SAFEHose 15th Annual Winter Benefit Concert
Sunday, February 26, 2012 @ 4:00pm

First United Methodist Church
210 West Church St.

Special Music GuestChancel Ringers of First United Methodist Church
Community Choir of Champaign, Urbana
University of Illinois Black Chorus

2011 SAFEHose Jazz and Gospel Fest

Sunday, August 28, 2011
Hessel Park 3:00 – 7:00 PM

The 14^th Annual SAFE House Winter Concert will be held Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 201 West Church,  Champaign, IL.

Founded in 1994, SAFE House is a 12 month residential ministry operated by Canaan Development Foundation.  It receives no public funding, and has depended upon the generosity of the Faith Based Community as well as other friends of SAFE House for its sole financial support.

This concert is one of two annual events to help raise funding for this transformational addictions ministry.

This year, the First United Methodist Chancel Ringers and First Methodist pipe organist Ray Wiggs will be featured along with the Community Mass Choir led by Willie T. Summerville, choral director at Canaan Baptist Church.  Members of the choir will come from several area churches. They will perform several anthems with Ray Wiggs accompanying.

Immediately after the concert at 5:30 p.m., the First United Methodist Youth Group will serve a spaghetti supper at the church.  Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children under 12.  Proceeds will go to their Appalachian Service Project and the Men’s SAFE House.

For anyone interested in singing in the choir and obtaining rehearsal information, please contact Mike Weber 356-5575 or Willie Summerville at 369-7404.

Rev. Vincent Burnell Carter Sr.

Rev. Vincent Burnell Carter Sr., former director of the Canaan  Men’s Safe House, passed away on  Monday January 17, 2011.  Rev. Carter was born in Chicago, Illinois to Austin & Claudia Clark. He accepted Christ at the tender age of 12.  Rev. Carter was the proud father of two daughters; Vernee’ and Valonda and one son; Vincent Carter Jr.  He attended the Hirsh public high school of Chicago.  He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in May 1975 in Music Education in the College of Cultural Studies from  Governor’s State University Park Forest South Illinois. His concentration was in instrumental performance and secondary education.

His Professional Experiences include Director of the Men’s Safe House Substance Abuse program; Project Associate Illinois Literacy Development Center; Lead Advisor Parkland College Adult Education Champaign Illinois; Lead Instructor/Advancing Opportunity Project Specialist: Workforce Preparation Center Champaign Illinois; Instructor Adult Education Parkland College Champaign I1linois; Counselor Youth Guidance Chicago Illinois; Director of Community Services Malcolm X College Chicago Illinois;  Instructor, Malcolm X College Music Dept., Chicago Illinois; Coordinator of Community Cultural Program, Malcolm X College Adult Education Chicago Illinois; Coordinator of Training Specialists, Department of Human Services Chicago Illinois.

Rev. Carter was licensed to preach the Gospel in January 2001, Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, Urbana, Illinois. He was publicly set apart and ordained to the work of the Gospel Ministry on September 21, 2003, also at the  Canaan Missionary Baptist Church.

Rev. Carter served as Board President Talks Mentoring Program Champaign Illinois 1999 – to present.  He was a Board member of the Safe House Substance Abuse Program from 1999 – to Present.

He Developed and facilitated  the  Substance Abuse Aftercare Program for Safe House in Urbana, Illinois.

He Trained in The Pacific Institute’s “Stepping Into Excellence and Moving Toward a Common Destiny” curriculum from 1997-1998

He served as Assistant Conductor of America’s Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame Orchestra from  1980-1984.

Before his move to the Men’s Safe House,  he served as the Director of the Award Winning Malcolm X College Jazz Band. They received Awards such as  the  Outstanding Band of Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival 1974; Elmhurst Collegiate Jazz Festival 1974-1978 and the Governor’s State University Jazz Festival 1974-1979.

Earlier in his career, he performed and recorded with many well known artists such as: Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Curtis Mayfield, Jerry Butler, The Original Dells, Lou Rawls, Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, Carol Channing, Leslie Uggams, Quincy Jones, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra. He also performed and recorded on numerous television and radio commercials.

He  leaves to mourn  a precious mother, Claudia; two cherished daughters, Vernee´ and Valonda; a treasured son, Vincent Jr. and a host of other relatives and friends.

Memorials for Rev. Carter  may be sent to the Canaan Men’s Safe House Ministry, 402 W. Main Street, Urbana, Illinois, 61801.

The December 2010 newsletter can be downloaded here

Thank you every one for helping make this year’s gospel fest a huge success!

Below are several letters written by the SAFEHouse brothers.

SAFEHouse Thank You Letter 1
SAFEHouse Thank You Letter 2
SAFEHouse Thank You Letter 3
SAFEHouse Thank You Letter 4
SAFEHouse Thank You Letter 5
SAFEHouse Thank You Letter 6