March 10, 1999
Texas hunger funds
revitalize a Kentucky ministry
___By Ken Walker
___Special Correspondent
___LOUISVILLE, Ky.--A $20,000 grant from the Baptist General Convention of Texas has provided a spark of life for an inner-city center that ministers to the homeless.
___The gift from the Texas Baptist Hunger Fund, administered through the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, was among nearly $75,000 in grants secured last year by the Jefferson Street Baptist Center near downtown Louisville.
___The Texas gift "was vital, no doubt about it," said Executive Director Randall Harvey. "That set the ball rolling. We wouldn't be as far along as we are today without it."
___In addition, the once-beleaguered ministry center received subsequent grants from the Coalition for the Homeless, the city of Louisville and a state mental health agency.
___Recently renewed for 1999, the BGCT grant is one of more than 30 given annually from Texas hunger funds. Twenty percent of the Texas monies are reserved for U.S. missions needs outside the state.
___Jefferson Street Center divides the funds between food--used in its day shelter and for holiday meals--and supplementing the salary of a social worker, whohelps clients become self-supporting.
___In the past, the social worker had been part-time. "I don't know how we could have offered anybody full-time work," Harvey said. "At the time, we were pretty much relying on our association budget, and we only had $10,000 allocated for that position."
___The funding increases came as the center prepares to remodel and add to its long-term accommodations. Harvey plans to start a $100,000 renovation this spring to provide housing for six additional residents.
___Jefferson Street Center also offers temporary housing for about 20 overnight guests.
___Joe Haag, associate director of the Texas CLC, said the Texas grants usually are targeted toward ministries that mix relief work with helping people help themselves.
___That makes all the difference at Jefferson Street, Harvey agreed. "Hunger funds (had been) limited to direct assistance. That left us frustrated. We knew certain clients we'd see again. It was kind of like a revolving door."
___The innovative strategy Texas Baptists now use in dispersing hunger funds has reignited support for the offering, Haag said.Frontpage / Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!