Dakota House Word

Please Help Us Bring More Money Into Dakota House

2012-01-26T07:53:00.000-08:00

Dakota House has S.H.A.R.E.S. cards now. You can use them at Save Mart or Food Maxx and we get 3% of your purchase.

Email your address to me at jamie@dakotahouse.org and I'll send a card to your mailbox.

We need the money and it's easy to do.

Thank You from the Director

2012-01-11T11:17:00.000-08:00

Several times during the Christmas party for our kids last month, I was overcome with deep joy and gratitude.

I know people are struggling financially. I fear there is little hope in this world for the impoverished and neglected children who run unattended in our country's streets. And yet.

Dakota House was blessed beyond belief this year with thoughtful, beautiful gifts for our kids. Shoe boxes filled with stocking gifts, gift cards that allowed us to buy a gift for each child, and groceries for our food pantry all came pouring in.

Most of the people who supported our kids have never met them.

Many of the people who gave are on a tight budget.

I am humbled by the generosity of us, the people of our valley, your neighbors and mine, who gave from their hearts and demonstrated to our kids--in a very real way--that there is love and hope in the world.

May God bless you all for your faithfulness.

His,

Jamie Barker, Director and Founder

Christmas at Dakota House 2011

2011-12-01T10:30:00.000-08:00

We had a great Thanksgiving at Dakota House, complete with a pre-dinner football game, smoked turkeys, homemade mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, and the chance for every person at our long table to share something for which they are thankful.

I am particularly thankful for all of our supporters and volunteers who consistently give from their hearts with their finances, time, and talent.

Now it’s time to turn our attention to Christmas. Every year we have a Christmas party that starts at our family home with pizza, cookies, and singing carols; after all that we move the party to Dakota House where the kids open their gifts. For many of them these are the only Christmas gifts they will receive.

We like to give each child a shoebox full of stocking-type gifts, and a main gift. To accomplish this, we need your help.

Please click on the Shoebox Christmas Project link on the right that gives you all the information you need to put a box together. This is a good way to get kids involved with giving to others; I have had many parents tell me their children not only had fun, but also learned something about how it feels to give with nothing expected in return.

Another way you can help bring Christmas to our Dakota House kids is by sending us a Target gift card, which we can use to buy the kids’ main gifts.

We need the shoeboxes and the cards no later than December 16^th.

Please call 559-230-1622 and speak to Emily to set up a delivery time for shoeboxes.

Gift cards may be mailed to:

Dakota House

203 W. Dakota

Fresno CA 93705

Thank you for partnering with us to love these kids into believing that God’s promises for their lives are a possibility.

His,

Jamie Barker

DHG (Dakota House Garden)

2011-11-30T10:51:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Simon Biasell and the youth group at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Dakota House is now the home of a community garden.

Every Sunday at noon, Simon and his youth group show up to work with our kids in our own garden at the back end of our Dakota House yard. After weeding, digging, and sowing, all the young gardeners have lunch together in the back yard.

Our kids are excited about DHG; we are all looking forward to the fruits of this community labor.

Help Needed at After School Club

2011-09-23T06:31:00.000-07:00

We have lots of great kids coming to After School Club, and we need some helpers.

In particular we are looking for some young men to volunteer to be a presence at Dakota House, as there are too few men for our kids to look up to. But we are happy to involve any age or gender of person who has a heart for our kids.

After School Club is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:00 -- 5:00. We need help on any and all of those days.

Please pray about whether you or someone you know might be willing and able to come love some kids, and to be greatly rewarded in the process.

Please contact me: jamie@dakotahouse.org

His,

Jamie Barker, Director

Dakota House at Outpost

2011-06-27T14:03:00.001-07:00

Thank you so much to all of you who provided the funds to take our youth group to Outpost at Calvin Crest. Our kids climbed and swung from trees, hiked to the top of Fresno Dome, rode mountain bikes, went boating, made pizzas, learned to use a compass, sang at campfire, and more.

The staff at Calvin Crest gave from their hearts, and served us in love. Our kids who spent the week there will never be the same again.

End of School Party

2011-06-12T11:20:00.001-07:00

We had a great party to celebrate the end of school. A bunch of great kids, water balloon relays, a colossal water balloon battle, and ice cream sundaes.

And...congratulations to Bubba, Nay Nay, Abreanna, Joel, and Kellie for graduating from Williams Elementary. The world is waiting for the wonderful things you will do.

Dakota House Easter Party

2011-05-01T10:29:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Mrs. Yamaichi's E.C.L. class at Garfield Elementary for the Easter baskets they assembled, and the amazing Easter feast food--all delivered right to our door. What a wonderful celebration we had at Dakota House.

We played an elaborate Easter Egg Relay, enjoyed a beautiful meal of ham, homemade mashed potatoes and green beans together, and then settled in the living room--25 kids and three helpers--and watched the story of Jesus: His ultimate sacrifice and His miraculous resurrection.

Here are just a few pictures; I wish I could capture the feeling of the day: a joyous family gathering tucked safely away from the chaos out on the street. It was glorious.

His,

Jamie

Dakota House Honored by the Red Cross

2011-04-05T19:08:00.000-07:00

Dakota House Girls at Winter Camp

2011-02-06T10:16:00.000-08:00

Thank you for your support that allowed us to take three of our youth group girls to Winter Camp at Calvin Crest. Sharnell, Vanessa, and Kyesha are full of stories about their time in the snowy mountains, and our leaders were grateful to see how God used that time to move in each of our girls.

Everything Vanessa, Kyesha, and Sharnell experienced was new to them; our staff leader Emily woke the girls up so they could see the early morning snow falling; none of them had ever seen anything like that before.

We continue to be grateful to Calvin Crest for providing a beautiful place in the mountains to take our kids, and for the welcome they receive there. And as always, we are grateful to our supporters for their partnership with us.

God has great plans for our Dakota House kids. Thank you for helping us show them there is a whole world past their neighborhood, and it is all open to them.

Dakota House Christmas

2010-12-27T14:48:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much to all of you
who partnered with us to bring
some Christmas joy to the
Dakota House kids.

It's all about sharing the love.
And you certainly did.

Chrsitmas Shoeboxes

2010-12-14T09:48:00.000-08:00

Please don't forget...
the deadline for shoe boxes is
Monday, December 20th

Call Emily at Dakota House
(559-230-1622)
to set up a delivery time

for instructions and suggestions click on
Christmas Shoebox Project
in the sidebar

Christmas in our neighborhood

2010-12-09T10:52:00.000-08:00

Please keep Dakota House in your prayers.
Christmas can be a hard time for our families.

Thank you Garfield's E.C.L. Class

2010-12-07T20:15:00.001-08:00

Thank you to Ms. Yamaichi's 3rd grade group of Exceptionally Capable Learners. Their hard work over this school year has earned $2500 for Dakota House.

Kids helping kids.

What an amazing group. They have set a good example for all of us with their dedication and sacrifice.

Way to go, E.C.L. Class!!!

Bring Christmas to a Dakota House Child

2010-12-03T11:59:00.000-08:00

Dear Dakota House friend and supporter,

For eleven years now, you have been working together with us to bring Christmas to our Dakota House kids. We are so grateful to you and are hoping you will partner with us again this year.

Our goal for this Christmas is to be able to give each child a shoebox and one gift. The shoeboxes serve the purpose of stocking gifts that the children can carry home and keep safe in their own decorated box. Most of our Dakota House kids don’t get gifts at Christmas, nor do they have family gatherings with traditions like many of us do. This is what we try to bring to our kids. The children come to our home, where my husband and I greet them and serve them dinner. The kids sing Christmas carols in front of our house and enjoy homemade cookies and wassail. Then they open their gifts, one or two children at a time. Like a family.

Please help us provide this experience for our kids. Here are two ways you can help:

1. Purchase a Target gift card for $15.00, which will provide a gift for one child. (mail it to Dakota House 5132 N. Palm #62 Fresno, CA 93704)

2. Put together a shoebox (see link in sidebar) and bring it to Dakota House (call 230-1622 to arrange a drop-off time).

THE DEADLINE FOR THESE GIFTS IS MONDAY DECEMBER 20th

If you can do one or both of these things it will bring joy to a child, who will know that this gift is provided for them by someone who loves God, and therefore loves them. It is a powerful message spoken in language a child can understand.

If you have any questions, please email me and I will be more than happy to help.

May God bless you and your loved ones this Christmas. I am praying you find joy in His love and grace—the most wondrous gifts of all.

His,

Jamie Barker, Director

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-22T14:25:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration at After School Club on Friday—the kids’ last day of school before vacation. We served a traditional home-cooked meal to twenty of our kids. It was a new experience for many of them to sit at a table and enjoy a family style holiday feast. Thank you to all of you who helped and contributed.

As we move into Christmas, we will keep you informed as to how you can help us bring Christmas to our kids. Until then, may you enjoy Thanksgiving with your family, thanking God for His provision, love, and faithfulness.

His,

Jamie Barker, Director

2010-10-22T18:28:00.000-07:00

DAKOTA HOUSE
invites you to a
Celebration of Light

Sunday, October 24, 2010
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
340 W. Sample • Fresno

Dessert • Raffle

• Presentations by Dakota House kids
&
• music by The Bembe Worship Project
featuring Brenda Myers

Please join us for this fun and casual event at the home of our
board member, Carol Yohannes.
We would like to share some of the amazing
things God is doing in the lives of our kids
through Dakota House.
And you will have a chance to win
some great prizes, enjoy dessert under
the stars, and be amazed by
the extraordinary rhythms of Bembe!

For information please call: 559-230-1622

CAMPING TRIP 2010

2010-08-09T13:21:00.001-07:00

Thank you to all of you made our camping trip possible,
and to the people who gave their weekend to
love on some children in the name of Jesus.

It was a joy to see the kids free to play and enjoy
the beauty of God's creation, far from the streets.

Please pray with us that the messages they received
will stay sealed in their hearts.

You can see some great pictures of our trip here.

More S.O.S. Summer Fun

2010-07-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

People from our community continue to come to S.O.S. Club to share their skills; it has been wonderful. Take a look at these pictures of our Spa Day, C.S.I. Presentation, Clay-making, Water Day, and a visit from our neighborhood policeman. Scroll down further to see prior S.O.S. Club days. Many thanks to the following people who have given of their hearts and time:

Brad Barker
Emily Barrow
Scott Bellefeuille
Ericlee and Dorina Gilmore
Officer Haywood Irving
Laura Jorgensen
Charlida Kemble
Janice Line
Corey Schroeder
Adam Soesman
Evan Soesman
Janet Soesman
Rachel Soesman
Billy Vincent
Jeff Vincent

S.O.S. CLUB

2010-06-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

S.O.S. stands for Share Our Skills, and that is what our volunteers have been doing. So far we have had club twice, and the skills shared have been Martial Arts with Jeff and Billy Vincent, and woodworking with Brad Barker. Thanks, guys.

Coming up next week: Shrinky Dinks with Charlida Kemble, and Manicures and Pedicures/Basketball Clinic with Janet, Adam, Evan, and Rachel Soesman and Laura Jorgensen.

Please consider sharing a couple of hours with some kids who need something to keep them off the street, a sense of accomplishment, and interaction with people who love God.

S.O.S. CLUB runs Tuesdays and Thursdays (until August 12th) from 2:00 --4:00.

YOUTH GROUP--Outpost at Calvin Crest

2010-06-25T18:26:00.000-07:00

Our youth group recently returned from one week at Outpost, an adventurous corner of Calvin Crest Camp where campers sleep outside, have no electricity, hike to summits, and sing around the campfire.

Thank you to Calvin Crest for so many years of giving and providing this amazing week for our kids.

And thank you to all of you who supported this trip with your donations and prayers.

Please continue to pray for our youth. God has great plans for them.

You can see some pictures of our time at Outpost by clicking on the link at the top of the right sidebar.

S.O.S. CLUB Needs Your Skills

2010-06-07T09:57:00.000-07:00

We need your help for Dakota House’s Summer
S.O.S. CLUB
S.O.S. stands for “Share Our Skills”
and that is exactly what we need you to do.

Is there something you can share with the kids that will
help them be creative,
find out something they can do,
and enjoy learning from someone?

Examples:

sports
music
making something
painting
cooking
baking

OR ANYTHING YOU THINK OF!

S.O.S. CLUB runs from June 22nd –August 12th
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00–4:00

If you have some ideas or questions please contact me at jamie@dakotahouse.org

Please join us in sharing skills, love and the desire to create with our kids—
they are hungry to experience something other
than what the street has to offer for them this summer.

His,

Jamie Barker

Send a Dakota House kid to Camp

2010-05-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Dakota House friend and supporter,

Though these pictures are great they don’t come close to telling the stories from last summer at Calvin Crest: a 16-year-old boy gave his life to Christ on top of Fresno Dome; another boy said the experience changed his life forever; young girls let go of the expectations the street has for them and just enjoyed being themselves; children of gangsters were jumping up and down, singing their hearts out to God; boys who act tough on the street were broken before God as they faced their fears on the ropes course; and kids who must always be on guard were able to relax and feel safe. All this and much more happened. And we are happily expectant of God and what He will do this summer at Outpost.

For several years we have been taking the kids to Outpost at Calvin Crest; it has always been an amazing week. Calvin Crest believes in our program; they want our kids to be able to attend camp so they only charge us $175.00 per camper. We are grateful to Calvin Crest for their ministry and sacrifice.

Please consider sending one of our kids to camp this summer. For $175.00 you can provide an experience that will fill a child with hope for their future. If you have friends who might be interested, please forward this message on.

Send checks to:

Dakota House

5132 N. Palm #62

Fresno CA 93702

Please mark your check: youth camp

Thank you for your partnership; together we can make a difference in our city and for His kingdom.

His,

Jamie Barker, Director

What we did for our Spring Vacation

2010-04-18T09:32:00.000-07:00

Instead of After School Club during our Spring break, we had Vacation Club!

Thank you to Greg Ehlert and Nancy Donat, and First Presbyterian Youth Group; Scott Bellefeuille; and Adam and Janet Soesman. You gave of your time, your hearts, and your talents. And it made a difference.

Our Christmas Celebration

2010-01-06T10:29:00.000-08:00

Thank you.
Your support made possible a beautiful
Christmas celebration for Dakota House.
May you know God's presence
as He leads you in the New Year.

His,
Jamie Barker

Christmas Shoebox Project

2009-11-18T08:08:00.000-08:00

Please join with us in bringing Christmas to our kids.
Filling a shoebox with toys is easy, inexpensive,
and a fun family or group project.

Our deadline for shoeboxes this year is
Thursday, December 17th

Call Dakota House at 230-1622
to set up a delivery time.

Go here for details.

our young people

2009-09-17T11:32:00.001-07:00

We have a growing youth group.

We are seeing changes in our kids.
They are beginning to understand leadership,
and the responsibilities that come with it.

We continue to tell them that God has great plans for their lives
that do not include gang involvement...
They are told there is hope for college and employment...

We encourage them to abstain from sex,
and to consider the hardships of single parenthood
and the inevitable dependence on the system...

Most of all we love them and tell God loves them.

Please continue to pray for our young people.

It is imperative for their lives,
and for our community.

His,

Jamie Barker, Director

our camping trip

2009-08-11T13:26:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to God and to our supporters for making our camping trip happen.
Children were free to be kids as they jumped into the creek, made smores,
hiked, and sang praises to God.

Each child was individually prayed for as their candle was placed in the creek
to symbolize God's light in the darkness.

It was a glorious time that none of us will forget.
Thank you for giving and praying.

We serve a God of love and it shows in His people.

Calvin Crest's City Team comes to Dakota House

2009-08-07T19:52:00.000-07:00

We had the gift of a visit from our Outpost staff, who make up the Calvin Crest City Camp Team. We were so happy to see our friends again, and had several days of fun with them. They stayed at Dakota House and blessed our staff as much as the kids.

Thank you to Scott, Claire, Michelle...and yes...even Ed for bringing us some joy down the mountain.

It's Almost Time to go Camping...

2009-07-28T17:08:00.000-07:00

Every year we load up several cars with kids and food and gear and head up to the mountains. The kids are full of wonder and amazed by everything; we are full of expectation, knowing God will provide us with adventure as well as opportunities to show the kids who He really is, and what He has for their lives.

From Friday to Sunday, the difficulties of the street and their homes are far away, and our kids are free to be children—playing in the creek, hiking, and singing around the campfire.

We have been doing this trip for over 15 years now. Sometimes I hear from kids long after they have grown and gone, and they tell me things they remember from that adventure. “I can still remember what you prayed for me” they say. Or “I didn’t think I could jump off that rock, but I did!

It is time again for our camping trip. Please consider sending a check to support this event. We are making every attempt to keep costs way down, but we will need money for gas in several vehicles, and food for 25 people for three days.

Thank you for your partnership with us. We thank God for our supporters.

Jamie Barker, Director

Mail checks to:

Dakota House
5132 N. Palm #62
Fresno CA 93704

Our Time at Calvin Crest

2009-07-05T14:15:00.000-07:00

We took 13 teenagers to Outpost at Calvin Crest, where for one week they were free from the pull of the neighborhood. In that week, eyes were opened and hearts were changed.

It was a joy to see our Youth Group playing games, sliding down a 90 ft. flume, singing worship songs around the campfire, rising to challenges like the ropes course, and listening to God's promises for them.

Thank you to Calvin Crest, the Outpost staff, to our givers who covered the expense, and mostly to God, without whom none of this would be possible.

(for more pictures from Outpost click on the revolving photos at top right...then click on directorjamie's photostream)

"And nobody could stop me!"

2009-06-05T11:15:00.000-07:00

We have almost enough funding to send ten of our Youth Group kids to Outpost @ Calvin Crest. Thank you to those of you who have given, and are making it possible to open a child's heart and mind to what God has in store for them.

Below is a poem written by one of our young girls after a week at Outpost:

As I step off this grounds
of Outpost and camp
I'm amazed that I actually got
this chance.
To do things I've never done Before.
And get closer to God then I
Use to.
The food here is good, and the songs were too
as I stood.
I will never forget this week.
It will stay with me forever.
The fun part is when I got to do
this with the people that came together.
This trip taught me to let go of my
fears.
The rock climb I thought I couldn't do...
I did.
The swing that made me feel like I was
flying AND NOBODY COULD STOP ME!
So as I step off this ground,
I THANK everybody who was here, and
Everyone who was around.

--Tamika
Dedicated to staff, & people who cooked in the cafeteria

Please consider giving to this fund or covering one child ($175.00).

You can make a difference. A child will be blessed.

His,

Jamie Barker, Director

send checks (marked 'camp fund') to:

Dakota House
5132 N. Palm #62
Fresno, CA 93704

2009-05-05T10:31:00.000-07:00

Thank you to RBC and Mark Otta

Dakota House had a big day this past Saturday, May 2nd. RBC Wealth Management in Fig Garden Village provided ten of our kids with an experience they are not likely to forget.

They also provided Dakota House with a check for $2,500.00.

All season long, the CSUF baseball team has been scoring runs and piling up funds for Dakota House. On Saturday two of our kids got to go down on the field, throw in a first pitch, join the team in the huddle, and be a part of the check presentation. It was so big and exciting for them they scarcely knew how to process it.

The board of directors, children, families, and staff of Dakota House extend a huge and rather stunned thank to Mark Otta, who arranged all of this, and to RBC for their generosity.

To Mark and to the people at RBC: "God has used you to encourage us, and to show our kids a little piece of the world that is out there waiting for them. For that we are heartily grateful."

AWANA at Bethany Church

2009-04-26T07:47:00.000-07:00

The kids and staff of Dakota House are in a happy relationship with Bethany Church.

Since the beginning of the year Bethany has included us in their weekly AWANA program. And it has been wonderful.

Every Wednesday evening at 6:15 our chariot arrives, in the form of the Bethany Bus, and our beloved driver, Chuck, welcomes a group of 15-20 kids aboard. Our Dakota House kids are learning scripture, playing games and singing songs at a church where Jesus' commandent to love one another is truly honored. We are grateful to them in so many ways.

On Sunday, April 19th, the staff and families of AWANA showed up at Dakota House and provided a family picnic for our kids and their parents. It was a beautiful event. Thank you AWANA staff and Bethany Church. You are loving us in the name of Jesus and the impact of that love will--literally--reach into eternity.

Thank you Bethany Church!!!!!

2009-04-08T09:51:00.000-07:00

Without the people God brings to us at Dakota House,
we could not do what we do.

We need people, funds, supplies, and lots of prayer.

Here are three people who have given:
with their hearts, their hands, and with resources.

The staff and children at Dakota House thank you.
We pray God's blessings upon you.

Kathy Dunbar
board member
giver
encourager
prayer warrior

Ben Keeler
volunteer
role model
friend to the kids

Davina Yamaichi
organizer
teaches kids to serve
fundraiser

another Thank You to Garfield Elementary

2009-04-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

Once again, Dakota House is grateful to Ms. Yamaichi's ECL class and the Garfield Student Council.

On the last day of After School Club before Easter break, they showed up with groceries for the Food Pantry, snacks for club, and Easter baskets for all the kids. We stood amazed as parents and kids filed past us with armloads of much-needed supplies.

And it was wonderful to see our Dakota House kids and the Garfield kids joined up for a game of Poop Deck--an old Dakota House game of great notoriety.

Thank you, Garfield parents, students, and teachers. You have a made in difference in the world.

Camping Trip

2009-03-07T21:47:00.000-08:00

Every summer we take the kids camping.

We go on a Friday afternoon and return Sunday afternoon.

We go to a place where there are no bathrooms

and no running water.

The kids sleep under the stars,
go on a long hike,
jump off a rock into a creek,
roast marshmallows,
and sing praise songs around a campfire.

It is their time to be away from the neighborhood
and just be kids.

Thank you to those of you who have given
to make these trips possible over the years.

AFTER SCHOOL CLUB

2009-03-01T07:16:00.000-08:00

Every child needs a safe and loving place
to come home to after school.

We provide that every
Monday, Thursday, and Friday.
(on Wednesdays we go to AWANA @ Bethany Church)

Kids show up for a hug,
help with homework,
snacks, games, wrestling...
and we close each day praying for one another.

Dakota House YOUTH GROUP

2009-03-01T06:39:00.000-08:00

Our Youth Group meets every Thursday from 4:30--6:00.

There are many challenges and roadblocks for the kids in our neighborhood, and we try to give them alternate ways of handling them.

We want them to know that God has plans for their lives, and that there is hope for a good future.

We take our Youth Group to Calvin Crest for a week in the summer, where they are exposed to new adventures, and have some time away from the neighborhood. Their eyes are opened. and their hearts are moved.

If you would like to support our Youth Group, please send checks marked 'Youth' to:
Dakota House
5132 N. Palm #62
Fresno CA 93704

WE NEED FOOD

2009-02-04T10:10:00.000-08:00

We are in immediate need of food at Dakota House for our Food Pantry.

Additionally, we need after school snacks and beverages.

We have kids at Dakota House every day of the week.

Even when club is not in session, we have kids there working on homework. Janice and Emily are doing a great job of staying on top of the kids about their homework, and checking their Power School. We have seen several children’s grades improve, and the difference it makes in their attitudes is amazing.

Please consider either bringing groceries and snacks to Dakota House, or providing us with grocery store gift cards.

You will find the directions to Dakota House here.

The phone number at Dakota House is 559-230-1622.

Gift cards can be mailed directly to Dakota House:

Dakota House

203 W. Dakota

Fresno, CA 93705

Thank you for partnering with us to make a difference in the lives of our children, and in our community.

His,

Jamie Barker

Dakota House CHURCH

2009-01-22T19:45:00.000-08:00

Join us on the
2nd and 4th Sunday*
of every month as we
worship, pray and celebrate together.

6:00 p.m.

*some exceptions apply to holidays
and other special occasions...

call 230-1622 for info

hats off to Garfield Elementary ECL group

2009-01-22T10:32:00.001-08:00

An amazing group of 3rd graders who make up the Exceptionally Capable Learners group at Garfield Elementary in Clovis--under the direction of Davina Yamaichi--made a huge and significant difference in the lives of many children this Christmas.

I would personally like to thank these young future leaders for their compassion, dedication, and hard work which provided clothing, toys, and more to an entire neighborhood of people in need.

To the ECL kids:

I am amazed by you. When I have had time with you I walk away encouraged about the future of our country. Thank you. I hope I have the gift of seeing you again. You inspire me.

With love and admiration,

Jamie Barker, Director of Dakota House.

Goodbye and Thank You Josh

2009-01-22T09:34:00.000-08:00

The children, staff, and Board of Directors at Dakota House would like to thank Josh Weidenbach for volunteering his time and talents to our After School Club.

May God bless you in your move and new pursuits. You are missed.

Thank you to our Dakota House Family

2009-01-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

Many people and organizations came together this past Christmas to bring joy and hope to our children and families.

Thanks to Jesus and the people who love Him, we were able to provide gifts, food, meals, and necessities to the neighborhood families.

It was a tribute to the power of love in the hearts of His people.

Thank you. May you be blessed and encouraged.

His,

Jamie Barker, Director

Christmas Prayers

2008-12-18T10:20:00.000-08:00

This week as After School Club winds down for Christmas break there is no slowing down of activity around Dakota House.

We are busily preparing for our Christmas party, which the kids look forward to all year.

Please keep us in your prayers as we work very hard to bring Christmas to our children and families. We seek to provide not only gifts and food, but the endless and amazing love that was born so humbly into the world on that beautiful night.

Food Pantry Thank Yous and Needs

2008-11-25T11:21:00.000-08:00

Dakota House would like to thank the Awanas program from Bethany church, St.Patrick's Church and the Kiwanis club. Your food pantry donations have already made a difference in the community. Our food pantry this week provided food for over a 100 people!

Our community has a great need for food and it is a blessing for Dakota House that we are able to meet some of that need through our food pantry.

Due to the popularity of our food pantry we are in constant need of donations in order to meet the needs of the community.

Here are some of our current needs:

Canned Fruit
Pasta
Mac and Cheese
Baby Formula
Soup
Paper Products
Diapers
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Bags of Bean and Rice
Cereal

If you are interested in making a donation or having your own food drive please contact Dakota House at 230-1622.

News and Needs

2008-11-19T07:14:00.001-08:00

This is a good season for us. After School Club continues to thrive as our long-time members bring in new friends, and Janice and Emily become solidified as a team.

We had a great Open House last month, and a Bike Clinic on a sunny Saturday morning, where we--with the help of Performance Bicycles—repaired over 20 neighborhood bikes for free.

Thank you to Mrs. Witters of Fresno Christian, and Ms. Yamaichi of Garfield Elementary, who are conducting drives in their classrooms to raise funds and food for Dakota House. We also thank Mr. Freeman of Fresno Christian, for bringing a great group of students who spent a morning at Dakota House, serving with their hands and hearts.

We have some extra needs this month.

•blankets and pots and pans for a needy family

•diapers, baby wipes, and formula

• 2 highchairs

and…

Please help us provide a Thanksgiving meal for our kids at After School Club.

By this Sunday (November 23^rd) we need:

2 turkeys

Potatoes

Butter

Milk

Sparkling cider

Canned green beans

Pumpkin pie filling

If you are able to provide any of these things for our kids and families, please call us at 230-1622. If you need someone to pick up these items, please let us know.

Thank you for your support. We are grateful to God for our Dakota House family, which extends far beyond the boundaries of our neighborhood.

His,

Jamie Barker, Director

Thank You

2008-10-29T01:04:00.000-07:00

Dakota House would like to send an official thank you out to Kennedy Fries. Thank you for doing a food drive on your birthday. Instead of receiving gifts, you allowed others to bring gifts to those in need. Thank you for showing the selfless generosity of Jesus.

2008-10-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful celebration at our
Open House.

Thank you to friends and family who stopped by. If you were not able to be there, watch our emails and website for the date of our next one.

Go here to see a slide show of our great day.

Dakota House Makeover Update

2008-10-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

We have had a busy and exciting fall at Dakota House.

Our new staff is in place and After School Club is underway
with some very happy kids showing up three times a week.

Our renovation and makeover
is almost complete and the house looks great.

Many thanks to the Ethan Allen crew,
the companies who have donated labor and materials,
and to all of our wonderful volunteers
for their hard work.

Go here (and click on 'slide show')
to see some great pictures
of the makeover in progress.

Please continue to pray for us and support us.
God is doing great things in the lives of our kids.

MEET OUR NEW RESIDENT STAFF

2008-09-04T07:49:00.000-07:00

Janice Line and Emily Musson are moving in to Dakota House the second week of September. Janice and Emily bring energy and life to the neighborhood, and we are excited to see how God will use them.

Janice is a graduate of Whitworth University where she majored in Theology. For the past several years she has been coordinator of Sherwood Forest at Calvin Crest Christian Camp. Her compassion, love for children, energy, knowledge of God’s Word, and obedience to that which she is called makes her a gift to us and to the families of our neighborhood.

Emily is a nursing major at Fresno State. She has been volunteering at Dakota House since she was a junior in high school. As a child she lived at Dakota House (did I mention she is my daughter?) and attended school in the neighborhood. Her knowledge of the area is valuable… but her love for the kids is what sets her apart. She has been devoting herself to them for some time now, and they already love and respect her.

Janice and Emily spent this past summer serving together in Sherwood Forest. They work well together, and have mutual respect and fondness for one another. I have begun calling them The Super Team.

Please cover Janice and Emily in prayer as they prepare for this new assignment from God.

Dakota House camping trip 2008

2008-08-05T11:35:00.000-07:00

Our Dakota House camping trip was amazing.

We were challenged, inspired, and moved
by what God did in the hearts of our kids.

Children were free to play, hike, swim,
jump off a rock into the creek,
and sing to God around the campfire.
God made an opportunity for them to see themselves
though His and not through
the lies the world tells them.

Our wonderful staff served the kids in love.
Many thanks to:

Brad Barker
George Freeman
Cindy Freeman
Carol Yohannes
Charlida Kemble
Norton Kemble
Emily Musson
Nate Musson

God continues to bless these kids we love so much.
Thank you for your support and prayer.

His,

Jamie Barker, Director

A change for Bobby and Irisa

2008-08-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

After three years of love and service, it is time for a change for our current Resident Staff: Bobby and Irisa McCool.

Bobby and Irisa have built a true family atmosphere with the kids and we are grateful to them. We are also happy that although they will be living in their own home now, they will still be involved with the ministry at Dakota House. They are truly loved by the kids and families of our neighborhood. God continues to bless us with their service to Him and to us.

Please keep Bobby and Irisa in your prayers, as well as the board and staff at Dakota House as we prepare for the new residents God is bringing to us.

His,

Jamie Barker, Director

Please partner with us

2008-07-30T07:53:00.000-07:00

George Freeman and his pals

God uses people from all over our community to touch the lives of our children.

Please pray about whether you might want to be involved in one of these ways:

regular giving ( go here for mailing address)
donate to Food Pantry see list of needs here
After School Club help (contact Jamie here)
praying for our ministry (get our mailing list here)

God calls us to love others to Him, bringing hope to the lost. Please join us in restoring peace to our community through the hearts of our children.

Summer Lunch Club

2008-07-01T07:42:00.000-07:00

Every week day in the summer Dakota House serves a free lunch to our neighborhood kids.

Thank you to the City Parks and Recreation Dept. They supply us with those lunches, providing us more opportunities to love our kids.

OUTPOST 2008

2008-06-22T14:07:00.000-07:00

God made a way for us to take girls AND boys to Outpost this year.

And it was awesome.

Thank you to Tony and the staff and supporters of Calvin Crest.

We love you Vanessa, Jason, Matt, Cookie,
Desiree, and Josh.
You brought Jesus to life for us.

Thank you to everyone who gave money to Dakota House so this could happen.

Mostly... thank you God for being there.
And amazing us.

{to see lots of great pictures of Outpost 2008 click on directorjamie's photos)

OUTPOST--Girls' Campfire Skit

2008-06-21T23:31:00.000-07:00

Summer News

2008-06-04T07:58:00.000-07:00

As After School Club is winding down in the next week we are preparing for the summer. Here are a few of the things happening at Dakota House this vacation:

•Summer Lunch Club
Neighborhood kids get a free lunch every weekday, with games, prayer, Bible lessons, and fun included

•Girls Only at Calvin Crest
One week of the joy of Outpost: sleeping outside, worship at campfire, hiking, and enjoying God and each other

•Camping trip
We take our Dakota House kids to the mountains, from Friday to Monday—far away from everything. It is glorious.

•Food Pantry
As always we will keep our food pantry open for the neighborhood.

•Outings and more
Grizzly games, movie days, church, sleepovers…we keep the kids busy, their eyes on God and His plans for their lives

Please remember us in your giving. We need money to continue providing for these kids, and to keep our facility maintained and operational.

Our city has hope in God, and in His people who are called by His name.

Trusting Him,

Jamie Barker, Director

Send a Dakota House Girl to Calvin Crest Camp

2008-04-22T15:53:00.000-07:00

Dakota House Girls Only 2008

We continue to love our girls, some of whom have been with us for several years now. We have new girls, too. It is still a small and intimate group: 13 girls, 3 leaders and 2 child care volunteers. Our group now includes mother and daughter Tiffany and Hannah, who are treasured answers to our prayer for help with the girls’ babies.

Thanks to the generosity of supporters, we have been taking the girls bowling at Fresno State on Sunday afternoons. None of the girls had ever set foot on a college campus before. They are wide-eyed at the thought that they could actually go to college. It is amazing to see them take it all in.

This summer we plan to take our girls to Outpost again. Outpost is a special place for us, located on the grounds of Calvin Crest. (see our girls on their website:

Calvin Crest has been good to us for many years. It is a valued relationship. They make it possible for us to bring girls there who would never be able to go to any camp at all.

We need to raise $175.00 for each girl to get to camp. The girls are working on raising as much money as they can: selling sodas at the park, making tamales and selling them, and approaching businesses to ask them to ‘adopt’ one girl and pay her way to camp.

I am making the same appeal to you. Please pray about making camp a possibility for a girl this summer. It is indescribable to see the transformation in a girl who leaves the neighborhood behind to discover the wonder of a week surrounded by nothing but believers and God’s beauty. It speaks to their hearts. It changes lives.

Please help us give these girls a wonderful gift. They know it comes from people who love Jesus, and therefore love them.

His,

Jamie Barker, Director

Please send checks marked OUTPOST to:

Dakota House

5132 N. Palm #62

Fresno CA 93704

Girls Only

2008-02-26T07:45:00.000-08:00

Please be in prayer with us for our young women in our mentoring group, Girls Only.

We are tackling the subject of love and sex. We are talking about it from God's perspective. God has great plans for these girls.

Please pray that the girls can hear God’s call to their hearts and it is louder than the voice from the streets.

2007-12-01T09:56:00.000-08:00

Filling Up the Food Pantry

Our food pantry is seriously depleted. With the colder weather coming, colds, influenza, and all other maladies begin to sweep through the neighborhood. Poor nutrition is no way to fight or immunize against sickness. Please help us stock our food pantry up so we may help supply and supplement our families' cupboards.

You may help in several ways:

1. Send us a check.

Armor of Light, Inc.
5132 N. Palm #62
Fresno CA 93704

2. Bring us a bunch of groceries (call for deliver time 559-230-1622)

3. Call us to come get the groceries (same number as above)

4. Scroll down on this page and see our Food Pantry Needs listed on the right

Feeding hungry people and meeting their true needs is one of the best ways to reach out in love. Please help us do this here in our neighborhood where God has called us to serve.

Fall Update

2007-10-10T14:17:00.000-07:00

Fall is here at last. After School Club, Boys Only, and Girls Only are going strong.

Our boys are learning what it really means to be a man. That God has a purpose for their lives.

The girls are learning that they are worth so much more than what the world tells them, and that He has plans and a purpose for them, too.

At After School Club, our Super September Costume Party was a big hit. (Thank you to the Greater Fresno Optimist Club for supplying hamburgers).

Please remember Dakota House in your giving. We are serving more children and families now, so our financial needs have increased.

God uses your prayers, support, and gifts to make a way. Please join us as we love these children and families into the kingdom.

His,

Jamie Marie Barker, Director

2007-08-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

Dakota House Camping Trip 2007

No matter how great pictures are they just can't tell it like it was.

Our Dakota House camping trip was wonderful. Kids played together--and with the amazing staff whom God provided; made their own musical instruments (called glockenspiels); swam, slid and jumped in the creek; sang their hearts out to God; ate delicious meals; hiked...and more. It was all we had hoped it would be for these kids we love.

Thank you to those who supported us: financially, by hauling up equipment and/or kids, by driving over to spend precious time off with us, by supplying flashlights and sleeping bags, and by praying. Out time there was clearly covered by God and the prayers of His faithful.

Our verse for the weekend came from 2Chronicles:

Give thanks to God,
His love never quits.

And we know this to be true.

Please continue to remember us in your giving. Summer months are hard financially. We rely on God and His people to supply us, and we thank Him for being ever-faithful to us.

His,

Jamie

2007-07-02T09:49:00.000-07:00

Outpost at Calvin Crest

Outpost was amazing. We took our Girls Only group up the hill from Calvin Crest to Outpost, where God has always been good to us. He did not disappoint us this year.

The girls had many new experiences, time to just be girls with one another and with the great staff that God provided, and found reasons to hope for their future in the words that were spoken to them and the prayers that covered us.

Thank you Tony Biasell, Scott Henderson, Kirsten and Joel Gist, Katie, Emily, and Andrea, all the Calvin Crest staff, and mostly...thank you Jesus for being there with us. Our hope is in You.

2007-06-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you to our wonderful staff and volunteers who have given their time, talent, and hearts to our Dakota House kids. We are grateful to the Pink House at F.I.F.U.L. for sending us Heather, Morgan, and Ben. And we are also thankful Emily will be at Calvin Crest's Outpost with the girls she has grown to love from Girls Only. Please pray for these young people as God leads them in ministry, life, and relationship with Him.

2007-06-08T11:41:00.001-07:00

Girls Only Sleepover
May 26th, 2007

Thank you to all of you who contributed to the Girls Only Sleepover. Emily and Irisa gave them a great night... Pirates 3 movie, scavenger hunt, snacks, slumber party...

What a gift to have a night where girls can enjoy one another, and be safe just being girls together ...

We love our girls.

2007-06-07T12:17:00.000-07:00

Dakota House BBQ
May 6th, 2007

2007-04-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

One-by-One Work Day
April 21, 2007

What a great day we had with One-by-One, participants from UC Merced's InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and some of our own faithful Dakota House supporters.

Much work was accomplished, neighborhood kids were involved and engaged,
and we got a new fence for the garden!!

Thank you to all who contributed.

2007-02-08T12:30:00.000-08:00

Funds Needed for Ministry to Young Men and Women

Boys Only and Girls Only,
our mentoring groups for young people, are going strong.
We have kids showing up every week to be loved,
to learn how God wants to work in their lives,
and to have a safe place to grow and be real.

We try to do field trips and sleepovers,
and weekly gatherings where we need food and supplies...
so we need money designated specifically for these two ministries.

Please pray if you are being called to send a check marked
Girls Only or Boys Only
to the address below.
We will use it to love a young man or woman into
the family of God.

Armor of Light, Inc.
5132 N. Palm #62
Fresno CA 93704

2007-01-11T10:52:00.000-08:00

Into the New Year

After School Club is going strong again, and the kids are piling in to stay warm, play games, learn memory verses, hear Bible stories, get fed... but mostly: to be loved.

Your generous contributions over Christmas have blessed us greatly. New games, toys, and memory verse prizes showed up and are definitely appreciated.

Our Boys Only sleepover was a great success, with a good amount of boys and leaders to share in much-needed healthy male play and connection. I am grateful to God for providing men for our boys.

Our food pantry is full and we are supplying our neighbors with groceries as well as an extended hand to receive His love and provision.

We have a beautiful new hand-crafted table, our fence is fixed, shelves are built, and our yard is in great shape... all thanks to time and talent donated by Jesus-loving people who have given of themselves for His kingdom.

As we enter this new year I am on my knees in gratitude to God. He has held us well. And He has used you, His body of believers, to uphold, encourage and provide.

Thank you. I pray you hear His whispers to your heart.

His,

Jamie

2006-12-01T12:19:00.001-08:00

May God Bless Your Christmas

Thank you for your support, gifts, financial giving, time,

and your prayers.

The children of Dakota House and their families have drawn closer to God,

in part, because of your faithfulness.

We hope your Christmas and New Year are filled with His love.

With joy and gratitude,

The children, families, staff, board of directors, and volunteers of

Dakota House

Pictures below are from this year's Christmas celebration

2006-12-01T12:19:00.000-08:00

Christmas at Dakota House

We need your help to bring Christmas to the families of our neighborhood.

Here are some options that would help bring a little joy into their lives:

Shoebox Project

Fill a shoebox with toys and treats and bring it to Dakota House by December 9th.

We will make sure every one of our Dakota House kids receives a box prepared with love.

Ages of kids:

Girls 6-8

Boys 8-12

Suggestions for Box Contents:

beanies/gloves

matchbox cars

mini electonic games

coloring books/crayons

DVDs

DVD games

plastic bling

candy

Dora the Explorer

Strawberry Shortcake

My Little Pony

Play Equipment for After School Club

We desperately need:

basketballs

soccer balls

footballs

tennis balls

badminton birdies

frisbees

rubber balls

Financial Support

We always need funds to keep us going.

Checks can be sent to:

Armor of Light, Inc.

5132 N. Palm # 62

Fresno CA 93704

We thank you and pray for the presence of God in your home

during this season and always.