From floods rose Healing Nations

By Sue Nowicki
snowicki@modbee.com

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Healing Nations, a nonprofit Christian organization that works with children and teens on the west side of Modesto, traces its roots back to the bad floods of 1997.

"We set up a committee in our church, Ceres Christian Church, during the year of floods," said Shirley Salter. "I was assigned to two families, both Cambodian with eight children each. I realized their needs went beyond the flood. My husband and I decided to start a nonprofit."

Healing Nations was created in 2000. The organization runs Bible clubs, including a full dinner, for ages 6 through college at Central Baptist Church on Wednesday nights. A girls club for junior high students through 18- or 19-year-olds meets at First Baptist Church in Modesto for a Bible study, career information and field trips.

There's also a music program that offers band instruments, when available, for students in sixth grade through high school; art and swimming lessons, when funds and teachers are available; summer camperships; and an annual Christmas program with student- produced drama, songs and a small orchestra.

"That's been really fun and good for them," Salter said.

Each child in the Healing Nations program gets new shoes, clothing and a book, with a turkey or ham for the families at Christmas.

About 200 children were helped by the agency last year, some by services as simple as rides to a dentist or optometrist.

"A lot of them have Medi-Cal, but they don't get these services for various reasons," Salter said.

An open ear

The heart of the ministry, she said, is an open ear. "We try to listen to them instead of coming in and telling them, 'Oh, you need to learn to speak English,' and starting an (English-as-a-second- language) program. That's good, but we have to listen.

"I was teaching ESL (with another organization) and had one of my ESL gals who hung onto me and said, 'Please help me with my son. He's a gang member and we have to go to court.' I thought, what can I do? I don't know anything about gangs. But I discovered that even if I just go and sit in court and have a heart to listen and care about the pain they go through, it speaks volumes and builds a relationship where they know you genuinely care for them."

The all-volunteer agency is bringing Nicole C. Mullen to town to help raise funds, hoping to add $7,000 to its $50,000 annual budget.

"Our kids love her," Salter said. "Her songs appeal to them. She reaches such a wide range of people, young and old, all kinds of economic backgrounds."

A portion of each ticket will benefit the agency.

"We owe some money on our 15-passenger van that we'd like to pay off before the end of the year," Salter said. "Our main goal is a building, even a small building (on the west side), where kids can hang out — have a place to tutor some kids, mentor some kids in a private space about their deepest needs and the things they're going through."

The organization also gets support from First Baptist of Modesto, Wellspring Anglican Church, Ceres Christian Church, Big Valley Grace Community Church and Crossroads Community Church in Manteca.

There are, of course, other needs. Salter said she'd love to have art, drama, music and swimming teachers — especially Christians — donate lessons. Sponsors also are needed for the Christmas gifts.

More than anything, Salter said she hopes the Mullen concert helps people "become aware of our ministry. Maybe some would like to volunteer or give. Mainly, it will be a fun night with some exposure."

For more information, visit www.healingnationsmodesto.org.