ENP Blog

Addressing ACEs as a Social Transformation Initiative

This post first appeared on Aces Connection.com, March 14, 2018, here.

Addressing ACEs as a Social Transformation Initiative: An Invitation to Nova Scotia and Canada 

In 1998, the ACE Study was published, outlining extensive lifelong effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences.

I had been accessing mental health support for 12 years before I heard about this study.  After reading Bessel van der Kolk’s book The Body Keeps the Score in 2014,[i]I started talking with other people about this research, trying to muster excitement and engagement with addressing this prevalent social issue.

The resistance I met was explained after watching Dr. Nadine Burke Harris’s Ted Talk explaining ACEs. She belied not being able to get people excited about addressing the issue as well, and concluded that it isn’t because it doesn’t apply to many of us. We’re resistant because it’s all too familiar. [ii]

andrewfeilAddressing ACEs as a Social Transformation Initiative
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We Need Your Help To Spread Literacy

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss

Wouldn’t you love to be a part of a child’s path to reading?

ENP is on a mission to establish 30 new classrooms with Literacy Mentors this semester, opening more doors for volunteers to help students develop critical reading skills, and most importantly, a love for books and learning.

Would you consider being a part of our “For The Love of Literacy” campaign?

andrewfeilWe Need Your Help To Spread Literacy
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Season of Service: March 26th – April 28th

In Fresno and Clovis, spring has become the season in which Christ-centered churches link arms to serve our city. Last year over 70 different churches partnered with Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP) and Serve Fresno to bless others in the name of Christ, and to be a visible presence of God’s love.

Join us for a city-wide season of service from March 26th thru April 28th, 2018.

andrewfeilSeason of Service: March 26th – April 28th
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Celebrating Our Literacy Mentors: Jan 6th, 2018

We gathered on Saturday, January 6th to celebrate our Literacy Mentors and kick off the new semester.

The morning had several goals:

  • To celebrate and thank the wonderful people who are serving on our school campuses! They give of their heart and time to make an impact in literacy and in the lives of children who are the future of our city!
  • We also wanted to give these volunteers an opportunity to meet each other and spend some time together. It was great to see them share stories, network, laugh and get to know some of the people on their much bigger team.
Carol YoungCelebrating Our Literacy Mentors: Jan 6th, 2018
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Less is More: Simplify Things!

Almost a year ago today, I made a decision that completely shifted my “norm” when it comes to managing my money. I decided to simplify my life and rely on the bare minimum. I would not venture out to say that I am a minimalist yet, but I’m on my way. Before I made this decision, I spent a lot of time making myself think I could afford everything I had. The decision to press pause, reevaluate and take the necessary steps to live with less was influenced by the Word.  1 Corinthians 14:33 clearly states, “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” One year later, I’m happy to have made progress in two areas: 1. My money and 2. My mind.

Brooklynn EdwardsLess is More: Simplify Things!
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Neighboring Like Jesus with Shalom

With the busyness of the holiday season behind us, I want to encourage us to stop and reflect. Many of us move at light speed with our New Year’s resolutions. So, do this reflection in order to not lose sight of the implications of the Christmas story. In particular, let’s reflect on the advent of Jesus, as recorded in John’s gospel 1:14 where it says “he came to dwell among us”. Jesus intentionally enters human history and re-introduces the concept of shalom. Shalom can best be described as the idea of justice and peace. It is justice and peace which encompasses the reality of restoration and reconciliation of humanity. Underpinning this radical theory of shalom is love, which binds all these together for true transformation.

Germán QuiñonezNeighboring Like Jesus with Shalom
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2017 Annual Report

What A Year! 2017 Reflection. 2018 Vision.

On behalf of our ENP board and staff, we’re proud to present our 2017 Annual Report.

As we approach our 10th year, we find ourselves reflecting back to our humble beginnings. We are encouraged by the growth of ENP, but even more encouraged by all we have learned since ENP began in 2008.

Artie Padilla2017 Annual Report
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Bless The Staff!

It’s a season of thankfulness and giving – a great time to bless the staff at your partnership school!

Several of our partnership churches find ways to regularly bless the teachers and staff. This blessing can be as simple as coffee, tea, donuts and fruit. Gestures like this can brighten a teacher’s busy morning in amazing ways.

Carol YoungBless The Staff!
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Play: What Is It?

I have been working on a blog about Play for some time now.  However, I hadn’t been able to narrow my focus well enough to share some of the things I have come to know about play in a concise and effective way. That being said, my intent is to simply share bits and pieces of the things that I have come to know about play. I’ll begin with an attempt to answer this question: “What is play exactly, anyway?”.

Brian SemsemPlay: What Is It?
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I Love My City – Peoples Church

Two of our core values at Peoples Church are to love others and love sacrifice. These two values are at the heart of what we were able to do as a faith family with ENP at I Love My City!

Sometimes though, I find that it’s easy to get distracted by the day to day and forget the heart behind what each of us as Christ followers are called to do.

Becca GottseligI Love My City – Peoples Church
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