Self-Development
| Self-Development Recipients |
|
Local Projects Get Support from National and Synod Self-Development of People Committees Eight self-help programs in Ohio and Michigan have received a total of $173,000 from the national committee of SDOP in 2010. Thirteen projects have received funding from the local synod committee for 2011 totaling over $61,000. Both committees distribute money from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. . For more about the national committee's grants, go to the SDOP page on the PC(USA) website. The synod funded projects from a wide variety of proposals. They included:
5 Star Construction - $4,000 This project is a diverse group of individuals who have collectively come together to start our own construction business. It is our endeavor to refurbish houses in our community to then rent and/or sell to other people who are experiencing some of the same financial difficulties we are.In our area there has been lots of job loss, due in part to plant closings and factories moving out of the area. People are leaving the area and this has caused lots of vacancies and good homes have been vandalized. The repairs needed have caused homes to become uninhabitable and violate city codes. The people who remain in our community need more affordable housing so they don’t have to leave this area.
The Community Transportation Project - $1,500 It is a transportation business co-op that consists of ten women who range in age from 27-45 years of age. This project will help our group provide a much needed service in our community to families in the group who are having difficulties finding and holding onto meaningful employment in this terrible economy. This project is needed because so many in our small community are having a problem getting their children to and from school due to lack of bussing that now exists. There is also a problem with a lot of our elderly and disabled residents having the means to get around either because of taxi service is so slow and expensive, the have no family to help them or the city bus system is so confusing and hard to know when and where it comes. So this project will address all these issues.
Oakland Avenue Community Garden-$6,500 It was developed in 2008 to grow food using organic methods in an area known as a “Food Desert”. We also came together to create non-traditional job opportunity for our members who are overlooked by traditional employers. Today we are growing fresh produce, herbs, fruit and flowers. In May of 2011 we launched our market stand where we will sell produce grown by us on Fridays and Saturdays. In order to keep up with the growing demand for our produce we need to purchase a small tractor and make repairs to electrical, plumbing and secure the home we are now leasing from Northend Christian CDC for $1 for 10 years.This project is needed to uplift our economically depressed community. Our community will have a place to mingle, stop, recipe share, participate in cooking demonstrations and do business with the people from our community.
Second Chance Lawn Care-$5,000 This project is grounds maintenance, lawn care, snow removal project that consists of ex-felons, unemployed and displaced workers who joined together to form this business opportunity to become self-sufficient. The project is needed in our small community because of the lack of employment opportunities that we have here in Springfield, Ohio. With the loss of many manufacturing jobs for so many, the terrible economy and those in our group who either lack many job skills and/or have felony records, employment is difficult to get and sustain. So this project is needed because it will bring employment to those who otherwise would not have it.
Atmosphere of Recovery - $2,509 The group started to meet in June, 2009. They were brought together by the commons bonds of individuals recovering from the disease of addiction, and the desire to design a place for recovering people to enjoy food, fun, frolic and entertainment in a clean sober environment.
BLD on Euclid - $5,850 The project is to open a diner by April 15,2011. The project will promote economic opportunity by being in a good location that will allow for growth. Justice will be obtained by allowing the group the ability to grow the diner into a self sustaining operation and give the owners the chance to be self-reliant.
Cleveland CEO - $1,000 The project's purpose is to act as a "launchpad" for alternative economic projects in the Cleveland area. The focus is on serving economically disenfranchised communities and helping folks to build on the resources their community already has, their own knowledge and skills to realize real and sustainable economic opportunity and empowerment. They would help with: worker co-ops, housing co-ops, neighborhood projects, daycare and babysitter co-ops, neighborhood improvement, etc.
Global Entertainment - 6,165 Our group is composed of minority individuals who started about ten years ago to combat the present trend of music and entertainment which seems to glorify the negative elements in our civilization. The purpose of our group is to offer an alternative of positive, spiritually inspired music and entertainment to our people in specific and our world as a whole.
Inner City Bakery - $5,000 A bakery in our community is something we have discussed for over 10 years now; we believe that by providing fresh healthy baked goods at affordable prices, great customer service and genuine community involvement the "Inner City Bakery" will be a a successful contributor to residents/city, surrounding businesses, and communities.
Office Net Central (ONC) - $3,000 ONC's purpose is to provide workspace to the entrepreneur/independent worker at a lower rate than the cost they would have to pay to lease or buy an entire office building. We also rent a conference room to groups or individuals for meetings, seminars, workshops, networking events, etc. With our wi-fi, copier, printer, fax, cafe corner, virtual, printing, and computer repair services, we feel we offer the business support necessary to help one focus. ONC hosts networking events and workshops to aid in building business contacts for our members and our own company's growth.
Mobile Network - $1,800 Our purpose is to provide a high quality advertisement for companies with smaller budgets and create income and employment for ourselves and them. We have purchased the van and made the modification needed to install the mobile billboard unit. It is our goal to have three mobile units built, eight employed and 50 customers by the end of the first year.
GW Stewards LLC - $8,950 Though our project is just a small concept of homelessness programs among veterans and their families, prevention and innovation is at the forefront of our efforts in assisting veterans in finding a place of their own. Every homeless veteran needs a base of operation; a place to sleep, rest, a place to regroup on a daily basis without wondering where their going to spend the night. Our main program is housing which includes collaboration with other local mainstream service providers to enhance the services we provide.
Traveling Chocolate Red Baristas - $10,000 The project offers fresh from scratch natural ingredient desserts, frozen/fresh smoothies, Fair Trade organic bean espresso based drinks, including ice cappuccinos and frozen frappes. We will participate as food and beverage vendors at festivals, private catering parties, community events, and anywhere individuals who suffer from diabetes, allergies, and or obesity are in need of specialty dessert and beverage alternative. As we provide healthier choices to customers, we will also make available brochures, flyers, booklets and other printed materials on managing/ prevention for the above stated health issues. Our plan to Educate with Flavor!
|