Episcopal Press and News
WYOMING: Diocesan foundation awards nearly $200,000 in grants
Episcopal News Service. January 29, 2008 [012908-02]
The Foundation of the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming has awarded nearly $200,000 in grants to Episcopal churches and community organizations statewide.
The foundation, which administers the granting process for both the Sargent Foundation for Episcopal Ministries (SFEM) and Wind and Wings, the diocese's youth initiative, was able to grant some amount of funding to every applicant.
"We are called to take Christ out into the world," said Wyoming Bishop Bruce Caldwell in a news release. "Each of these projects represents an effort to enrich a community through service and hospitality. Through the foundation, the diocese looks forward to many great opportunities to add to the abundant promise that Wyoming holds for each of us."
Five congregations applied for Wind and Wings grants:
- All Saint's Episcopal Church, Wheatland was awarded $9,500, to support Project Power and CLIMB, collaborations bringing together community, middle school and high school representatives focused on helping youth become better students, citizens and productive employees. This all-inclusive program includes a day-long ropes course experience at the diocese's H-R Camp near Esterbrook, Wyoming.
- The Chocolate Shoppe Teen Center in Kemmerer received a grant of $45,000 to support its mission of providing a safe, positive environment for at-risk youth. This community program draws much of its leadership from the members of St. James' Episcopal Church.
- St. Andrew in the Pines, Pinedale and St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Dubois, received grants of $15,000 and $20,000 respectively to hire a youth minister to coordinate activities in the larger community and to help youth access the assets of each of these communities.
- All Saints Episcopal Church in Torrington was granted $4,000 for its Early Head Start program to provide scholarships for families who need emergency childcare assistance, and to help middle, high school, and college-aged students/parents earn credit for successfully participating in the program.
Sargent Foundation for Episcopal Ministries grants were approved to support a number of capital improvement projects across the state:
- St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Basin/Greybull received a $26,423 grant to install a wheelchair lift.
- Church of Our Savior, Hartville, will replace windows in the parish hall with the help of a $9,500 SFEM grant.
- St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Buffalo will undertake a major renovation of its Jubilee Hall with a $30,503 grant.
- St. Matthew's Episcopal Cathedral in Laramie will further their plan to enhance their soup kitchen ministry with a $12,000 grant to redesign kitchen, service and storage areas.
- St. John's Episcopal Church in Green River was granted $18,800 to expand its thrift shop.
The Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming consists of 56 congregations across the state. The foundation supports the work of the diocese by managing and administering its endowed assets.