Untitled Document

NATIVE AMERICAN CHILDREN'S FUND (NACF) -- Advance Special #583581-7

Summary: Helps provide school supplies, medical attention, clothing, and summer activities for Native American children. The annual financial asking for this project is $35,000.

Description: This project has a three-fold purpose. One, it is to help Native American students who are in elementary-high school. Two, it is to provide funding for mission education opportunities for children and youth in district and conference events. Three, it is to enable youth to particpate in learning experiences beyond the conference bounds.

Guidelines and applications are developed by Administrative Ministries. Grants are approved and disbursed twice a year at the beginning of each semester. Age-level coordinators and councils develop plans for events and submit requests for funds needed. Decisions about events beyond the conference are made by the Conference Council on Youth Ministry. Many Native American children and families live in low-income and poverty situations. A good education can be a means toward a more wholesome life. Assisting children with immediate needs may help to establish a stronger foundation for the future. Exposure, awareness, and involvement in a variety of church events are necessary to create interest and potential leadership for ministry in the church.

Project Goals:

To provide suplemental grants for school-related needs of students in kindergarten through high school.
To create opportunties for children and youth to be engaged in mission education.
To increase awareness and expand knowledge among youth of ministries and the working of the church.
To approve and disburse grants each semester of the school year.
To disburse additional grants for graduating seniors.
To coordinate funds and plans for youth and children camps in the summer months.
To enable children and youth to be part of conference mission education events each year.
To work with Conference Council on Youth Ministry on participation of youth in mission, jurisdiction or general church events at least once a year

ASKING for 1997:	$35,000.00
ASKING for 1998:	$35,000.00
ASKING for 1999:	$35,000.00
ASKING for 2000:	$35,000.00

This General Advance Special was initiated in 1977-80 quadrennium. Its original purpose was to assist Indian children in teh OIMC with their school needs. During the 1989-1992 quadrennium it was decided that the funds received would also be used for other needs related to the children and youh of the conference. The current goal and budget for this Advance Special is $30,000. It has been and continues to be well supported by individuals, local churches and conferences of The United Methodist Church.

For the school supplements, an elected conference committee sets up guidelines and an application process to be followed. Currently the funds are used to assist about 100 Indian students per semester (200 per year). The grade levels include kindergarten through the senior year in high school. Additional grant asistance is made availabhle for garaduating seniors. High school dropout rates and small numbers of persons completing high school or higher education have prompted action from several agencies to change the statistics. This fund is one part of that effort. It is a way for the Church to let the children and youth know that "someone cares."

Recipients of these funds come from low income families. Some come from single parent families. Some are cared for by grandparents on fixed incomes. Many are affected by high unemployment, low educational levels or poor health conditions, including alcoholism, diabetes, heart conditions and strokes. the monies received are used for school supplies, clothing, shoes, fees uniforms and simple medical needs.

The students must be active members or participants in an OIMC local church. They must be enrolled in school and meet the income guidelines. A number of the youth are leaders in the district and ocnference youth program. Several have gone on to an institution of higher educations.

In addition to being a school supplement, the fund is used to assist with four district youth camps, the conference youth camp, four district children's camps and a district children's event during the church school year. It also provides resources for youth to travel to events beyond the ocnference. Finally, the funds are used to assist with the children and youth components of the Conference Mission Education Event held annually and sponsored by the United Methodist Women. th leaders of these programs are asked to include a mission emphasis in their planning for use of these funds. These additional purposes are seen to enable more long-term and year-round efforts with children and youth. It is hoped that such efforts will provide a stronger foundational base within the OIMC and the larger Church.