Venture grants given by charity
West End Ministries just got a $10,000 boost from United Way to administer its Life Skills Training program, a new service to help prepare participants to enter job training programs and get jobs.
The money was among $74,500 in Venture Grants awarded by United Way of Greater High Point to nine organizations July 10.
The grants help local nonprofits meet emerging or unmet needs, such as starting a new program or buying supplies or equipment for an existing program. Last year, United Way gave $60,000 to 12 organizations.
"We're very appreciative that United Way has the confidence that we will begin a program that will be a help to everyone," said Pastor Jim Summey of West End Ministries.
The program will help "folks who, if you gave them a job, they may not be readily able to maintain themselves," said Summey.
Life skills will include how to communicate and live with other people, how to present themselves and how to keep clean. "They'll learn how to listen completely instead of formulating opinions before the sentence is complete in (a speaker's) mouth," he said.
"There are so many things we take for granted everyday. We know how to get up and get started and get going in the morning. We know how to present ourselves and get along with other people."
The nonprofit will start a pilot program in August along with the Welfare Reform Liaison Project. West End Ministries program may spin off from that in October.
The nonprofit hopes to help up to 20 people.
It not only helps the individual but the community at large, Summery said.
Open Door Ministries also received $10,000 from United Way to help launch its Prescription Assistance Program.
The ministry has always provided up to $25 to recipients to help pay for prescriptions when funds were available, said Director Steve Key . Last year, it provided more than $1,000 to 51 people.
This additional funding, along with partnerships with Community Clinic of High Point and McLarty Drug and Surgical Supply, will allow the group to help more people this year.
Open Door Ministries' main focus has always been providing funds for utilities and rent, but over the years, the nonprofit noticed a need to help people pay for medicine.
"There are people who may have gone to a doctor and got a prescription for medication but do not have money to get it filled," said Key.
Key said the program will assist a range of people, from the homeless to working families that may not have insurance to cover prescription costs.
Other organizations that received funds this year are:
• Brothers Organized to Save Others, $8,000, Literacy Initiative Program
• Children's Home Society, $1,500 to recruit prospective foster and adoptive families
• Community Outreach for Archdale-Trinity, $10,000, Backpacks to Schools
• High Point Swim Club, $10,000, Swim for Fun-Swim for Life
• Latino Family Center, $10,000, Family Literacy
• LifeSpan, $5,000 to set up a Learning Center in High Point
• Ward Street Mission, $10,000, Substance Abuse and Recovery Enhancement.
United Way received 22 applications, totalling $188,103. Of the nine winners, seven currently do not receive funds from United Way.
Contact E.A. Seagraves at 883-4422, Ext. 241; or elizabeth.seagraves@news-record.com
