wfn.org | Grants will help churches address needs of handicapped

[NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG]

March 20, 2001  News media contact: Linda Bloom·(212)870-3803·New York
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NEW YORK (UMNS) - Incentive grants are available for 15 local United
Methodist churches willing to make their facilities and activities
accessible to people with handicapping conditions.

The one-time grants of $1,000 each are being offered through the Health and
Welfare Ministries unit of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

Grant proposals or requests must be postmarked no later than June 30. Awards
will be made by Sept. 30. A church must give evidence that people with
disabilities participated in the planning and demonstrate that the project
is part of a larger access plan. Other requirements include financial need
and evidence of congregational involvement.

Projects addressing the needs of physical (hearing, sight, mobility), mental
or developmental disabilities will be considered.  Also eligible are
projects aimed at obtaining or developing church school and worship
materials for children and adults who have mental or developmental
disabilities, or for programmatic materials that heighten awareness of
people with disabilities and break down attitudinal barriers toward them.

Grant applications can be obtained by writing to the Board of Global
Ministries, Health and Welfare Ministries, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330,
New York, NY 10115, or by calling (212) 870-3870.
   
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United Methodist News Service
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