May 2014 News

Thank You for an Inspiring Fundraising Banquet

 Over the past two months we have done an incredible amount of reflecting on our 2014 fundraising banquet. It was a very special evening, one in which a generous and grateful spirit was deeply felt. We thank everyone who attended that night to support our mission and ministry and everyone who helped to make the evening so meaningful. We especially thank Someone To Tell It To’s board of directors, singer Krista Jakubik and our speaker Tony Campolo. We can never thank everyone enough for the affirmation you shared, the financial commitments you’ve offered and the encouraging presence you showed. Our gratitude is endless.

Since that night so many people have reached out to us to offer their expertise and services. Gifts such as strategic and financial planning assistance, publicity, grant writing and a wealth of great connections give us much hope for the ongoing sustainability of Someone To Tell It To.

Please click the link below to hear a portion of Dr. Campolo’s talk, one filled with humor, compassion and grace

 Third Annual Banquet Speaker is Announced

 We are very excited to announce that the speaker for our third annual banquet – on March 6, 2015 – will be Wm. Paul Young, author of the best-selling book, The Shack.

The Shack is a Christian novel published in 2007. The novel was self-published but became a USA Todaybestseller, having sold 1 million books as of June 8, 2008. It was the number one trade fiction seller on the New York Times bestseller list from June 2008 through early 2010. In 2009 it was awarded the “Diamond “ award for sales of over 10 million copies by the Evangelical Christian Publishers’ Association.

The title of the book is a metaphor for “the house you build out of your own pain”, according to Young. The Shack is also “a metaphor for the places you get stuck, you get hurt, your get damaged … the place where shame or hurt is centered”. Wm. Paul Young is also the author of Crossroads.

We are thrilled to have Wm. Paul Young come to speak for Someone To Tell It To’s mission in 2015!

Information about the venue, tickets and pre-registration will follow later this summer.

 Someone To Tell It To: Sharing Life’s Journey

 Our book (the first of many) has just finished going through its final editing and is now entering production with Thomas Nelson/Westbow Press. We don’t have a publication date yet, but should hear very soon. We anticipate the book to hit bookstores this summer.

Someone To Tell It To: Sharing Life’s Journey is a compilation of 50 stories, some very personal about our lives and why Someone To Tell It To was created. Others share the stories of some of the people with whom we’ve connected throughout our ministries, individually and together. Here is what our editor wrote about the book:

It touched me in so many ways, and I think there is truly something in here for everyone. The stories are remarkable, and all the contributors, including the two of you, are incredibly brave to be vulnerable and open with anyone who reads this book. You are all doing a great service. I really liked and admired that you didn’t shy away from the difficult subjects—even those that can often cause debate, especially in the religious community, like suicide and sexuality. I will carry this book with me for a long time.

Please Give

 Thank you for helping us toward the purpose of reaching our first quarter financial goals. We value greatly the contributions and support of everyone who donates to our ministry. If you would consider being a partner with us in meeting our needs this summer, we would love to have your help. Our hope is to increase the number of people who make monthly commitments that can sustain our work with those who need a safe place to share.

You can either donate online  or send your commitments to our new mailing address: 7810 Allentown Blvd, Harrisburg, PA. 17112

 How Someone To Tell It To is Making an Impact on Others’ Lives

 The counsel and support for my faith journey, as well as the continued healing from old traumas, that I have received from Someone To Tell It To has been phenomenal

Just prior to our first individual meeting, I forwarded them my history and testimony so they could have some understanding of where I was coming from before discussing where I might be headed.

 We started with my past. As a victim of several rapes between the ages of 10 and 22, I had struggled with everything from depression to reckless behavior to anger at God. Eventually at the age of 28, I came to accept God and Christ into my life. My life has changed remarkably since then, but there are old patterns and messages that are still a struggle for me. Now years later, as I am looking towards answering God’s call for me, I am trying to reach a certain level of peace with my past.   Someone To tell It To has been instrumental in all of this

For months now, I have been privileged to listen to their words of compassion, support, wisdom, and humor while handling difficult topics, as forgiveness to my attackers.  There is comfort in having someone to talk to in a non-judgmental, open and safe way. I could call, email, Facebook, or sit down with them over coffee. What they offer through their ministry is unlike anything I have ever known and is so needed by many. I know that many who have suffered through abuses similar to my past would benefit by sharing with Someone To Tell It To. I whole heartedly recommend them.