Outreach Programs

Stoughton Area Food Pantry

Donations are made to the Stoughton Area Food Pantry each month.  A list of items needed is provided by the Food Pantry, and members are encouraged to purchase these items and place them in the designated boxes. The membership of Good Shepherd by the Lake has generously supported the Stoughton Area Food Pantry for a number of years.

Stoughton Area Resource Team (START)

Good Shepherd by the Lake provides financial support to START and Pastor Todd served on the Board of Directors for eight years. START provides a safety net for families in crisis. It helps community members in crisis by maximizing available resources to prevent homelessness and overcome the impacts of poverty. START links Stoughton Area School District residents under the age of 55 with community resources and provides support in housing and utilities, access to childcare, education, employment, food, mental and physical healthcare, transportation, and all other areas of basic needs.

Care Net Pregnancy Center

With a strong belief in the sanctity of human life, Good Shepherd is a generous supporter of Care Net and its vital ministries through participation in its annual baby bottle campaign and other financial support.

Since its inception in 1985, Care Net has served thousands of women in unplanned pregnancies, often including their families and male partners. Care Net is a medical clinic and provides all of its services free of charge. Because women deserve a safe place to turn, one with no vested interest in the critical decision she make regarding her pregnancy or sexual health, Care Net offers professional pregnancy related medical services free of charge and confidentially.

Care Net’s residential program, The Elizabeth House, supports pregnant single mothers ages 18-26. For nine to twelve months, Care Net provides a safe and secure environment for mothers to become emotionally healthy and self-sufficient members of the community, while building life skills that will enable each young mom to secure employment, housing, manage money and foster sound decision making while learning effective parenting skills. 
 

Madison Area Lutheran Council - Jail Ministry

The Madison Area Lutheran Council (MALC) provides spiritual care to men and women that are incarcerated in the Dane County Jail. It provides opportunities for various types of worship, prayer, self-reflection, discussion groups, and Bible study within the jail setting.

It also serves as a resource to jail staff and also provides spiritual care to the staff. The Jail Ministry also offers information and services to assist incarcerated people with a successful return to their communities upon release from jail. Good Shepherd by the Lake supports the Center financially with our missional giving and with annual drives for winter coats and other items needed by inmates being released into the community.

Madison International Friendship Center

Living in a foreign country is hard! You have to adapt to a different language, culture, behaviors, and way of life. We welcome our international friends with open arms into our safe, encouraging community that we have built over many years. Our first principle is to love them as Christ first loved us. That means building relationships and living life together. We do this through English conversation classes and fun events and activities. We share in celebrating the fun moments together, but we also step in alongside them when life gets challenging. Good Shepherd by the Lake supports the Center financially with our missional giving.

Reach Dane

Reach Dane changes the lives of underserved children and families through education and supportive services. Reach Dane is the only agency in Dane County offering Early Head Start and Head Start, which provides a comprehensive system of support for families including physical and mental health, dental services, nutrition, and transportation. Good Shepherd by the Lake partners with Reach Dane in Stoughton with backpacks and school supplies in the fall, a giving tree at Christmas time, collecting winter clothing items, and by offering a place for staff and families to gather for fun and fellowship.

In addition to the portion of offerings going to local missions, Good Shepherd support these and other local projects through the proceeds of our annual rummage sale. You can participate in this outreach to our community by coming to and purchasing items at the rummage sale.