At YAIPak Outreach everything starts with the Extravagant Love of Christ. God pursues each one of us to redefine our identity, restore our dignity, and remind us how deeply we are loved. With a focus on women, children and veterans, we are witnessing that power of Extravagant Love each day. Our warehouse for donation drop offs and volunteer hours is located at: 1255 Paradise Hill Rd. We are open for donations and volunteers on Mondays: 9am - 12pm, Wednesdays: 12pm - 2pm, and Thursdays: 5pm - 8pm.
YAIPak Outreach in the Community
Our hearts sink when we hear our friends are in an emergency situation. The stresses they carry are extremely heavy and like the rest of us they are made in frail humanity. Sometimes that comes with brain struggles and battles that no one knows about until you find yourself amongst a broken system.
To us these are people we love, our own grandkids think of our friends as grandparent figures. These kids learn of the health emergency and immediately go to work to create the best cards to brighten up the hard days.
Recently, one that is so close to us faced this broken system. Treated like a pawn moving from space to space, no one listening or advocating because he was just another homeless person.
But to us he’s Gator.
He’s the gentle man that creates the most beautiful masterpieces of tree limbs, with just a magnifying glass, and the sun. He’s a surrogate grandfather to kiddos that ooze compassion for him and can’t wait to see him on their next adventures. He is a sweet soul that can play the most beautiful melodies and makes the sweetest memories. We LOVE him.
As we scurry around to cover the bases in his absence (especially to protect his camp and personal items) we are reminded of how unfair the system is. Having his wallet and phone go missing with no concern, because they assume that because he’s homeless that he’s probably lying. Those parts are hard because we want to fight.
But we are grateful for the hope that is in the beautiful sunset, the kind gentleman that happened to be the night nurse that spoke to us on the phone, and the beautiful aftermath moments brought when our friend steps into a church filled with loving people to include those precious kiddos that love him, in the church house or the wooded house.
We love him. And we will always fight for him. <3
SUMMER IS HERE!!!
We are so excited and expectant for all that will take place in this next season. Families will get to serve together, the warehouse will be full of people, there will be cold drinks and popsicles all around, and we get the opportunity to continue planting seeds and changing lives of those that need Hope!
We already have several Pop-Up outreach events (1st to come June 10th in Murfreesboro, TN) planned and of course our annual O.A.K Mission's Trip to Jellico, TN!!
We would love for you and your family to be there so make sure to get it on the calendar and sign up for Jellico here --> https://form.jotform.com/231443542508149
Your Generosity at Work
To some, this may only look like a bag. To our caseworker from Centerstone, it looked like an answered prayer for a young girl.
The month of the original request, which was a pair of boxing gloves, we did not have any and had to turn down the request.
The caseworker expressed she knew it was a unique thing to ask for and that she understood we could not fill it. Our team member was a bit sad knowing that we didn’t have it and time had run out.
The following week, we got a tiny miracle. A perfect, almost brand new, set of boxing gloves came in with a carry bag that even said Title Boxing! We were not only able to give this child the thing she wished for…we were able to let her know that she was so valuable and important that they were official, high-quality boxing gloves.
This is why we live in awe of the ability we have to love and serve people when we live life with an open hand policy. We are in awe of the community that gives so generously. The little miracles we see that become mountain moving miracles for young ladies with a wish.
We didn’t ask for them in a post, it’s not something we generally get, but that precious girl was worthy of being seen in this way… the miracles that take place on Paradise Hill!
How You Can Help
Amazon Smile is discontinuing but your impact doesn't have to! Please visit the new shopping links below to pick which project you would love to be a part of!
Thank you so very much for your continued generosity. We sincerely appreciate every donation we received that allows us to provide support for the projects we deliver.
We’ve now set up 4 different WISH lists so you can choose the project you’d like to shop for online.
Project Foster Hope:
https://a.co/eu1GhV2
Project Patriot Hope:
https://a.co/38me2uS
Be The Hope:
https://a.co/bETyfoP
Project Rebuild Hope:
https://a.co/9LIZAIY
You ARE making a difference!
Volunteer Spotlight
Mary Lou Lauritzen
Mary Lou has been faithfully serving at YAIPak Outreach over a year now. She and her husband Tom were invited by another couple who had began serving and wanted them to join on the adventure. Mary Lou shared with us that "she LOVES it!" She said that "it is the best place she has ever volunteered" and she loves that "her friend circle has grown!"
Mary Lou focuses a lot of her attention on our Project Foster Hope and making sure that the Rylee Room is restocked with items for children to pick out. She comes faithfully every Monday and we love and appreciate all her efforts!! We know that she will always have a smile on her face when she comes in! Her joy is contagious!!
Thank you Mary Lou for all you do! We are so thankful that you found a home volunteering here!