This fifteenth annual party at Old Hickory Golf Club, hosted by chairwoman Midge Smith and the President of the Board of Directors and emcee Lynn Harmon, brought guests together to celebrate and raise funds in support of Family Advocacy and Community Training (F.A.C.T.).  The 2010 theme was A Ticket To: The Kentucky Derby! The 2010 gala was such a success it left Denise Gould, Executive Director of F.A.C.T. speechless… (Which is something that rarely happens J).  Denise reflected on the wonderful evening with a big smile and a thankful heart… “I heard a room full of virtually new people hear the message of F.A.C.T. and what it means to the community.  I saw funding sources that joined as partners in celebrating the services we provide to children and families.  I saw customers who had found their voice through advocacy courageously share their intimate stories with all of us.  I saw hats, beautiful hats and great bow ties – all indicating that people were in the moment.  I heard the pure sweet voice of a high school student share his talent with us.  I saw a young Rams football player – James Laurinaitis - giving his generous support to his new community by
participating in this year's gala.  AND I SAW PEOPLE HAVING FUN!!!!!! AND I SAW PEOPLE SHARING THEIR BLESSINGS.”  Since 1987, Family Advocacy and Community Training has advocated for families throughout St. Charles County and has grown to serve Lincoln and Warren Counties as well!  The mission of F.A.C.T. is to mentor and empower families through advocacy and training to improve the quality of life and opportunities for children and young adults with disabilities.  F.A.C.T. is a non-profit 503 (c) organization supported through funds from the DDRB, CCRB, FCCRB, and LCRB.

F.A.C.T. Announces the Recipients of “2010 Advocates of the

Year Awards”

“Honoring Those Who Help Families and Children with Disabilities”

Join Denise Gould, Executive Director, Audrey Yarbrough, Co-Founder and Program Director, and all your friends at Family Advocacy and Community Training (F.A.C.T.), on Friday, April 30^th, 2010 at 6:30pm – 11:30pm at Old Hickory Golf Club as they honor three recipients of the “2010 Advocates of the Year Awards”.   The prestigious “2010 Advocates of the Year Awards” are given to outstanding individuals who have demonstrated Leadership in Government, Community and Non-Profit by helping families and children with disabilities. Please join F.A.C.T. as they celebrate and honor Senator Scott Rupp for “Leadership in Government”, former St. Peters Mayor, Thom Brown for “Leadership in the Community”, and Dr. Jerry Marks for “Leadership in Non-Profit” at the Hopes and Dreams Gala. Tickets are $85 per person or a table of ten for $850.  Reservations are a must!  Please make your reservations by April 22^nd, 2010.  To make a reservation please contact Jennifer Brooks at 636.949.2425 ext. 255. For more information about F.A.C.T. visit our website at www.factmo.org.  Since 1987, Family Advocacy and Community Training has advocated for families throughout St. Charles County.  Our passion is to insure that every child has the educational opportunities afforded to the public, regardless of their ability.  F.A.C.T. is a non-profit 503 (c) organization supported through funds from the DDRB, CCRB, FCCRB, and LCRB.

F.A.C.T.’s 15^th Annual Hopes and Dreams Gala

A Ticket To:

The Kentucky Derby!

News Release/For Immediate Release 

Please include on your calendar, post, or announce

Lunch & Learn Friend Raiser

BRISTOL SEAFOOD GRILL

Gourmet Lunch, Wine Flight, & Cooking Demonstration

To Benefit and Promote “First Step Back Home Homeless Ministry”

Join your friends at First Step Back Home, on Saturday – April 24th, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Bristol Seafood Grill, Winghaven for a 1^st  in a series of  3 (Three) Lunch & Learn – Friend Raisers” to benefit and promote First Step Back Home.  The Bristol Seafood Grill offers the area’s freshest premium seafood, an impressive selection of wines and handcrafted signature cocktails, seamless service and inviting, upscale casual atmosphere.  The Bristol Seafood Grill purchases the seafood direct from regional purveyors on the Atlantic Coast, the Pacific Ocean, the Northwest and Hawaii ensuring quality and freshness you can taste.  Start the afternoon with a Wine 101 Class and Wine Flight.  Enjoy an enchanting afternoon with friends while delighting your palate with masterfully prepared dishes created by Executive Chef, Matt Rock.  Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Chef Matt will create a wonderful dessert right before your eyes!  The folks at the Bristol Seafood Grill are proud to roll out the red carpet for this wonderful Friend Raiser” to benefit First Step Back Home Homeless Ministry.  Bring a friend and enjoy a wonderful Gourmet Lunch, Wine Flight, and Cooking Demonstration & Dessert for $25.00.

• Delectable Gourmet Lunch (with tea and coffee)
• “Wine Discovery 101 & Wine Flight”
• “Cooking Demonstration & Dessert”

Reservations are a must!  Reservation Deadline April 16th, 2010.  Please call Debbie Faulkner at 314-568-6453 for reservations.  Please plan to pay with cash or check for this special event.  Make checks payable to First Step Back Home. 

Since 2005, First Step Back Home (FSBH) has helped single men because most existing charities refuse to help. FSBH is a safety net for those that other agencies cannot or will not help. (These agencies have much more resources than FSBH and most of their programs are well established.) FSBH is not trying to add services or reinvent the process. It is serving individuals who fall outside those program's support parameters and fill gaps in existing agencies services. When circumstances involving women and children arise, FSBH  provides temporary, interim help while directing them to those agencies better equipped to meet their needs.

Founder, administrator and key case manager Paul Kruse, and elder at West-Plex Community Church was involved in "Home Repair" for many years.   Now he focuses on "Homeless Repair". His wife Lana said she prayed for him to get off roofs and now he's in the trenches getting 30-40 phone calls per day from people needing assistance.  In a little more than 5 years the Lord has blessed this ministry with funds to service about 2000 people and get more than half of them to self-sufficiency.  The needs are great due to the down economy and job loss.  You can help FSBH continue the ministry to the homeless in many ways:  Prayer, hot meal preparation, food, toiletries, gas cards, phone cards, hotel credits, used or new bicycles, used cars, and of course monetary gifts.  All donations to FSBH are tax deductible as the ministry has been classified as a 501(c)3 public charity.  If you would like more information please visit www.firststepbackhome.net or contact Paul Kruse at 636-466-1365 or paulwkruse@centurytel.net.

We hope to see you at the Bristol Seafood Grill – Winghaven! -–end---

First Step Back Home 5^th Anniversary Benefit Concert

Sunday, March 28, 2010 ~ 6:00pm – 9:00pm

To Benefit and Promote “First Step Back Home Homeless Ministry”

Join Paul and Lana Kruse of First Step Back Home Homeless Ministry and Mayor Paul Lambi – Master of Ceremonies, on Sunday, March 28th at 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Wentzville Christian Church located at 1507 Highway Z Wentzville, MO 63385 as they celebrate the 5^th Anniversary of the First Step Back Home Homeless Ministry.  A Concert is planned to benefit and promote the Homeless Ministry.  Enjoy a wonderful evening with four musical groups: Verchell (An Upcoming Star), Kiersten Venezia (Current America’s Got Talent Contestant), The Barn Again Gang (they are also Born Again), and The Good Twins from Branson, MO. Admission is Free! Love offerings will be accepted to continue the Home Ministry.   Join Paul and Lana for refreshments following the concert.  Reservations are a must!  Please kindly send your RSVP to: First Step Back Home (Attn: Benefit Concert) P.O. Box 966 O’Fallon, MO 63366 or paulwkruse@centurytel.net.  Reservation Deadline is March 21^st, 2010  

Since 2005, First Step Back Home Homeless Ministry (FSBH) has helped single men because most existing charities refuse to help. FSBH is a safety net for those that other agencies cannot or will not help. (These agencies have more resources than FSBH and most of their programs are well established.) FSBH is not trying to add services or reinvent the process. It is serving individuals who fall outside those program's support parameters and fill gaps in existing agencies services. When circumstances involving women and children arise, FSBH provides temporary, interim help while directing them to those agencies better equipped to meet their needs.

Founder, administrator and key case manager Paul Kruse, and elder at West-Plex Community Church was involved in "Home Repair" for many years.   Now he focuses on "Homeless Repair". His wife Lana said she prayed for him to get off roofs and now he's in the trenches getting 30-40 phone calls per day from people needing assistance.  In a little more than 5 years the Lord has blessed this ministry with funds to service about 2000 people and get more than half of them to self-sufficiency.  The needs are great due to the down economy and job loss.  You can help FSBH continue the ministry to the homeless in many ways:  Prayer, hot meal preparation, food, toiletries, gas cards, phone cards, hotel credits, used or new bicycles, used cars, and of course monetary gifts.  All donations to FSBH are tax deductible as the ministry has been classified as a 501(c)3 public charity.  FSBH summarizes what it tries to do to show the love of God to the poor by these three ideas of instruction:

·         RENEW:   Renew their minds to be Christ-like (Romans 12:2 To renew their thinking and trust in Jesus alone so they may progress successfully toward self-sufficiency)

·         RESTORE:   Restore their souls through salvation which puts them right with their creator God. (Psalm 23)

·         REBUILD:   Rebuild their lives now that they have the power God gives us all when we turn to Him in obedience and faith.
(Matthew 4:4 Man does not live by bread alone but lives by every word from God)

If you would like more information please visit www.firststepbackhome.net or contact Paul Kruse at 636-466-1365. We hope to see you at the Benefit Concert! -–end---