Submitted by Steve Pomeroy, Committee Chairperson
On behalf of the GPNW Mission Center, the Bold Moves Grants Committee is pleased to announce the awarding of two new grants in the Spring cycle of 2021. Congratulations go to Eugene Congregation and Bridges To Peace, a non-profit organization being shepherded through Garden Grove Congregation, as they embark on fresh expressions of mission aided by the receiving of these grants.
Eugene’s “Gateways Grab and Go” program will provide an array of healthy breakfast items available to students at Gateways High School and GED Program. The program will be similar to the highly successful effort previously supported by the congregation at the area’s Springfield High School, which not only provided health benefits to students in need, but helped to improve on-time attendance and academic success. The same goals are in place for this effort, directed by Jody Barnhart.
Bridges To Peace is a non-profit corporation, organized and operated exclusively for educational purposes. This corporation’s primary purpose is to promote an environment for children, families and communities, to learn and explore peace through interactive exploration. Its curriculum meshes nicely with the curriculum currently utilized at Garden Grove Congregation for Young Peacemakers Clubs at church, at Minnehaha Elementary School, and next fall at Truman Elementary School. Christie Ostendorp will serve as program director.
Both grants are provisional as structural elements of the programs continue to be worked out by the supporting groups. Prayerful good wishes are extended to both congregations as they work to abolish poverty and end suffering and pursue peace in their communities.