News

First Methodist awards $43,000 in grants to local nonprofits

By Lightning Reports, Published: January 3, 2024

First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville continued its annual grant program by providing a total of $43,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations in the local community, the church announced.

“We believe this is an opportunity to build strategic partnerships that help us extend the reach and witness of our church into the community," said the Rev. Jeremy Morris, the church's associate pastor. "This granting process has helped us to empower individuals in need of assistance, helped address larger systemic issues and root causes, and build new pathways for members of our church to be involved in service throughout our community.”

This grant program has helped address gaps in services within our local community, and makes FUMC a vital resource, partner and advocate for both local nonprofit agencies and for those they serve. Past grant recipients include True Ridge, Children and Family Resource Center, Bruce Drysdale School, Safelight, The Community Storehouse, Crossnore, Thrive, and the Boys and Girls Club.

This year, the Missions Council focused its attention on projects that are empowering to those served, funding projects that offer individuals the tools needed to better themselves, to regain independence and grow in self-sufficiency. Out of 14 applicants, the Missions Council, with the blessing of the FUMC Church Board, made the following awards:

• Street Dog Coalition - $3,000. Street Dog Coalition cares for the pets of unhoused neighbors by ensuring that individuals are able to keep their pets and maintain the mutually beneficial human-animal bond they share with them, and have access to alternatives besides economic euthanasia and pet surrender, and 3) decrease the risk of infectious and zoonotic disease spread in their communities. These funds will create a local Hendersonville chapter of Street Dog and provide greater access to care for pets and their owners.
• Deep Time - $5,000. Deep Time is a New Church Start of the United Methodist Church whose mission is to celebrate, employ, and create spiritual communities with people impacted by incarceration. Deep Time is utilizing training in specialty coffee roasting as a way to empower formerly incarcerated individuals as they return into society to find spiritual community, holistic healing, and access to workforce development resources.
• Housing Assistance Corporation - $5,000. The Housing Assistance Corporation of Henderson County is receiving funding for the completion of 4 sweat equity homes in Henderson County. These homes are built involving homeowner labor in 65% of the overall process under the eye of professional contractors. This model provides affordable housing options to potential homeowners while also allowing them to work their own job and earn their own income.
• Hope Coalition - $5,000. Hope Coalition (HC) is committed to preventing substance misuse among youth and focusing on long term recovery for anyone impacted by alcohol and drug addiction. They are receiving funding to support the purchase of a youth center in Hendersonville and expand youth programming. With our assistance, they aim to create a space that will house and amplify youth programs facilitated by the Hope Coalition.
• Thrive - $5,000. Thrive is receiving funds to purchase updated video equipment, technology, and art supplies for members of Thrive’s Clubhouse Day Program.The Clubhouse is a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program which serves adults with severe and persistent mental illness and at least two other forms of impairment in their lives. The Clubhouse currently serves 46 members per month and members learn coping skills, improve relationship skills, daily living skills, and vocational skills.
• Pisgah Legal - $5,000. Pisgah Legal Services is receiving $5,000 to provide free civil legal aid to low‐income survivors of domestic, sexual violence, and child abuse in Henderson County to help them safely live apart from their abusers and gain economic independence.
• Safelight - $5,000. Safelight is receiving funds to offset the cost of tuition for Camp Hope. This is a camp based program for children who have been exposed to trauma, focusing on character and resilience development, empowerment, and mentorship opportunities. Research shows that a week of Camp Hope time is equivalent to six months of trauma therapy.
• Hope United Methodist Church - $10,000. Hope United Methodist Church is a local congregation in East Flat Rock. They offer many community focused ministries including a Bear Closet and a Weekly Welcome Table Meal that is free to the community. These funds will assist Hope in expanding their ministries to increase their capacity to serve meals, and offer free laundry services to individuals in need.

Chaired by Dr. Anne Smith and comprised of church members, te Missions Council is committed to empowering those most in need in Hendersonville, Henderson County, North Carolina and around the world. For more information visit https://fumchvlnc.org.