Fall 2009 Grant Cycle Deadline Approaching

April 21, 2009 

GENERAL NOTICE 

The deadline for the Fall 2009 Grant Cycle of The St. Marys United Methodist Church Foundation will be June 1, 2009. Proposals will be accepted pertaining to the following guidelines and focus categories:

Children, Youth and Families: Agencies of the South Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and programs in Southeast Georgia* that promote the spiritual, mental, and/or physical well being of children, youth and families.

Adults and Elderly: Agencies of the South Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and programs in Southeast Georgia* that promote the spiritual, mental, and/or physical well being of adults and elderly.

Health, Mental Health and Mental Retardation: Agencies of the South Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and programs in Southeast Georgia* that provide research, treatment, or care in the fields of health, mental health and mental retardation.

Christian Education, Evangelism and Missions: Agencies of the South Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and programs in Southeast Georgia* that equip God’s people for evangelism, programs whose sole focus is spreading the gospel, and mission programs which seek to spread the gospel through local Southeast Georgia* and international services and projects for people in need.

 *Our definition of Southeast Georgia is Camden, Glynn, Brantley and Charlton Counties.

The international focus of the SMUMC Foundation is primarily on Christian programs in Africa that benefit children, particularly those who have been orphaned, but also those who suffer the dire consequences of AIDS/HIV, war and famine.  However, please note we will not be accepting new requests for international projects until further notice.

For further information, please see our website at www.smumcfoundation.org or call the Foundation office at (912) 510-9350.   Guidelines for preparing proposals are posted on the website. 

Nonprofit Highlight – April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

The Methodist Home for Children and Youth

The Methodist Home for Children and Youth is more than a home for children, it is also a home for a host of children and family programs and services. With six sites across South Georgia (Macon, Americus, Valdosta, St. Marys, Columbus and Waverly Hall), they have a range of more than 15 services. For nearly 137 years, The Methodist Home for Children and Youth has provided a healing, nurturing setting for children in the least restrictive and most appropriate environment.  They have established Regional Group Homes to provide specialized care nearer to the child’s natural home located in Americus, Valdosta, Columbus, and St. Marys.  For more information, you can visit their website at www.themethodisthome.org.  

The Camden County CASA (court Appointed Special Advocate) program was established in 1997 to provide advocacy services for abused and neglected childen in Camden County who are at risk and have been placed in foster care.  Advocacy services are provided through trained volunteers who are appointed by the Juvenile Court to represent the child until the child is placed in a permanent and safe home.  Volunteers serve as an independent reporting source and as a voice for children who otherwise have no representation in a system focused on parents and state regulations.  A CASA volunteer’s focus is to present an opinion based on interviewing and investigation as to the best interest of the children being served regarding placement, to help reduce the time a child spends in care, and to be a constant resource and advocate for children who often have no other continuous figure of support due to changes in homes, schools, caseworkers and often even family members.  For more information regarding the Camden County CASA program, please visit their website at www.casacamden.org.