1. Love, Inc. of Benton County
Love, Inc. is a Christian organization that unites churches across the country with the aim of finding people in need and serving them. Services include the provision of clothing, shelter, health care, life skills, and family support. While the main headquarters is in Minneapolis, there are smaller branches located in nearly 30 states across the country. Love, Inc. of Benton County is located in Corvallis.
Dr. Virgil Gulker of Holland, Michigan founded the organization nearly three decades ago when he discovered that many Christians did not know how to effectively serve the poor in their communities. Either they did not have the proper training to assist someone, or they were simply unaware that help was needed in the first place. Love, Inc. solved these issues by keeping track of needs within communities and training volunteers to meet those needs.
The heartbeat of Love, Inc. is love for the poor, and it is sustained by motivated Christians across the nation who earnestly desire to live out what they preach. The ministry of Love, Inc. provides homes for the homeless, friends for the friendless, and hope for the hopeless.
An idea for a grant request comes from Love, Inc.’s mission to “fill in the gaps”. The “Gap Ministries”, as they are called, fill in where the government and other charities fall short. Love, Inc. determines the unmet needs and mobilizes volunteers to fulfill them. Using the phrase “filling the gap”, a poster series could be designed and distributed in urban areas. The posters would generate awareness of the organization amongst community members outside church walls. It would also inform those who are poor or underprivileged that there is hope, and there are people who want to help.
For more information, go to http://www.yourloveinc.org
2. Caldera
Caldera is an arts program that offers summer and school-year mentorship opportunities to underprivileged youth from Portland and Central Oregon. It grew out of the idea that kids who are raised in a creative environment will grow up to use their skills as creative professionals. The idea spawned an arts camp in the central cascades where volunteer staff members work with kids to develop their confidence in self-expression. Middle school and high school-age kids get opportunities to work with creative professionals to get real-world experience and determine their career paths. Although it is open to all students, preference is given to partnering schools in Portland and Central Oregon.
In addition to the youth programs, professional artists are also offered the chance to be given studio space for a month in the seclusion of the cascades. Each selected artist gets free room and board in their own cabin space, a place for them to create their work in a beautiful natural setting. This sounds like an amazing opportunity that should be shared with working artists all across Oregon.
Caldera currently reaches out to the Portland area and Central Oregon, but there is still much potential in reaching out to artists living in the Central and Southern Willamette Valley as well. There are plenty of underprivileged youth and struggling artists living in places like Corvallis, Eugene, and Medford. They just need to be informed.
Ideas to submit for grant requests include the production of informational pamphlets to hand out at schools in the central and southern Willamette Valley. One series of pamphlets could be directed at kids in middle school, while other series are designed for high schoolers and professional artists. The content of the pamphlets could outline the history of the organization and the various programs offered by Caldera. In addition to the pamphlet, a video presentation about Caldera could be created and shown at schools or local theaters. Promotional materials such as these would increase awareness of Caldera in urban areas other than Portland, and the youth in those areas will get excellent opportunities to develop their creativity.
For more information, go to http://www.calderaarts.org
Share Your Thoughts