WHO WE ARE
What We Do…
- Strengthen Communities: Outreach for Hope raises and distributes funds to strengthen ministries that partner within the Greater Milwaukee Synod, ELCA to feed, clothe, heal, and walk with people in their daily lives.
- Build Relationships: Outreach for Hope fosters connections between congregations and individuals, creating a path for sharing resources and working and walking together.
- Inspire Hope: Outreach for Hope works to strengthen bonds between individuals, congregations, communities, and the God who has created us all, reminding us that we are not alone.
Our Mission…
Responding to Christ’s invitation to love our neighbors, Outreach for Hope builds relationships, strengthens communities, and inspires hope.
Our Vision…
That strong, vibrant ministries will be centers of hope in the midst of every community challenged by poverty within the Greater Milwaukee Synod.
OUR HISTORY
From its beginning in 1988, the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has been committed to “walking with the poor.” In response to that growing commitment, the Greater Milwaukee Synod established the Outreach Fund at its 1995 Synod Assembly as an integral part of its strategy in meeting the financial needs of Word and Sacrament ministries serving the poor within the synod. A part-time director of resource development was hired in 1997.
From 1998-2004 administrative expenses, including staff salary, were funded by the Siebert Lutheran Foundation as well as congregational endowment grants. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans also made a grant that enabled the Greater Milwaukee Synod in 2005 to hire a full-time Director of Development for Outreach Ministry. The generosity of the Siebert Foundation, Thrivent Financial for Lutheran and the congregational endowments allowed donor gifts to be used directly in ministry support. Today, thanks to a generous five-year grant toward building an endowment fund and covering administrative costs, the funds donated to Outreach for Hope continue to be directed towards the ministries of Outreach for Hope.
In 2005 the Outreach Ministry Fund became “Outreach for Hope, Inc.” and a separate 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Outreach for Hope is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are drawn throughout the region of the Greater Milwaukee Synod. A member of the Greater Milwaukee Synod Council serves as an ex-officio member of the Outreach for Hope Board of Directors with voice and vote.
OUR STAFF
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| REV. CHRIS MANKE Executive Director chris@outreachforhope.org 414-671-1212 |
ROBYN BAYLAND Communications Manager robyn@outreachforhope.org 414-671-1212 |
PHIL SMITH Administrative Assistant phil@outreachforhope.org 414-671-1212 |
PENNY SCHWID Ride Run Walk Coordinator penny@outreachforhope.org |
OUR BOARD
Sonja Wolfe, Chair
Julie Starks, Vice-Chair
Tim Muth, Secretary
Dr. Chris Beloin
Soledad Beltran
Tim Culhane
Tim Knutson
Stephen Marsh
Alexander Pechauer Bates
Vickie Stretz
Carol Witt
Bishop Paul Erickson