Press Release: General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) Announces Recipients of CORR Action Fund Grant Promoting Mental Health Awareness and Wellness
August 21, 2023
Contact:
Jeehye Kim Pak, Senior Director of Communications and Marketing
General Commission on Religion and Race
202-495-2949
jpak@gcorr.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) Announces Recipients of CORR Action Fund Grant Promoting Mental Health Awareness and Wellness
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Commission on Religion and Race of The United Methodist Church (GCORR) is pleased to announce the recipients of the CORR Action Fund (CAF) Grant program, an initiative aimed at fostering mental health awareness and wellness through the creation of cohorts and small groups in the United States.
Open to both pastors and laity of the United Methodist Church in the United States, the CORR Action Fund Grant received applications from churches and ministries eager to develop cohorts that address mental health issues within a framework of inclusivity and diversity. The selected recipients have demonstrated outstanding dedication to fostering mental health awareness and wellness, as well as a strong commitment to justice-oriented praxis.
"We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the CORR Action Fund Grant program," said CAF Committee Chair, Rev. Dr. Stephen Handy. "These individuals and groups have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing mental health awareness and wellness within the United Methodist Church community. By fostering inclusivity, diversity, and trauma-informed care, we believe these cohorts and small groups will have a lasting and positive impact on individuals and communities alike."
The CORR Action Fund Grant program exemplifies GCORR's dedication to promoting culturally appropriate practices and embracing diversity within the United Methodist Church. The recipients of this grant will make meaningful strides in enhancing mental health awareness and wellness, ultimately contributing to a stronger, more compassionate community. A brief description of each follows:
Adelante Conjuntos Mental Health Intiaitve
Rio Texas Conference
Awarded $10,000
The adelante conjuntos initiative compliments the existing work with the fall development of the Mental and Spiritual Wellness retreat, with the expectation for a winter/early spring retreat. Young adults, including our staff, will work with UCM pastors and Pilgrims on a Journey to develop the retreat format, practices, learning sessions, and follow-on activities. Our young adult staff will work with the Office of the Dean of Students to develop a list of mental health resources and start planning a mental health event. As a result of the retreat, event, and fall mental health ministry events, UCM Texas State will produce and publish a podcast to increase access to resources, feature young adult voices, and reach peers in a relatable and relevant way that is 'always on' available and serves as a reference in the upcoming semesters.
Building a Beloved Community
Wisconsin Conference
Awarded $10,000
This initiative will provide an opportunity to experience communal care extending through self-care. It will serve as a platform to increase awareness, offer essential assistance, and promote justice-oriented wholeness. Understanding the significant influence of mental health on individuals and communities, our goal is to cultivate a beloved community - a compassionate, secure, and nurturing space where all members actively participate in culturally sensitive and trauma-informed communal care, specially tailored to the Korean community of the Wisconsin Conference.
Capturing Our Voices: A Photovoice Project on Mental Health Experiences of African American Youth
West Ohio Conference
Awarded $7,500
In collaboration with church leaders, youth ministry coordinators, mental health professionals, and community members, this initiative includes trainings on photovoice methodology, cultural sensitivity, and mental health awareness. Group discussions will follow, as well as a presentation to stakeholders to identify actionable steps for addressing mental health awareness.
Drop In Recovery
North Alabama Conference
Awarded $10,000
This initiative will provide recovery support for drug and substance addicts by way of a Recovery Drop In and resource center. Led by recovery coaches, the center will provide a safe, clean, and sober recovery-focused environment for people to come together twice weekly.
Grief Share for Faith Community
Florida Conference
Awarded $595
The Grief Share program will restart in September. It is an opportunity for the church and community-at-large to access a grief assistance program. This program provides a safe and convenient place for them to attend at their local church or at close proximity to their community. The meetings will be conducted weekly.
Impacto Communitario
Rio Texas Conference
Awarded $10,000
Create learning spaces to access resources and tools to overcome times of crisis, to support people experiencing overwhelming stress, anxiety, and depression for the Hispanic community. The program will meet multiple needs through meals and childcare.
Mental Health for Youth in Community
California Pacific Conference
Awarded $10,000
This initiative will offer a 3-Prong ministry plan implemented through monthly and sometimes weekly gatherings to those (youth, people of color, LGBQTI) who have experienced harm in the church or are too nervous to attend church. Mental health practices will be guided by identifying mental health needs that will be sourced to therapists/practitioners for intervention and treatment.
Minority Clergy Mental Health Intensive
South Georgia Conference
Awarded $10,000
Will implement a nine-month plan for small groups comprised of identified minority groups in the SGAUMC which will focus on intentional, diverse engagement. We will invite three different speakers who represent these identified minorities to offer trauma-informed, culturally sensitive resiliency training during this planned initiative. We plan to offer encouragement, resources, and engage a roadmap designed to increase intentional diverse engagement and participation and offer those participants the opportunity to be exposed to customized resiliency practices that foster wellness.
Oasis of Hope: Mind & Heart Wholeness
Greater New Jersey Conference
Awarded $10,000
This initiative will bring mental health awareness to the Hispanic/LatinX community through strategic planning, SMART goals, arts, and community engagement. This program will also advocate how to access mental health services and resources through social media in a bilingual multicultural informed environment.'
Rising from the Ashes: Developing Community Healing in the Midst of Grief
West Ohio Conference
Awarded $10,000
The initiative will have a 7-week cohort for every quarter for 60-75 minute sessions. The program will be two weeks of processing grief, two weeks of self-care and support system building, two weeks of discovery of a new normal and fulfillment, and one week of the process of healing and new meaning.
"Safe Space"
California Pacific Conference
Awarded $10,000
We identified the need for trauma-informed and culturally appropriate services for self-identified women, emphasizing physical wellness, group support, and spirituality. We will begin with fitness and yoga sessions, three per week, for 45 to 60 minutes. Once the group has been together for 2-3 months, the support group will begin. The support group will be closed and designed for those participants who voluntarily want to be on it. After this point, the three components will continue to co-exist.
Sawubona Leadership Summit
National Organization
Awarded $10,000
The Sawubona Leadership Summit (SLS) is an immersive 72-hour experience curated by Scarritt Bennett Centers Racial Justice Ministries. SLC invites young leaders ages 14-24 to align their lives with their hope for a progressively equitable society and become co-creators of justice. SLS will train student leaders to lead by exploring how young people, women, queer folk, and other traditionally marginalized people lead social justice movements. SLS will teach the utilization of storytelling to cultivate compelling narratives, the execution of community organizing initiatives, and nurture self-care and sustainability.
The Well-Being Project
Wisconsin Conference
Awarded $10,000
In partnership with the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and Bishop's Cabinet, The Anti-Racism Task Force will launch a two-day workshop in a retreat setting, the development of culture-specific support groups, quarterly 1-day training and coaching workshops for clusters of church congregations and their clergy and the provision of counselors for psychological and emotional support. This initiative is a 14-step detailed process.
Triumph Over Trauma Circles
Native American International Caucus
Awarded $10,000
In conjunction with Native American Family Camp 2023 (funded by CAF) and its theme "Healing the Generations", this grant opportunity will allow support to emerging Trauma Support groups in local communities with resources for printing, supplies, a stipend for the leader, and professional coaching support.
Voices of Faith in Action (VOFIA): Listening, Learning & Healing
North Carolina Conference
Awarded $9,950
This program will identify student leaders to help facilitate bimonthly online and in-person gatherings for student faith leaders to acquire tools for daily well-being in dealing with trauma, including but not limited to processing, reflecting, and mourning. Over the course of 9 months, student leaders will learn trauma-informed ministry tools, practices, and resources in efforts to improve their mental and spiritual well-being.
Wesley at UCF Counseling Services
Florida Conference
Awarded $10,000
The initiative is in partnership with the UCF School of Social Work, exemplifying the principles of Beloved Community. The program will host weekly group counseling sessions led by Professor Ramos and offer two complimentary individual counseling sessions per week in our ministry space.
Women's Empowerment Group Wellness Program
Texas Conference
Awarded $9,380
Our project will consist of an asset-based and trauma-informed socio-emotional well-being program facilitated by a partner Houston organization: Be the Pece Be the Hope. The program will consist of 18 weekly 2-hour sessions. The project priority is to create an inclusive environment where participants can feel a strong sense of identity, practice empathy, nurture resilience, and foster trust, connection, and collaboration. Sessions will be hosted by one of our partner congregations, St. Luke's Gethsemane.
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The General Commission on Religion and Race is one of 13 church-wide agencies of The United Methodist Church. The Commission offers teaching resources, training, and networking for Christians seeking to bring their faith to the task of dismantling racism, tribalism, and xenophobia in all forms. More information available at www.gcorr.org.
