Program Overview
Winter Wonderfest is The Ridge Community Church's annual all-church serve initiative. It is designed to spread joy during the holiday season by hosting 1,500 children for a festive Christmas event. This year, our team will host 350 kids in the Oak Creek area and 1,150 in the greater Greenfield area. The event includes games, crafts, and the distribution of free toys, providing a memorable holiday experience for families in need.
Impact
Through Winter Wonderfest, we aim to bring joy, warmth and hope to children who might otherwise miss out on the magic of the season. This event strengthens community ties, engages volunteers, and offers a tangible expression of love and generosity. The initiative will directly impact 1,500 children, ensuring they receive gifts and experience the joy of the holiday season in a supportive, festive environment.
Program Overview
Care Net provides free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, life-affirming options counseling, baby supplies, and classes. To meet increasing demand, the focus is on expanding the Ultrasound Program by replacing an outdated machine and hiring a new sonographer.
Impact
77% of women seeking services are considering abortion; Care Net has a success rate where 70% of these women change their minds after seeing their babies through ultrasound. The program serves over 1,700 women annually and provides essential baby supplies and support.
Program Overview
City on a Hill seeks to renovate 6,000 square feet of its main common spaces to enhance its welcoming environment and better reflect its mission. The renovation will include updates to the Front Desk, meeting rooms, common halls, and the staff copy center. It will aim to create a cohesive, inviting space that fosters community and supports its mission of transforming lives through unconditional love and support.
Impact
The renovation will:
Program Overview
The Seedling Program at Shechem provides a safe and supportive environment for youth to break toxic generational cycles of abuse, poverty, and substance abuse. Through activities in arts, Christian development, music, workforce and financial development, and education, the program aims to foster hope, build community, and empower young people to make positive life choices. The program includes a variety of classes and workshops, such as business preparation, faith-based studies, and dance classes, to help youth develop skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
Impact
Funding will enhance the Seedling Program by:
The Seedling Program aims to provide a foundational, safe space for youth to thrive, ultimately improving educational outcomes, personal growth, and community involvement.
Program Overview
Safe Families for Children—Greater Milwaukee Chapter seeks to enhance its Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) and launch a new "Parent Advocates" program. This initiative aims to engage experienced parents in supporting new families by offering resources, education, and relational support. The goal is to provide a network of caring volunteers to help families in need, foster a supportive community, and prevent foster care situations.
Impact
The funds will be used to train and support 10 Parent Advocates. This will enhance the support provided to families, ensuring that new families feel welcomed and supported. The program will also empower experienced parents to give back, creating a cycle of support and hope within the community.
Program Overview
Bridge Builders aims to transform neighborhoods within a 170-block target area holistically. Their approach includes engaging residents to take ownership, renovating problematic properties, promoting homeownership, and establishing Hub Houses and Lighthouses to foster community support. This program focuses on creating positive change through direct involvement and a long-term missionary presence in the community.
Impact
Bridge Builders has successfully improved neighborhood safety and cleanliness, restored hope among residents, and reduced drug-related problems. Their work is measured by volunteer involvement, resident engagement, and property improvements. Their unique model of embedding staff within the community and their commitment to holistic transformation significantly impact the neighborhoods they serve.
Program Overview
The Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District is collaborating with Children's Hospital of Wisconsin's Project ADAM, the Oak Creek Fire Department (OCFD), and the Oak Creek Police Department (OCPD) to establish all ten schools in the district as Heart Safe Schools. This initiative aims to train emergency response teams in CPR and AED usage, running drills at least three times a year. Project ADAM is a national initiative that has saved over 200 lives through cardiac emergency preparedness, and the Oak Creek-Franklin district plans to join this life-saving effort.
Impact
This initiative will create life-saving teams prepared to respond to cardiac events in each district's school. Success will be measured by the number of schools certified as Heart Safe, the completion of drills, the number of staff and community members trained in CPR/AED, and the number of purchased AEDs and other safety tools. These efforts will provide critical emergency preparedness across the district, benefitting students, staff, and the community.
Program Overview
Eastern Dominican Christian Mission (EDCM) focuses on church planting in the eastern part of the Dominican Republic. They have six established church plants and aim to advance their work in El Siebo and Veron to the "establish" phase, where churches meet regularly. EDCM combines spiritual support with humanitarian outreach to benefit local communities.
Impact
The funding will secure a location (either purchase land or rent a facility) and equip the church plants in El Siebo and Veron with necessary resources such as sound equipment, chairs, and instruments. This will enable regular church services, support community outreach, and help establish a lasting presence in these areas.
Program Overview
Ebenezer Stone Ministries (ESM) is a faith-based organization dedicated to transforming lives through the love and teachings of Jesus Christ. They serve underprivileged communities on Milwaukee's south side, particularly in zip codes 53204 and 53215, areas affected by generational poverty, under-employment, and food insecurity. ESM operates through three key pillars: Food Pantries, Warehousing, and Housing. Their programs address both immediate needs and provide long-term solutions to help individuals and families break the cycle of poverty.
Impact
The grant will ensure that ESM can continue providing high-quality food and meals to needy individuals and families. In 2023, their food pantry served 11,226 people, and their hot meal program served 17,125 people. The funding will help stabilize their programs after the merger with God Touch Milwaukee and allow them to maintain their impact on the community, providing both physical nourishment and spiritual support to those they serve. Additionally, the housing program has seen approximately 15 men graduate over the past two years, with significant personal growth and community reintegration. This funding is crucial for ESM to continue meeting the needs of Milwaukee's south-side communities, particularly amidst changes in grant funding.
Program Overview
Winslow Christian School serves as a vital ministry in its community, dedicated to helping children and their families come to know Christ through education and evangelism. As the only Christian school within a 50-mile radius, it provides spiritual and academic growth opportunities to children predominantly from poverty-stricken environments. A pressing need at the school is feeding the children—many of whom arrive at school with only a small bag of chips and a drink for their meals. Providing nutritious breakfasts and lunches ensures that students are physically nourished and can focus on their education and biblical teachings.
Impact
Winslow Christian School plays a significant role in the community, teaching students about the Bible and how to live according to God's word. Every year, the school grows as more families seek its positive influence. Providing meals is essential for the children's well-being, as proper nutrition directly impacts their focus and overall performance in the classroom. Additionally, the school hosts several fundraising and outreach events, such as a fall festival and pancake breakfasts, and collaborates with local churches and ministries to further engage with the community. The requested funds will support the school's kitchen operations, enabling them to continue offering students meals and further enhancing their outreach programs.
Program Overview
Community Projects for Seniors provides essential Care Packages to low-income elderly and disabled individuals. These packages include toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and hygiene products, delivered directly to residents' doors. The program aims to alleviate financial burdens and reduce social isolation among seniors.
Impact
Approximately 16,000 individuals are served annually. The program addresses financial hardships and social isolation, and metrics include the total number of clients served, Care Packages delivered, and client feedback.
Program Overview
Project Concern of Cudahy/St. Francis, Inc. provides essential services, including food, clothing, and access to community resources to low-income families in Cudahy, one of the poorer cities in Milwaukee County. Their mission is to help families achieve self-sufficiency and alleviate the stress of poverty through a compassionate, Jesus-centered approach.
Impact
These investments will enhance their ability to meet basic and emergency needs, improve operational efficiency, and provide a more supportive environment for families, thereby reducing stress and fostering hope.
Program Overview
The New Berlin Food Pantry has supported community families for over 35 years. We provide food, household supplies, personal products, school supplies, and holiday giving. We have over 50 volunteers, with some dedicating more than 20 hours a week. We are now embarking on a move and expansion with the City of New Berlin. We are a separate 501(c)(3) organization operated entirely by volunteers. Our new location will be at the former Hickory Grove School, allowing us more space to support families.
Impact
This move will enable us to enhance our support for families by providing new equipment and storage solutions. The expanded space will help us better meet the needs of our community and ensure we can continue our vital services effectively.
Program Overview
The Captive Project Church & Ministries is focused on advancing God's Kingdom by sharing the hope and healing of the Gospel with marginalized individuals in high-crime areas impacted by drugs and violence. The ministry emphasizes Christian mentorship lasting 3 to 5 years, helping people rebuild their lives through a relationship with Christ. They aim to empower individuals to overcome addiction and violence, fostering a life of purpose and fulfillment through understanding Christ's love.
Impact
The Captive Project's "Bible Blessings Initiative" aims to distribute 10,000 study Bibles and establish sustainable discipleship programs within Milwaukee and globally. This initiative seeks to increase Bible literacy, spiritual growth, and community engagement, strongly emphasizing mentorship over 3 to 5 years. The program's success will be measured through surveys, attendance records, behavioral observations, and community impact assessments. By fostering spiritual growth and leadership, the initiative aims to create lasting change in vulnerable communities, reducing crime and addiction rates while strengthening community bonds.
The initiative also seeks to leave a legacy of faith and hope, demonstrating how strategic, sustainable efforts can lead to long-term spiritual and social transformation.
Program Overview
Chosen aims to provide foster families with essential items through a mobile resource van. This van will deliver clothing, hygiene products, and other necessities directly to families' doorsteps, providing timely and crucial support.
Impact
The van will enable Chosen to reach more families quickly and efficiently, improving access to much-needed resources for foster children and their caregivers.
Program Overview
The Whitnall School District seeks to support students in need by eliminating unpaid lunch balances and providing healthy snacks.
Impact
This initiative ensures no child in the district will worry about missing a meal, allowing them to focus on their education and personal growth.
Program Overview
In collaboration with several school districts, Operation Warm will provide 1,500 children with new winter coats, hats, and mittens. These items will offer more than warmth—they'll instill comfort, confidence, and dignity in each child.
Impact
This initiative ensures children can face the harsh winter months comfortably, with a focus on enhancing their well-being and self-esteem.
Program Overview
Once school is out for the summer, many children lose access to the healthy meals they rely on during the school year. The Summer Feed Kids Initiative aims to bridge this gap by providing nutritious meals to children in need throughout the summer, ensuring they can access consistent, healthy food during this critical period.
Impact
This initiative will provide thousands of meals to children who would otherwise go without proper nutrition during the summer break. By alleviating food insecurity, the program ensures children can stay healthy, active, and ready to return to school in the fall, fully nourished and prepared to learn. Success will be measured by the number of meals provided and the overall improvement in the well-being of participating children.
Program Overview
This heartwarming event pairs children selected by social workers with local heroes—police officers, firefighters, and military personnel—for a back-to-school shopping spree.
Impact
By supporting this event, you'll help 60 children experience a memorable day with positive role models while ensuring they are prepared and confident as they return to school.
Program Overview
Following overwhelming community support, we're exploring the next step in our Honduras partnership: sponsoring a playground at one of the mission centers.
Impact
This project will provide a safe and joyful space for children, foster community engagement, and offer hope to hundreds of families in Honduras.
Program Overview
The Umoja Co-Parenting Program is a transformative initiative designed to foster healthy co-parenting relationships, promote family stability, and ensure the well-being of children. Rooted in Afrocentric principles, the program provides co-parents with communication tools, emotional support, and legal guidance to help them collaboratively raise their children in a nurturing environment. This program aligns with Nia Imani Family's mission to strengthen families and communities through holistic support.
Impact
The Umoja Co-Parenting Program seeks to create harmonious relationships between co-parents, reduce conflicts, and prioritize the well-being of children. Key outcomes include:
The program will be measured through pre- and post-program surveys, participant feedback, and tracking metrics such as conflict reduction and child development improvements.
Program Overview
Kingdom Prep Lutheran High School (KP) exists to create a brotherhood in Christ where young men develop their God-given gifts to lead in the home, serve in the church, engage in meaningful work, and transform their community. The school primarily serves young men from some of Milwaukee's most challenged zip codes, providing positive role models, mentorship, and a pathway toward self-sufficiency. One significant barrier many students face is access to part-time employment due to a lack of skills, mentorship, and transportation.
To address these challenges, KP seeks to expand its Student Employment Initiative, an in-house employment program designed to equip students with soft skills and practical work experience. The initiative provides a safe and supportive environment for first-year students to develop skills in food service, facilities maintenance, office administration, tutoring, and custodial work, all while earning wages under the guidance of staff and adult mentors.
Impact
This initiative offers students valuable work experience, skill development, and mentorship, helping them prepare for marketplace employment and future leadership roles. Key outcomes include:
Program Overview
One of the most pressing needs in Racine County, much like in Milwaukee, is the lack of affordable housing. The disparity in housing costs has created significant financial strain on renters and aspiring homeowners, particularly in underserved communities. 1 in 4 renters in Racine County spend 50% or more of their monthly income on housing, far above the recommended limit, making saving or investing in long-term financial stability difficult.
Impact
This funding will allow Habitat for Humanity Racine to:
