Outreach
It is our pleasure to welcome you to University Community Ministries (UCM) Website.
OUR STORY The agency was established in 1995 by a devoted core of volunteers with a passion for helping others. The agency has gone from a small street ministry to a full service agency offering successful outreach to the youth, the homeless, and the elderly in need of support including, food and clothing distribution, community referrals and counseling. UCM is dedicated to Restoring hope . . . one life at a time.
OUR MISSION To address and meet the spiritual, social, and economic needs of the north Tampa community. We will communicate the message of God’s love of all people regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin or economic status.
We plan to accomplish our mission by providing opportunities that promote dignity, independence, and self-fulfillment in the lives of the homeless, the elderly, the frail, the disadvantaged, the under-served youth and persons with disabilities.
OUR VISION That all individuals who suffer spiritually, physically, mentally, financially or from some other burden in their lives, may find restored hope, a resiliency to cope successfully with a changing environment, and the strength to live independently and come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Currently, UCM is working with three outreach programs: Parents and Children Advance Together-Literacy Intervention and Family Enrichment (PCAT-LIFE), Forerunners: West of 60 and Operation Jumpstart.
PCAT-LIFE
Literacy Intervention & Family Enrichment (PCAT LIFE)
Currently In-Active and On Hold
Parents and Children Advance Together-Literacy Intervention and Family Enrichment's (PCAT-LIFE) mission is to continue to offer an after-school literacy reading intervention Program in socially and economically depressed and underserved areas of Hillsborough County. The Program continues to service first grade children who have been identified by school officials as reading below a desired reading level and displays low academic achievement. Students are tutored one-to-one twice per week. Parents are encouraged to participate and given life skills training and opportunities for education advancement.
PCAT-LIFE’s mission is to continue to offer an after-school literacy intervention program in the socially and economically depressed and underserved areas of Hillsborough County. The PCAT-LIFE Program will continue serving first grade children who have been identified by school officials as reading below a desired reading level and displays low academic achievement. Students are tutored one-to-one twice per week to improve reading skills and gain the confidence they need to excel and achieve. Parents are encouraged to participate and are given life skills training and opportunities for education advancement.
FORERUNNERS
West of 60
While loneliness is a key element in the lives of the 21st century seniors, many of them are different than older adults were ten years ago. They have become risk takers, less dependent on others, and eager to volunteer their time to a worthy cause. However, Friendship Bridge is available to offer a time of interaction with their peers, educational seminars on health, financial, safety and other issues senior adults face on a daily basis. It is our goal to reach out to the senior adult community by offering a delicious meal at a reasonable price, fun activities and a time of connecting with other seniors and, of course, this will also assist in combating the issue of loneliness and even the feeling of rejection.
Forerunners: West of 60 is a community outreach program that offers emotional, physical and spiritual support to senior adults. It is an opportunity to connect with their peers and to build relationships. Many seniors live alone and without the benefit of peer interaction or social activities, older adults often experience isolation, boredom, and depression. Friendship Bridge is a welcome change through a variety of social activities and supportive services, including nutritious hot meals.
OPERATION
JUMPSTART
UCM continues to help the homeless population in Northeast Tampa by reaching out to them with compassion and the love of Christ. We continue to provide food, clothing, GED classes and other opportunities that promote dignity, independence, and self-fulfillment in the lives of the homeless, the elderly, the frail, the disadvantaged, inner-city kids and persons with disabilities. One of our goals is to provide transitional housing for homeless men and women.
Operation Jumpstart was established to reach out to the homeless in the University Community area. Operation Jumpstart provides services to the homeless two days per week. The services are interactive and include devotion, prayer, ministerial counseling, showers and a hot meal. The focus of the program is to re-establish the self-sufficiency and dignity of the homeless person so that they may re-enter and be a productive part of society.
