RUMC's Community Outreach
There are a variety of ways we reach out to the community. If you are interested in partnering with us, need help, can help, or just want to know more, please contact us
Bridge Builders After school Program
Bridge Builders is an after school program for kids K -5 on Wednesdays from 3 pm to 5 pm. RUMC is working with Passion Community Church, Rootstown First Congregational UCC and Community Bible Church on this program. For the 2020-2021 school year, the program went from February through April, following CDC, mask, and social distancing guidelines. Kids were in groups of 8-10 with 2 leaders who worked with them each Wednesday on homework, building self confidence, and learning about God. The program will continue for the 2021-2022 school year.
UPLIFT - Empowering others by providing essentials
Uplift provides essential items like shampoo, conditioner, soap, socks, razors to those who are in need. We accept donations of items as well. We are currently in need of kid's shampoo and body wash, kid's toothbrushes and toothpaste, and kid's underwear and socks but are well stocked in most other items. Please note, this outreach is supplied 100% by donations and we may not have everything listed below at all times. Below is a list of donations we accept and items we have for those in need. Contact our office with any questions.
--- Deodorant --- Shampoo --- Conditioner --- Baby Shampoo/Wash --- Body Wash --- Baby Wipes --- Socks --- Underwear --- Sanitary Napkins --- Razors --- Shaving Cream --- Toothpaste -- Toothbrushes --- Toilet Paper --- Towels and Wash Cloths --- Hand Soap --- Dish Soap --- Laundry Detergent --- Cleaning Supplies (sponges, spray, wipes) ---
--- Deodorant --- Shampoo --- Conditioner --- Baby Shampoo/Wash --- Body Wash --- Baby Wipes --- Socks --- Underwear --- Sanitary Napkins --- Razors --- Shaving Cream --- Toothpaste -- Toothbrushes --- Toilet Paper --- Towels and Wash Cloths --- Hand Soap --- Dish Soap --- Laundry Detergent --- Cleaning Supplies (sponges, spray, wipes) ---
The R-Town Christmas Store
We have partnered Passion Community Church and Rootstown First Congregational Church UCC, in the Rootstown area to serve families at the Rootstown Schools who may need help during the Christmas season with gifts for their children. Families must be per-registered through the school to attend the shopping day. in 2020 we were able to help 20 families from Rootstown Schools, with a total of 53 kids!
Kids Programs
Kid's Adventure Week - A week long day camp in the summer from 9 am to 12 where kids can laugh, play games, make fun crafts and learn about Jesus. The camp ends with a big celebration and cookout on the final day at 12.
School Mentoring - Volunteers sit with 2nd graders at the school and listen to them read Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Food Backpack Program - Partnering with the schools, Community Bible Church and Passion Community Church to get food to children and families who need it during the weekend.
School Mentoring - Volunteers sit with 2nd graders at the school and listen to them read Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Food Backpack Program - Partnering with the schools, Community Bible Church and Passion Community Church to get food to children and families who need it during the weekend.
Habitat for Humanity of POrtage County - Apostles build
We have joined with several other churches in Portage County to build a house for a family in Atwater. Visit the Facebook page for more information. The house is scheduled to be completed in 2021. If you would like information about how to join this project or how you can help in other ways, please contact us.
Kairos Prison Ministries
We have members in the congregation who regularly visit with incarcerated men to share the love and forgiveness of Jesus. If you'd like more information on this ministry, please contact us.
Community resources
Below is a list of organizations, websites, and ministries that may be helpful. If you can add to the resources listed below, please let us know!
FOOD
Community Bible Church - food pantry once a month
Center of Hope - groceries by appointment, free meals Mon-Fri from 11:30-12:15 and Sun at 4 pm
Ravenna First United Methodist Church - Loaves and Fishes Saturday 11:30 am
Salvation Army - food pantry
Center of Hope - groceries by appointment, free meals Mon-Fri from 11:30-12:15 and Sun at 4 pm
Ravenna First United Methodist Church - Loaves and Fishes Saturday 11:30 am
Salvation Army - food pantry
Clothing
Community Bible Church - Clothing Closet the last Saturday of every month 10 am to 1 pm
Growing Daisies Ministry - An organization run through Portage Community Chapel that provides families in need with clothing, toys, shoes, toiletries, some food items, and a Bible. Contact them through their Facebook page.
County Clothing Center - The Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center provides gently used clothing and other household items to families and individuals in need, free of charge. M-F 10 am -2 pm (closed every 3rd Friday) T & Th evenings from 6 pm - 8pm.
Growing Daisies Ministry - An organization run through Portage Community Chapel that provides families in need with clothing, toys, shoes, toiletries, some food items, and a Bible. Contact them through their Facebook page.
County Clothing Center - The Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center provides gently used clothing and other household items to families and individuals in need, free of charge. M-F 10 am -2 pm (closed every 3rd Friday) T & Th evenings from 6 pm - 8pm.
ReCovery
Celebrate Recovery - A Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind. Celebrate Recovery is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our life. Meetings in Rootstown are at Community Bible Church every Monday at 6:30 pm.
GRASP - founded to help provide sources of help, compassion and most of all, understanding for families or individuals who have had a loved one die as a result of substance abuse or addiction. The Portage County Chapter meets every 4th Saturday at 10 am. Contact the group facilitator for exact location and to sign up for a meeting. Click here for more information or to register.
Open United Recovery (O.U.R.) Place - A peer led group dedicated to increasing sustained recovery and empowering those impacted by addiction through mutual support, connection to resources, community engagement, education, and positive socialization. Their website has a calendar with several different community events and support groups to connect with others.
PTSD Survivor Space - A website dedicated to resources and support for those suffering from PTSD.
Recovery Fellowship Dinners - The 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month from 6-8pm at Lake Brady UMC. Presented by O.U.R. Place.
Start Talking Portage - Addressing the Opioid Epidemic in and around Portage County. Start Talking Portage meets tje 4th Thursday the Reed Library, main street, Ravenna
Grief
GriefShare - A friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. There are groups throughout the area, check their site to find one that works with your schedule.
The GriefCare Place - The GriefCare Place, in Stow, offers a safe place where those grieving the death of a loved one can find support, education, understanding, and a caring place to heal. The center serves individuals of all ages, offers a home-like atmosphere and is a non-denominational faith based organization where those of strong faith or those of none can come comfortably.
The GriefCare Place - The GriefCare Place, in Stow, offers a safe place where those grieving the death of a loved one can find support, education, understanding, and a caring place to heal. The center serves individuals of all ages, offers a home-like atmosphere and is a non-denominational faith based organization where those of strong faith or those of none can come comfortably.
COUNSELING/Behavioral Health
Children's Advantage - The Mission of Children’s Advantage is to nurture the growth of children and families through quality service, community partnerships, and advocacy. There are two primary goals: (1) to decrease problem behaviors by building on the strengths of the child/adolescent and his/her family; (2) to increase the level of functioning of the child/adolescent in his/her environment.
PTSD Survivor Space - A website dedicated to resources and support for those suffering from PTSD.
Mental Heatlh and Recovery Board of Portage County - The mission of the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County is to develop, manage and sustain a community-driven system of behavioral health treatment, prevention and recovery services.
PTSD Survivor Space - A website dedicated to resources and support for those suffering from PTSD.
Mental Heatlh and Recovery Board of Portage County - The mission of the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County is to develop, manage and sustain a community-driven system of behavioral health treatment, prevention and recovery services.
Aging adults
There are a variety of ways we reach out to the community. If you are interested in partnering with us, need help, can help, or just want to know more, please contact us
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) - RSVP connects volunteers ages 55 and over with service opportunities in their communities that match their skills and availability. For more information visit the webpage.
Home Instead Senior Care - Home Instead helps with a variety of different tasks from grocery shopping to hygiene, while focusing on care, compassion, and companionship. Serves all of Portage County.
Senior Care Assisted Living - resources and information for aging adults of the available care options and programs that can help them maintain their independence and quality of life.
Senior Advice - Check out this link for a dedicated page that provides extremely well detailed and thorough information for families and senior citizens who are researching available care options and programs that can help maintain their independence and quality of life. This free resource provides comprehensive information on topics like financial support and care options that are available in every city and state across the country.
Assisted Living Today - The mission at AssistedLivingToday.com is to help the disabled and elderly maximize their healthy years and age gracefully. Visit the link for information and resources.
Assisted Living in Ohio | AssistedLiving.org
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) - RSVP connects volunteers ages 55 and over with service opportunities in their communities that match their skills and availability. For more information visit the webpage.
Home Instead Senior Care - Home Instead helps with a variety of different tasks from grocery shopping to hygiene, while focusing on care, compassion, and companionship. Serves all of Portage County.
Senior Care Assisted Living - resources and information for aging adults of the available care options and programs that can help them maintain their independence and quality of life.
Senior Advice - Check out this link for a dedicated page that provides extremely well detailed and thorough information for families and senior citizens who are researching available care options and programs that can help maintain their independence and quality of life. This free resource provides comprehensive information on topics like financial support and care options that are available in every city and state across the country.
Assisted Living Today - The mission at AssistedLivingToday.com is to help the disabled and elderly maximize their healthy years and age gracefully. Visit the link for information and resources.
Assisted Living in Ohio | AssistedLiving.org
Additional resources
Family & Community Services - a very comprehensive site that lists shelters, programs, events and so much more.