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April 2, 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Luci Flaim, Bonnie Prigge, 573-265-2993
H.O.P.E., Inc. establishes capacity fund with Meramec Regional Community Foundation ROLLA—H.O.P.E., Inc. recently formed a capacity-building fund with the Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) to aid the non-profit in its mission to assist local youth in need. The MRCF fund was established through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO). Capacity-building funds are temporary funds used to create and distribute funds for a specific project. H.O.P.E., Inc., or House of Prevention, Education, and Training Residential Home, is a recently founded non-profit 501(c)3 organization that supports youth in need within the Rolla community. Rolla resident Alfaye Jackson serves as the CEO of H.O.P.E. H.O.P.E. provides shelter, education and training for homeless and pregnant youth, at-risk youth, youth in foster care, Aging Out of Foster Care (AOFC) transitioning youth, and youth in need through faith-based programs. The organization provides support and training for youth to eventually become self-sufficient. H.O.P.E. is an affiliate of the MRCF, which is an outgrowth of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and an affiliate of the CFO. MRCF was established in May 2010 and serves Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties outside of existing CFO affiliate areas. MRPC Executive Director Bonnie Prigge explained the purpose of MRCF. “The Meramec Regional Community Foundation is a philanthropic vehicle that combines charitable gifts of many to address current and future needs of the Meramec Region through grant making, capacity building and fundraising,” Prigge said. “MRCF is another opportunity to improve the lives of the citizens of the Meramec Region now and actually forever,” she added. H.O.P.E. provides youth with additional services such as referrals for transitional housing, maternity assistance, substance abuse counseling and anger management behavioral modification. H.O.P.E. also offers individualized and group counseling life skills training and workshops. H.O.P.E. is currently seeking volunteers to assist in the clean up of its youth residential facility in preparation for opening. Interested persons should arrive at the home at 4 p.m. April 4 at 602 S. Adrian Ave. in Rolla. Volunteers are needed to assist with yard work, cleaning out the garage and storage shed, cleaning gutters and general clean up. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring tools such as rakes, hedge clippers, yard bags and weed whackers. Refreshments will be provided. For more information on H.O.P.E., Inc. visit www.hopeministriesmo.org or email hopeministriesofrolla@gmail.com. For more information on MRCF, contact Luci Flaim, community development specialist with MRPC, at (573) 265-2993 or by email at lflaim@meramecregion.org.
Alfaye Jackson, H.O.P.E., Inc. CEO, left, and Laura Antolak, MRCF chairman, sign documents to establish H.O.P.E.’s capacity-building fund. Persons interested in learning more about H.O.P.E., Inc. or wishing to make a donation can contact Jackson at hopeministriesofrolla@gmail.com. |
