St. James, Kemmerer, Grant Application Kemmerer Senior Citizens Association dba Kemmerer Senior Citizens Center

Transcription

1 Part A: Provide the following information: Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming Grant Application Information St. James, Kemmerer, Grant Application Kemmerer Senior Citizens Association dba Kemmerer Senior Citizens Center 1. Briefly summarize the charitable, religious or educational issue the proposal will address (maximum 1/2 page). The Kemmerer Senior Citizens Association dba Kemmerer Senior Citizens Center serves the senior citizens of both Kemmerer and Diamondville. The successful award of this grant will provide stabilization for the Kemmerer Senior Center. The State of Wyoming has experienced significant reductions in revenue from the oil, gas, and coal industries with such downturn expected to continue for several years. Historically the boom and bust periods in Wyoming have lasted 3-5 years. As a result, the State of Wyoming funding to the Kemmerer Senior Center has been significantly reduced for FY 2016/17. Shortfalls are expected to continue into FY 2017/18 and 2018/19. The City of Kemmerer was a past funding source as well. However, due to reductions in revenue from the State, the City is no longer in a position to provide funding for the current year and subsequent years depending on the State of Wyoming economy. In addition, several individual donors who donated at quite generous levels passed away in the last year. The Lincoln County Commissioners funded at the same amount as last year for 2016/2017. The County coffers have also been hit by the State reduction in revenues. The County could not help with the shortfall and cannot commit to current funding levels for fiscal years 2017/18 and 2018/2019. The following is an excerpt from the Center Director describing the Center s situation. The Kemmerer Senior Center is facing a significant round of budget reductions. To date we have calculated our loss of funding to be at $15,000 and as stated more could be forthcoming. With the loss of funds, the seniors feel the impact the most. Services must be cut. Our home delivered meal service is a costly program to operate. With the cost of food and transportation expenses, this program is often looked at to be cut. Sadly, this is the group of seniors who desperately need this service. This program not only provides hot nutritious meals 5 days a week but also provides nutrition education, shopping, and positive social contact on a daily basis and can be a gateway to additional services. This program gives priority to low-income and minority persons and those with the greatest nutritional risk. They are homebound, have frail health and are often times recovering from an illness or hospital stay. As documented in our last quarterly report we delivered approximately 700 meals to 51 unduplicated clients. For fiscal year 2015, the Center served 6,790 congregate meals and 3,995 home delivered meals to 249 unduplicated clients. An average of meals are served daily at the Center and an average of homebound seniors are served Meals on Wheels every day via the Center s bus. 2. What is the grant amount you request? Describe how the grant funds will be used to address the issue identified above, including target populations (maximum 1 page). St. James Episcopal Church is requesting a grant of $20,000 a year for each of three years from the Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming. St. James Episcopal Church has committed to match any grant received by 10% or $2,000 per year from St. James Episcopal Church, should the $20,000 per

2 year grant be approved by the Foundation. The grant request for the three-year period is intended to provide stability to the Center serving the needs of the elderly in the combined communities of Kemmerer/Diamondville. The grant and match is expected to help the Center continue to provide services to current and as yet unidentified needy senior citizens. The Senior Center provides a myriad of needed services to senior citizens. St. James grant application is a request for funding to feed the elderly who are financially challenged, to feed homebound elders through Meals on Wheels, to fund the ticket cost for a bus ride to doctor s appointments for those seniors who cannot drive and lack funds for a transportation ticket, to support maintenance costs of Center buses providing such transportation, and to generally provide food and assistance for seniors in our community. The grant would also fund replacement hot boxes so the Center would have use of two fully functional hot boxes instead of one remaining 20-year box. This would increase the Center s capability to deliver more meals, more cost effectively to homebound seniors. Per State safe food requirements, meals delivered to homebound seniors must first be sealed using a heat sealing system in the Center kitchen, then placed in a hot box. The Center s bus delivers to the homebound senior, removes the meal from the hot box, and returns to the Center with the hot box which is then tested to ensure proper temperature was maintained per State safe food requirements. State Law requires the Center to offer services on an honor system to senior citizens. Therefore, suggested costs are posted, but cannot be required for in-center meals, Meals on Wheels, or transportation use. Meals are offered to everyone who comes to the center, to everyone who is homebound and requests Meals on Wheels, and to everyone who rides the Center s bus for transportation to doctor s appointments, etc. regardless of their ability to pay. The menu plans are reviewed and approved by a certified dietitian from Jackson. Often stories are heard of the seniors who eat a little oatmeal for breakfast, come to the Center at noon for a nutritious meal, eat sparingly, and take the remainder of their meal home for their evening meal. There are many senior citizens known to the director who will not come to the center unless they pay the full posted amount for a meal; yet several are known to live on only $700 a month as one example. This holds true for those who are eligible and should be signing up for Meals on Wheels. For those identified for Meals on Wheels, wellness checks are performed with meal delivery and often this interaction is the only socialization and monitoring checkup that senior receives. Feeding the poor and hungry is fundamental in the Old and New Testament. The Center s director knows of the plight of many of impoverished elders in our community. This grant would help provide meal tickets so the director could get these needy seniors into the Center for nutritious meals without their poverty standing out to everyone else as well as providing the means to feed additional homebound seniors. The following is an excerpt from the Center Director. If funding were secured for our home delivery program, then that program's funds could be used for other programs including our congregate nutrition program (in house meals) and socialization services, health exercise, health treatment and prevention, education, trainings and outreach. The Board of Directors is very involved in all aspects of the running of the Center and have committed to be proactive in finding additional funds whether it be through increased donation campaigns, fundraising efforts or seeking private donors. Program sustainability is upmost in our minds as we care for the aging citizens of our community. 3. List key project/program personnel; indicate the role each will play and their prior relevant experiences (maximum 1 page Project/Program Name Phone Number Personnel Kemmerer Senior Citizens Terri Cartwright Page 2

3 Association Program Director Financial Officer Terri Cartwright Kemmerer Senior Citizens Robert Peternal Association Board President St. James Episcopal Janet Seeley (landline) Church, Priest St. James Episcopal Church, Sr. Warden Shawn Rogers Role in conjunction with Grant Name Role in conjunction with grant Terri Cartwright Page (cell) (home) (cell) Upon receipt of approved grant funds, the Director/Financial Officer will administer the grants funds according to the grant parameters and provide accounting of grant expenditure per grant requirements. Prior Relevant Experience Terri has been the director since September Prior to this she held the position of Administrative Assistant for two years. Before joining the staff at the Senior Center, Terri taught at a developmental preschool for 11 years. She has served on numerous boards throughout the community and has a passion for youth and the aging. Terri attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah, studying Elementary Education. Name Robert Peternal Role in conjunction with grant Provide leadership at Center as Board President in administration of grant and reporting of grant usage. Prior Relevant Experience After a 29 year career with Pacificorp as an operations supervisor, Bob retired and is now managing the large family ranch on the Hamsfork River. Bob is currently serving on Lincoln County School District #1's school board, as well as on the local Coalition of Governments Board and the Conservation District. Bob graduated from the University of Wyoming with a BS in Agriculture. Name Janet Seeley, Priest Role in conjunction with grant Upon receipt of approved grant funds, will forward grant monies to Senior Center, maintain communication with Senior Center Director, and forward reports per grant requirements to Foundation. Prior Relevant Experience Janet has been an ordained priest through the IONA School of Ministry since February of In addition to this, she has been an active member in many capacities at St. James Episcopal for 20 years and previously a 14 year member of St. John s, Green River. She has held several board positions in community organizations. She has worked in the accounting/business field for over 35 years and holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of Wyoming. Name Shawn Rogers, Sr. Warden Role in conjunction with grant Upon receipt of approved grant funds, will forward grant monies to Senior Center, maintain

4 communication with Senior Center Director, and forward reports per grant requirements to Foundation. Prior Relevant Experience Shawn has been an active member of St. James for many years and is a lifelong Episcopalian. He serves as a Worship Leader. As elementary principal, school district transportation director, and former football coach, his employment provides experience in budget setting, management of people, evaluation, and reporting requirements. 4. Briefly summarize the evaluation process the applicant will use to determine the impact of the funded project/program (maximum 1/2 page) The Vestry of St. James Episcopal Church will commit to maintaining dialogue with the Center Director on how the grant is helping to meet the needs stated previously in this document and on new funding sources beyond the grant. The Vestry will complete status reports in accordance with Foundation grant reporting requirements. The Director of the Center will provide reports on service counts and grant expenditure for accounting and measurement purposes for the grant and Center itself. The Kemmerer Senior Citizens Board of Directors is very involved in all aspects of the running of the Center and have committed to be proactive in finding additional funds whether it be through increased donation campaigns, fundraising efforts or seeking private donors. Program sustainability is upmost in their minds as they care for the aging citizens of our community. 5. Set forth the implementation time-line during next twelve months (maximum 1/2 page). If the project or program is expected to continue beyond 12 months, please describe the expected future source of revenue for operating the project or program including any anticipated grant applications to Foundation Please see previous information provided in 4. and Include project/program budget and budget narrative (maximum 1 page). The budget should demonstrate all sources of other support, including an estimate of the value of the in-kind support of the applicant. A Sample Program Budget is provided for your use. Income Program Budget Cash Page In-Kind 2017 Cash 2018 Cash Diocesan Grants 20,000 20,000 20,000 Other Grants Fee for service In-Kind Contributions Fundraising Congregation's Contribution From annual Budget 2,000 2,000 From other sources 1,300 (already donated in 2016 to Sr. Center) Donation upon grant approval 700

5 Other income for program Total Program Income= 22,000 22,000 20,000 Expense s Meals in Center expenses 8,000 8,500 8,500 Meals on Wheels expenses 5,000 5,500 5,500 Bus transportation and maintenance expenses 4,000 4,000 4,000 Hotbox Replacement (2) 1,000 General needs such as wellness checks, nutrition education 4,000 4,000 4,000 Supplies Materials Transportation Rent Other expenses Total Program Expenses= 22,000 22,000 22, Include a brief statement of the level of support the applicant church will provide. St. James will provide matching funds of $2,000 for each year of grant approval. We have donated $1,300 thus far in 2016 and will donate another $700 for a matching grant of $2,000 upon grant approval for In the appendix, we have detailed some of the outreach donations our church has contributed to community needs over the past few years. 8. Each application must be accompanied by a letter of support from the sponsoring, Episcopal-entity governing board (church vestry) which is a written affirmation by one or more officers of that board that the entity approves the application and makes provision for the support described in the application (maximum ½ pages). Please see cover letter. 9. Please see attachments for the most current financial statement of the applicant (church) including both a statement of revenue and expenses for the year-to-date and a balance sheet for the month ending prior to the application date. Please see attached statements. 10. Complete Checklists A and B (attached). 11. Include in an appendix, letters of support for the project from appropriate community participants (e.g., clergy, lay leaders, community supporters, etc.). Page 5

6 Letters of support are forthcoming from community supporters and leaders for our Senior Center and this grant application. Part B: 12. How will the project/program help the applicant church grow in mission (see page 1)? How will the project help establish congregational vitality (see Grants Guidelines #2)? The successful award of this grant will definitely help St. James parishioners grow in mission and outreach. St. James has routinely donated monies over the years to the Senior Citizens Center in various amounts ranging from $500 to $1,300. Our vestry s discussion of this grant and the issues of the Senior Citizens Center funding have brought an important increase in awareness of elder issues, funding issues, and services offered in the Senior Center. I am so proud of our vestry. Our vestry was quick to tie the importance of writing for this grant and giving the 10% match to exhortations throughout the Old and New Testament, and Jesus own teachings that those who follow Jesus are commanded to feed, to take care of, to serve, the poor, the elderly, the sick, the widow, and the orphan. We see this grant and our part in it, in direct correlation to the gospel message of caring for the least of these as Jesus speaks of in Matthew 25. This awareness of needs and mission will be communicated throughout our congregation and again allow us to partake in following the example of our Lord. Our congregation is small so all our children, young adults, and older adults will learn about this project, the grant, the needs and issues of seniors, the services of the Senior Center and how each of them can offer their hands and feet to serve as Jesus commissioned us to help the elderly in our community who may be impoverished, lonely, sick, and/or homebound. We are also excited about the opportunity this grant presents in communicating that the Episcopal Church is alive, visible, serving, and modeling Jesus in our community. 13. How does the project/program place your congregation into action active ministry and outreach outside your faith community (see page 1)? This is a great question and one we discussed while thinking about pursuing this grant. Our young senior warden was quick to express the thought that if this grant is approved, our St. James action should not end here. We will be communicating with our congregation and increase awareness in detail of the services the Center provides to seniors, the needs of seniors in our community, and most importantly, that each of us needs to pray and consider where we can offer our hands and our feet in volunteer service at the Center as well as identifying and serving seniors more directly in our community. Toward this end, we will be asking the Center s Director for areas where we can individually offer our hands and feet in service as well. 14. If the project or program is addressing an issue likely encountered in other communities, please describe how the applicant is prepared to share with other communities the experience it expects to derive from the project or program. If there are other congregations facing similar issues for their senior citizen centers, members of St. James will be pleased to share our learning with those congregations. Part C.: Page 6

7 Following are general grant standards applied for all applications. 1. The Foundation Grants Committee with assistance of the staff of the Foundation will fulfill both administrative and advisory responsibilities for the granting programs. The administrative responsibilities include soliciting proposals, reviewing and prioritizing the proposals based on the perceived merit of each, and, finally, recommending whether or not the grant should be allowed, and advising the respective granting agency on the highest priority proposals for funding. 2. The Grants Committee, working in cooperation with Foundation staff, will be responsible for distributing information about the granting programs. Electronic and hardcopy information on the programs will be distributed to all Episcopal clergy and senior wardens throughout Wyoming. Media press releases will also be utilized. In subsequent years, Episcopal clergy and senior wardens, and other interested parties throughout the Diocese of Wyoming will receive grants program information. 3. The Grants Committee grants requests using the criteria identified in Parts A and B, and in the Grants Guidelines. The Committee Chair will communicate to the granting agency the rankings and related information developed by the Committee members through the review process. 4. The Grants Committee chair will gather from the granting agency its final decision on funding individual proposals and will promptly disseminate all final decisions. It is assumed that after the granting agency has acted, the funding will be available no later than 90 days following that decision, subject to timely acceptance of the grant by the successful applicant. 5. All grant recipients will be required to sign a letter of commitment, developed by the Grants Committee, to use the money for the purposes for which it was awarded and to provide follow-up documentation (e.g., final evaluation report and expenditure summary) needed by the Grants Committee and Diocesan office staff to complete their review. 6. The Grants Committee with the assistance of Foundation staff will conduct an appropriate evaluation to determine how effective each local congregation was in implementing its charitable, education or religious program funded by the grant. This evaluation will be completed within 3-months following the completion of the funding cycle, for awards made the previous calendar year. Part D: General Information 1. Name of Applicant s contact person: The Rev. Janet Seeley 2. Address 2024 Rolling Hills Rd. Kemmerer, WY Telephone numbers: (work or home) _ (cell) 4. address: j_seeley@ymail.com 5. Local Press release source: Kemmerer Gazette 6. Address for Press Release: _708 JC Penney Dr., Kemmerer, WY Ph: Fax: Checklist A Part I: 12 practices that often contribute to long-term congregational vitality Which of these have we engaged in during the past 18 months? "X" if applicable 1 Fall 15 Conducted ministry review of/by clergy/vestry/congregation 2 3 Obtained or studied a demographic profile of our ministry area (such as a Percept profile) Created or revised a comprehensive parish profile (the kind produced in a clergy search or a major strategic planning process) Page 7

8 4 X Obtained an audit of our books 5 Conducted a stewardship program 6 Developed a planned giving program 7 X Conducted a special Vestry day or weekend retreat focused on team-building, planning, or spiritual growth 8 Sent staff or parishioners for Anti-Racism training 9 X Sent staff or parishioners for Safeguarding God's Children training 10 Created a Safe Parish policy Engaged in an intentional partner relationship with another congregation Applied for a grant (from the Foundation or elsewhere) to help start or expand a ministry Part II: Write a narrative describing your parish s goal setting efforts Tell us, in a narrative, about your vestry/parish involvement in: Creating or revising a parish mission or vision statement What Vestry goal setting goals Vestry review of progress on goals previously set have Creating or updating a long-range parish plan you set? What is your mission/vision? What is your long-range plan? St. James is a small but growing, vital church. Attendance has grown by an average of 5-10 people over the last two years, from an average Sunday attendance in 2010 of 12 people, to an average Sunday attendance of about 20 people this year. Much of this vitality and growth is centered around a very intentional effort to be very warm and welcoming, and to focus on ministering to the younger couples in our congregation. Much of the growth has been new younger couples, several of which were invited by younger couples in the congregation. We have focused our adult education on topics that have resonated with this age group, and in an attempt to make it easier for them to attend we provide babysitting during the study. We have a vital Sunday school averaging 5-10 children in attendance two times per month. Our outreach ministry, Pay it Forward (which is a continuation of our Mustard Seed project), has helped make us more visible as a caring, ministering presence in our community. The Community Food Bank housed in the basement of the church has provided a very important service and ministry to the community. We continue to donate consistently to our domestic violence shelter, food bank, senior citizens center and traveler s assistance fund. Finally, providing meeting facilities for Alcoholics Anonymous, AlAnon, and Narcotics Anonymouse has helped keep these important ministries alive in our community. Members actively serve in and outside our church on various boards, organizations, and committees in the community. All of these things have contributed to our growth and vitality. This is reflected in our Purpose Statement: The purpose of St. James Episcopal Church in Kemmerer is to model Jesus by our words and actions, to be a welcoming place where we learn from our mistakes and successes, reach out, invite and accept others, and create a place where people s lives are transformed. What we have done well is focus on our core values and our purpose statement, on being welcoming, inviting and accepting, and on creating a place where people s lives are transformed. We maintain a Page 8

9 consistent vision of mission and outreach through service and contribution to individuals and organizations that serve people in our community and outside our community according to Jesus commission to feed the poor, to take care of the poor, the widowed, elderly, and to address the needs of others as loving our neighbor as ourselves. This grant, if successful will help us move forward continuing this work of mission and outreach in our community modeling Jesus and bringing recognition and awareness of the presence and work of the Episcopal Church both locally and at the Foundation level in our community. Checklist B (Yes/No) 1 Is the Congregation current with its filing of the Annual Parochial Report? Yes 2 Is the congregation current with its filing of the annual audit? Yes 3 Is the congregation current with its annual assessment? Yes 4 Are all stipendiary Clergy compensated at or above the Diocesan minimum? N/A Important Notice Regarding Reporting Requirements If the applicant is awarded a grant, the congregation must commit to providing the Grants Committee with interim reports at six-month intervals from the date of notification of the grant award. Additionally, if the applicant is awarded a grant, the congregation must commit to providing the Grants Committee a final report by the end of December of the year after the year of the grant award. Thank you for completing your Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming Grant Application. Please check that your application follows the suggested format and includes: 1. Cover sheet identifying applicant parish indicating contact information for a contact person representing the applicant parish 2. Request amount 3. Answers to Part A 4. Answers to Part B 5. Checklist A 6. Parish goal setting narrative after Checklist A 7. Checklist B 8. Other support materials (letters of support, photographs, etc.) Page 9

10 Page 10

11 Page 11

12 Page 12

13 Page 13

14

15

16

17

18