new and clean washcloths, tooth brushes, soap, feminine hygiene products, and travel-size tooth paste, shampoo, and conditioner. If you are able to help with donating any of these items, please contact Dee Dorsey.

Thank you for your continued support and belief in this project! We are setting up a blog to keep you updated about the Youth Lounge, its vision, and needs. Though we’re just beginning to put it together, be sure to check us out from time to time at http://broadwayyouthlounge.wordpress.com.