I still remember my first day- Jon Moe

Jon Moe. A tall, lanky, blonde kid who was just beginning his college career at Mizzou. He was an instant hit with the kids, and for sure, one of the most effective male volunteers we've ever had!

I’ll never forget the day that I stood watching Jon from the dining room window as He arrived at Granny’s House. What I saw melted my heart! As Jon got out of his car, one of the kids ran, with outstretched arms, to meet him. Jon greeted that kid by picking him up, swinging him around just like a lot of dads do with their small children. For years, something like this happened every time Jon came to Granny’s House. Here are some of Jon's memories from his days as Granny's House Volunteer:

What Do You Remember About Your Time at Granny’s House?

“I remember the first time that one of the kids called me ‘Daddy.’ I was both pleased and proud, but also deeply grieved. I only volunteered one day a week, but apparently even that much consistent male presence classified me as a father figure.”

“I also remember picking up one of the kids and taking them to Cosmo Park with another volunteer on a Saturday. It was so much fun to see how excited this kid was. They had been looking forward to the outing for the whole week and talked about it all the next week.”

How Does Volunteering at Granny's House Impact Lives?

“It’s especially important for men to volunteer and to provide at least a taste of what having a father is like. You may just be able to point these precious kids to their "Real Father." Bringing joy to a child's heart is one of the most enjoyable things I think we can do this side of heaven!”

What Are You Doing Now?

After graduating from Mizzou, I moved to Minnesota to work as an engineer. I am married and have a toddler son…

Do You Have A Prayer For Granny’s House?

“I pray that God will continue to use Granny's House to radically change lives - the lives of the volunteers, the kids, and their families. I pray that Granny's House will continue to be salt and light, spread liberally, and shining brightly in the projects of Columbia…”

Granny's House Store!

One of our goals at Granny's House, is to teach the kids that hard work...equals provision. They all have such amazing gifts and talents, and we want to show them that they can use those gifts to glorify God through their work!

Because of this, for the past few months, the kids have been earning "points" at Granny's House by cleaning, taking out trash or helping with random chores we might have. Their points are posted on a wall, and everytime they complete a task, points are awarded!

Recently, the children were given "paychecks" based on their points, which could be "cashed in" for Granny's House dollars to be used in a Granny's House store! The store featured toys, clothes, balls, and several household items, and the kids were really excited to purchase items for themselves using their hard earned cash!

We are hoping to provide a store every month for the kids!!!

Granny's House kids in Jamaica!

Three Granny's House youth (Kenny, Kiona and Starr) are currently on a Mission Trip in Jamaica! We are so excited for them, and can't wait to hear all about their amazing experiences! Feel free to follow their trip on the "Won by One" website which will post photos each night of their daily adventures! Click on the "Crossing Church" photo and you will see what they are up to!!

I still remember my first day- Rachel Niewoehner

Ten years ago, Rachel Niewoehner stepped onto the Granny's House property as one of the first volunteers to cross the threshold! Her love for the children and genuine spirit blessed many children, and her energy drew many kids to the Granny's House doorstep! Ten years later, Rachel remembers her time at Granny's House, and lets us know what she is up to now!

Do you have a favorite memory of Granny's House?

Oh goodness, how to pick a favorite memory?! I have so many treasured memories from my years at Granny’s House. From Princess Academy, to field trips, to the funny things the kids would say, the funny moments shared with fellow volunteers. I have albums filled with pictures. And my mom has a picture of me with two of our first GH kids, De’la and Ton-Ton. I still tell stories about those hilarious, wonderful, loving kids.

What do you remember from the first week we opened and you were a volunteer?

I remember being so excited! I remember getting the space ready and feeling like it was this big adventure that we were embarking on. I remember wondering how big of a difference we would make and I oddly remember setting out a box of books and “free stuff” on the sidewalk. I remember those first few kids coming up to talk and investigate; I think I was as nervous and curious as they were!

Did Granny's House impact your life, career choices?

Granny’s House changed my life in so many ways. It is no exaggeration to say that I am the person that I am today in large part to Granny’s House. The children and families I met in Douglass Park changed my perceptions of need and poverty. Public housing became a human place, full of beautiful faces and dreams. Granny's House helped to shape how I view the Kingdom of God, and our responsibilities as Jesus-followers in bringing it here to earth. After initially following a path towards events planning, I decided to pursue a path in nonprofit work. I got my Master's in nonprofit management and urban affairs. For the last three and a half years, I have been working at Catholic Charities in Kansas City, Missouri helping small nonprofits, like Granny's House, serve more people.

What are you doing now?

I am living in Kansas City, Missouri, and I work in social service. I work for Catholic Charities here, helping small, grassroots nonprofit organizations, like Granny’s House began ten years ago, do what they do better and serve more people. I’ve been fortunate to work with nearly fifty organizations here in the Kansas City area over the last three and half years, and have been able to have a small part in some incredible stories.

Do you have a prayer for Granny's House?

I pray that Granny's House will always be a safe place, the type of safety that spreads like a little light filling a dark room until fear is driven from every corner of that room. I pray that the presence of God dwells there richly and tangibly; that children and families are made new and whole; that Granny's House becomes a birthplace of a disciplining culture in Columbia Public Housing. I pray for flowers and plants and toys and books and kool-aid, and always an abundance of open-hearted volunteers.

EXTREME WEBSITE MAKEOVER!!

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY, GRANNY'S HOUSE!!

It's hard to believe that Granny's House first opened it's doors to public housing children 10 years ago...

Ten incredible years of hugs, and love, and laughter as we constantly come up with new ways to "smear" the love of God on the children cross our threshold on Trinity Place each weekday afternoon.

To celebrate this milestone, we have a summer-long "Online Birthday Party" planned via, this blog, Facebook, and our soon-to-be-unveiled renovated website.

Check in often for leisurely strolls down memory lane to learn about kids who, literally, grew up at Granny's House; read about refugee kids whose lives are being transformed in our midst; meet volunteers and staff members whose passion for the Lord and children have made Granny's House kids' favorite place to be after school.

In the meantime, we couldn't wait for you to get a sneak preview of our all-spruced-up website which will go "live" any day now...

CONGRATULATIONS GRANNY'S HOUSE MOM!!

When Katrina (we call her “Trina”) recently walked across the stage at Columbia College’s Graduation ceremony, we were thrilled that another Granny’s House mom could now claim that lofty title, “College Graduate!”

As if working a full time job to put food on the table for her children, managing their meals, school projects, and afterschool activities weren’t enough, she had the grace, grit, and perseverance to plough through years of homework assignments, research papers, and late-into-the-night study sessions to get that coveted degree: Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice.

And we were not the only one’s who are proud of her. We joined a host of family and friends who traveled to Columbia to congratulate this huge accomplishment. Her children were beaming. In fact, one of them said, “I’m glad she did it! Now I know that I can do the same!”

CONGRATULATIONS KIONA HUGHES!!!

Last night, Kiona was inducted into West Junior High School's chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. During the ceremony, she pledged her loyalty to the school and to "...maintain and encourage high standards of scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship." We are so very proud of her!!

Light, Action, Camera...

Recently, Caleb – The Science Club at Granny’s House went to the Missouri School Board Association’s Media Center where they learned the ins and outs of making an effective video presentation from Blake Godwin (Senior Director of Video Productions) and Brent Ghan (Chief Communications Officer).

These eager students learned and practiced everything from the art looking natural while reading from a teleprompter to the effective use of hand gestures and pauses while speaking publically.

Take one, take two… and a few kids were brave enough to continue improving… take three!

You Launch Like A Granny!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! Come check out the first annual "You Launch Like a Granny" Fundraiser put on by MU student Christopher Binkley! How often do you get to launch water balloons from a giant slingshot...and raise money for Granny's House!? Check out the video he made about the event at http://vimeo.com/21963795. Don't forget to tell all your friends!!!