1. Summerhill
Community Ministries SERVING INNER-CITY YOUTH & FAMILIES IN
Newsletter ~ December 2009 THE DOWNTOWN ATLANTA AREA
Healthy Cooking at Summerhill
When Robbie Burlas asked me if I Robbie introduced me to several
thought a cooking program would other key people from Operation
be beneficial for the kids, I had no Frontline and we began to make
idea how much this cooking class preparations to bring this 6 week
would impact our kids. Robbie is program to Summerhill.
the president of The Georgia
Our kids were so excited to meet
Coalition for Physical Activity and
Chef Lynn and Chef DaDa. They
Nutrition (GPAN) which is
grew very fond of the nutritionist,
associated with Operation
Marcia Rafig, who taught them
Frontline, an organization which
healthy eating and safe food
teaches kids and families to cook
practices. It was amazing to see the
healthy meals at a low cost.
(Continued on page 2)
Merry Christmas from Summerhill

2. December 2009 ~ Page 2 Summerhill Community Ministries, Inc.
Over the years, the cancer has at
times been so painful that grandma
could not cook anything herself for
the two of them. There was often no
food to cook, so we would buy
groceries for them. It is very
normal for Jordan to warm cans of
soup and fix frozen meals for
grandma and him. This cooking
class soon became one of the
(Continued from page 1) highlights for Jordan in the after
school program. He couldn’t wait to
kids eager to cut up carrots, bell assist Chef Lynn with the prep
peppers, onions and fresh garlic as work, so he would get straight to
they prepared these delicious, his homework when he arrived at
healthy and tasty meals. They the center.
learned how to safely handle and
A wonderful thing about this
cut with knives. They were
cooking and nutrition program is
introduced to new tastes in
that the older kids get a bag of
seasonings, vegetables and fruits.
groceries at the end of the class so
They used electric skillets and hot
that they can prepare the same
plates to prepare these meals. The
meal for their families at home. Karen Kierath of GPAN for bringing
kids prepared turkey vegetable
Jordan was able to cook these this wonderful, informative cooking
chili, stovetop macaroni and
healthy meals at home. Grandma program to the kids of Summerhill!
cheese with broccoli, banana
told me that they cooked some of
pancakes, yogurt parfaits,
vegetable pizza, fruit kebabs, and
them together and how tasty they Justina Dix
were! Executive Director
much more!
Operation Frontline brought more
“… the older kids get a bag of than I expected to Summerhill and
we are thankful to Dr. Calloway and
groceries at the end of the class, so
that they can prepare the same meal
for their families at home.”
One special moment for me
involved Jordan, an 11 year old boy
who has been with us since age 5. I
looked into the kitchen during one
class and watched Jordan sautéing
vegetables for a stir fry recipe. He
was very intense as he carefully
tossed the veggies around in the
pan, making sure all were covered
with the olive oil. I knew that this
was a child who would go home
and cook this meal for his
grandmother, who is suffering from
cancer.
P. O. Box 160294 • Atlanta, Georgia 30316 • 404-964-4604 • justinascm@juno.com • http:www.summerhillcm.com

3. December 2009 ~ Page 3
Dear Summerhill Friend,
When Jay first came to Summerhill at age 9, he was one of 4 siblings in a single-parent home,
uncoordinated and awkward. He took advantage of Summerhill's encouragement to work
hard in school, and he mastered the skills taught through Summerhill basketball teams,
learning a lot about character along the way. He has been a part of our job training program
for the last 4 years. Jay worked hard and overcame many temptations that ensnared his
friends. He graduated with honors from high school and received a basketball scholarship to
college. Jay is now a sophomore math major at Allen University in Columbia, SC and won A.I.I.
Male Freshman Player of the Year honors in NAIA Men’s Division 1 basketball last year.
I tell you Jay's story because it is due to your generosity to Summerhill Community Ministries that we
are able to help him and countless others like him. Our mission is to reach Atlanta's inner city youth
and families for Christ and we seek to accomplish our mission by providing opportunities for personal,
academic, spiritual, family and community improvement. Like Jay, the young boys and girls from the
inner-city of Atlanta, GA are daring to dream about going to college and getting a good job.
I so wish I could tell you that every story has a happy ending like Jay's, but for every child we are able
to reach there are many more that we can't. This is why your generous gifts are so important.
As we celebrate the greatest Gift ever given, would you consider doing three important things to
sustain this ministry?
 We desperately need your continual prayer support.
 Consider a special year-end gift. Your gift will help to fund our after-school
program, summer camp and job training program, and by contributing, you
are helping to address needs and improve lives throughout our entire
community.
 Present Summerhill Community Ministries to your church. We have many
volunteer needs for the after school program and summer camp. We would
love to welcome you for a day or a summer to get to know the people in our
community.
Thank you for prayerfully supporting the important work we do here. May God richly bless you this
holiday season and in the coming year.
Sincerely,
Justina Dix
Executive Director
Summerhill Community Ministries
P.O. Box 160294
Atlanta, Georgia 30316
www.summerhillcm.com
P. O. Box 160294 • Atlanta, Georgia 30316 • 404-964-4604 • justinascm@juno.com • http:www.summerhillcm.com