Mount Olive is actively engaged in a wide variety of service ministries in the Rochester area as we seek to care for the poor and vulnerable.
Bolder Options
Bolder Options is an innovative organization focused on healthy youth development. The comprehensive mentoring program, wellness activities and leadership opportunities coordinate family, community, school and county resources in a united effort to support youth who are at-risk for dropping out of school or becoming involved in delinquent or unhealthy behaviors. Bolder Options engages youth and mentors in goal setting, physical activity, tutoring and community involvement to build confidence, maximize potential, and encourage healthy life skills.
The Rochester office for Bolder Options is located at Mount Olive. Contact Bolder Options at 507.993.0554.
Channel One Food Bank
Channel One is the local food shelf for Olmsted County. Mount Olive collects special offerings for Channel One during Lent as well as on Thanksgiving Eve. We also arrange for group volunteer opportunities at the warehouse.
Dorothy Day House
Dorothy Day (1897-1980) began serving the homeless in the 1930’s in response to the devastating culture of homelessness and poverty. To this day, Dorothy Day houses offer shelter and food for homeless people.
Mount Olive volunteers serve on the first Friday of each month from 5pm – 7pm to cook, serve the meal, pray and eat with those staying at the Dorothy Day House in Rochester.
Family Promise Rochester
Family Promise Rochester (formerly “Interfaith Hospitality of Greater Rochester, MN”, is a network of volunteers from 40 faith communities who offer food and shelter to families who find themselves homeless.
Family Promise Rochester offers these families the basic necessities of life food, shelter and security while they are going through their personal crisis. We give them a chance to regroup, rejuvenate and then get back on their feet with dignity.
Neighborhood Schools
We strive to support the local schools in our neighborhood. Throughout the year we provided needed items to Elton Hills Elementary and Gage Elementary. We are always accepting donations of healthy snacks for these schools, and we have a winter clothing drive in November.
Next Chapter Ministries
Next Chapter Ministries is a network for changing lives. Their mission is to build lasting relationships with those in the Olmsted County community who have been impacted by crime, restoring them to God, family, and community with the Gospel of God. Their program includes mentoring adults one-on-one, encouraging participants to be involved in church and community events, conducting regular Bible study and support groups, supporting individuals as they work towards attaining goals, as well as providing housing that offers a family environment and opportunities for personal growth. In addition, they build and maintain a network of support for participants and advocate for and practice restorative justice.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army of Rochester‘s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination. Some of the ways they do this are through offering a free meal program, providing affordable housing to at-risk families, the Good Samaritan Dental and Health Clinics, and running the Caring Partners licensed adult day program.
We have an ongoing collection of travel size hygiene items that are taken to the day center throughout the year and groups of Mount Olive members ring bells each Christmas season for the Red Kettle Campaign. Volunteers spread Christmas cheer while helping to raise money that will make a difference in the lives of people in crisis.
Sign up in the gathering area to ring bells, usually at Hy-Vee North, with other Mount Olive members, or sign up to ring bells on your own at www.registertoring.com.