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History

 

 
 
A Brief History of MCC Central States
 
In 1944 MCC, Akron, PA appointed, Elma Esau, MCC worker, to open a clothing center in Newton, KS. The first office was shared with Menno Travel Service at 213 Pine Street in Newton. The work focused almost exclusively on gathering food and clothing to ship to Europe. In 1961 the office moved to 106 West 24th Street in North Newton. In 1998 a new facility was completed at 121 E 30th Street in North Newton.
 
In 1957 MCC of Kansas was incorporated. The name was changed to MCC Central States in 1983. An Advisory Board was formed in 1976. It became a board in 1979.
 
During the past 61 years many have served as director. From 1944 until 1976 at least nine individuals gave leadership in the MCC office. Griselda Shelly (1976-1987) and Ron Braun (1987-2003) served longer terms. From June 2003 until September 1, 2005, when John Stoesz became the director, various short term arrangements were in place.
 
A facility was built in 1955 at 106 West 24th to serve as a cutting room and clothing center. Rooms for offices were added to the south side of this building in 1960.
           
Several buildings served as warehouse space until the present facility was opened in 1999. These locations included 220 Main St, 225 Main St, 314 Main St, and 2511 Main St. A Quonset was constructed in 1955 and a cement block building behind 106 West 24th Street in 1960.
 
Workroom supervisors and warehouse supervisors were in place early on. In 1977 Rosalie Neufeld began serving part-time as Secretary. In 1990 regions began to hire staff for Resource Generation. Dave Gerber was the first to serve in this role in the Central States.
 
In 1984, Edie and Larry Tschetter began working for MCC out of their home near Freeman, SD. Five years later, this office, which relates primarily to the congregations and conferences in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, what is now known as the Northern Tier, was moved into Freeman.
 
In 2000 Felipe Hinojosa opened an office in Edinburg, TX. This office relates primarily to the congregations and conferences in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, known as the Southern Tier.  
 
 
In the late 1990s MCC U.S. decided to regionalize the Service Program Administration and some of the staff positions in Human Resources and Peace and Justice. This decision opened three staff positions in the Central States North Newton office. The new MCC center, opened in 1999, made it possible to provide office space for the increased Central States staff.
Service units in Pine Ridge, SD and New Orleans came under Central States administration. Along came also funding to support 3 Church Community Workers (or Local Service Workers) and up to 25 Summer Service Workers.
 
In September of 2005, MCC Central States began supporting Local Service Workers, Church Community Workers and a two person service unit in Pine Ridge, SD accountable to MCC U.S. in Akron, PA. We also gave staff support to a two person service unit in Seminole, TX working with the Low-German Mennonites.
 
In 2008, the Edinburgh, TX office relocated to San Antonio, TX. It is currently staffed by Jacob Castro and Je T’aime Taylor. Jacob relates to churches in Texas and both work with Service Program Administration.
 
The Northern Tier office in Freeman, SD is currently staffed by Elizabeth Janssen as the Transitional Regional Associate. 
 
John Stoesz, Executive Director
November 4, 2009