FLINT, Michigan — The scene at the St. Luke N.E.W. Life Center is a powerful testament to the community’s resilience and dedication of the staff and volunteers. As the rain pattered on car windshields, residents patiently waited in a line that stretched down McClellan St. and Lawndale Ave. to receive much-needed food assistance.

Every Friday at 10 a.m., St. Luke initiates a food giveaway in collaboration with the Eastern Michigan Food Bank. Inside the building, a bulletin board displays job opportunities and resources for the unemployed, showing the center’s commitment to helping residents find employment. In addition, they provide immediate support and work to empower individuals in the long term.

Sister Carol Weber, the co-founder of St. Luke, shared insights into the latest developments and her personal journey that led her to this mission. Weber grew up on a farm, tending to the animals and enjoying life with her family. Her mother made bread twice a week, and they always had a fresh stock of eggs and fresh meat. When she was away at school or in the community, she noticed something was different from her and her peers.

“Growing up in poverty taught me a lot. People looked down on us because we didn’t have the clothes or cars that they had. That always bothered me. You know, we’re just as capable as anybody!”

Staff and volunteers work during St. Luke's weekly food giveaway on Aug. 16, 2024. (Jerimiah Whitehead | Flintside.com)She highlighted the contrast between the abundance of choices in American grocery stores and the limited options in the Dominican Republic, where she did missionary work. It inspired her to modify her lifestyle. Reflecting on her experiences in the Dominican Republic, she expressed her motivation for coming to Flint: to empower people to regain their dignity, independent of their material possessions.

St. Luke N.E.W. Life Center recently acquired a new building on Pierson Rd. which is currently undergoing renovations to accommodate the needs of three of its social enterprises. This facility will serve as a storage space for the center’s pallet business, lawn care equipment, and larger donation items, addressing previously faced space constraints. Additionally, the building will feature a designated area for sewing. The renovation project is expected to be completed within the next year.

Since our last interview, St. Luke Center has implemented an employment program for men and women offering paid on-the-job training. This is a significant step forward for returning citizens and anyone seeking opportunities. The impact of this program on the community has been profound, creating job opportunities and providing a sense of purpose.

St. Luke N.E.W. Life Center is located at 3115 Lawndale Ave in Flint. (Jerimiah Whitehead | Flintside.com)
“Social enterprise business for us means it’s for training. We’re not trying to make money on it. We’re trying to train,” said Weber, emphasizing the focus on training rather than profit. The county has contracted the center to tend to senior citizens’ lawns, increasing demand for services and creating job opportunities for community members.

The Center offers various programs to support survivors, including adult literacy, tutoring, employment preparation, and a food pantry. Weber enthusiastically detailed each program, highlighting the relatively new eye clinic that provided glasses to over 600 individuals last year. The eye clinic’s inception was credited to retired optometrist Harold Steinman whose persistent advocacy eventually led to its establishment amid logistical challenges.

The initiative proved crucial in identifying vision-related issues in children and addressing underlying problems that manifested as severe behavioral issues in classrooms. Weber underscored the importance of early intervention, noting a case where a six-year-old child was diagnosed with cataracts, ultimately emphasizing the need for proactive eye care assessment in young individuals.

Sister Carol Weber poses for a photo on Aug. 16, 2024. (Jerimiah Whitehead | Flintside.com)St. Luke will host a community baby shower on Sept. 17 and 19, 2024. Parents can sign up for the event by calling the center or registering through their website.

“We strongly encourage signing up as it helps us to better prepare for the event and ensure that we have enough supplies for everyone attending,” Weber mentioned. When the parents attend, they will be presented with a large, lovingly crafted bag filled with clothing items for their babies.

These items include a mix of new and gently used clothing, all thoroughly cleaned. In addition to clothing, they will receive diapers, formula, and essential personal care items for the baby such as shampoo, a baby thermometer, and other necessities.

Furthermore, parents can select one large item and one large toy for their baby. To enrich the event, parents will also have a chance to participate in four informative classes, including a session on safe sleep practices for infants.

“You have to be invested to help. My feeling is that if you’re from Flint, then you’re invested because many people choose not to live here.”

To learn more about the St. Luke N.E.W. Life Center, follow them on Facebook and visit their website. They can be reached by phone at: 810-239-8710.