Vision for the Future
After considerable discussion the ministry board has identified the following broad areas as the core ministry of Chester Eastside Ministries:
1. An Institute for Social Justice and Urban Studies
2. A Worshipping Community
3. Cultural and Educational Development
4. Response to Basic Human Needs
5. Economic Development (both for CEM and the community)
An Institute for Social Justice and Urban Studies
Chester Eastside Ministries has long been recognized as a force for good in the community. It has demonstrated this by its food and clothing ministries, basic tutoring and educational enrichment programs, crisis counseling and community advocacy. Churches from all over the area and beyond send youth and others to experience urban ministry first hand at CEM. In recent years members of the ministry board and staff have become more active in political engagement for the well-being of the Chester community. A formal Institute for Social Justice would draw together these interests and skills by providing a space for:
- Cultural Sensitivity Training
- Volunteer Training for those working in Urban Ministries or with Urban Youth
- Bridging Suburban/Urban Divides
- Community Engagement and Faith Based Organizing
Worshipping Community
At the center of the ministry provided by Chester Eastside Ministries is the acknowledgement that God’s love in Jesus Christ is not only the motive for what is done, but the end towards which ministry is extended. This commitment is expressed in the Christian music which is played during food distribution, the counseling services provided, and the worship opportunities provided to the community two Sunday afternoons a week. Rev. Warren provides space for funeral services when requested and possible. Couples have also asked to be married in the building.
The board envisions a day when an active community-based worshipping group would met regularly in the building and maybe even use the abandoned sanctuary. Demographic indications for the next 5-15 years show that the population of this part of Chester will increase dramatically as young professionals seek to live nearer to the expanding job market in the city. A church which is posed to engage this population will benefit from that growth.
Cultural and Educational Development
The various cultural and educational programs have been the focus of Chester Eastside’s ministry over the years. The following programs are housed in the building:
- After School Program (Library)
- Cultural Arts
- Digital Photography
- Digital Journalism
- Dance Instruction
- Computer Lab for High School Students
- GED and Adult Computer Training
- Various Occasional Field Trips
- Summer City Camp (with John Gloucester House and Kirkwood Camp)
To be added:
- Series of Lectures and Films
- Family Life Nights (supper, film or other presentation, parenting support, etc.)
Food and Clothing Support
A large number of the people who enter the Chester Eastside Ministries did so for the first time in search of food, clothing or other basic needs. Chester Eastside seeks to greet them with love and concern, provide them with the services they need, and offer other support that they might not have been aware of by referrals, counseling, etc. A faithful cadre of volunteers screens recipients, packs food bags, greets clients, and makes them feel welcome and cherished. The space used for this purpose, the rotunda and the adjoining classrooms, is far too small for this purpose. The Board has been exploring options of moving the food storage to the basement by installing a delivery ramp from the parking lot cellar access and by installing a dumb waiter type lift to bring food bags up to the main level. More research on this aspect is needed. The clothing closet takes up a fair amount of room beyond the gym and needs better organization.
Economic Development
The Board is aware of the need to develop additional sources of income to assure the future of the ministries at Chester Eastside. To this end they are exploring the development of the clothing ministry into a thrift shop. This would increase the sense of dignity for clients and provide job training opportunities for staff.
Other options being explored include rental income from compatible organizations which would use the building. At the present time Peace in the Streets and The Achievement Project (TAP) use the building and are working towards raising funds to pay rent. Others who have expressed an interest are: Fair Deal Chester, Parents for Educational Improvement, Habitat for Humanity and Swarthmore College. The ready availability of a conference room/meeting space would greatly benefit the community and provide some return on utility costs.