andyatcfumblog@wordpress.com

Tag: families

  • Secret Weapon

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    Andy Bales
    in

    A note from me with a very interesting “heartfelt” response from Grok? Secret Weapon There are times I look out the window, like today, and, I see a friend gliding across the sidewalk, bounding up stairs impossible for me to climb, while I wheel toward,  then struggle with the heavy door, only to roll up…

  • Best Kept Secret in Des Moines

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    Andy Bales
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    Our Breakfast Club, launched way back in the late 60’s by the Black Panthers, carried forward by United Methodist Church leaders, then handed off to Children and Family Urban Movement, is better known, more historic, and is served as faithfully each week day.  Yet, I marvel at the selfless groups, community organizations, friends, church groups,…

  • Gold Rush

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    Andy Bales
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    Just returned from a bucket list cruise to Alaska with my beautiful wife, Bonnie, and one of her beloved brothers and her much beloved sister, very likely her best friend, and their spouses. We had a fantastic cold rain soaked time and adjusted with layers and rain pants and coats as needed. On a rail…

  • Top Rated Uber Rider :)

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    Andy Bales
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    I recently learned a valuable life lesson I should have known a long long time ago. When trading for a new truck, consult your wife, ask a friend to drive the not yet made accessible vehicle for you, hi to a mechanic to check it out, and buy from a trustworthy truck dealer. But $15,000…

  • Thanksgiving

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    Andy Bales
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    I am extremely thankful for the place I live, where I am in life, and what I do. You may or may not have heard my story. I was doing well, leading the largest rescue mission in the country, on Skid Row in Los Angeles.  Not everyone’s cup of tea or desired career, but it was the peak of my professional career and a…

  • Healing Power of Community

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    Andy Bales
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    MARCH 11, 2024 NEWS The Healing Power of Community We learned at my former place of work & ministry, Union Rescue Mission on Skid Row in Los Angeles, folks don’t just stop an addiction, but get connected to a new community.  The counseling, trauma informed care, grief therapy, spiritual counseling & mental health assistance were all…

  • Heading toward Trouble or Hope?

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    Andy Bales
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    Feb 11, 2024 — by Andy Bales Competent caring compassionate community members and workforce I am not certain if it was was a dream, nightmare, seminar or sermon, but a couple of weeks ago I heard a fiery speech from a mature lady saying if we keep going as we are, civil society will soon…

  • Hungry Kids in Iowa?

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    Andy Bales
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    This week, my team asked me and our organization, Children and Family Urban Movement, CFUM.org to sign onto a petition, protesting a recent decision by our state leaders to turn down $29 Million in federal subsidies, regarding EBT cards for supplemental food to look out for not only our kids in the neighborhood, but all…