Congratulations Next Generation THP Grant Recipients!

May 17, 2016 | UA News

Article and photos by Urban Alliance staff.

Congratulations to Bible Way Temple Nation, Glory Chapel International Cathedral, House of Praise and Worship, House of Restoration Church and South Congregational Church, who were recently awarded grant funding through Next Generation, an Urban Alliance initiative that helps children and youth achieve academic success, develop character, and receive support through healthy relationships by collaboratively increasing the impact of local in- and out-of-school programs.

Grant funding will provide financial scholarships for more than 50 middle- and high-school youth to attend The Hartford Project (THP) this summer, where they will have the opportunity build knowledge and skills, grow in their faith, serve the community, and develop long-term relational support.

THP is an urban-ministry service-learning experience that brings together hundreds of youth for four days during the summer and provides opportunities for youth to connect with each other and serve throughout the year.

Collaborative efforts through Urban Alliance help increase youth involvement in THP, assist in program and organizational development, and provide enhanced and enriched learning experiences through program evaluation and the fostering of relationships.

Next Generation is an Urban Alliance initiative that helps children and youth achieve academic success, develop character, and receive support through healthy relationships by collaboratively increasing the impact of local in- and out-of-school programs.

The staff at Urban Alliance are familiar with Pastor Frank because he is a regular attendee to many of the trainings Urban Alliance provides on subjects like domestic violence, addressing childhood trauma, and better counseling techniques. “That’s been so valuable to me to be able to bring that back, not only in my counseling but also in my teaching and preaching ministries, “ shared Termine.

Pastor Frank was also one of the original members of the Micah group, a group of pastors that meets at Urban Alliance to discuss and strategize about challenging issues that face the church today. One of those earlier discussions on justice, incarceration, and returning citizens was particularly memorable. “We all lamented the fact that these men and women were coming out of prison into our churches and just kind of being thrown there,” said Termine, “We could do better than this.” That discussion planted the seeds that eventually led to the creation of Second Chance Churches – an opportunity for churches to provide support and mentoring to returning citizens that continues today.

When we asked Pastor Frank what he would say to another church that was unaware of Urban Alliance, he said, “If you are looking to get out in the community and make a difference in the community, Urban Alliance is a super way to do it. We’re a small church … we can’t do everything. Urban Alliance is a pathway to get our people involved in ministries that are already doing it, doing it well, and just need extra volunteers.”

Pastor Frank Termine’s story embodies many things we are trying to accomplish at Urban Alliance: supporting organizations in the communities they serve with training, resources, and opportunities to make a difference. Pastors and non-profit leaders face a wide range of challenges and, therefore, need a wide range of help and resources. Your support can help turn stories of struggle into stories like you find at Calvary Church.

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