The primary focus of the Mission Committee is a commitment to at-risk youth. School Support is one of the 6 key missions supported by the Mission Committee. Several Omaha Public Schools in northeast and east Omaha are supported and do not have strong PTOs or none.

Teacher/Staff Appreciation Luncheons

Educators are honored for their work with at-risk youth at 3 schools by hosting “Teacher/Staff Appreciation Luncheons” catered by Farmhouse in March or April for: 30 at ILP (Integrated Learning Program), 50 at Walnut Hill, and 30 at Omaha Street School (OSS). Volunteers from PCOC attend to host and support the PCOC commitment and recognize them. Each staff member and teacher is provided a Target gift card. Volunteers enjoy sharing conversation with these special educators. We reaffirm our mission-relationship to these schools in this very meaningful way. The teachers are so very thankful for this recognition and our support. It is always a rewarding experience for all full of joy and thankfulness!

Graduation Support

Graduation for the ILP, an OPS alternative school, is supported by purchasing flowers, table service, decorations, corsages for dignitaries, speakers and singers. Each graduate receives an 8”x10″ picture frame with a 5”x7” picture of them and a $10 Target gift card. The parents, caregivers or guardians of the graduate treasure the framed picture.

Back-To-School Supplies

A Back-to-School Supplies project is conducted each July & August to provide backpacks, notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, paper, crayons, erasers, glue, etc. for 4 schools: ILP, Walnut Hill, Sherman, and Bancroft. PCOC Junior High, elementary-age children & their families help sort, bag and deliver these items.

September 2023 Update: Thank you to everyone who helped at our back-to-school supply drive packing day on Saturday, August 12, and thanks to everyone in the congregation who donated backpacks and school supplies during the month of July. Along with oodles of other school supplies, We collected 135 backpacks, exceeding our goal of 125!

Coats, Clothing, and Shoes Project

December 2023: The 2023 OPS Coats, Clothing and Shoes Mission Event benefitting Walnut Hill, King, Dodge, Bancroft and Sherman elementary schools has wrapped up. Following the collection of needs from the school administrators in late October, we purchased the following items:

• 127 winter coats
• 250 hand-knit scarves
• 88 pairs of sweatpants
• 45 sets of shoes
• 30 sets of winter gloves
• 15 packs of socks
• 65 long and short sleeve shirts
• 21 packs of underwear
• 60 assorted other garments

Deliveries were completed on November 10 and 14, 2023 by Julie Buehler and Rob Bailey.

Funds

Mission Committee funds are contributed annually to 5 schools: ILP, Walnut Hill, Sherman, Bancroft and King. Each school determines how to use their gift to assist at-risk youth, usually for non-budgeted priority items.

Did you know that in 2008, the Omaha Public School Board recognized Presbyterian Church of the Cross as an “A+ Advocate”, the first church to ever receive this distinction.

Thank you, congregation, for your generous support of Mission. You truly have the ‘Spirit of Mission’. Contact the coordinator if you would like to serve.