Mission House is blessed by the support we receive from the Beaches communities as well as from corporate and government entities. Without this wide ranging assistance, we would not be able to provide programs and services to the homeless and underprivileged at the Beach that form the path back to self-sufficiency and stability. In that light, we want to acknowledge the organizations that have recently assisted our needs.
Community Health Initiatives has awarded the Mission House Clinic a 2009 grant for $10,000. In addition, Baptist Medical Center Beaches has served every month as the 1st Monday Evening Meal Group for more than a decade. After submitting a competitive grant request to Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Mission House received a $10,000 donation for general support in 2009. Local Vistakon employees have served as the 5th Friday Evening Meal Group for over 10 years.
Numerous organizations and clubs throughout the community provide financial assistance to Mission House. In a most unique fundraiser, SURF (Surfers Under Radical Faith) a group of students of the Providence School led by Matt Lawrence, held a wonderful surfing extravaganza in Jacksonville Beach that raised over $5,200.
The Jax Beach Noon Lions Club made a $1,000 donation to support programs. The Beaches Community Kitchen provided a $1,200 donation. The Jacksonville Beach Women’s Club presented a check for $2,000 at their monthly meeting. The Ponte Vedra Beach Women’s Club made their 2009 donation in the amount of $3,000. The Navy Wives Club has selected Mission House for a monthly donation to support programs. The Brothers in Christ Golf Tournament raised over $1,600 to support the homeless.
The faith community has been a major supporter of Mission House since its inception. We receive regular contributions from Palms Presbyterian, St. Paul’s Catholic, Community Presbyterian, Ponte Vedra Presbyterian, Beach United Methodist, Our Lady Star of the Sea, 1st Baptist Church of Jacksonville Beach and Calvary Chapel.
Mission House submits grant requests to numerous foundations throughout the year. We are blessed to receive significant annual donations from the Christ Church Foundation and Schwitter Family Foundation. The Community Foundation in Jacksonville provided $9,000 from the Community Safety Net Fund to support our Meal Program.
Mission House receives limited government funds in support of programs and services. We receive an annual grant from City of Jacksonville under the Public Service Grant program to support Case Management. The only other government funds come through the Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition from the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program for emergency temporary housing and our Meal Program.
Mission House is blessed to have over 550 volunteers from all the Beaches communities serve in our Meal Program, our Shower Program and in the Mission House Clinic.
Surrender To Win, AA group, meets every Wednesday evening at our facility. Shawn Smith completed his Eagle Scout Project, painting interior walls, the exterior doors and the outside ramps and walkways. For his Eagle Scout Project, Michael Carpenter designed, coordinated and carried out a major Food Drive that brought in over 2,600 pounds of canned and dry goods for our pantry. With just a weeks notice, seven men from the 1st Class Association of SURMAC stationed at the Mayport Naval Station filled in as a Meal Group at Mission House on Father’s Day.
Mission House is truly blessed by the many caring and generous hearts that make up this community. With their help, we continue to make meaningful changes in many lives.
Jan S. Flager
Executive Director
