Welcome to the Elkhart Rotary Club Meeting on October 28, 2019; Today we welcomed Michael Patton, Co-Founder and Senior Pastor of Kingdom Life Christian Cathedral located in South Bend. Michael presented information about Cross Community, Inc. - - South Bend Northwest Affordable Housing Project.
President Candy Yoder opened the meeting and introduced Melinda Konrath-Fielding, who shared positive words, led the Pledge, and Four-Way Test.
Welcome table volunteers were Peter Norton, Kathy Sears, and guests were introduced by Aileac Deegan and included Honorary Rotarian Art Decio, visiting Rotarians Doug Grant (Wawasee), and guests of Rotarians: Sue Neat (Tom Neat), John Taylor (Andy McCaskey), and Liz Keiling (Brad Canniff). Welcome to ALL, we hope you can all join us again some other time!
Announcements and continued reminders for October 28:
- Susan Ginther thanked volunteers who helped with our international service project: "Dresses for Girls in Guatemala". The project's goal was to have 30 dresses complete and ready to send by Christmas, delivered to the Guatemalan village of San Gaspar de Chajul. In fact, thanks to Rotarians and the community, OVER 50 DRESSES will be completed and over $500 has been collected to help support the project. This effort can be a life changing experience for the students who'll receive these gifts. Thanks for your help with this international project.
- President Candy announced that our Board Member election will be happening in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more.
- Ashley Bowen shared a connection between Rotary International and the Peace Corps, of which she is a returning service member. Another example of Rotary's connection and service efforts around the world.
- Matt Lentsch reminded club members to put a couple dates on your calendars:
- Friday evening, December 13: Restaurant Fundraising for Salvation Army
- Saturday, December 14: Ringing Bells for Salvation Army
- Dave Lehman: Bring $20 if you'd like to support Thanksgiving Dinner at Matterhorn, presented by Salvation Army and Kurt Janowsky
Today's Guest Sergeant was Dave Lehman, who brought out the cold case files on unsuspecting Rotarians who may (or may not, it was a while ago, right?) have committed atrocities in the months preceding this meeting. Nice job of FUNdraising today! Rotary fines are collected weekly and are pooled into a fund throughout the year. In the spring more than $10,000 is distributed as grants to not for profit organizations around our county. Thanks, All, for your contributions!
Today's speaker was introduced by Eric Garton: Michael A. Patton, representing Cross Community, Inc., presenting about this ambitious South Bend Northwest Affordable Housing Project
South Bend Northwest Affordable Housing Project is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) founded in 2016 by Kingdom Life Christian Cathedral. It's purpose: To Build Affordable Housing for those who fit into the category, as well as, for veterans and seniors. Revitalizing a low-income neighborhood and underserved neighborhood that has experienced significant divestment.
Prototype of Home to Be Built:
- $200,000 single family homes.
- 1,200 sqft-1,400 sqft
- $140 per sqft
- 3 Bedroom1 Bath
The Kingdom Campus is adjacent Kingdom Life Christian Cathedral in the Northwest Neighborhood off of Lincolnway West. The area is a TIF created by Sherman Ave. & Harrison St. from Lincolnway to Van Buren. The project will build 15 New Affordable Homes, Duplexes, Fourplexes and commercial incubator slots. The first phase over a five block radius. Kingdom Life owns 40 Vacant Lots
Partnerships:
- City of South Bend, who helped with a $500,000 GAP
- Notre Dame Federal Credit Union pledges 100% mortgage loan based upon the appraised value.
- 1st Source Bank
Home Ownership Education
Part of the project includes providing 12-week Home Ownership Educational Workshops to prospective owners; already, 5 people have finished classes and are mortgage-ready.
About Michael:
Apostle Michael Patton is an Ordained/Affirmed Apostle who founded and currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Kingdom Life Christian Cathedral located in South Bend, IN. He is an Air Force Veteran who served his country for over 6 years. He is also the new President of the South Bend Branch of the NAACP. Michael also published and authored his first book titled: Reconnecting With Divine Grace, which is a book of 365 days of meditations. He received his undergraduate degree in Organizational Management from Bethel University and recently graduated from the University of Notre Dame with an Executive Master’s of Non-Profit Administration degree. Michael is married to an incredible wife Tina of twenty-three years who is the Co-Founder of Kingdom Life Christian Cathedral and the IT Director and Vice President of Indiana Trust and Investment Management Co. Together they have three children Devin, Tobias, and Jada.
Apostle Michael Patton is an Ordained/Affirmed Apostle who founded and currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Kingdom Life Christian Cathedral located in South Bend, IN. He is an Air Force Veteran who served his country for over 6 years. He is also the new President of the South Bend Branch of the NAACP. Michael also published and authored his first book titled: Reconnecting With Divine Grace, which is a book of 365 days of meditations. He received his undergraduate degree in Organizational Management from Bethel University and recently graduated from the University of Notre Dame with an Executive Master’s of Non-Profit Administration degree. Michael is married to an incredible wife Tina of twenty-three years who is the Co-Founder of Kingdom Life Christian Cathedral and the IT Director and Vice President of Indiana Trust and Investment Management Co. Together they have three children Devin, Tobias, and Jada.
Thanks, Michael, for a very informative presentation. If you would like to learn more about the Cross Community, Inc. South Bend Northwest Affordable Housing Project or how you can support, contact Michael directly at mpatton2@comcast.net or 574 360-6630.
For additional background, check out this 2018 ABC57 News Story.
About Rotary:
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, community leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and act to create lasting change – across the globe, in our local communities, and in ourselves. The Elkhart Rotary Club was founded in 1917 and serves its community through volunteerism, providing grants to not-for-profit organizations, sponsoring, and participating in service projects such as ringing bells for the Salvation Army, roadside trash collection, and are the originators and sustainers of Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Elkhart Rotary Club’s membership consists of approximately 150 dedicated individuals from various professional backgrounds and diverse interests. Membership in the Elkhart Rotary Club is by invitation. We welcome guests to attend any of our meetings and hear from our great lineup of weekly presenters.
For more information on the Elkhart Rotary Club, visit elkhartrotary.org or email elkhartnoonrotary@gmail.com. Like and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook/ElkhartRotaryClub to stay current on meetings, upcoming events or speakers, and initiatives in the community.
Upcoming Meetings and Programs:
- November 4: Chancellor Dr. David Balkin, Ivy Tech: Updates from the campus to the community with new Chancellor Dr. David Balkin
- November 11: Angela Logan, Associate Teaching Professor of Management & Organization and the St. Andre Bessette Director of Nonprofit Professional Development (NPD) and Notre Dame. Topic to be announced
- November 18: Elizabeth Keiling, TeachBeyond - - Teaching in Chiang Mai, Thailand
- November 25: Shabbir Qutbuddi, Director, IT Sector Partnership: IT Sector Partnership | South Bend - Elkhart Region
- December 2: Captains Shawn & Aubrey DeBaar, Salvation Army of Elkhart
- December 9: Carl Bossung, Co-Founder of Senior1Care, Addressing the growing needs and increasing challenges facing families caring for seniors
- December 16: Joint Meeting of Elkhart Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs: A special holiday season joint meeting of the Elkhart Rotary and Elkhart Kiwanis Clubs
- December 23: No Meeting This Week, Live the Four-Way Test with Family, Friends, and Community
- December 30: No Meeting This Week, Live the Four-Way Test with Family, Friends, and Community
Join us for our next meeting:
All meetings are at noon on Mondays at the Matterhorn Banquet and Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St. in Elkhart IN, 46514. In months that include a FIFTH Monday, the Elkhart Rotary Club holds an alternative meeting or activity.