april 2024
Update on our Path Out of Poverty Initiative
The Building Downtown
We're thrilled to announce our anticipated closing on the purchase of Mt. Zion's Baptist Church at 105 Ridge Street, Charlottesville, set for May 3, 2024. Although construction will begin in the fall, we will host an open house in May. This will be an excellent opportunity to explore the church and listen to Pastor Gabe share our vision for the Downtown Campus. Your generosity and trust have been instrumental in reaching this milestone. We are so excited about this campus's transformative impact on our downtown community.
The HUB
The HUB is to be the “community services help desk,” connecting those in need to existing services in our initial areas of focus, which are housing, employment, skill development, transportation, and food/clothing.
Outreach efforts have continued to establish partnerships and relationships with local organizations to identify those that will best serve the needs of individuals and families. The team is working diligently to organize these into a process for access through the Hub either online or as an in-person connection. Exploration of a technology platform is a vital next step to ensure efficient and effective communication with the non-profits is established, as well as the Hub’s ability to shepherd individuals through the process.
An additional area of focus and opportunity for the Hub will be skill development in Financial literacy, Post-secondary ed/career development, Building social capital, Family health and well-being, Parenting and relationships, and Early childhood ed/care. Through a partnership with a local non-profit specializing in housing homeless families, the Hub will refine a curriculum addressing the topics above. To accomplish this, there is a need for a Curriculum Writer:
Life Skills Curriculum Volunteer:
Join our Path Out of Poverty initiative as a Volunteer Life Skills Curriculum Writer. We are seeking a compassionate educator or writer with experience in developing curricula to refine and enhance our life skills mentorship program. Your expertise will be pivotal in empowering individuals within our community to achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence. You’ll work alongside other volunteers to create a unique approach to mentoring those through a gospel-centered approach to a Path Out of Poverty. This flexible, remote-friendly position calls for 5 hours of commitment per week. We'd love to hear from you if you want to impact lives and grow personally and spiritually. Contact David Banks if you are interested: david.banks@thepointva.com
Pathway Mentorship
In-school mentorship through our Pathway Mentorship program fosters one-on-one gospel-centered relationships, offering students a vision for a future beyond poverty and nurturing a character grounded in faith. A comprehensive planning schedule with critical milestones has been developed for a planned launch in October 2024 in potentially two schools within Charlottesville and one in Louisa.
There is an opening for a volunteer role to lead the Pathway Mentorship program:
Volunteer Lead Pathways Mentorship:
The Point Church is in search of a Volunteer Lead for Pathway Mentorship. In this vital position, you'll be at the helm of recruiting, coordinating, and scheduling volunteers within our engaged schools, ensuring our mentorships thrive. Your mission will be to train and support a team of volunteers who will serve as mentors, embodying our church's vision and commitment to one-on-one gospel-centered mentorships. Working closely with the Reach Director, you will play a pivotal role in evaluating our programs' effectiveness and contributing to the growth and spiritual foundation of school-age children and youth in our community. If you love how mentorships can shape a child and have the gift of leadership, this role will be perfect for you. Contact David Banks if you are interested: david.banks@thepointva.com
Additional information will be forthcoming on mentorship opportunities for serving within this program.
The Academy
The Academy is an entrepreneurial and business training program designed to empower our underserved neighbors with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as entrepreneurs. It fosters long-term economic independence and breaks the cycle of poverty through a foundation of biblical truths.
The team continues to reach out to community resources to build awareness for the program, which will start taking applications in July for an August 2024 launch.
A new brochure has been created to market the program, and a new link to our website specifically pointing to The Academy, which describes the program, the opportunity to join a waitlist for the upcoming launch in August and to ask further questions about the program.
https://www.thepointva.com/theacademy
We are also looking for facilitators to lead the classes. The facilitators are a 10-week commitment, plus training and prep time. Each class will have two facilitators to ensure class participants are adequately served. The curriculum, lesson plan, and presentation materials are well-developed and easy to follow. Facilitators are needed in Charlottesville, Louisa, and Waynesboro. Below is a brief description of the role:
Facilitators at The Academy
The Facilitator role at The Academy by The Point offers an opportunity for passionate individuals who wish to drive meaningful change within underserved communities. The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with aspiring entrepreneurs and established business leaders, guiding them through a transformative learning journey. Responsibilities include delivering an engaging curriculum, providing personalized mentorship, and fostering a supportive, inclusive environment emphasizing spiritual growth and economic empowerment. By joining our team, you’ll contribute to individual success stories and impact broader community resilience and prosperity. This role is perfect for dynamic leaders eager to inspire, equip, and uplift through education and dedicated support. Contact David Banks if you are interested: david.banks@thepointva.com
We are grateful to those who have already expressed an interest and desire to serve within these various programs. Next month, we will share more opportunities for you to get involved. In the meantime, to stay up-to-date, please sign up here.