In June, the Saint Thomas Church Vestry approved twenty organizations to receive a grant to support their work. Please note, these grants come from restricted funds that can only be given away in the form of charitable grants.
Pamela Lewis, Chair of the Grants’ Committee of the Vestry, is pleased to share information on nine of those organizations that are first-time grantees, the first three of which are discussed here:
All Angels’ Church: Pathways Respite Care Center
Knowing the story of “Edward” is the best way to understand the impact that All Angels’ Church’s Pathways Respite Care Center has on the community it serves. Homeless and struggling to manage his substance use, Edward first came to Pathways in 2021 to access showers, food, and respite. He would go away for a few months in search of work, and when he returned, he was surprised that the Pathways volunteers remembered his name and that, in his words, their welcome made him feel “more human than my circumstances. I have experienced a complete transformation.” Edward went on to volunteer in the Pathways kitchen and to use his interest in and art skills toward leading the program’s art classes. He now helps another artist to create large-scale installations. For Edward, the connection which Pathways made between him and the art community saved his life.
In addition to its Arts Program, Pathways’ food program provides nutritious and healthy meals on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Respite care in a clean, safe, and climate-controlled environment is also available for guests, as well as social work referral and mental and physical health care. It is also the only four-season provider of showers on the West Side of Manhattan.
We are grateful to the Vestry for its approval of a grant that will help to enhance Pathways’ arts and healthy meal programs.
Church Street School for Music and Art: “72,” a Teen Rock Band and Visual Art Workforce Development Program serving students aged 13-20
“72” is a free program primarily focused on the performance and administration of rock bands and independent visual artists led by a council of teens and a program coordinator. These are year-round programs with activities in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Free for the participating musicians and artists, “72” has historically served students from all boroughs, as well as from Long Island and New Jersey.
Booking performance venues, doing outreach to teen bands and artists, and running shows and events, are among the tasks participating students learn in this program. Visual arts students often create posters for events and sell their artwork to fellow teens in attendance at concerts. Musicians participate in a Battle of the Bands, run a rock show performance, and engage with their audiences using social media platforms effectively and appropriately.
We are grateful to the Vestry for its approval for a grant to “72” to support its goal to train and nurture students in concert and event promotion and coordination.
The Community Initiatives of New York: Teaching a Generation (T.A.G)
Created for the purpose of serving underrepresented black and brown communities in New York City, and assuring that they receive the justice, equity, and opportunities they deserve, while giving them the knowledge and voice to fight against systemic obstacles, The Community Initiatives of New York is focused on the improvement and successes of local organizations and communities, while meeting individual and community needs.
Teaching a Generation (T.A.G) is an out-of-school-time social and civic engagement program dedicated to lessening the impact of violence and harmful social activities on youth in communities at risk by offering workforce readiness training, social-emotional development opportunities, and otherwise enriching learning experiences. On T.A.G. Night, youth have a safe space every week where they can express their thoughts, feelings, and outlook on aspects of their lives. The same T.A.G. acronym has also been used to promote Community Initiatives’ Teens Against Guns movement, particularly at a time of rising violence.
We are grateful to the Vestry for approving a grant to The Community Initiatives of New York, which will provide funds for educational materials and resources, training resources, and technical equipment for media production to support participants in acquiring practical skills, all of which will help to encourage underserved teenagers to create a better perspective on life.
