Jessica HipchenShort Grant Proposal: CIA Barnabus Club

Children In Action Sports Club (CIA) of Brunswick, Georgia is asking for $20,000 for a van with eight seats or more for the transportation of children who are participants in the Barnabus Club, an after school program that is offered free of charge during the nine month school period for students who are identified as high risk and are referred to the program by Summer Outreach Program staff, parents, school staff, community organizations/partners, government agencies, and churches.

The children who participate in the Barnabus Club are generally from neighborhoods where drugs, alcohol, and violence are a commonality. These children do not have positive influences and if they do not have time invested in them by outside sources such as the personnel within the Barnabus Club afterschool program they will likely fall into the cycle of such behavior. Barnabus Club was created so that these children would have a safe place to go after school where they have structured activities and can learn how to behave appropriately and work in a group setting. The goal of this program is to teach the children team building, behavior, academic, and service skills. This will in turn decrease their rate of behavior problems in school and the home, improve their grades, expand their knowledge of how to work as a team and give back to the community in which they live, and help them understand that Jesus Christ is the motivator behind all that we do.

As mentioned before, CIA is an organization dedicated to reaching out to high risk children and youth to build character, a desire for excellence, and an appreciation for teamwork through physical activity in a team setting which mirrors Jesus Christ in relationship and character building. In addition, the Barnabus Club, now in its third year of operation, involves one-on-one mentoring with participants during practices, games, and devotion times as well as picking children up from schools around Glynn County and transporting them to our facility for the after school program. The daily program involves 30 minutes of free time for the children to unwind followed by a break for nutritious snacks and 45 of supervised homework/study time. At the end of their study time, we have a thirty minute devotion time. The final forty-five minutes are dedicated to a variety of sports activities where the importance of physical activity is stressed. Barnabus Club students who experience difficulties in school, academic and/or behavioral, receive additional support from CIA staff who make school visits and collaborate with school teachers and other school personnel. Based on their suggestions, CIA works more directly with the children to help resolve their problems. Additionally, the children are provided opportunity for community service each week. This may involve doing things such as serving food to the homeless, raking leaves for the elderly, picking up trash, or packaging medical supplies at Map International.

The Founder and Executive Director Allen Benner is the reason that this organization was started and he has a history in leadership in the retail industry. CIA also has a board of directors totaling eight who all have a passion for CIA’s mission. The rest of the footwork comes from volunteers who are required to have a background check and be consistent in their attendance so as to create a stable environment for the children participating in the program.

A total of 70 children are involved in the Barnabus Club after school program, and an average of 40 children attend daily. Data for the measurements of success are recorded and

determined by decreases in behavioral issues and attitudes that are validated and documented through direct observation of CIA staff and volunteers, field observations included in children’s files, and comments and reports from parents and teachers. CIA believes that these changes in attitudes and behaviors are caused by the positive changes that have taken place in their hearts by giving their lives to Christ.

The current cost of Barnabus Club is $93, 322 per year. This includes personnel, facilities, equipment, and other expenses such as travel, training, and in-direct employee contributions. Barnabus Club also receives support from local organizations such as First Baptist Church, The Chapel, Community Church, Civic Clubs, and the All-Star Team, a group of local business supporters. Additional funding comes from a grant and fundraisers. If CIA is able to acquire a second van, it will enable us to reach more children which will in turn create a greater impact. Ongoing costs such as gas and maintenance are already covered therefore we will not need additional funding. The greater the impact, the more support will come from our community. We will be completely sustainable with the financial assistance coming from our local supporters if we are able to acquire a second vehicle, which is why we are asking for your support.