Chattanooga, Tenn. (Sept. 26, 2022) – The Bethlehem Center, a local nonprofit devoted to empowering youth and families through spiritual growth, education, and leadership development, celebrated the success of this year’s Community Connections Summer Grants Program. The program provides summer program funding for organizations that deliver education, discipleship, and/or leadership development programming for the youth representing underserved communities.
“In 2018, the Bethlehem Center began administering the program in order to serve Chattanooga youth and the community,” says Reginald F. Smith II, executive director at The Bethlehem Center. “We have provided guidance, structure, support, and professional development training to selected partner organizations ever since.”
Two areas the Summer Grants Program focuses on are Outdoor and Arts Programming. Outdoor programs allow children to engage in outdoor education and play to support emotional, behavioral and intellectual development, while also benefiting their health. The art programs provide children with different points of view, allow them to empathize with “others,” help to reduce stress among children, and give them an outlet for expression and the opportunity to reflect on the human condition.
The 2022 programming included sculpting a functional bike within forty-hours, learning how to use digital design software, mural painting, farming and gardening skills, and more.
2022 CCSG Recipients:
● Alpha And Omega Outreach
● Brainerd Baptist Hispanic Church
● Bridge Chattanooga
● Chattanooga Football Club Foundation – Chattanooga Sports Ministries
● Christ Community
● Doors Open Jazz, Inc.
● East Lake Expression Engine
● Hamilton County Coalition
● Highland Park Commons
● Iglesia Bautista de Chattanooga
● Iglesia Evangelica Filadelfia
● Impact1!
● Misión de la Basílica – Casa de Oración Santa Cruz
● MVP Summer Program
● National Coalition of 100 Black Women – Chattanooga Chapter Inc
● Net Resource Foundation
● New Monumental Baptist Church “Community Operation Outreach”
Program
● Orchard Park Church S.T.E.P. Camp
● Placing Emphasis Around Kids (PEAK)
● Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana de Red Bank
● Quarterback Club
● Reach One Teach One
● Smoking For Jesus
● St. Peter & Paul Basilica Hispanic Ministry
● The Centenary – First-Centenary United Methodist Church
● The Pursuit of Happiness
● Tob.Art Creative Painting
● Unity Performing Arts Foundation of Chattanooga
● Young Ladies of Power Inc.To learn more about the Bethlehem Center and our Summer Grants Program, visit thebeth.org or email grants@thebeth.org