MARCS Friends Incorporated

What a beautiful evening filled with encouragement, connection, and women taking a moment to remember that they matter too. 🤍

The Bridge Church is grateful that our very own Lady Christine Durrell was considered and given the opportunity to share with MARCS Friends.

We are especially thankful for every opportunity to spread the Gospel and remind mothers that they matter too!

Thank you, Jemika, for thinking of Lady Christine and allowing her to be a part of such a meaningful evening. We are truly grateful. ✨

Today was the first of many upcoming Pampered Parent Nights, created exclusively for parents of current and former M.A.R.C.S. Friends participants.

The goal is to create an intimate, safe space where parents can open up, peel back layers, connect with one another, and receive resources and support for their children and families.

Lady Christine spoke directly to our hearts and blessed us with encouragement to carry with us beyond tonight. Her words were exactly what some of us needed to hear.

A special thank you to Michelle McKeon of Newburgh RECAP for giving us the opportunity to bring this vision to life, and to JS Santana Sims, Carol Cuevas Howard, Mrs Ware, Mrs Cindy, Kyro and her husband, and Tequila. Everyone played a part in making today special, from the food and decor to all the little details that came together so beautifully.

Our parents enjoyed facials, henna, sound therapy, a delicious meal, gift bags filled with goodies, and raffles featuring beautiful baskets created by Kia McHolder, including a whole-home welcome starter kit.

It was truly a beautiful evening. I’m grateful for everyone who poured into this event without expecting anything in return except the opportunity to support others.

We pray that God continues to send people who believe in our mission, our families, and the work we’re doing.

And most importantly, thank you to our families. First and foremost, without you and your children choosing to participate, there would be no M.A.R.C.S. Friends. Everything we do starts with you.

When I thought about who could truly speak life into our women, encourage them, and set an example rooted in ministry, I couldn’t think of anyone better than Lady Christine. Normally, right off the rip, I would’ve called RD McLymore, but I knew this moment called for a woman who could speak from a different perspective and pour directly into our mothers.

Thank you, Lady Christine, for coming out and blessing our women. You spoke to me personally and touched me deeply.

What makes it even more meaningful is that you showed up for M.A.R.C.S. Friends while grieving the loss of your grandmother and still balancing motherhood, family, ministry, and everything else life asks of you. We truly appreciate you and are praying for strength and comfort for you and your family.

Sometimes, in the midst of loss, we have to keep carrying on because that’s what the ones we love would want us to do. Thank you for simply saying, “Yes, I’ll come.” It meant more than you know.

What a beautiful evening filled with encouragement, connection, and women taking a moment to remember that they matter too. 🤍

The Bridge Church is grateful that our very own Lady Christine Durrell was considered and given the opportunity to share with MARCS Friends.

We are especially thankful for every opportunity to spread the Gospel and remind mothers that they matter too!

Thank you, Jemika, for thinking of Lady Christine and allowing her to be a part of such a meaningful evening. We are truly grateful. ✨

Today, our youth participating in the Jumpstart Initiative enjoyed a beautiful dinner from Machu Picchu.

The meal included Peruvian well-seasoned rotisserie chicken, chicken fried rice, papas, also known as fries, and a fresh salad.

Jumpstart runs through September 30, giving our youth the opportunity to enjoy warm meals while participating in activities designed to support their confidence, development, and success throughout the school year.

This initiative was brought to fruition through funding from Newburgh RECAP, allowing us to provide more than just a meal. We are creating a space where our young people can eat, learn, connect, and prepare themselves for a successful school year.

At M.A.R.C.S. Friends Inc., we believe in meeting people where they are and giving our youth the support they need to move forward.

One meal. One activity. One connection at a time.
Macchu Picchu In Newburgh

I told y’all I was going to start bringing some good grant opportunities back, and I meant it!

Head over to my Jemika’s Nonprofit Tea page. I just dropped a $500 grant opportunity that is simple to apply for and can help your nonprofit get promotional materials.

If you’re a certified 501(c)(3), go check it out. I’m going to keep bringing these opportunities to the page, so make sure you’re following and sharing it with another nonprofit that needs to see it.

Go get the money and resources for your organization!
Jemika Hall

A Gentle Reminder from M.A.R.C.S. Friends

We love our visitors and appreciate your support. However, unexpected pop-ins have become increasingly distracting to our ongoing programs, trainings, and meetings.

An open door does not always mean enter.

Please make sure you have an appointment, are attending scheduled programming, or have RSVP’d and been confirmed for an event before stopping by.

Thank you for understanding and helping us keep our space focused.
~With Love and kindness,
Jemika Hall

PAMPERED PARENT NIGHT | SERVICE PROVIDER NEEDED

I’m still looking for one more service provider to join us for Pampered Parent Night this coming Sunday, September 27.

All parents enrolled in our program have already been notified, and we’ll be sharing a link this week for a limited number of community members to attend as well.

If you’re a service provider interested in participating, please DM me or email [email protected] as soon as possible.

We’d love to have one more provider help us make this evening special for our parents.
Jemika Hall

What a beautiful way to close out the weekend! 💙💛❤️

SOS Saturdays: Back 2 School Fest Part 2 — Heights Edition was exactly what we hoped it would be: good vibes, chill, laid-back, and full of love for the youth and families in our community. 🙌🏾🎒📚

A huge thank you to Marc’s Friends, the Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh, Coach Boogs, and Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. for coming together to make sure the Heights got some love too!

Special thank you to Coach Boogs for standing in solidarity with us and helping make sure we could bring some love and resources to the Heights. And shout out to Coach Boogs’ daughter, Stay, for being a part of it as well! We truly appreciate you both! 💙

A special shout-out to my daughter Chrisma for helping with the sign-ins and keeping things moving. ❤️

Shout out to Dareshanie and the team, Jorge and his team, Peeper and his family and everybody else who stepped in, helped out, and played a role in making the day happen. It truly takes a village! 🙌🏾

And a special shout-out to T-Rexx for stopping through, showing love, and including us in his documentary! Thank you for taking the time to sit down with us and interview Marc’s Friends, Inc. We truly appreciate the opportunity to share what we do, why we do it, and the work we continue to put into our community. We’re grateful for the love and support! A true day 1 supporter ❤️🎥

Together, we were able to serve a little over 50 backpacks to youth in the community! 🎒✏️📓

Thank you to everyone who supported, donated, helped, showed up, and most importantly, allowed us the opportunity to bless the youth and help give them a good head start going into this school year.

We always try our best to make sure resources are spread fairly and evenly throughout the community. If anyone was missed, please know that it was never intentional. With limited supplies and so many families in need, we simply do our best to reach as many people as possible and make sure the love is shared.

Thank you to everyone who received with grace and allowed us to be a blessing. ❤️

Over 50 backpacks. Pizza. Snacks. Drinks. Love. Community. Good energy. That’s what the day was all about!

The Heights showed up, and it was definitely a nice day! Good vibes, a chill atmosphere, and a laid-back day spent making sure our youth felt supported and prepared for the school year ahead.

Next year, we’re looking forward to coming back bigger and better, reaching even more youth and continuing to spread the resources and love throughout our community.

Thank you to everybody who helped make this happen! Until next year! 💙💛❤️🎒📚

Saturdays