IMPACTING YOUTH Our Leaders of Tomorrow
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2016 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION
FUNDING FOR THE FUTURE BY AIDING AND . INSPIRING OUR YOUTH letter from beauty p
baldwin & chip jakins
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or 11 years, the Jackson EMC Foundation has provided funding for a multitude of community-based programs throughout the 10 counties served by Jackson EMC. Grants have gone to support food banks and community health clinics, educational initiatives and emergency shelters, and so much more.
We take pride in all the work the Jackson EMC
organizations for developmentally challenged
Foundation has accomplished, but we’ll admit it:
children to purchasing library books for kids and
We are most proud of the impact the Foundation
funding programs that deliver youth from the
has had on youth.
influence of gangs and violence.
As an electric cooperative, Jackson EMC provides
Whether aiding children in dire need, or inspiring
power to more than 221,000 meters across northeast
youth to achieve their highest potential, the
Georgia. As a community partner, the Jackson EMC
Jackson EMC Foundation Board believes its support
Foundation empowers youth throughout the region.
for young people has been one of its greatest
The impact is possible thanks to Jackson EMC
accomplishments.
members who participate in Operation Round Up® by
In this Annual Report for 2016, we visit eight
rounding up their monthly power bills to the next
organizations that positively impact the youth of
dollar, with the extra pennies set aside for charity.
Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall,
Jackson EMC Foundation’s volunteer board of
Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison and Oglethorpe
directors meets monthly to study grant requests
counties. It is our honor and privilege to
from hundreds of area organizations and distributes
support them.
grants to projects that impact the most citizens. The Foundation routinely provides assistance to
Sincerely,
programs that aid and inspire area youth. These youth are our future. They are future Jackson EMC members. They are future community and governmental leaders. They will be our teachers, doctors, homebuilders and public servants.
Beauty P. Baldwin, Chair, Jackson EMC Foundation
Our world is in their hands, and by investing in them, we invest in our future. This funding for youth has run the gamut—from
Chip Jakins,
providing for afterschool programs and
President & CEO, Jackson EMC
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Special Olympics Coach Susan Mullis with an athlete.
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2016 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION
ADVENTURE BAGS
www.adventurebags.org
BASED IN Auburn COUNTIES SERVED All counties served by Jackson EMC
GRANT
$7,500 for comfort bags for displaced children Adventure Bags President/CEO Debbie Gori is affectionately called “the Bag Lady.”
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n 2010, social worker Tracey McMahon took a plane to the West Coast to rescue three siblings from an unsafe situation. Their only possessions were the dirty clothes they wore, and they were fearful of leaving
with a stranger. McMahon was struck by the sadness. The same scene is played out every
body wash, underwear and a water bottle.
time children are summoned by a stranger
Having their own bag, filled with their own
while based in Auburn, serves all counties
to leave their home, whether it’s because a
belongings, gave the kids a sense of comfort
in Jackson EMC territory—and throughout
parent has been arrested, or they’ve been
in the midst of an uncomfortable situation.
the state. The goal is simple: provide
put in foster care, or their home has
Today, Gori runs the nonprofit which,
When she returned to Georgia,
security and comfort to a child in crisis.
burned. For these displaced children,
McMahon shared the story with her
Adventure Bags does this by supplying
leaving everything they’re familiar with
husband, Eric, and her mother, Debbie
children with essential items so that, as
is a scary thing.
Gori. The trio wondered how many other
they transition during a crisis, they have
children suffer fear when suddenly
something that’s all their own.
To ease the fear of the three kids out West, McMahon took them to a department
summoned to leave behind all they know.
store and let each child pack a book bag
They started brainstorming and, in 2011,
place,” says Gori. “Even if you’re being
with daily necessities like a toothbrush,
Adventure Bags was born.
mistreated, you love your parents. To be
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“You have to put yourself in that child’s
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Volunteers who pack their fair share of Adventure Bags mark the occasion with their handprint on the wall.
taken away from them is difficult. Adventure Bags makes it a
bins filled with items to go in the book bags. The building is
little less difficult.”
stuffed, but the requests for Adventure Bags are multiplying,
Each book bag is stuffed with age-appropriate essentials such
leaving the organization in need of more space.
as toothbrush and paste, shampoo, body wash, underwear, comb or brush, baby bottles, wipes and a stuffed animal. Extras include a water bottle, flashlight, coloring book or journal, pen or pencil, small toy, sippy cup, or other age-appropriate items. Organizations that request bags include sheriff’s and fire
We couldn’t do this without volunteers and donations
departments, departments of family and children services and other foster services, domestic violence shelters, and agencies
Gori, who doesn’t draw a salary for her service as president/
that serve displaced children. Bags are available for children of
CEO, says every penny donated to Adventure Bags goes to the
all ages, infant to 18, according to Gori, who says almost 4,000
mission. “We couldn’t do this without volunteers and donations,”
bags were distributed in 2015. The organization is on track to give
she adds, expressing gratitude for Jackson EMC Foundation
out 6,000 bags in 2016.
grant monies which are used to buy, fill and deliver bags.
Gori often hears back from organizations that use the bags.
In five years of filling bags for children, there were things Gori
One agency shared the story of an angry young teenager who had
knew to expect, most notably: sadness when hearing the plights
been fighting, cursing and spitting. “He reached in his book bag,
of displaced children, and satisfaction when learning how a
pulled out the journal and started writing,” says Gori, “and that
stuffed book bag lightened the load. But there was one thing she
calmed him down.”
didn’t expect.
Adventure Bags is operated out of a 12x32 utility building at Gori’s home in Auburn. The walls are lined with book bags and
“In Barrow County, they call me the Bag Lady,” she concludes. “I didn’t see that coming.”
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2016 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION
C.O.R.E.
mulherinfoundation.com
BASED IN Athens COUNTIES SERVED Barrow, Clarke, Gwinnett, Jackson and Madison
GRANT
$10,000 to cover program costs for participants Coach Chris Jordan works out with C.O.R.E. participants at the punching bags.
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.O.R.E. traces its origins to conversations Ken Parris and Sherri Goggin had with Chris Jordan a few years back. After taking a boxing class from Chris at the University of Georgia, Ken introduced his
daughters to boxing training. They loved it—as did Sherri’s children, who also took classes. The three adults started kicking around ideas and, in 2015, C.O.R.E. was formed. The goal of C.O.R.E. is to improve the lives of adolescents
approximately 35 percent of the nation’s youth. The program
struggling with weight by promoting Confidence, Ownership,
targets adolescent Medicaid recipients at risk for chronic
Responsibility and Exercise through a 12-week program of high
conditions related to obesity.
intensity, high impact exercise and instruction on healthy eating and behavior modification. At the end of three months, C.O.R.E. participants find themselves stronger, more confident and more interested in fitness.
It’s essentially an oasis for kids who live in an exercise desert, according to Parris, C.O.R.E.’s director. “These kids don’t have access to gyms and, by middle school, aren’t able to participate in school sports because of intense
Based at the Sports Performance and Rehabilitation Center
competition for few positions,” says Parris, noting that less
(SPARC) at Athens Orthopedic Clinic, C.O.R.E. exists through a
attention to P.E. in school has led to many children failing to
collaboration that brings together Athens Regional Health
receive the moderate to vigorous physical activity necessary to
System, the William B. Mulherin Foundation for Health and
stave off being overweight or obese.
Wellness and the University of Georgia Obesity Initiative. All work together to address adolescent obesity, which affects
C.O.R.E. participants learn a high intensity exercise regimen of body weight exercises they can perform without gym
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High intensity training at C.O.R.E. helps young athletes build muscle — and confidence.
A UGA student volunteer, Amanda helps train kids like Gabriel.
equipment. As they train, they benefit from lower BMI, more lean
UGA registered dietitian nutritionists. Athens Regional
muscle development, higher metabolism rates, greater energy,
pediatricians monitor the health of participants.
improved sleep and better health overall. Youth who learn proper
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“In my experience, there are very few truly successful
technique for body weight and resistance band workouts push
programs which address the chronic health issues associated
themselves to higher levels of endurance.
with childhood obesity,” says Dr. Jon Udwadia, an Athens-based
“We teach them how to do a proper pushup and equip them
pediatrician who refers patients at risk for obesity-related
with the tools and intrinsic motivation to exercise regularly at
disease. “In a very short time, C.O.R.E. has delivered meaningful
home,” says Parris.
change in the health of my patients.”
The high intensity training features non-combative shadow
“Jon has seen many of these kids for years, and nothing
boxing, a “cool” sport that piques their interest, according to
reversed their BMI trend like this program,” says Parris. “When
Goggin, director of the Mulherin Foundation. “As their strength
he saw the drop in fasting glucose levels of his patients who
and endurance increase, the participants’ confidence and overall
participated in C.O.R.E., he was excited.”
demeanor grows,” says Goggin. Children who once struggled with depression begin to smile a lot as they live out one of the program’s mantras: “Train like a fighter. Live like a champion.” “These are children who’ve been pushed to the margins and, here, they find a place where they can engage in fitness with people like them,” says Parris, noting that many C.O.R.E.
In a very short time, C.O.R.E. has delivered meaningful change in the health of my patients
participants go from being unable to do one proper sit-up to mastering 100 at a time. “They struggle to exercise the first few
Seventeen research scientists from the UGA Obesity Initiative
weeks, but around the seventh week, they begin working out at
have been following C.O.R.E. participants since January to
a higher level, and during the last four weeks, they convert
monitor their anthropometric, metabolic and behavioral changes.
excess fat to muscle at a rapid rate as their endurance and capability grow.”
“This research shows C.O.R.E. is making significant improvement in the health of participants,” says Parris.
Since C.O.R.E. began, 62 youth have completed the program, which includes healthy diet instruction offered to parents by
Researchers plan to submit their findings to the National Institutes of Health this fall.
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2016 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION
EXODUS OUTREACH
www.unionbaptistchurchbuford.com/exodusoutreach-ministry
BASED IN Buford COUNTIES SERVED Gwinnett and Hall
GRANT
$15,000 for children’s summer educational program Twins Kylin and Kylia, 5, make the most of their break from school at the Exodus Outreach Summer Fun and Educational Program.
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t Union Baptist Church in Buford, summer doesn’t mean “shut-down,” but, instead: “Let’s keep going!” That’s the mantra of certified teachers, like Linda Murray, who lead the Exodus Outreach Summer Fun
and Educational Program. “Kids get behind in the summer, and this program gives
“We target students considered at-risk due to home
them a head start when they get back to school in the fall,”
environment, social-economic status, or parents’ inability to
says Murray, a 33-year educator who retired from Buford High
pay for quality daycare or summer camp,” says the Rev. Kary
School as assistant principal in 2015. “During the school year,
Harris, founder and CEO of Exodus Outreach. “Our main focus is
teachers don’t have much time for one-on-one instruction
educational so that when the children go back to school, they
with students, but here we have time to break it down for
are at or above their academic level. Before, some of our
the kids.”
students would not have gone to the library to pick out a book;
Started in 2006, the summer program serves at-risk
now, they see they can have fun along with education.”
students in grades K-8. Classes are conducted in the church
The summer program includes healthy meals, field trips,
fellowship hall, and the kids eat lunch there, too. Funded by
guest speakers, and physical education. Students receive both
church members and through grants, like the one from the
remedial and enrichment activities. Daily lessons are based on
Jackson EMC Foundation, the program is free to participants.
Georgia Department of Education standards with a focus on
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STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning, according to Lacrecia Smith, summer camp program director and curriculum developer.
During the school year, teachers don’t have much time for one-onone instruction with students, but here we have time to break it down for the kids Most impressive, Exodus Outreach employs certified teachers whose experience in the school classroom leads to success in the summer program. In the summer of 2016, the staff at Exodus included teachers with masters and specialist degrees and one working on a doctorate degree. A certified nutritionist serves as dietitian and invites students to help plan meals as a way of instilling healthy habits and lifestyles. Smith has witnessed the education and experiences offered
Summer Program Director Lacrecia Smith helps Mariah and Miracle at the computer.
through the program spark change in children’s behavior. “We have one student who’s been coming here for three summers who had behavior issues his first year,” she says. “We’ve seen a positive change. Being exposed to activities rather than at home watching TV and playing video games has really benefited him both academically and socially.” Since 85 percent of their church membership is living on a fixed income, Exodus Outreach at Union Baptist wouldn’t be able to operate the program without financial assistance, according to Smith, who says, “Every time we turn to Jackson EMC, they always come through.” In addition to the Summer Fun and Educational Program, Exodus Outreach operates a food bank that distributes food to almost 5,000 people monthly and offers computer classes weekly to anyone in need of basic computer knowledge.
Kids get behind in the summer, and this program gives them a head start when they get back to school Brennan tackles summer studies at Exodus Outreach.
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2016 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION
GEORGIA CHILDREN’S CHORUS georgiachildrenschorus.org
BASED IN Athens COUNTIES SERVED Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe
GRANT
$10,000 to enable 20 students from lowincome families to participate Georgia Children’s Chorus participants learn not only music but valuable life lessons through choral training.
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articipation in the Georgia Children’s Chorus (GCC) is about music—and so much more. In its eighteenth season, GCC is a 115-voice children’s chorus in residence at the Hugh Hodgson School of
Music at the University of Georgia. Its members, ages 7-18, receive professional choral training and opportunities to perform. Founded in 1998, the Georgia Children’s Chorus offers
The chorus practices weekly during the school year. Music
beginning, intermediate and advanced vocal training through
students at UGA assist with training, and the GCC performs
three groups: a Prelude Choir for its youngest singers, an
one major concert each semester at the UGA Performing Arts
Intermezzo Choir for upper elementary and beginning middle
Center. In addition to concerts onsite, the Chorus has
school students, and the Concert Choir for advanced middle
performed in venues such as the Georgia Museum of Art, State
school and high school singers. The Ensemble is another
Botanical Garden of Georgia, and the Lincoln Center in New
advanced choir for its most vocally mature high school members
York City.
who also participate in the Concert Choir. Singers are selected
Besides music, according to Artistic Director Carol Reeves,
through an audition process and placed in a choir according to
GCC singers learn responsibility, commitment, teamwork and
their singing ability and age.
self-confidence.
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The Georgia Children’s Chorus presents a concert each semester at the UGA Performing Arts Center.
“Every voice counts,” says Reeves. “Just like on a football team where every player counts, in the choir, every voice has to pull its own weight.” Lifelong benefits for students of music include enhanced critical thinking skills, higher test scores, better vocabulary and advanced reading skills, according to Reeves. “Kids who’ve been through the program tell me they learned music but so much more,” she says. “It’s built their confidence and helped them learn communication skills. When they go into the work field or college for interviews, they feel they can better
We are so grateful to the Jackson EMC Foundation for supporting the Georgia Children’s Choir—but also for investing in the youth in northeast Georgia
handle themselves with more confidence and poise.” Reeves recalls one young chorus member who was “so bashful she wouldn’t look you in the eyes.” Now, according to the
“With 115 members in the choir, that adds up quickly,” says
artistic director, the once-shy student is involved in a multitude
Reeves, adding that the sheet music provided by the JEMC
of activities, including drama.
Foundation remains in the GCC music library forever, leaving
“I have seen lives changed by the chorus, and it just amazes me,” says Reeves, noting that some chorus members go on to
a legacy for future generations of chorus members. “We are so grateful to the Jackson EMC Foundation for
major in music and some teach music themselves. “All chorus
supporting the Georgia Children’s Choir—but also for investing
members learn to be good citizens and to be part of a
in the youth in northeast Georgia through all the organizations
community… We stress that.”
they support,” says Reeves. “Jackson EMC truly is helping
Along with helping GCC provide choral training to lowincome, the Jackson EMC Foundation grant also helps pay for
to build future leaders and outstanding citizens for the next generation.”
sheet music that routinely costs $1.95 to $2.50 apiece.
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2016 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION
JACKSON COUNTY 4-H ROBOTICS PROGRAM www.team4189.org/joomla/index.php/about-us
BASED IN Jefferson COUNTIES SERVED Jackson
GRANT
$6,000 for equipment for FIRST Robotics Competition The Jackson County 4-H Robotics Team won the 2016 Excellence in Engineering Award at state competition.
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or six weeks each winter, the Jackson County 4-H Robotics Team lives, breathes, eats and sleeps robotics. It’s practically a must when competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition.
The acronym stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition
Throughout the year, the robotics team studies STEM
of Science and Technology” and the global competition
subjects in preparation for the big event—the FIRST Robotics
reinforces STEM (science, technology, engineering and
Challenge. Each January, the challenge is unveiled via a global
math) skills while inspiring innovation and promoting
internet broadcast where all FIRST teams across the world learn
life skills.
of the challenge simultaneously. From the time the challenge is
With its primary focus on STEM experiences that build
revealed, teams have six weeks to design, build and test an
interest in technology careers, the Jackson County 4-H
industrial-strength robot that’s remotely controlled with
Robotics Team formed in 2011 and now boasts 25 members
onboard computers and capable of playing that year’s game.
who meet at the 4-H Center in Jefferson. Teammates hail from
The six-week build is intense, to say the least, according to
each of Jackson County’s public and private schools; about
Robotics Mentor Harold Jarrett, who leads the team with
one-third of the team’s members are girls.
assistance from other volunteer mentors.
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whole project. In recent years, the team has built remote controlled robots to play basketball, ultimate Frisbee, and other competitive games—all while learning skills related to engineering, manufacturing, computer programming, electronic marketing and more. Participation in FIRST Robotics is a plus for college applications, notes Jarrett, adding that three former Jackson County 4-H Robotics Team members are currently pursuing engineering degrees at Georgia Tech. Last year’s FIRST challenge was the most complex so far, according to Jarrett, who said his team rose to the occasion. To create a robot that would defend a castle described in the challenge, students had to take into consideration items such as weight and height restrictions, which type of drive train would best maneuver the terrain, and the height of the robot for optimum movability.
We’ve learned the keys to success at competition are to have a good bot, be as skilled as possible, make a good group of friends, and be lucky The team build began with discussions; then transitioned to designing the robot; then building, testing and modifying it; and, finally, taking it to competition. Team members put in numerous late night and weekend hours building their bot, all while keeping up with their regular school studies and activities, according to Jarrett. The Jackson team qualified in regional finals four of the
Students test the second version of their T-shirt cannon.
past five years and did well at this year’s state competition, bringing home the 2016 Excellence in Engineering Award. Along with the STEM skills they hone, team members learn
“The team is designed in the form of a small business with a
valuable life lessons during the competition, according to Ean
board of directors made up of adult mentors and the kids as the
Plunkett, president of the Jackson County 4-H Robotics Team.
managers and employees,” says Jarrett. “Projects are split up between people and there’s usually a lot of haggling involved.” The team works together the same way any small business would with different departments handling their piece of the
“We’ve learned the keys to success at competition are to have a good bot, be as skilled as possible, make a good group of friends, and be lucky,” says Plunkett, explaining that unforeseen circumstances can spoil even the best day for a bot.
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2016 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT DISCOVERY CENTER AT GWINNETT www.georgia.ja.org
BASED IN Lawrenceville COUNTIES SERVED Gwinnett
GRANT
$10,000 for JA Biztown and JA Finance Park Gwinnett County in microcosm welcomes sixth graders to JA BizTown, where they get a feel for employment and what it takes to run a business.
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y learning about financial literacy, business and entrepreneurship at JA Biztown and JA Finance Park, almost 30,000 Gwinnett County middle school students go through an eye-opening experience that many
of their parents didn’t have until adulthood kicked in. “In many ways this is an awakening for students,” says Niambi Sampson, Vice President of Programs for Junior Achievement (JA) of Georgia. “Many of us had to figure it out
interactive, marketplace environments representative of Gwinnett County’s business community. “The facilities are big learning labs that give students their
after our first paychecks and $10,000 on a credit card. We hope
first shot at studying business practices, balancing budgets,
we can help this generation figure it out sooner.”
and other business-related instruction to give them an idea of
Open to students in August 2015, the JA Discovery Center is an interactive simulation center on the grounds of Discovery High School in Lawrenceville. Here, students take part in JA
how they will use what they’ve learned in the classroom in the real world,” says Sampson. JA BizTown serves sixth graders who assume the roles of
BizTown and JA Finance Park, immersive programs embedded
employee, taxpayer and consumer at the simulated city complete
into the core curriculum for sixth and eighth graders in
with 18 businesses. Students experience a market economy by
Gwinnett County Public Schools. Both are designed as
completing a day’s work and making purchasing decisions.
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Sixth graders from Louise Radloff Middle School in Duluth manage operations at Home Depot during hands-on learning at JA BizTown.
“Sixth graders earn a day’s pay and then decide whether they’ll spend all their paycheck or bank some,” says Sampson. “JA BizTown looks at the macro-economy, giving students social skills to move into the market and communicate effectively. JA Finance Park looks at the micro-economy.” Eighth graders at JA Finance Park learn what their financial futures could hold based on the decisions they make. Students receive a life situation with job, income, education and family
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At JA Finance Park, Louise Radloff Middle School eighth graders discover how their financial decisions impact their quality of life.
At JA Finance Park, students discover the relationship between education, career and the future lifestyle they want to live
scenarios and then visit businesses to gather details for making wise financial decisions, using banking services, and
“Companies like Chick-fil-A, Assurant and Cisco send
determining investment options.
employees who work with students as facilitators and mentors,”
“At JA Finance Park, students discover the relationship between education, career and the future lifestyle they want to live,” says Sampson. “They learn key concepts such as how
she says. “Who better to show them than those people who are in the industry?” More than 90 percent of teachers involved in the program
credit score determines loan eligibility or the role savings can
last year, its first year of implementation, said it helped them
play on acquiring certain luxuries.”
become more engaged with students. A typical response from
Both JA BizTown and JA Finance Park begin in the
students, according to teachers, has been: “Okay, I understand
classroom with four weeks of JA curriculum devoted to
now why fractions are important, why teamwork is important. I
business and financial concepts. Following the in-classroom
get it now.”
lessons, the program culminates with the one-day experience
Best of all, says Sampson, JA BizTown and JA Finance Park
at the JA Discovery Center at Gwinnett, where students apply
help students realize the relationship between education to
math, science, social studies and language skills they’ve
career, career to income, and income to lifestyle.
learned in class.
“They learn that it all goes back to education—not just about
JA BizTown and JA Finance Park would not be possible without the partnerships with area businesses that donate both
going to college but preparing yourself for whatever career you seek,” Sampson concludes.
financial and human capital, according to Sampson.
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2016 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION
L.A.M.P. MINISTRIES
www.lampga.org
BASED IN Gainesville COUNTIES SERVED Hall, Jackson Lumpkin and Gwinnett
GRANT
$11,000 for community children and youth program Children like Pedro benefit from homework assistance, music and crafts.
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or almost two decades, L.A.M.P. Ministries, based in Hall County, has served as a beacon, guiding children out of the darkness of violence and abuse into the light of care and compassion.
“It’s like a lighthouse that’s illuminated a path for children
Mary saw it as a problem that, with God’s help, she could
to learn skills, to learn about life, to give children a way to
work to solve. She formed L.A.M.P. (Latin American
embrace life,” says Mary Mauricio, who started the faith-based,
Missionary Program) to address gang activity in Hall County.
nonprofit organization in 1997, along with her husband, Ruben,
In the past 20 years, the agency has worked with hundreds of
and a batch of volunteers. “Children’s futures are at stake.
children and teens who have experienced the heartache of
L.A.M.P. is a guide that leads them to learn and strive to reach
homelessness, abuse, neglect and violence. Young participants
their potential.”
are referred to L.A.M.P. in an effort to get them on the
Mary was working in a jewelry shop at Lakeshore Mall in the mid-1990s when the idea for the ministry first came to her. “There were a lot of Hispanic kids getting in trouble at the
right path. “Drug dealers use children as young as 5 to make deliveries; older teens teach them to steal,” says Mary. “This traps
mall,” she recalls. “I asked them ‘Why is it 1 o’clock and you’re
children into the subculture of gangs and drugs… Our goal is to
not in school?’ and they’d answer, ‘I don’t care about school.’”
reach out to any destitute or at-risk child to provide stability,
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We couldn’t reach the children we do without the Jackson EMC Foundation. We just can’t tell you what it means to us—that they enable us to serve the community attention, love and discipline needed for the normal development of personality and character.” The Jackson EMC Foundation grant supports L.A.M.P.’s Community Youth and Children’s Program, which features three-month sessions open to children, ages 7-17, at risk of becoming involved in gang activity. Group counseling, community activities and education assistance provide a positive alternative to gangs, drugs and crime. The after-school sessions offer homework assistance, sports, music, crafts, community activities and automotive work training. Instruction runs the gamut—from promoting
Jasmine shows affection for volunteer Jessica White as Javier plays a mobile game.
teamwork and self-discipline to teaching boys how to wear a tie and girls, how to set a table. Community guests visit with students, including police officers who explain the consequences of crime. Tutoring, individual and family counseling are offered as needed, and the program is one of few in the area that’s bilingual. “We’ve seen grades go from 28 to 96,” says Mary, noting that more than 80 percent of L.A.M.P. participants are doing well in school or have graduated and are at work or in college—and no longer involved in crime or delinquency. “We couldn’t reach the children we do without the Jackson EMC Foundation,” says Mary. “We just can’t tell you what it means to us—that they enable us to serve the community, to get kids off the streets and move forward with their lives.” Some former students are now in college, culinary school or nursing school, according to Mary. “One young man who was in a gang is a minister now,” she says. “When they leave here, we tell them: Be a blessing to somebody… Sometimes all they need is encouragement and someone to believe in them.” Jasmine, Jayline, Maria and Pedro gain self-confidence and life skills in L.A.M.P.’s Community Youth and Children’s Program.
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2016 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION
SPECIAL OLYMPICS OF BARROW COUNTY facebook.com/barrowcountyspecialolympics
BASED IN Winder COUNTIES SERVED Barrow
GRANT
$7,000 for equipment and supplies Coach Susan Mullis wheels Emily around during a summer soccer exercise.
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n Barrow County, kids of all ability levels can equally enjoy rigorous team sports, thanks to Special Olympics. And thanks in part to the Jackson EMC Foundation, Special Olympics of Barrow County makes
it possible for more than 500 special needs athletes to compete in basketball, bocce, soccer, and other sports at no cost to the athletes or their families. What the athletes gain from the experience is best summed
“As our kids grow older, it becomes more difficult for them to
up by parents, like Shirley Gunter whose daughter, Kelsey, plays
compete with middle and high school kids, so this fills that gap,
soccer despite having Downs Syndrome.
both athletically and socially,” says Cyndi White, whose
“It helps Kelsey build self-confidence, deepens friendships,
daughter Emily also plays soccer on a Unified Partners Special
and is totally a positive experience,” says Shirley, an assistant
Olympics team, which brings special needs children together
physical education teacher who appreciates the physical
with typical kids on the sports field. “This allows Emily to get
fitness team sports offer her daughter. “Soccer is definitely
together with her friends, meet new friends, and do something
good exercise.”
both fun and active.”
Historically, Special Olympics is known for giving people
Susan Mullis, co-director of Special Olympics of Barrow
with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to exercise and
County, coaches four Unified Partners soccer teams and
experience joy. For most of its participants, Special Olympics is
appreciates what both special needs children and their
the only outlet these athletes have to compete.
typically developing peers gain from the experience, including
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A N N U A L RE P O RT
19
Children of all abilities play together on Unified Partners soccer teams. There’s nothing like being part of the team!
acceptance and leadership skills for the typical athletes and new friendships and inclusiveness for those with special needs. “You hear talk about why can’t we all just get along,” says Mullis. “Here on the soccer field, that really happens. It’s a caring, loving, patient environment. The real world isn’t always as kind.” That kindness is exemplified by non-special needs athletes
In Barrow County, the Jackson EMC Foundation has allowed us to offer sports we couldn’t otherwise offer
like Katie Robinson who, along with her twin sister Kellie, plays individual and team sports,” says Mullis. “In Barrow County, the
with Special Olympians on a Unified Partners team. “Their faces light up when we play with them,” says Katie. “It
Jackson EMC Foundation has allowed us to offer sports we couldn’t otherwise offer to provide more outreach in the
makes them happy, so it makes me happy.” In her ten years with Special Olympics, Mullis has watched children mature, like the boy who was non-verbal in elementary school but now, in high school, is comfortable traveling out of
community. We couldn’t do what we do without the Jackson EMC Foundation.” The Foundation’s most recent grant funded $7,000 for uniforms and supplies and to pay for participation in local and state
town independently with his fellow athletes. “Special Olympics is founded on the belief that people with
competitions, including the state competition held each May at
intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and
Emory University, complete with opening ceremonies, a parade of
encouragement, learn, enjoy and benefit from participation in
banners, and awarding of medals to the Special Olympians.
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20
2016 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION
J AC K S ON E M C F O U ND A TIO N, INC.
STATEMENTS OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31
2016
2015
CHANGES IN UNRESTRICTED NET ASSETS SUPPORT $ 1,103,065
Contributions
$ 1,074,435
97
232
54,979
53,722
1,158,141
1,128,389
1,045,800
1,121,106
50,395
62,104
Administrative and General 55,064
53,722
Interest Contributed Services
PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES Community Assistance Family Assistance
SUPPORT SERVICE EXPENSES
Increase (Decrease) in Unrestricted Net Assets Unrestricted Net Assets, Beginning
1,151,259
1,236,932
6,882
(108,543)
189,681
298,224
Unrestricted Net Assets, Ending
$
JACKSONEMC.COM
196,563
$
189,681
21
A N N U A L RE P O RT
J AC K S ON E M C F O U ND A TIO N, INC. SCHEDULE OF COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 2016
100 Black Men of North Metro Atlanta
$
6,000
Action Ministries, Inc.
15,000
Adult Literacy Barrow, Inc.
14,010
Adventure Bags, Inc.
7,500
Aids Athens, Inc.
5,000
ALS Association of Georgia
2,500
Angel House of Georgia
7,500
Annandale at Suwanee, Inc.
15,000
Asian American Resource Foundation
7,000
Athens Community Council on Aging
5,000
Athens Regional Foundation
5,000
Athens Urban Ministries
10,000
Athens - Clarke County Treatment and Accountability Court
6,500
Books for Keeps, Inc.
4,800
Boy Scouts of Northeast Georgia
14,985
Boys & Girls Club of Athens
10,000
Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta
15,000
Boys & Girls Club of Winder
15,000
Camp Koinonia
15,000
Camp Kudzu
8,000
Camp Twin Lakes, Inc.
12,500
Court Appointed Special Advocates - Enotah
6,000
Chamber of Commerce - Madison County
3,000
Children’s Center for Hope & Healing
15,000
Citizen Advocacy Athens - Clarke, Inc.
6,400
Community Helping Place
2,500
Cooperative Ministry - Lawrenceville
15,000
Cooperative Ministry - Norcross
15,000
Cooperative Ministry - North Gwinnett
15,000
Disabled American Veteran - Chapter 92
4,000
Eagle Ranch, Inc.
15,000
Exodus Outreach, Inc.
15,000
Extra Special People, Inc.
15,000
Eyes of Love Lighthouse Mission
10,000
Families of Children Under Stress
5,500
Family Promise of Hall County, Inc.
15,000
Family Promise of Gwinnett County, Inc.
5,000
For Her Glory
15,000
Foster Siblings Reunited
2,000
Balance – Carried Forward
$
JACKSONEMC.COM
380,695
22
2016 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION
J AC K S ON EM C F O U ND A TIO N, INC. SCHEDULE OF COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 2016
Balance – Brought Forward
$
380,695
Fragile Kids Foundation
15,000
Gainesville/Hall County Alliance for Literacy
12,000
Gainesville/Hall Community Food Pantry
2,500
Gateway House
15,000
Georgia Children’s Chorus
10,000
Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation, Inc.
10,000
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta
5,000
Good News Clinics
15,000
Good Samaritan Health Center of Gwinnett
15,000
Good Samaritan Ministries of Northeast Georgia
3,500
Gwinnett Children’s Shelter, Inc.
15,000
Gwinnett County Public Library
11,463
Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center
15,000
Gwinnett Sexual Assault Center
15,000
Gwinnett Student Leadership Team
15,000
Habitat for Humanity - Barrow County
10,000
Habitat for Humanity - Gwinnett County
15,000
Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church
2,500
Harmony House Child Advocacy Center
6,893
Hebron Community Health Center
15,000
Hi-Hope Service Center
15,000
HOPE , Inc.
5,000
Hope for the Journey
4,800
Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens
10,000
Interlocking Communities, Inc.
10,463
Jackson County 4-H Club
6,000
Junior Achievement of Georgia
10,000
L.A.M.P. Ministries
11,000
Lindsay’s Legacy Mentoring
15,000
MedLink Georgia, Inc.
15,000
Mercy Health Center
12,500
NEGA CARE-NET
9,650
New Beginnings Ministries of Lawrenceville
7,500
New Beginnings Ministry of Franklin County
5,000
Next Stop Foundation
15,000
Noah’s Ark, Inc.
5,000
Northeast Georgia Regional Education Service Agency
951
Balance-Carried Forward
$
JACKSONEMC.COM
762,415
23
A N N U A L RE P O RT
J AC K S ON EM C F O U ND A TIO N, INC. SCHEDULE OF COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 2016
Balance – Brought Forward
$
Our Neighbor, Inc.
762,415 15,000
Partnership for Gynecological Cancer Support
5,000
Path Project, Inc.
2,000
Piedmont Regional Library System
15,000
Pilot Club International
5,000
Place of Seven Springs
5,000
Project Safe, Inc.
7,500
Quilts for Kids
5,000
Quinlan Arts, Inc.
5,000
Reins of Life, Inc.
1,910
Salvation Army of Athens
15,000
Salvation Army of Gainesville
15,000
Salvation Army of Lawrenceville
15,000
Salvation Army of Toccoa
5,000
Samaritan Center for Counseling & Wellness
5,000
Senior Center - Madison County
15,000
Special Olympics - Barrow County
7,000
Spectrum Autism Support Group
10,000
Spirit of Joy Christian Church
2,500
St. Vincent De Paul Society - Flowery Branch
12,000
St. Vincent De Paul Society - Gainesville
12,000
St. Vincent De Paul Society - Jackson County
12,000
Step by Step Recovery, Inc.
15,000
Tree House, Inc.
15,000
University of North Georgia Foundation
15,000
Urban Ministry - Gainesville First United Methodist Church
1,475
William B. Mulherin Foundation
10,000
YMCA - Athens
10,000
YMCA of Georgia’s Piedmont
15,000
YWCO of Athens
10,000
Balance-Carried Forward
$ 1,045,800
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24
2016 JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION
2016 Jackson EMC Foundation Annual Report
P.O. Box 38 • Jefferson, GA 30549 www.jacksonemc.com/foundation JACKSONEMC.COM