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Washington DC
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News from the Washington DC City Director
September is a month where we at CSM are normally in the rest and rejuvenation mode. Our summer has passed and we begin preparing for a busy fall and winter season. One of my most invigorating activities in September is to recollect about the past year of ministry and think about success stories involving our ministry partners and serving groups. One such partner in ministry who I have been thinking a lot about over the past few weeks is The Fishing School and its founder Tom Lewis.
Mr. Lewis started the Fishing school about 20 years ago after retiring as a police officer in DC. Mr. Lewis had worked for over 20 years as “Officer Friendly”, visiting schools and community centers, working to develop a positive relationship between the youth of DC and the police department. While working with these youth, Mr. Lewis saw first hand the needs of this population and decided that when he retired he would dedicate himself to work with youth and help them become successful citizens.
You may ask how Mr. Lewis came up with the name “The Fishing School”, and you would not be the only one. Most groups have no idea what they are in store for when they come to visit this amazing program. Mr. Lewis tells the story of how when he was praying about his new ministry after retiring as a police officer, he had a very specific vision. God placed in his heart the vision of making bubbles on the water back in NC while fishing. He was thankful to God for having people teach him how to fish in his life, and wanted others to benefit from having positive people in their life. Their motto at the school is “teach children to fish, change a generation”.
Recently we learned that Extreme Home Makeover has chosen one of the Fishing School locations to renovate and remodel so that they can serve more students in NE Washington DC. Our groups have so enjoyed our partnership for over the last 10 years and so have our staff…even my wife worked there for a summer as a reading specialist! While they are receiving national attention for their work, they still are so thankful to CSM and the help we are able to give their students in the afterschool program. The Fishing School is such a blessing to have as a partner and helps us full time staff remain focused and on fire for the ministry God has us doing in the Washington DC. May God continue to bless the Fishing School and its wonderful ministry!
- Jason Martin, CSM Washington DC City Director
Local Resources
Local News Links
- September, Washington DC's Human Trafficking Awareness Month
- New faces of homeless in D.C. August 23, 2009
- Eleven-Year-Old Boy Walks to Help Homeless Children August 19, 2009
- On D.C. Streets, the Cellphone as Lifeline March 23, 2009
CSM Urban Updates
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