Chiavetta’s Chicken BBQ

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Alyssa

SGM, Inc. on Friday, October 28th, held its first-ever Chiavetta’s Chicken BBQ fundraiser.  The event raised funds to support renovations and updates to the two classrooms at the SGM, Inc. corporate offices, which are used for client life skills classes and the GED program.

Agency staff and board members sold nearly 300 pre-sale tickets, which were purchased by friends, family, area businessess, churches, and other service providers. 

SGM would like to extend a thank you to Airport Plaza Jewelers for use of their chicken suit; Chudy Paper Company for the “to go” containers; Arrow Portable Signs for donating a light-up sign to promote the event for a week before the BBQ; and all who purchased or sold tickets on behalf of SGM.  We’re looking forward to doing another BBQ in the spring!

 

Posted in General News & Updates | Comments Off

Chiavetta’s Chicken BBQ – Friday, October 28th

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Alyssa

Saving Grace Ministries, Inc. is having a Chiavetta’s Chicken BBQ Fundraiser on Friday, October 28th from 3-6pm at 2017 Bailey Avenue (just south of the Corporate Offices on the corner of Bailey and Doat). 

Pre-sale tickets are $8.50 and are available through the end of this week.  After Friday, October 21st, tickets go to $10 each.  Call the office for more information or to reserve your tickets!!  (716) 893

Posted in Events, General News & Updates | Comments Off

Rev. King and Alyssa Gross Presenting at Housing Conference

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Alyssa

SGM, Inc. Executive Director Rev. Terry King and Corporate Counsel Alyssa M. Gross, Esq. will each be presenting workshops at the North American Housing and Special Needs Conference, being held Wednesday, October 26th and Thursday, October 27th. 

Rev. King will be presenting on housing the mental health population, addressing barriers to servicing this population, presenting pros and cons to providing housing in a specialized setting versus a more “mainstream” program setting, and discussing how to develop and implement a new housing program for individuals with mental illness.

Alyssa will be presenting on housing the hard-to-service populations, including identifying specific sub-populations, redefining the population that a program serves, identifying new and varying funding sources for special needs housing programs, and overcoming barriers in establishing new (or expanding existing) programs.

Conference registration information is available by e-mailing info@sgmworld.org.

Posted in Events, General News & Updates | Comments Off

Rev. King Shares at Lovejoy Church

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Alyssa

SGM, Inc. founder and Executive Director Rev. Terry King shared a message and an SGM update at Lovejoy Church in Lancaster, New York this past Sunday. 

Rev. King spoke about “putting on new shoes,” and the need to consider that we are at a crossroads every day and must choose whether to follow God’s plan for our lives or to go our own way, make our own path, and continue a lifestyle that is perhaps comfortable and familiar but not what God has called us to.

An update on SGM, Inc.’s activities and upcoming projects was also provided, including an updated needs list.  As we prepare to leave the warm weather behind, we are looking forward to the cold-weather and holiday needs that the community has faithfully stepped up to meet every year.

To listen to Rev. King’s message, go to www.lovejoy.org and click on “Sermons”.  The sermon with the accompanying powerpoint presentation is also available for viewing on the Lovejoy website.

Check back soon for a more detailed post about our upcoming holiday events and activities and how you can get involved and support some of the events that make this a special time of year for our residents!

 

Posted in Events, General News & Updates | Comments Off

SGM, Inc. at Kingdom Bound 2011

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Alyssa

SGM, Inc. got a tremendous amount of exposure at Kingdom Bound 2011, with Executive Director Rev. Terry King presenting a workshop on Monday on Living with Addictive Behavior, and the SGM, Inc. staff (along with representatives from SGM Rochester and SGM Elmira) staffing our table in the Vending tent.

Rev. King presenting a seminar at Kingdom Bound 2011 on living with addictive behavior.

The workshop was especially well-attended, with over 75 participants present.  We are already looking at a workshop series for Kingdom Bound 2012, as the topic was clearly one that hit close to home for a lot of KB attendees.  If you missed the workshop and are interested in receiving a copy of the handouts, please e-mail info@sgmworld.org to request a copy.

We’re already planning our display table for next year and are looking forward to the opportunity to share again with people from all over the US and Canada about the work being done – and the lives being changed – at SGM.

Posted in Events | Comments Off

Rev. King to Present at Kingdom Bound

Posted on July 24, 2011 by master

SGM, Inc. Executive Director Rev. King will be presenting a workshop at Kingdom Bound 2011 on dealing with a friend or family member struggling with addiction.  Rev. King’s workshop is scheduled for Monday, August 1st at 3pm.  For full-event tickets or day passes, go to www.kingdombound.org. 

This year is the 25th anniversary of the Kingdom Bound festival; the line-up includes some of the most well-known contemporary Christian artists and bands, as well as some classic favorites.

SGM, Inc. will also have a booth at the KB Vending Tent to share our mission and ministry (and our ministries in Rochester and Elmira) with festival attendees.  Stop by the booth to talk to our staff – we’ll be there the whole festival!

Posted in Events | Comments Off

How can you help?

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Alyssa

Of all the questions we get about our ministry, this is one of the easiest to answer, because there are so many ways that individuals, groups, churches, local businesses, and the larger community can help the 550+ men and women served by “Grace House” every year.

Consider the following:

Women entering our “Grace House” women’s facility often arrive with no personal hygiene items or personal care products: we are always in need of feminine hygiene items, shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, washcloths, towels, razors, and other personal care items.  Could your women’s Bible study group or small group help meet this need?

Few, if any, of our clients who arrive in the winter months come with a winter coat, gloves, hat, or other cold-weather clothing: we will serve about 200 individuals just during the colder months of the year, each of whom will need a winter coat, gloves, hat, and boots to dress appropriately for our winter weather.  As a service provider meeting the needs of over 550 individuals each year, it’s never too early for us to start planning for the winter.  Could your business sponsor a “coat drive” this fall to help us prepare to meet this need?

Clients leave our program to go into independent housing, having come to our program with none of the furnishings or items needed to make an apartment a home:  we help clients access furniture, furnishings, and kitchen items wherever possible but many of our clients need pots and pans, dishes, basic furniture (couch, table, chair, bed), bedding, and other items to make their house a home.   Could your church gather donations of furniture and kitchen items and put together “Welcome Home” packages for clients moving into their own apartments?

Our clients enter our program with the clothes on their backs and little else:  we have a men’s and a women’s “Blessing Room” for our clients to access shirts, pants, socks, undergarments, shoes, professional attire, and other clothing articles; both Blessing Rooms are stocked with donated new or gently-used clothing from members of the community.  Do you have like-new articles of clothing that you could contribute to our Blessing Rooms?

 

If you have items you would like to donate to a client in need, please contact our office at (716) 893-1840 to make arrangements for pick up or for you to deliver them.

Posted in General News & Updates, Volunteer Opportunities | Comments Off

Bathroom Remodel Completed

Posted on June 22, 2011 by master

In late June, SGM, Inc. officially reopened the large second-floor bathroom in the “Grace House” primary program facility, after installation of new tile and a new floor throughout the bathroom.  

The formal “ribbon cutting” for the new bathroom was held on June 22nd.  Thanks to SGM, Inc. maintenance staff Todd and Larry for your hard work and dedication in completing the project!

Posted in General News & Updates | Comments Off

Motivational Program A Success!

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Alyssa

On Thursday, June 16th, SGM, Inc. welcomed Rev. Darius Pridgen, Senior Pastor of True Bethel Baptist Church and Councilman for the City of Buffalo Ellicott District.  Rev. Pridgen spoke to over 40 clients who attended the program, which also included a discussion and presentation by Associate Director George Alexander on locating employment, interviewing skills, and the challenges faced by ex-offenders seeking jobs.

Rev. Pridgen encouraged the residents, urging them to stay focused on the positive – “You’re still in the game!  You aren’t in a casket, you aren’t in jail.  You have an opportunity to turn your life around!” – and to keep pressing forward.   He reminded the residents to stay focused on the people for whom they are role models, especially their children, encouraging them to pursue employment, education, and being the kind of parent their children deserve.  “I’m not talking about just paying child support or providing Pampers,” he said, “I’m talking about stepping up and doing what you’re supposed to do to be a parent to your kids.” 

Rev. Pridgen emphasized education as a means of success, whether that means pursuing a GED or a college degree.  He also stressed the importance of assuring that one’s children get a good education; as he pointed out, “society does not take on the burden for educating our children; that’s our responsibility and we need to see to it that our children are given the educational opportunities they need to succeed.”

During a question and answer session at the close of the presentation, residents expressed their sincere thanks to Rev. Pridgen for taking the time to speak to them.  “I just want to shake your hand and tell you I appreciate you coming today,” one resident said. 

Associate Director George Alexander, Rev. Pridgen, and Executive Director Rev. Terry King

Posted in General News & Updates | Comments Off

SGM, Inc. Plans “ECHOES” Program for Clients

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Alyssa

SGM, Inc. is planning an “ECHOES” Program for all current program clients.  The program is intended to encourage and remind clients that the actions they take – and the decisions they make – today will impact their lives into the future.  ECHOES emphasizes the following principles to encourage long-term success:

  • Education: educational opportunities for everything from GED programming to higher education and technical training programs.
  • Communication: interviewing skills, practice job interviews, how to dress for success.
  • Hard work: importance of making the employment search a full-time “job” and making both short- and long-term goals.
  • Opportunities: information about local employers who hire the SGM client population and are looking for employees.
  • Encouragement: motivational speakers, networking opportunities.
  • Success: wrap-up barbeque and completion certificates provided to clients who complete the entire ECHOES Program.

If you are interested in participating in the program in some way – giving a workshop or presentation, helping to conduct mock interviews, or have some other specific area in which you could help make the program a success, please call the office.

Posted in Events, General News & Updates | Comments Off