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-; .: <br /> I' r � ry -�°=�, .�mbassadors for Christ Ministries <br /> ; � <br /> •=��^'n��� P.O. Box 3343 • Decatur, IL 62524 • 217-877-5220 • Fax: 217-877-5230 <br /> jessierbatesministries.org jessierbates@aol.com <br /> SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR MINISTRY <br /> 1. What year were we organized? <br /> We were organized in April, 1997, as an Illinois,faith-based organization,with a Section 501(c) <br /> 3, non-profit organization tax exemption status. � <br /> 2. What populations do we serve? <br /> Our ministry predominantty serves populations found in uuler-city and Iow income housing <br /> areas in Decatur,but is by no means limited to this people group. Approximately 4,000 , <br /> multi-cultural youth and children ranging in age from 6-19 years old, are served through this <br /> ministry annually. The average household income is around $8,000 a year, and of course, the <br /> majority of homes are headed by single parents, grandparents or foster parents. It is very rare to <br /> find a two-parent (mom and dad)home amang these populations. il <br /> I <br /> 3. How are we funded? � <br /> ! We are primarily funded by donations/contributions from individuals and private partners of this <br /> i ministry, such as Archer-Daruels-Midland's(ADM's)ma.tching grant program and other local � <br /> II businesses. We receive food from the Central Illinois Food Bank, Midwest Food Bank and i <br /> isponsor our own food drives for the food pantry throughaut the year. <br /> i <br /> 4. What differentiates our work from other organizations like ours? � <br /> Basically,the target of our work is children and young people that are"at risk"for being ' <br /> � <br /> involved in gangs, violence, drug addiction, drug dealing, promiscuity,pregnancy out of j <br /> wedlock,prostitution and all other kinds of criminal activity. We also feel that the diverse <br /> cultural, denominational, socio-economic and gender representation ofthe volunteers with this � <br /> ministry is a major advantage in helping children develop a positive well-rounded world view. <br /> 5. What significant contributions do we make to these children on a regular basis? <br /> I We believe we make significant contributions to the children by bringing neighborhood festivals i <br /> i <br /> - _to-Decatur'-s-inner-city_streets,which consists-of-fun-and-games,-prizes-given-away,-3-on-3 — <br /> I basketball tournaments, free fun refreslunents throughout the events, such as snow cones, <br /> � popcorn, cotton candy and funnel cakes, while ending each festival with a hot meal for <br /> everyone. 'I <br /> � The After School Youth Empowerment Project we offer at our facility, begins with the ,' <br /> children being bussed in once a week(every Wednesday, SPM-8PIVn to team with lay and <br /> � professional mentors and tutors for home-work help. � <br /> I � <br /> � <br /> i ; i <br />