Norcross Cooperative Ministry Celebrates 25th Anniversary; Raises $3.5 Million in Capitol Campaign

NORCROSS, GA – Norcross Cooperative Ministry (NCM) celebrated 25 Years of Restoring Hope at a gala event on April 24th at Simpsonwood United Methodist Church.  The ministry also announced the success of its capital campaign, raising $3.5 million. 

            More than 200 volunteers, NCM board of Directors, city leaders, campaign workers, and investors gathered in the church’s family life center, enjoying desserts, live music, and a brief program highlighting NCM’s many successes and future plans.

            “During these 25 years, NCM has served thousands of men, women, and children,” said Executive Director Shirley Cabe.  “And throughout these years, I have been privileged to work side by side with hundreds of area volunteers who personify ‘faith in action’ as they have responded to the needs of those among us who are in crisis. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to everyone who has joined our collaborative effort to make a monumental difference in our community … one family at a time.”

            The event also commemorated the success of NCM’s capital campaign, “Restoring Hope!”.  The five-year initiative raised 235 pledges totaling more than $3.5 million.  Funds will be used to implement three primary programs: (1) Transform Lives -- helping 100 families in crisis break the cycle of poverty and develop a pathway and return to a productive lifestyle; (2) New and Expanded Services – increasing overall food distribution and emergency housing while providing non-food items to families in need; and (3) Educate and Communicate – expanding local awareness of the needs in the greater Norcross area.

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NCM April 24th Celebration

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          “It was an honor to serve on the ‘Restoring Hope!’ campaign,” said Jim Copeland, retired Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte and Campaign General Chairman. “The results of the campaign confirm that NCM has earned the trust of our community. We must protect that trust and build on it by restoring hope for those in need.”

            “’’Restoring Hope!’ was an opportunity for us to learn what we could accomplish helping those in need,” said Steve Dorough, Campaign Counsel.  “During the campaign, I realized we weren’t only helping NCM client families … we were also helping those who were giving the money, food, and clothing. We all need a way to “do unto others as He has done unto us."

        NCM is a non-profit, ecumenical ministry that provides emergency assistance to families in seven zip codes in the greater Norcross area,  including 30071, 30091, 30092, 30093, 30084, 30340, and 30360.  NCM provides food, housing and utility financial aid, gently-used clothing, prescription-medicine assistance, job-search training and support, financial management/personal budgeting, English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes, school supplies, vacation bible school sessions, and a Christmas-assistance program. In addition to these services, NCM provides county-wide homeless assistance including temporary housing and prevention services.

            Opening its doors in May, 1988, NCM began its work in a basement corner serving a few families each month.  Today, the ministry serves an average of 800 families each month in the 12,000-square-foot “Greg Ellis Center.”  In 2013 alone, more than 10,000 families were served. Volunteers from area churches, corporations, civic and social organizations worked more than 23,000 hours, accepting incoming donations, monitoring and re-stocking food and the clothing closet, answering phones and other office administration, and providing direct assistance to clients with resume’ writing, job coaching, and leading children’s activities while parents are receiving services.  

            Additional information about Norcross Cooperative Ministry can be found at www.norcrossco-op.org.

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