04/16/2014

Wheatridge Ministries Awards 3 New 'Burst' Grants--Maybe Your Congregation's Ministry Could be Next!

Itasca, IL – Wheat Ridge Ministries recently awarded three grants through its Burst Project Grant Program totaling $14,600. Burst Project grants are one-time grants for human care ministry projects designed and led by young adult leaders in the Lutheran community. In addition to the grant, participants receive professional consultation and feedback from Wheat Ridge staff and participate in a regular gathering of other Burst Project leaders.

The newest Burst Project grant recipients are:

Ms. Tiffany Fincher, “Get Fit and Stay Healthy”
Aspirations of Life, Chicago, Illinois
Through its “Get Fit and Stay Healthy” programming, Aspirations of Life will target youth and their families within Chicago’s Roseland Community to teach and train on the importance of integrating fitness into their lives. The programming will also demonstrate how to choose and prepare healthy meals to improve the quality of their lives while increasing dialogue, interaction and opportunities to share meaningful activities as a family.

Ms. Heather Farrar, “Project I.C.E. (I Can Excel) Summer Program”
Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Gary, Indiana
The state of Indiana recently declared that Gary, Indiana, schools are below standards in academics. Our Saviour Lutheran Church, through Project I.C.E., is closing that gap by offering a summer program with faith-based learning that will engage children's minds. Asset building throughout the summer will help the students develop life skills, provide environment interaction, and offer reading and science skills, giving the students a strong start when school resumes in the fall. The summer program will include gardening, fishing, social activities (e.g., attending a baseball game), crafts, reading program, and physical activities. In the fall, a tutoring program will be available for the students to continue to build assets and increase academic skills.

Rev. Emily Hartner, “St. Mark’s Soup Kitchen”
St. Mark Lutheran Church, Charlotte, North Carolina
The St. Mark’s Soup Kitchen will provide a hot and healthy meal for hungry people in their community once a week, filling a gap between other free meals offered in the community. In doing so, they will increase access to healthy food among people who cannot afford it and increase awareness of hunger and poverty issues in their community.

For additional information regarding Wheat Ridge Ministries’ Burst Project Grant Program, please visit the website at www.wheatridge.org or contact us by email at grants@wheatridge.org.

About Wheat Ridge Ministries
Established in 1905, Wheat Ridge Ministries provides funding and support for inspired leaders starting new health and human care ministries. Our dedication to serve others comes from the Christian faith, believing that all of God’s people in Christ are called to help others experience a more abundant life. Our efforts are focused on improving the health of the whole person, by addressing wellness of body, mind and spirit. Currently, more than 70 Lutheran-affiliated ministries around the world are receiving assistance through Wheat Ridge. To learn more, please visit www.wheatridge.org. You can also find Wheat Ridge on Facebook and Twitter.