ANNUAL REPORT 2009

Copyright 2009 North Rampart Community Center.  All Rights Reserved.

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Greetings!

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1, 2.

The mission of North Rampart Community Center is to enhance the quality of life through human services to children, youth, and families by providing holistic programs that foster a sense of well being in all individuals, developing leaders for our community, and create a compassionate atmosphere for all individuals within the community.

2009 brought about heartache and pain along with changes to the Center but through it, all God immeasurable love was poured out upon us as we continue to travel the road called love as faithful stewards and servants, which He called us to be. We went through a financial crisis where we had to lay off the part-time staff and use volunteers. We were able to collaborate with local universities to get the students who had to do service learning hours to volunteer and work with the children in the After School Program.

In June, right in the middle of Summer Camp we had a $47,000.00 electrical wiring damaged that cause the Center to shut down operation for about two-month. We were able to finish our eight-week summer camp with temporary repairs. However, at the beginning of August for the After School Program, we shut down the Center for the two-month to get the electrical wiring repaired and took that time to strategies on how we were going to get enough funding to continue the After School Program for the remaining of the school year. The Women’s Division gave us the money to repair the electrical damage. They have been more than generous to the mission of this Center. They have been the major funders to keep the Center open for the children to come and have a safe haven to play with friends and make new ones. We wrote a proposal to the Women’s Division and asked for a Bridge Loan that would give us enough money to keep the Center open for the remaining of the school year. The Women’s Division awarded us $36,000.00 more than what we asked for, that is love.

Throughout the difficult time, we can truly say that the Louisiana Annual Conference along with so many other Friends of North Rampart Community Center was right there by our side as well as traveled the road of uncertainty. We called out to the Conference financially and asked for prayers. The Conference came through; donations came from all over the conference by individually or collectively as a church. During the first week of summer camp, we had Open House, which the Conference was invited. We had over eighty members from the Conference to come and see the campers in action. Broadmoor United Methodist Church was instrumental in getting a grant to frame the camper’s murals that they created during camp. We received over $15,000.00 from individual and churches throughout the Conference. We also were approved for the SAM grant from the Conference. The local United Methodist Women groups rally together and on Friday night prepared the hot meals for the children in the After School Program. The churches fed between twenty-five and thirty-five children on any given Friday. As of now, we have over 130 children enrolled in the After School Program. It cost approximately $320.00 for one child to participate in the After School Program. The Ruth Carter Auxiliary to The Peoples Community Center that is affiliated to the Peoples United Methodist Church gave the Center $500.00 to sponsor campers for the Summer Camp. We received over $3,000.00 from donors all across the United States who wanted to help sponsor youth for camp. Our camp usually cost approximately $46,000 to $50,000.00 for eighty campers and having donors with such generous heart, that is love.

We received over $10,000.00 from friends of the Center, who wanted to give to the cause. One of our partnering Conferences “North Alabama Conference” which the Executive Director is a member gave the Center a grant and sent volunteers to help beautify the Center. The Board of Directors and the Advisory Committee along with one of board member’s foundation held three fundraisers for the year and raised over $22,000.00, that is love.

Our Future Goal is to reach out into our community and find those partnerships that have the love and the heart for the children, youth, and their families to help bring wholeness into their lives.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. “ Charity has been shown to this Center and bells are ringing out to all who have given. This community center is truly a Center of the Church.

Your Servant in Christ,

Deaconess Joanne Finley, Executive Director/Church, and Community Worker