Don’t miss Crossroads II on 11-24-2024!

Join us for a remarkable panel of speakers this Sunday as they share about their organizations and the people they serve. Each will enlighten us about ways that we can be more attuned and loving in relationship to people that are vulnerable.

Come learn more about the needs of those living on the margins of society, those with intellectual disabilities but very special abilities, and those who have immigrated to our community to do vital work on our farms.

Wear Gloves

Ken and Wendy Kebrdle, Founders

Ken and Wendy Kebrdle founded Wear Gloves 15 years ago in a radical personal move, after realizing their calling to help individuals overcome cycles of helplessness and dependency. They left high-paying jobs, sold many of their belongings, and traveled the country to learn what works — and doesn’t work — in helping people who live on the margins of society. Since then, they have developed a network of projects to empower thousands of people to overcome generational trauma, break cycles of dependency, and earn a dignified income.

Their initiatives have included the Dignity Center (a Workforce Readiness project), Dignity Roasters coffee roasters….and most recently, the Dignity House shelter to provide not only stable housing, but also growth, self-reliance, and hope for a bright future.

Ocala Farm Ministry

Chaplain Bob Miller

The Ocala Farm Ministry was formed in 2004 when a small group of farm owners decided to organize to help the farm workers and their families. They created a campus across from a low income housing area housing a modular community center, two classrooms, school tutoring building, soccer field, playground, fitness center, and large central area for church services and other activities. The Campus has become a gathering place for farm worker families.

Chaplain Bob Miller is the chaplain for Ocala Farm Ministry. He drives thousands of miles annually visiting more than three hundred farms and training centers.

He performs church services, bible studies and other religious ceremonies and provides transportation for people in need of a ride for various appointments. He has also counseled many in need of advice or guidance, fixed leaky roofs and helped to enroll many kids in public schools. His wife Dee is a certified teacher with 30 years of experience and heads up the tutoring program. 

Champions for Champions

Maria Roman, Founder 

Champions for Champions serves people with special needs and their families by facilitating and providing educational, social, sports, music, arts, job training and life skill programs. The group’s slogan is: Creating Endless PossABILITIES. It started with a program sponsored by Toastmasters International.

With the success of the public speaking program came the UniversAbility Pageant, which is a beauty pageant for special needs kids and helps them showcase the talents they learn at Champions. Champions learning programs include music, bowling, dance, culinary, arts and crafts and more. Students don’t simply attend classes, they put their skills to work in the community.

Maria Roman is the founder of the Ocala-based charity. Roman started Champions for Champions with other local community leaders in 2016 with the simple goal of raising money for charity. Roman, who worked with Special Olympics for 20 years and whose son has Down syndrome, saw a need here to include people like her son in many aspects of life the rest of us enjoy.

Please join us for coffee (and on Zoom) at 8:45 and class will begin at 9:00.

ZOOM LINK: CLICK BELOW

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89256692010?pwd=uKbWRWJNMeq1WbrKeZYaJ8IWM1JNUc.1

Meeting ID: 892 5669 2010

Passcode: Micah6:8