Do you ever think about what you bring to your present moments and relationships? Too often we anxiously focus on remembering the past or predicting the future. What about the present? Every past and every future have a present opportunity. This past year we saw moments of grace from Portland to Phoenix, from Minnesota to India, from Tacoma to Idaho. Thousands of volunteers and donors have sacrificed to reflect mercy in their neighborhoods. Thousands have reflected the kindness of Jesus in their moments and with their neighbors.
It’s worth celebrating the vast array of moments we all participated in; moments of reflecting the God of justice, love, mercy, and truth. A world hungry for a better way is drawn to your life when you live sacrificially (volunteering, donating, leading, sharing). No matter how seemingly insignificant you thought those moments were, they did in some way contribute to changing a life.
Thousands of people representing hundreds of churches lived these moments throughout 2019. You acted justly, loved mercy, and walked humbly with God. My friends, that life never gets old or void of authentic meaning in a world of animosity, confusion, and pride. My invitation is to continually fix your heart and mind on the God who loves you profoundly. Take the next step in 2020. Continue serving, partnering, and voicing the mission of unity and compassion. It is our joy to walk that journey alongside you.
-Milan Homola, Co-Founder & Executive Director
We are excited to share 9 fun facts from our Annual Report highlighting what our community helped achieve in 2019!
1. The Big Picture
In 2019, churches from 26 communities in 4 states and 2 countries came together to serve their neighborhoods through our community health and anti-trafficking service models.
That represents 3,513 people putting their faith in action and loving 5,385 of their neighbors as Jesus would!
“The work of compassion connect is more important and relevant than ever. As we see division grow everywhere, this is a very tangible expression of Jesus’ love to others.” -Cindy, Donor
2. More People Receiving Compassionate Health Care Through Compassion Clinics
Your generosity in 2019 made it possible for a new Compassion Clinic to launch in Beaverton, and for churches in 15 neighborhoods to collaboratively provide health care to 4,486 people. This represents a total impact value of $769,392!
“There is no Lutheran, Baptist or Church of Christ as we serve together. It is outside the walls of the worship service and in [Compassion] Clinics like this that the world will know Jesus is God’s son.” -Brian Farris, Clinic Volunteer
3. Increased Unity and Compassion In Action
“The quarterly clinics on our campus have provided an avenue for our people to volunteer, serve, partner with other churches and bring the love of Jesus to the homeless in our area in a tangible and effective way. They have become a key part of our ministry and a key way people grow in their love for God and the world He died for. They have also demonstrated to the people of Parkrose and Portland how churches can come together to make an impact on the real needs of the community.” -Pastor Tom Schiave, Gateway Church
4. The Personal Impact of Compassion Clinics
“As I was chatting with one [Compassion Clinic] guest, she began to sob. She went on to tell me how happy she was that she had just been fitted for glasses. She said for the first time in her life she would be able to see her grandchildren’s faces clearly.” -Regina, Clinic Volunteer
“It was the kindness of everybody here that really put me at ease. You can genuinely tell the people who come to help are enthusiastic and genuinely want to help you, make you feel comfortable, and know that this is something that they are happy to do. And what a blessing when you do not have dental insurance to be able to come in and get your teeth taken care of. I think this is one of the most wonderful things this community offers.” -Terri, Clinic Guest
“I arrived at one o’clock in the morning and the service I’ve gotten–excellent. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I got my teeth pulled, my teeth cleaned, and God answered my prayers because that’s what I prayed for.” -Clinic Guest
5. Coming Alongside More Churches to Prevent Trafficking
In 2019 your generosity helped sustain our work with current Adorned In Grace Design Studios and add three new Oregon locations: Beaverton, Milwaukie, and Oregon City! We believe that like Compassion Clinics, Design Studios are a model that can be used by churches anywhere to prevent trafficking and serve youth, and we are excited to see them continue to grow in 2020!
6. The Personal Impact of Adorned In Grace
The Design Studio really opens a door for these girls to break the cycle that they were born into. They no longer have to live the life that they thought they were destined to. In the Design Studio with my mentors I learned what love looked like…and I know that these girls are getting these seeds planted in them.” -Andrea, Design Studio Alumni
“Mentoring has taught me to look past people when they are awful to you and try to figure out what is going on underneath, to see what hidden hurts are coming out in mixed up emotions. My mentee has taught me how to have more patience with everyone I come across. Somehow in my trying to be a mentor to someone I really don’t understand, she has actually taught me so much more.” -Amber, Design Studio Mentor
“What I like best about the Design Studio is the respectful mentors and nice students and how caring they are.” -Design Studio Attendee
7. Anti-Trafficking Outcomes
95% of Adorned In Grace Design Studio participants we surveyed in 2019 agreed that “I can trust the adults at the Design Studio.”
100% of Design Studio volunteers surveyed agreed that “volunteering at the Design Studio is an effective way for me to put my faith in action.”
$252,805 in funds* was raised by the 3 Adorned In Grace Bridal Shops for awareness, prevention, and restoration (survivor) work.
*This includes both sales and cash donations.
8. Compassion Across the Country & World
In 2019 we launched an initiative called The Compassion Network to inspire, equip, and unite more churches and individuals to serve their communities and put their faith in action. Last year we focused on growth in Oregon, Arizona, Washington, and Minnesota. We are thrilled to report that 2019 was a year of favor and team building across the country! For more information about the Compassion Network, please visit us here!
9. Celebrating 2019 Total Impact!
Last year more than 3,500 volunteers gave 54,005 hours serving their neighbors with us.
In addition, for every dollar contributed by an individual donor, we were able to produce $6.71 in community impact through the multiplication power of volunteerism and other goodwill contributions. This number reflects direct services provided as well as key volunteer hours required to provide those services.
All told, we arrived at a total 2019 impact of 3.3 million dollars! To read our full 2018 Annual Report, click here.
“We are grateful to have found a way for us to give and really believe it is impacting lives. Thank you for giving us that opportunity.” -Anonymous Donor
You Can Make A Difference in 2020
Don’t miss out on the change you can be in your neighborhood and world when you unite to serve! Here are a few ways to take action:
- Pray: We couldn’t do this work without the amazing people who join us in praying for increased compassion and unity in neighborhoods everywhere. Interested in joining our prayer team? Email prayer@compassionconnect.com and/or visit us here to download our free prayer guides!
- Share: We invite you to follow the journey of unity and compassion on Facebook and/or Instagram. Another great place for shareable resources about our mission is our Youtube page.
- Give: We are a small team that relies on the incredible power of volunteers to do a lot with a little so your gifts make the biggest impact possible! We are also excited to announce that now through March 15 anyone who signs up to become a new monthly donor will receive a special limited time gift -a travel blanket with the Compassion Connect logo! To explore your giving options, please visit us here!
- Learn: Our website is a great place to learn more! While you’re there, check out our blog for inspiring stories and educational articles! We also offer tours of our Compassion Clinics and Design Studios and would love to show you around! To schedule a tour, email us at serve@compassionconnect.com
- Volunteer: Every year thousands of volunteers selflessly give their time and skills to serve their neighbors with us. Whether you’re interested in health, fighting trafficking, back office work, or not sure where to start, we want to help plug you in where your skills are being used to make a difference and share Jesus’ love! For a list of our volunteer roles and internships, visit us here.
- Stay Connected in 2020: Want to stay updated on the latest in 2020? We invite you to grow in your journey of purposeful compassion by receiving stories, encouragement, and other service opportunities right to your inbox! Sign up here!
