Grant Proposal

Grant Proposal

Michael O'Harran

BSHS/451

December 17, 2012

Reina Woods

Grant Proposal

With the growing population of homeless children in my community it is imperative that I help with the implementation of getting children off the streets and into housing so they have a chance at seeing a bright future ahead. In the United States there is an estimated 23% of children homeless, and in my community Washington Congressional district 7, 16% of children are homeless (Annie E. Foundation, 2011). Kids suffer tremendously when parents separate, loss jobs, or are in the center of spousal abuse. If children are not taken care of the chance of them dropping out, being suspended, held back a year, or lost in the system is greater. My grant proposal will focus on the Seattle Union Gospel Mission in helping them get funding to help children get housing.

I have been a part of Seattle Union Gospel Mission since August, 2006 when I walked through the front doors looking for a meal. What I found was a building full of hope, desires and needs. I was chemical dependent and in dire need of treatment. I entered their program for a year and was able to find my place of importance and what I needed to do to be a productive member of society. I was a ninth grade drop-out and went through the Martin Career Education Center where I was able to receive a G.E.D. With the G.E.D I was able to seek higher education and went to the University of Phoenix to peruse a bachelor's degree in human services. I believe Seattle Union Gospel Mission transformed me into the person I am today with desires and dreams of helping others especially children getting what they need out of life. I believe it's my turn to give a little back with the help of others.

Seattle Union Gospel Missions mission statement reads "dedicated to serving, rescuing and transforming those in greatest need through the grace of Jesus Christ" (Ugm.org, 2012). I believe this statement to be true especially when it comes to youth in the community. A great deal of the mission's programs help individuals forget and overcome the past. Youth ministries are all about prevention. Youth ministries are investing a great deal of time with a large generation of youth and preventing them from becoming at risk or end up in gangs. With a limited amount of help it is very difficult to help every child with every need. The staff is small, supplies are limited and volunteers are hard to find. One of the places where children can go and lay their heads at night in a safe environment is Hope Place. This is a program were women can overcome substance abuse, job loss, and spousal abuse. Working a program, forget the past and moving on to a brighter future while taking care of their children, is what the women of our community needs. My funding proposal is targeting the need of shelter for the children and parent or parents and the education needed through our services at the Union Gospel Mission. With grants we can employ more help, provide more shelter, and the needs and wants of our children.

The programs the mission offers is more directed towards the homeless population and chemical dependant individual. Union Gospel Mission offers many resources and shelter for men and women of our community. The mission offers education and reentry programs for men and women as well. Youth services are the one who struggle's the most. Without enough donations and giving from our community it is very difficult to give the children what they need. I am asking for this grant to help kids accomplish what they need to grow into productive adults. More classrooms, teachers, supplies, and mentors along with a stable place to call home. I believe great deals of children are lost in the system and forgot about. My hope is to eliminate the high percentage of failing children. As long as the community will allow us