1. Community Ministries SERVING INNER-CITY YOUTH & FAMILIES IN
Newsletter ~ November 2008 THE DOWNTOWN ATLANTA AREA
Testimonial - Ms. Loretta Wilkins
Interview by Brett Bentley-Desire Street Ministries one fateful morning, it was Justina
Loretta Wilkins is radiant with rolling down the window, offering
enthusiasm. Sitting in a wicker assistance to her. “Ever since that
chair at the kitchen table in her day, I have felt blessed to call
home on Washington Street in the Justina my friend.”
shadow of Turner Field, Ms. Loretta
cannot say enough about “Ms. Loretta excitedly relays
Summerhill Community Ministries story after story of how SCM
and Justina Dix. has transformed her
Despite her current battle with neighborhood…”
cancer, Ms. Loretta excitedly relays
story after story of how SCM has When Ms. Loretta’s gas and
transformed her neighborhood, electricity were in jeopardy of Jordon at last year’s Wrapping Party
and, more personally, the being shut off, Justina came in to
SCM) and Mr. Phil (Yarberough) in
incredible impact that the ministry offer temporary help. When her
particular. “My boys loved Mr. Phil.
has had on her family. Her grandsons and other children in
He’d take them to the movies and
grandsons, Josh (now 12) and her family needed clothes, shoes, a
football games. They love that man.
Jordan (9), have both been coat for the winter time…they knew
And Jennifer… oh, my! ...that girl
involved with the ministry’s after where to turn. Recently, when Ms.
was always going above and
school and summer programs, but Loretta learned of her cancer
beyond the call.”
Ms. Loretta’s roots with Justina run diagnosis, Justina would routinely
deeper than that. drive her to and from the hospital When asked what she would like to
and, “she even went into her own say to the staff of Summerhill
A smile creases her face when she purse one time to help me pay for Community Ministries, Ms. Loretta
recounts the first time they met. Ms. some medication. That really meant responded without hesitation, “Just
Loretta would ride the bus to school a lot to me.” keep doing what y’all are doing.
with Josh, but without any mode of May the Lord keep you strong –
transportation of her own, she Ms. Loretta also raved about other
and keep Ms. Justina on her feet!
would have to ask others for a ride staff members at SCM, Jennifer
back to her neighborhood. But on (Brumfield-Caraway, formerly with “I love you all.”
After School Program Move-In Target Date December 1st
The target date for the After School Program to
start using the Mission House is December 1st.
The playground has been refurbished and now
needs certified “Play Safe” wood chips. The
chips need to be in before the kids come.
The cost is $600 to purchase the chips. If you
would like to designate a gift to help (even $10),
please write “wood chips” in the memo section of
your check to Summerhill.

2. November 2008 ~ Page 2 Summerhill Community Ministries, Inc.
Hats for the Homeless
“This year our ASP children &
A Note From Justina
teens are going to give a gift to
the community.”
This winter season, the Summerhill As we celebrate the greatest gift ever given, would you
Community kids are participating
in a “Hats for the Homeless” Drive. consider doing three important things to sustain this
While driving around the city of ministry?
Atlanta, especially downtown,
Justina noticed many homeless and
needy people that were walking • We desperately need your continual prayer support.
the cold streets with no covering.
After receiving a donation of coats • Consider a special year-end gift. Your gift will help to
from the Hall Family of Redemption
Fellowship, she looked for some of fund our after-school program, summer camp and job
these people that she had seen and
gave them a coat. They were so
training program . By contributing you are helping to
happy to have something to help address needs and improve lives throughout our entire
keep them keep warm. Justina
wished she had hats and scarves to community.
give.
• Present Summerhill Community Ministries to your
This year our after school program
children and teens are going to church. We have many volunteer needs and would love
give a gift to the community. They
will earn or save a dollar, to to welcome you for a day or a summer to get to know
purchase a “skull cap” from Wal-
mart for a homeless person. The
the people in our community
teens will deliver these hats to the
homeless and needy women,
children, and men throughout the I would love to talk to you about Summerhill and how
city.
you and your church can partner with us in the coming
Will you please join us and donate
a hat, scarf or a pair of gloves to year. Please contact me. Thank you for prayerfully
support our “Hats for the
Homeless” project? If your church supporting the important work we do here. May God
or group would like to collect these richly bless you this holiday season and in the coming year.
items, SCM staff would be more
than glad to pick them up if you are
in driving distance. Please mail
other donations to SCM, P.O. Box Sincerely,
160294, Atlanta, GA 30316, or 275
South Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30315. Justina Dix
Executive Director
Our website has a new look!
Thank you Chanelle Henry! soli deo gloria
www.summerhillcm.com

3. November 2008 ~ Page 3
Testimonial - Ms. Pamela Burke
Interview by Brett Bentley-Desire Street Ministries words. Her nine “Everyday is a memorable
When Ms. Pamela first opened the year old twins, moment. To know that my kids are
door of her apartment on Fern Jaylen and with Justina and the people there at
Avenue located just a few blocks Jayden, have SCM – that they’re safe and warm,
from Grant Park, she looked at me been in both the getting better with their
warily. But the moment I introduced after school and schoolwork, and having fun… that
myself and (more importantly) summer means everything to me. To see the
mentioned my association with programs for smiles on their faces as they come
Summerhill Community Ministries, three years now, through the door at the end of the
the wary look was gone in a flash and her five year day and to hear the stories from
and replaced by a warm smile and old, Niqua, just their afternoon – that’s my
a pleasant welcome. recently joined. memorable moment”
Niqua with airplane.
Ms. Pamela was quiet at the Ms. Pamela went
beginning of our conversation, but on and on with her praise for SCM -
once we started talking about SCM, she appreciates the staff assisting
she was certainly not at a loss for her kids with their daily homework,
loves how they have Bible study
lessons every day, and the
emphasis the program places on
the power of prayer. Ms. Pamela
told me, “My boy Niqua came
home last week telling me how Ms.
Justina said that ‘I am the light of
the world!’ … I love that my
children are in that environment.”
I asked Ms. Pamela if she had any
specific memorable moments that Jayden with volunteer Tracy Bunch
have come with being a part of this
Jaylen showing off a school project.
ministry.
Our Jennifer Marries!
Congratulations Jennifer and Joe on
your recent marriage. Many
people still ask Justina about our
long time faithful Summerhill friend
Jennifer (Ms. Wilkins mentions her
in the first article of this
newsletter.) Justina and part of the
family traveled to North Carolina to
see this very dear friend and
ministry partner - then, Jennifer
Brumfield, and now Jennifer
Caraway - get married. It was a
very special, sweet, and spiritual
ceremony filled with promise and
much prayer as these two joined
themselves in holy matrimony.
Congratulations! Jeremy, Justina, Joe & Jennifer Caraway, Ashley & Justin
P. O. Box 160294 • Atlanta, Georgia 30316 • 404-964-4604 • justinascm@juno.com • http:www.summerhillcm.com

4. November 2008 ~ Page 4 Summerhill Community Ministries, Inc.
Sponsor a “Star” for Christmas!
As we approach the “wrapping
party” on December 18th, the kids
will be doing extra chores around
the house, at school, and
throughout the community in order
to earn “Christmas Bucks.” An
adult will sign a form to show that
the child has completed a task, and
then those Christmas bucks will be
exchanged for the gift they want to
give to a loved one, and they will
receive 2 for themselves. We would love to have your help!
If you would like to help make one If you choose to sponsor a child,
of our “Christmas Stars” shine a It is encouraging to see a group of
young people excited about you will receive a card written by
little brighter this Christmas, one of the children with three gift
please sponsor a child, teen or serving and giving to others during
a season in which they are wishes. We ask that you purchase
college student. You may request a the gifts and turn them in to a SCM
“star” by calling, emailing, or by generally focused on just
themselves. representative by Sunday,
first class mail. December 14th. Please put the
gifts in a bag with the child’s name
on it. If you don’t have time to
shop, feel free to send a donation to
cover the cost of the gifts for a
child. Remember that all donations
are tax deductible.
Sponsor a Summerhill “Star” for Christmas!
We will forward to you an index card written by one of the children with the 3 gift wishes. After purchasing the gifts, please return
them to a SCM’s representative by Sunday December 14th. Please put the gifts in a bag with the child’s name on it. If finding time
to shop is an issue, feel free to send a donation to cover the cost of the gifts for a child. All donations are tax deductible.
Yes, I would like to sponsor a child for Christmas.
Please send me a child’s Christmas list via: Name __________________________________________________________
____ via email Address: _______________________________________________________
____ via telephone City: _________________________ State: _______ Zip: ______________
____ via first class mail
____ I choose not to purchase gifts, but am sending a Phone: _______________________________________________________
donation to cover the cost of gifts for a child. Email: ________________________________________________________
P. O. Box 160294 • Atlanta, Georgia 30316 • 404-964-4604 • justinascm@juno.com • http:www.summerhillcm.com