RELEASE DATE:  May 10, 2004

CONTACT PERSON:   Anne Schoenherr  --   800.762.6748

Wheat Ridge Awards $180,000 to Seed Six New Ministries

Itasca, IL – Wheat Ridge Ministries, an independent Lutheran non-profit organization, recently approved six grants totaling $180,000 to assist new ministries of health and hope throughout the world.  

“Wheat Ridge is honored to be able to support these excellent new ministries,” Dr. Richard Herman, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Wheat Ridge said.  “A record number of proposals were received during this funding cycle.  The projects receiving grants are just a sample of the many creative new ministries being developed by congregations and agencies that are bringing health and hope to God’s people.”

Wheat Ridge Ministries is recognized throughout the world as an independent Lutheran charitable organization that seeds new ministries of health and hope in the name of the healing Christ.  Currently, more than 100 ministries are receiving assistance through Wheat Ridge funding.  In addition to funding grants, Wheat Ridge also connects and equips people, congregations and organizations with health and hope ministries. 

For information regarding grant proposals, contact Dr. Herman (wrmhermanre@wheatridge.org) or visit the website at www.wheatridge.org.

The latest grant recipients include:

Support for At-Risk Families, Sao Leopoldo, Brazil ($10,000): Associacao Amigo Dos Meninos will offer support and counseling for women and families living in poverty for health care, education, housing and legal services.  Training will also be given in sewing and other skills to produce items for sale, which can help increase family income.

Martin Luther Elderly Day Care Centre, Jerusalem, Israel ($20,000): The Arab Lutheran Congregation in Jerusalem will develop a Centre that will seek to improve the quality of life for the elderly with socio-medical services, community activities and other services in cooperation with the congregation and shared responsibility between the Christian and Islamic communities. 

Community Health Accountability Project, San Bernardino, CA ($35,000): Central City Lutheran Mission will add a bi-lingual and culturally competent liaison to its Wellness Center who will assist in training neighborhood health care educators, work to organize neighborhood public health care forums and facilitate solutions for problems in communication or patient issues that arise.

The Dream Makers Project, Philadelphia, PA ($40,000):  Lutheran Settlement House plans to identify and educate young homeless parents in understanding and working with their children by providing intensive intervention, education, support and mentoring services.  The project also seeks to help stabilize, attain and maintain independence, advance them to appropriate housing, help them maintain stable living environments and family stability and reduce homelessness recidivism.

Transitional Living Program, Milwaukee, WI ($35,000): Sponsored by Serenity Inns, Inc., and supported by a partnership of several Lutheran congregations, the Transitional Living Program will provide housing and supportive health, educational and vocational services for men seeking to move from addiction and homelessness to continued recovery and independent living.

Emergency Care Home, Ocala, FL ($40,000): Sheltering Arms, Inc., a ministry developed by Joy Lutheran Church, will operate a 24-hour “awake” supervised emergency care home for neglected, abused or abandoned children who have been ordered to shelter status by the courts because of removal from their primary caretakers.  The home will provide a safe haven and provide meals, clothing, medical services and the opportunity to participate in community events, enrichment experiences and educational activities.