The Mission of the Holy Spirit, Norfolk, was awarded two Seeds of Hope
Grants this year. One of the grants will fund the expansion of the very
successful "Life is a Choice - Get Smart About Your Health!" program.
The other will fund "Building Dreams," a new partnership with Old
Dominion University Canterbury students to help members of the Mission
succeed in school.
Seeds of Hope Grant funds will allow the Mission to expand on this
already successful program. A ten week program in Spring 2013 will
continue to provide health education. A partnership with Old Dominion
University nursing students provides one-on-one health assessments,
individualized recommendations and encouragement for each participant.
The program will add a segment on healthy shopping and cooking on a
budget to help steer participants away from processed and fast foods
that have little nutritional value. The program will also sponsor a
Spring Health Fair at St. Stephen's, Norfolk, inviting Mission families,
volunteers and supporters and the community at-large. The fair will
provide screenings for blood pressure, vision, asthma and more, along
with information about community health services and making healthier
lifestyle choices.
St. John's, Suffolk, has been awarded a Seeds of Hope Grant to help
fund the Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk (CAPS). Begun in 2010,
CAPS is a collaborative effort to address poverty on two levels: the
crisis of an immediate need and the underlying causes of these needs.
Currently 24 churches and organizations are participating members. CAPS
provides a collaborative and coordinated system to meet the financial,
physical, mental and spiritual needs of the community.
The fifth of seven in a series about the recipients of this year's
Seeds of Hope Grants to develop and expand social justice ministries in
Southern Virginia. Learn more about Seeds of Hope grants here. 
St. Matthew's has an on-going food pantry ministry. People in need of
food are referred to the church by Chesterfield Colonial Heights
Assistant Ministry (CCHASM), as well as member requests. St. Matthew's
partners with Second Branch Baptist Church and the Beach Grange, who
provide food donations. They have had no facilities for perishable food
distribution, such as fresh vegetables and frozen meats. Expanding their
pantry to provide foods other than non-perishable shelf items will
provide better nutritional choices for their guests. Also, the expanded
storage space will allow St. Matthew's to pursue additional
partnerships, which would include the Central Virginia Foodbank.
Looking for that thoughtful Christmas idea? A Boys' Home Christmas card
is a wonderful way to honor someone special or memorialize a loved one.
Boys' Home is offering Christmas Cards that are original artworks by
residents Malik E. and Vernon G. Their designs received the most votes
in a recent people's choice contest. With each $10 (minimum) purchase,
one printed original artwork Christmas card with envelope will be mailed
to you to personalize and give when you wish.
St. Thomas, Freeman, was awarded two Seeds of Hope grants this year.
One will fund the expansion of their Youth Empowerment program. The
second grant will help grow the Senior Pals program.
The Mission of the Holy Spirit is an urban outreach ministry serving
an at-risk community in Norfolk spiritually, emotionally,
educationally and physically. Its focus is on empowering youth and their
families through the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Mission Cross
was created to honor and support the ministry and community of the
Mission of the Holy Spirit. Uplifted hands receive the Holy Spirit: holy
hands that worship, praise and heal. Each cross is handcrafted of
nails, a gentle reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made for each of us
and that we are vessels of the Living God, called to go forth in his
name.
Hickory Neck, Toano, participates in the From His Hands (FHH) program
started over six years ago with the objective of providing hot balanced
meals to approximately 80 people in the Grove Community of James City
County once a week - currently 100 meals are served. Grove represents a
major portion of low income and individuals/families in need in James
City County. There are 13 churches which have united in support of FHH
Ministry. About two years ago, FHH began expanding the ministry to
include a motel which housed homeless and near homeless individuals and
families and an average of 35 meals were delivered on a weekly basis.
About six months ago a second motel was added to the ministry and meals
are served there every other week. 
Some of the churches serving the motels also provide "room bags"
including motel friendly foods like canned soups, canned meats, noodles,
snack bars, and hygiene products. Families at the motels which have
children are often provided with diapers and infant formula and foods.
Saint Paul's Memorial, Lawrenceville, has been awarded a Seeds of Hope
Grant of $2500 to support lectures, movies, and cooking demonstrations
entitled "Escaping your Comfort Zones" "Your Life Re-imagined."
A
follow-up to our "Your Pledge Makes It Possible" series on the mission
and ministries of the Episcopal Church in Southern Virginia. If you
missed any of that series, you can find them all on our website.
St. Paul's, Newport News, received a $2500 grant to better equip a
volunteer who is a licensed social worker assisting guests of A Safe
Place adult day center to connect with essential support systems such as
potential employers, healthcare providers, Social Security resources. 
A retired social worker has been volunteering for some time to help,
during the hours of the Adult Day Center, A Safe Place, guests with
issues related to employment, social security support, housing and
healthcare. Funds will purchase second computer/printer plus internet
access will allow the social worker to help guests communicate with
employers, healthcare providers, and especially the Social Security
Administration.