Six LCMS-related ministries to receive Wheat Ridge grants

Wheat Ridge Ministries of Itasca, Ill., announced that it approved 12 of its “GrantsPlus” grants totaling $423,000 — to “assist inspired leaders who are serving others and sharing health and hope around the world,” according to a Feb. 7 news release from Wheat Ridge, which is an LCMS Recognized Service Organization.

Of those grants, six totaling $216,000 are to LCMS-related ministries and projects.

Wheat Ridge’s GrantsPlus program “supports new and innovative health and human care care programs led by congregations and nonprofit organizations,” the release notes.

Along with grants in the $5,000-$50,000 range, recipients participate in “capacity-building activities” that Wheat Ridge offers, including webinars, convening events, workshops or consultations.

From more than 75 submitted proposals, the 12 selected are “ones we believe are innovative and meet critical health and human care needs,” said Brian Becker, Wheat Ridge’s vice-president for Ministry Programs. “We’re excited to be able to make these grants and give thanks to God for the generosity of our donors who support our seeding ministry.”

In alphabetical order, the six LCMS-related ministries receiving grants are:

ConcordiaCare (a $50,000 grant) — a health and wellness initiative of Concordia College Alabama, Selma, Ala., to promote healthy lifestyle choices for faculty, staff and students; facilitate health screenings, new exercise programs, disease prevention and seminars; and to introduce healthy eating and nutrition advice on campus.

Dayspring Women’s Center ($50,000) — a facility in Valparaiso, Ind., that provides a safe and welcoming environment for homeless and at-risk women and their children, meeting their needs as they prepare to face the future.

Healthy Living Programs for Teens ($15,000) — in Orland Park, Ill., with programs benefiting The Bridge Teen Center, which helps teens make healthy choices as they grow spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.

Linking Care in Congregations ($40,000 — a program of The Lutheran Care Network in New Rochelle, N.Y., designed to connect selected members of congregations in the region with professional resources of that network. This project is aimed at helping congregation members support older, homebound members of their congregations through educational initiatives, volunteer training and coordinating community services for maintaining good health and safe living conditions.

Midwife Scholarship and Maternal Health Program in South Sudan ($26,000) — a program to help Hands of Mercy, of Fort Wayne, Ind., address the challenge of maternal and infant mortality at its root, by funding midwifery training in South Sudan over a three-year period.

Trinity Community Care Inc., of Utica, Mich. ($35,000) — to help fund a free clinic established to meet the needs of those who are uninsured or underinsured in Utica and the surrounding area.

Wheat Ridge Ministries describes itself as “a nonprofit organization that helps a variety of health and human-care initiatives get off the ground by providing the initial funding and support they need to thrive.”

To learn more about Wheat Ridge Ministries and its grants programs, visit its website at www.wheatridge.org.

Posted Feb. 21, 2013