Launching Growth for Generations

A small group of people with a collective passion for others can come together using their diverse backgrounds and talents to bring about change. -Nancy Farish

After literal years of hoping, dreaming, researching, and planning, we have finally launched Growth for Generations: our fundraising campaign to transform our existing preschool, build a new and more sustainable preschool, and support the building of affordable senior housing on our property. Making this happen required hours upon hours of volunteer labor working with architects, city zoning, affordable housing organizations, and nearly infinite paperwork. While the goal is to see more people have access to sustainable preschool and housing, the paperwork and legal hoops are necessary to get there! And finally, we’re able to share about the journey and the path forward.

The mission of PSCC is to creatively respond to the needs of our community through acts of justice, peace, and love. “This campaign gives us all the opportunity to participate in our mission!  The mission is just words until we bring it to life. This campaign embodies our mission in a tangible way!” says Brian Day, the head of the campus and community development team now rechristened Growth for Generations.

“The fact that this embodies so many of the core values of our church is inspiring,” added DJ Bickers, head of the key donor committee. He continued, “I am excited about the amazing response we’ve received by friends and community members that are not regular [church] attendees. It seems like everyone I speak to about this wonderful project is so supportive.” At a time when people are rightfully skeptical about church projects, we are proud to be doing something that follows not our own agenda, but is a response to the needs of those around us.

We are all doing this for the kids and senior adults in need, but we cannot do this work without being deeply affected ourselves. “PSCC is a small church with a big dream. The work of our [committees] is an example of how a small group of people with a collective passion for others can come together using their diverse backgrounds and talents to bring about change,” says Nancy Farish, head of the communications team for Growth for Generations. “I have experienced first hand how connecting with others through a shared vision brings me closer to others both inside and outside our church walls.”

We know this type of work is necessary to continue forward in a world so full of needs and strife. Leslie Burns, a member of the communications team says, “I am excited that a relatively small group of people can still affect positive change in this world. This experience encourages me to keep dreaming, and to stay connected.”

Regarding the relationship between the preschool and the church members, Donna Cain (worship minister and head of the spirituality and prayer committee for the campaign) said “Our church members wholeheartedly support the ministry of our preschool and have done so now for over twenty years… but most have limited contact with the preschool, simply because they are only here on Sundays when the preschool is not in session. This campaign has made us all more aware, (myself included), of the wonderful job our preschool teachers are doing, the joy the children share in attending, and the need to be able to expand and offer this opportunity to more children and families in our community.  Because of this project, we have been able to share in the joy that these little ones experience daily.”

Helping others is, in fact, not always a selfless act. Brian Day observes, “working on this campaign with an enormously talented group of people has helped me to know them better, enjoy the process, and realize I don’t have to push through this alone – it is truly a community effort!  As we work to bring about both affordable housing and affordable preschool – I have learned that our congregation is working with so many other interfaith congregations to make real changes in our community!”

Thank you for learning about Growth for Generations and consider offering your support.