BBB Accreditation

December 1, 2020

Wesley Chapel Mission Center is pleased to announce that we have received Better Business Bureau accreditation.

Special thanks to Cicely Tingle and Gail Stewart, board members who led much of the work on our policies and procedures. Over the past few years, the Governance, Finance and Development committees and staff members have implemented strong operational and information procedures to follow best practices and transparently share appropriate information with our constituents. Let's pray that this work reflects the trustworthiness of our mission and strengthens our relationships in the community.

Meet our new Executive Director!

November 2, 2020

The Wesley Chapel Mission Center Board is pleased to announce that Kevin R. Corey will join our organization in November to begin onboarding as our next Executive Director.  As previously announced, Becky Costello will retire in January 2021.

Kevin comes to us from Talbert House where he held leadership roles in operations and case management.  He brings a breadth and depth of experiences in community relations, organization leadership, administration, and non-profits. Importantly, he is a man of deep faith and will be a strong spiritual leader and role model in the neighborhood.  The mission of Wesley Chapel Mission Center is clearly aligned with Kevin’s drive to uplift disadvantaged youth.

Kevin spent most of his career with the Fort Wayne, Indiana, Police Department, where he rose to Captain and was heavily involved in community relations. Kevin is the founder and served as the First Statewide President for the Indiana School Resource Officers Association. He also served as a board member of Northeast Indiana Youth for Christ.  Kevin retired from the Fort Wayne Police Department in 2012 and moved to Cincinnati to become Chief of Police for the Village of Lincoln Heights.  He later taught a Victimology class at the University of Cincinnati and joined Talbert House in 2015.

Kevin lives in Fairfield with his wife Nicole.  They have five adult children and ten grandchildren.  Kevin and Nicole are members of the Word of Deliverance Church which is located in Forest Park. Kevin served as the Deacon Chairman of the New Covenant Worship Center in Fort Wayne for 8 years prior to moving to the Cincinnati region. Kevin grew up in a neighborhood similar to Over-the-Rhine and understands the struggles of our children and families.  He is passionate and excited to join an organization where he can openly share the love of God.  

Please join us in welcoming Kevin to the Wesley Chapel Mission Center family.  We look forward to introducing Kevin to you in the coming months and to celebrating Becky’s dedicated service in January. 

Blessings,

Jannelle Moore

Board President

Breakfast of Light Goes Virtual!

September 13, 2020

Join us for our virtual Breakfast of Light, where we will take you Inside Wesley Chapel Mission Center, a Haven of Hope in Over-the-Rhine. On the morning of Friday, October 9th our virtual event will be launched through email. Be sure you register now to receive the link to our celebration!

Whether you watch the virtual event at your leisure or invite friends and family to gather for "breakfast" around your kitchen table, you will experience the transformational love of Jesus that overflows from Inside Wesley Chapel Mission Center.

Invitations are coming soon, or you can go ahead and register now

Saying Goodbye Won’t Be Easy!

July 2, 2020

Becky Costello, Executive Director of Wesley Chapel Mission Center, has announced her intention to retire in January 2021. Becky boldly answered God’s calling to join WCMC in 2004 and embraced the mission of love and hope. She led tremendous growth and outreach during her tenure, transforming a modest after-school program serving a handful of children to a year-round PreK-12 program serving over 200 children. Becky has always been faithful to God’s guiding hand, and she believes God is now instructing her to pass the mantle to a new Executive Director.  

You may send best wishes to Becky at WCMC, P.O. Box 141031, Cincinnati, OH 45250. A retirement celebration will be planned near her retirement date. 

Summer Camp Starting Soon!

June 1, 2020

Summer Camp is on and we couldn't be more excited! Of course, there will be some changes. And camp will look a little different, but the important part is that we are able to host 6 weeks of in person day camp for PreK-12th grade students. Our staff is thrilled to be back on site and see the children's faces!

WCMC is also praising God for his provision of adequate spaces to host our camp. Two of our rooms will be divided so that we can welcome 8 groups of students, all with their own restrooms and entrances. Each of the groups is allowed up to 9 students. Although there will be health precautions in place, WCMC will provide as many of our standard summer camp activities as possible. We plan to offer outdoor games, Bible lessons, time in the garden, songs, crafts and a strong focus on academic work. We want to make sure our students are ready when they head back to school in the fall.

Here’s What We’ve Been Up To…

May 7, 2020

The picture to the left is an excellent portrayal of what life with WCMC looks like these days. Our Lead Team meets daily over Zoom and the full staff gets together twice a week through Zoom. Each program team also has meetings throughout the week. Although it's a lot of fun to see each other's faces, we look forward to the day we can connect in person.

We've also been working hard to stay in touch with students and families. All our families were mailed a newsletter; phone calls are made to each of our students at least once a week; cards and notes are being sent to students; and our High School team engages students in Bible studies and game nights through Zoom.

You may have also noticed an increase in videos being added to our Facebook page. Staff members create content to connect with their students and to share a little about what life in their homes looks like during this time. We invite you to stay in touch with us through Facebook and our YouTube channel. You're sure to enjoy Tasty Tuesdays with Ms. Janine, some truth or dare with Mr. Drew, and coloring with Mr. Josh!

Still Shining the Light!

April 27, 2020

In the midst of this unprecedented storm, Wesley Chapel Mission Center continues to be a guiding light and trusted, loving safe haven for children and families in Over-the-Rhine. Our staff members, supported through prayers and a commitment of compensation by our board of directors, shine the Light and share the Love of Jesus daily to support the bodies, minds and souls of our children and their families.

Through phone calls, text messages, emails, note cards, and even videos, we are staying connected. Yes, we have a YouTube channel, WesleyChapelMissionCenter, where our staff members post videos they create to engage our students. 

While we share information with our families about food distribution sites and how to stay healthy, we also receive their prayer requests and provide school supplies along with school homework packets. Our dedicated staff members are keeping the Wesley Chapel Family connected so that our time apart will not hinder our vision and mission. 

Along with the many prayer concerns you lift up to God, please include Wesley Chapel Mission Center and our Over-the-Rhine children and families. 

My hope is in the Lord!

Becky Costello

Executive Director    

Opening Doors to Opportunity: Junior Assistant Program

Jan 18, 2020

Open doors are pathways to many things.  Sometimes we go out the door to opportunities beyond our comfort zones.  Other times, we retreat back to safety in places we feel secure.  Our Junior Assistant (job training) Program has seen many open doors in 2019. 

Last winter we had open positions, but had a hard time getting students to come through that door.  After hitting the streets for a summer hiring campaign, we had over 40 people knocking on the door for Junior Assistant (JA) positions.  We were able to offer 8 students (7 new) summer employment through our program!  Each of them took advantage of new opportunities to work with our Pre-school through 6th Grade students in our daily summer camp.  They served as role models for students in ways that adult staff are unable to do so (there is power in near-peer relationships!).  They were encouraged to work hard & to have fun with the students we serve.

Some of our Junior Assistants walked out the door after summer programming (due to graduation or to focus on schooling), while others continued in the program.  After more than two years on staff as a Junior Assistant, Alanee has walked through another open door for a different job opportunity and another has done the same.  This opened the door for two new students join our staff, while two to four positions now remain open for others.

It’s been a blessing to see Junior Assistants come & go through various doors.  These employees are learning new skills and are given regular feedback on how they are doing on Timeliness (of attendance & task completion), Engagement (with our students), Cheerfulness, & Helpfulness.  With 4-6 on the Junior Assistant staff, we’ve already logged more hours this school year than we did all of last school year.  The Junior Assistant Program is a great pathway to job opportunities!

~Jeffrey Davis, Junior Assistant Coordinator