Baldwin Center

The Baldwin Center is pleased to announce that the United Methodist Union has decided to gift the entire buildings and grounds of the former Baldwin Avenue United Methodist Church to the Baldwin Center.  For over 30 years the people of Pontiac have had their basic needs met and have found opportunities to learn new skills and find strength and community at 212 Baldwin Avenue.  As Baldwin Center moves into a new stage of mission, it is time to gather to celebrate our accomplishments, honor our United Methodist heritage, affirm our covenant relationship and move forward in ministry together.

You are cordially invited to a worship service on February 14, 2013 at 2pm.  Worship will be led by The Reverend Melanie Carey, Superintendent of the Renaissance District of the United Methodist Church and The Dr. Reverend William Ritter, executive director of the United Methodist Union.  Please confirm your attendance by contacting Melissa Hardy at mhardy@baldwincenter.org or 248.332.6101.  Refreshments and tours will follow the service.  All are welcome.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’”

Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on the King Holiday to serve their neighbors and communities.  This year, as in year’s past, Baldwin Center was a site for over 60 volunteers as part of MLK Day of Service.  Volunteers came from Oakland University on Saturday January 19th and volunteers came from Chrysler on Monday January 21st and Tuesday January 22nd.

Volunteers turned over mulch in the gardens and hoop house, sorted clothes in the Clothes Closet, painted and spruced up the Youth Center, served a meal in the soup kitchen and painted the women’s bathroom.

To see more about what these volunteers accomplished see Chrysler Serves and OU Serves on YouTube.  If you are interested in volunteering at Baldwin contact Lisa Machesky at lmachesky@baldwincenter.org or 248.332.6101.

• *The Family Kitchen served 3,039 lunches, 550 dinners, and 785 breakfasts. 410 meals and snacks were served in the youth program. Overall, 5,194 meals were served.

• *141  low-income seniors received commodity food packages delivered to their homes with a special surprise of fresh fruit.

• *461 volunteers contributed over 1,845.50 hours of service to Baldwin, valued at $40,148.

• *Winter hats and gloves were distributed to 202 clients. Continue reading →

Patty Harris leaves the Baldwin Center Clothes Closet after nearly 17 years

Patty Harris, formerly known as Patty Stephens, has been leading Baldwin’s clothes closet for over 16 years. Patty has been a wonderful ambassador for Baldwin over the years– she powerfully tells the stories about all that have been helped by Baldwin, sharing important details that connect people to the mission.  Patty also tells  her own story about how Baldwin and its youth programs were there for her family during a particularly rough time nearly two decades ago.

Recently, however, Patty has been working on something new.  For the past year Patty has been busy working to gain a degree in medical billing.  She was first in her class at Dorsey Business School and began her twelve week internship two weeks ago.  Within a week St. Joseph Mercy Oakland hired her on full time.  We thought we would have Patty’s smiling face around a little bit longer but wish her well in this long held dream.

December 31st is the last day to make a tax deductible donation for 2012.  Please consider Baldwin in your year-end giving strategy.  Baldwin makes sure that people are fed, clothed, educated and empowered everyday of the year.

You can mail donations to : PO BOX 420700, Pontiac, MI  48342 or online.