Fall 2011 Newsletter

Supporting Organizations

It takes the contributions of many individuals and organizations to make such a difference in the lives of families.

Jones Road Family thanks the following for their continual support and generosity:• JonesRoadCongregationalChurch• BroadwayChristianChurch• UniversitySettlement• HolyNameCatholicChurch• TheClevelandFoundation• ThirdFederalFoundation• BoysandGirlsClub• MyCom• SouthEastClevelandKiwanis• Chas.E.PhippsCompany• LightningDemolition• SlavicVillageDevelopmentCorporation• NeighborhoodConnections

In this issue:• LetterfromtheBoard• GettingtoKnow:Mr.Ward• ProclaimingNewVision• StudentProfile• LiteracyThroughtheArtsProgram• JonesRoad&ClevelandFoundation

A Letter from the Board of Directors-Results.That’swhatwelookforandrightfullyexpectfromtheorganizationswe support. Even though seeing results in any urban community is noteasy, there ishopewith theconclusionof JonesRoadFamilyDevelopmentCorporation’s third fiscal year at the end of June 2011. Believe us, greatimprovementshavebeenmade, foundations for the futurehavebeen laid,andbecauseofyoursupportweareseeingthefruitofthoseefforts.

OurLiteracyThroughtheArtsOutofSchoolTimeprogramwasabigsuccesslastyearprovidingtwoeveningsofactivityaweekforyouthinourcommunity.TheLTASummerAcademywasthe“best ever”.Of150registrantsweaveragedover120perdayattendance-aphenomenalrate!Weaddedteachingstaff,expandedourartsofferingandhostedamissiontripfromasuburbanchurch.

Soonyouwillbegintoseetheresultsofafocusontellingourstory.LooktoconnectwithusonFacebookandTwitter.Ourwebsitewillbeupdatedandkeptfresh.OurPReffortstothelocalcommunitywillbehealthyandactive.

Asour story is told andour reputationgrows, opportunities arebeginningto surface to expand our programs to other neighborhoods in Cleveland.Important decisions surface onwhere and howwe should expand for thefuture.

And we are reminded once again that the difference we make and thechallengesweendureareonlygrantedthroughthegraceofourSavior. Aswe continue to grow we discern more clearly the incredible challenge itistoachieveourvisionofaSlavicVillagethat isagreatplaceforfamilies inCleveland.Weknowwithevenmorecertaintythattherevivalofthefamilyistheonlyrealsolution;andthatarevivalwillonlycomeasaworkofourLord.

Yourfinancialsupport,yourhoursofserviceandyourprayersareallmakingarealimpactonthefamiliesweserve.Celebratewithusandremaincommittedwithus.MostofallpraywithusaprayerofthanksgivingforthegraceHegivesasweserveHim.

Board Members

• Chair:BillMerkel• Chairelect:DavidWaltermire• Treasurer:RobEberly• Fundraising:LuisPalaez• MemberAtLarge:HenryZeleszki• MemberAtLarge:BerniceHanzel• ExecutiveDirector:IoneParry

Bill MerkelBoardChair

Ione ParryExecutiveDirector

Thereisasayingthatthebestteachersteachfromtheheart,notfromthebook.Afterspendinga fewminutestalkingwithMr.MichaelWard,youdiscoverwhomayhaveinspiredit.

Mr.Wardbeganhismusiccareerearlyon,playingdrumsinlocalbands and night clubs in the eighth grade. From these earlyexperiences,Michaelgrewinhisloveformusic.Hefollowedhispassion, graduating from the Bowling Green State UniversitySchool of Music with his Bachelors in Music Education. Theremainderofhiscareercanbedefinedasacrescendoofvastaccomplishments.Fromgrowingamusicalprogramfrom15toover 325members, tobeing inducted into theNationalHighSchoolBandDirectorsHallofFametoretiringasthefirstpersontosimultaneouslyactastheprincipalfortwohighschools.

While his career accomplishments are admirable, Mr. Ward’spersonal commitment and belief in music is truly inspiring.Before teaching in the Jones Road FamilyMinistry programs,Michael andhiswife Facetaprovided children in low incomecommunitieswithmusiclessonsandinstrumentsfreeofcharge.

Sharingthesamemusicalappreciationanddesiretoservethecommunity, Michael crossed paths with Jones Road FamilyMinistriesafewyearsago.IoneParryapproachedMichaelafterbothhadattendedacommunityartsmeeting.SheaskedifhewouldbeinterestedinassistingwiththeLiteracyThroughtheArtsDrumline,andtherest,theysay,ishistory.

Michaelwas kindenough to sit downanswer some in-depthquestion on topics related to Jones Road FamilyMinistry, itsprograms,itsstudentsanditsfuture.

Why is music education so important to children?

It’s a proven fact that childrenwho have an artoutlet do better in school, especially in testingsituations. Beyond that, music teaches childrenthat hard work pays off and they constantlyhave to polish their trade to be successful.Childrenneedacreativeoutletandoftenthearts,especiallymusic, are not always an opportunitytheycanpursue.That iswhymywifeandIhavetried tosharemusicwith thoseweknowwouldotherwisegowithoutandhavefoundthemissionofJonesRoadFamilyMinistriestobesofulfilling.

How have you seen children change after experiencing music?

Studentssometimecomeinunsureofhowmusiccangobeyondbeingalearnedskill.Itsmore-itcontributestotheiroverallpersonalgrowthandcreative development. With groups like JonesRoad, students are continually encouraged toactively engage in their personal development,which actually has a double benefit.They growmusically and in their religious beliefs, bothbringingpositiveinfluencestotheirlives.

What about the Jones Road Family Ministry do you most believe in?

Bringing music to those less fortunate, goingbeyond just teaching them to read music. Weare providing quality music education andinstruments not always found in schools today,especiallyintheSlavicVillagearea.Qualityiskeyhere because its the driving force behind whatkeepschildrenexcitedandinterestedinmusic.

How would you like to see Jones Road Family Ministries grow?

Ihopetoseetheprogramgrowinfunding,whichmeansmore programs for our students and forthose in surrounding communities. I have seentheimpacttheLiteracyThroughtheArtsProgramhasduringthesummeronthechildrenandknowother communities could benefit greatly fromhaving similar opportunities available to theirlocalyouth. ItwouldbegreattoseeJonesRoadFamilyMinistriesbranchouttoothercommunitiesinapartnershiptospreadthisideaofeducationaldiscoverythroughthearts.

These programs put the children in the driver’sseatoftheireducation. Iaskthemwhatdoyouwant to learn?What is important to you?Oncetheyareengagedinsomethingtheyreallywanttolearn,theirpotentialislimitless.

Getting to Know: Mr. Michael Ward

“..their potential is limitless.”

This spring Jones Road Family willintroduce dozens of youth in SlavicVillage to the love ofGod found in JesusChrist.   You mayknow us for ouroutstanding literacyprograms that usearts to enrich theeducation of youthin this urban neighborhood.   Evenwith our passion for arts educationwe know it is not enough to rebuildfamiliesandcommunities.

Permanent and meaningful changecan only be built on the strength ofGod’s spirit working to make newpeopleandstrongfamilies. 

That’swhyeverytwoyearsweprovidea weekend where middle schoolstudentsretreatatalocalchurchandexperienceGod’sloveforthemintheGospelofJesus.

Weekend leadership is provided byChristian high school students fromourneighborhoodworkingunderthesupervision of experienced Christianadultsandworshipleaders. 

These high school youth are in thebest position to tell their youngerneighbors about Jesus; theywent tothe same middle schools, they rodethe same buses, theywalk the samestreets.   By proclaiming the truthof Christ’s ultimate love these highschool leaders strengthen their ownfaithandgrowtheirleadershipskills.

The weekend includes six talksby youth, adults and clergy that

introducethefoundationsoftheChristianfaithandinvite the youth to startan eternal relationshipwithJesus.

Follow up programsmake sure that each

interested youth is connected withone of our neighborhood churchestogrowtheirnewfaith. NewVisionissupportedbytheUpperRoomoftheUnitedMethodistChurch.

Inmanyways,NewVisionweekendsareacornerstoneofourprograms.  Afteryears of serving their youth througharts educationmoms and dads trustus to with teaching their childrenaboutJesusonanovernightweekend. 

Wehave seen theseweekendsmakeaneternaldifferenceinthelivesoftheyouthwhoparticipate,andoftenthatdifferenceimpactsawholefamily.AsourLordwashedthefeetoftheonesHe loved thenwent to the cross;weserve the ones He loves then showthemthecross.

Pleasepray thatGodwillprotectourweekend team as they prepare forNewVisionandthathewilltouchthelivesofourmiddleschoolparticipantsinasupernaturalway. 

Watch our Facebook page for morenewsabouttheupcomingNewVisionweekend.

Dwayne learnedabout Jesus throughJonesRoadprogramsafterstartingoutunconvincedon“thatreligiousstuff”.

Dwayne is considering attendingseminaryafterHeidelberg.

From Student to Leader: Member Profile

Proclaiming to a New Vision to Urban Youth

These weekends make an eternal

difference in the lives of the youth who

participate...

Jones Road Family alum Dwayne during his first week at Heidelberg University

(United Church of Christ).

In a time of cutbacks and severeeconomicwoes, the JonesRoadFamilyMinistries Literacy Through the ArtsSummer Program employed moreteachers, added to its list of classofferingsandenrolledthemoststudentstodate.

Firstthroughninthgradestudentswereabletoattendthesummerprogramfreeof charge andparticipate in art, dance,orchestra, drum corp, theater, creativewriting and recreational sports. Theteaching staff was composed of thosewhounderstandtheimportanceofartsforstudentenrichment.

“These children were given theopportunity to experience musicaleducation they would otherwise miss,”IoneParry,Literacyof theArts founder,stated. “We had teachers who excel intheir fields and follow state certifiedOhiomusiccurriculum.

Beyond exceptional classes, theprogramprovidedaplacethat fosteredrespect,communityandunderstanding.Surroundedbyrivalry,thestudentswerechallenged toabandondifferencesandwork together toward a common goal.Many of the activities depended onteamworkforsuccess,bridgingthegapbetween studentdifferences and teachpeacemaking,toleranceandrespect.

WithalltheAcademyhasachieved,itstillhasbigdreamsforthefuture.Additionalarts programs such as puppetry andclown ministry are in the works forcoming years. Ione believes the morethat is offered to the students, there isboundtobesomethingthatgrabsthemandpullstheminformore.

Ultimately,theLiteracyThroughtheArtsSummerProgramwould like toopen asecond locationwhichwouldserve thenorthendofSlavicVillage.

Jones Road Family Ministries’ Program

Overcomes Economy To Grow & Serve

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you,” Psalm 32:8

WhowouldthinkthattheLordwouldwork through one of the country’slargest foundations to provideinstructionandcounseltooneofthecountry’s smallest ministries? TheCleveland Foundation has been aguidinglightfortheJonesRoadFamilyMinistries organizationover thepastseveral years by providing the initialtools to develop into a successfulorganization through its ProjectAccess program. Project Access isa multi-year training and supportprogram designed to strengthenthe leadership, management andcommunity advocacy skills of faith-basedorganizationsinClevelandanditssuburbs.

Through this training opportunity,Jones Roads Family Ministries’ IoneParry was able to receive guidancein the areas of leadership, program,organizational, and resourcesdevelopment alongwith training oncommunity engagement. All thesemodules enabled Jones Road FamilyMinistries to establish itself as a501(c)3incorporatedorganization.

In the first three years, the revenuesand impact of Jones Road FamilyMinistries have tripled. A third yearof Project Access training has beencompleted which involved severalmembers of the new Board ofDirectors.

Beyond its valuable training, TheCleveland Foundation awards grantsto organizations as an effort to helpsupporttheirgrowthinitiatives.JonesRoad Family Ministries has grownwith the assistance of an $18,000grant by the Cleveland Foundationproject.Thisgranthashelpedfundapromotionandgrowthstrategicplan.

Jones Road Family Ministries is atthehalf-waypointon this importantproject.Thisnewsletter isoneof themany outcomes of the project thatwill help us tell our story and growourbaseofsupport. Otheractivitiesinclude:

• EstablishSocialMediaandotherPRprograms• Improve the compensation of theExecutiveDirector• Build relationshipswith local radioandtelevisionstations• Refresh our web site and provideregularcontent

The successful completion ofthis project may lead to a secondcontinuing grant to help increaseexposure to our mission. The goalof the program is to increase ourcommunity awareness and drive anadditional$25,000inannualrevenue.

We wish to thank the ClevelandFoundation for its critical role in ourformationandongoingcommitmenttoourgrowth!

Visitourwebsiteat: www.jonesroadfamily.org

JonesRoadFamilyDevelopmentCorp.8000 Jones Road

Cleveland,OH44105

Join the conversation and connect with us!

JonesRoadFamilyMinstries isnowonFacebookandTwitter!

@JonesRoadFamily

Jones Road Family Ministries

Growth, Support, Success:Jones Road Family Ministries & Cleveland Foundation