Legacies A publication of the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana
Inside This Issue
Foundation Grants: The Path to Yes! Page 2
Travel Discount Tips for Seniors Page 3
FOUNDATION GRANTS:
Center of Hope Offers More than Hope
by Rebecca Herin Communications Intern
The challenges of the 2020 pandemic provided new ways for Foundation grants to support ministry in Louisiana. In April 2020, just a few weeks after our world shut down, the Foundation’s grants committee designated $100,000 for creative ways to support evangelism, mission and outreach. In Tangipahoa Parish, Beth Lafargue, who had worked with the Louisiana Annual Conference as a disaster case manager, heard about the Foundation’s unique ministry grants. Her dream of starting a nonprofit to help the financially insecure population in her community immediately came to mind. She contacted her pastor, Rev. Drew Sutton, of First UMC, Hammond; Rev. Jessica Lowe of First UMC, Ponchatoula; and Rev. Sam Hubbard of the Southeastern University Wesley Foundation, and together they applied for the grant that would help them start the nonprofit that Lafargue had only imagined: Center of Hope. As Lafargue said, “I thought to myself, ‘What? Start a nonprofit in the midst of a pandemic?’ But the opportunity, via the grant, was right there.”
New Board Chair and Members Page 4
“Where Faith and Money Come Together”
2nd Quarter 2022
Through previous work and a little research, these four discovered that Tangipahoa Parish has a median household income of $45,900 and a poverty rate of 21.9% – twice as high as neighboring St. Tammany Parish. Although Tangipahoa Parish had food banks and disaster assistance programs, no programs existed to help individuals navigate their way to self-sufficiency.
Beth Lafargue, center, with the resale shop manager and assistant manager.
There were many ideas for the grant money awarded. However, Lafargue knew they needed ongoing revenue to fund their ministry ideas. That’s when Lafargue began forming the Center of Hope Resale Shop. The Center of Hope Resale Shop opened its doors at 1111 W. Morris Ave. in Hammond in October 2020. Lafargue found discounted store fixtures at local store closing sales that create a boutiquelike environment, and the community donates merchandise. Profits from the shop are used to help guide individuals in Tangipahoa back to self-sufficiency. Center of Hope also provides financial support to other organizations in Hammond, such as a community garden at First Christian Church and the mayor’s back-to-school backpack program. They also work with the Hammond Fire Department to provide clothing and household items for fire survivors. If your church or ministry has a unique idea for a beneficial way to use a grant, read the article on the next page to find out how to apply.
Legacies
FOUNDATION GRANTS:
THE PATH TO “Where Faith and Money Come Together”
2022 Board of Trustees Rev. Michi Head Chairman Dr. John Robert Black L. Nettles Brown Rev. Jo Ann Cooper Dr. Debra Davis Rev. Doug deGraffenried Mike DeHart Bobby Fahey Irwin Felps Dean Harvey Drew Kennedy Sandra Kuykendall Eunice Val Lavigne Richard Lewis Rev. Ashley McGuire Rev. Brian Mercer Troy Searles Rev. Drew Sutton Dianne Wilkinson Chris Spencer President
Contact Us: 8337 Jefferson Hwy. Baton Rouge, LA 70809 Phone: (225) 346-1535 Email: information@umf.org Web Addresses: www.umf.org www.umfgiving.org Legacies Editor: Kelly Johannessen kellyj@umf.org
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Since its first grant in 1992, the Foundation has awarded $8 million in grants to strengthen the United Methodist Church.
n 2021, the Foundation awarded $485,690 in grants to help churches and United Methodist ministries develop innovative ways to expand outreach.
reporting process provide information to the committee to ensure that grant funds are used as intended and to monitor the effectiveness of the grant program for future improvements.
This year the Foundation’s grants committee, led by board member Dr. Debra Davis of St. Francisville UMC, created new, more focused guidelines for grants, to help applicants in their Path to Yes!
Priority is given to requests that focus on at least one of four primary areas for funding that:
All grant requests are made online at www.umf.org/grants, using the guiding principles and application instructions found there. The grants committee reviews requests quarterly. Upon grant approval and after funds are awarded, recipients are required to submit an evaluation of how the funds were used and what the grant achieved. The application and post-
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Equip clergy and/or laity for ministry;
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Use ministries that are innovative to the entity proposing the program;
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Foster connections within the church, community and Conference; or
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Respond to natural disasters.
The Grants Committee wants to provide a Path to Yes! to make your ministry dreams a reality!
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2nd Quarter 2022
Savvy Living
Travel Discount Tips for Seniors Dear Savvy Living, What are some of the best travel discounts available to seniors? My spouse and I are about to retire and are interested in traveling more, but live on a tight budget.
T
here are hundreds of different travel-related discounts available to senior travelers that can save you significant dollars on your next trip. To qualify, you will need to meet the age requirement, which varies by business. Some discounts are available at age 50, but most do not kick in until later ages. Here is a rundown of top travel discounts, along with some extra tips. Ways to Save The first thing to know is that most businesses do not advertise senior discounts, but many give them if you ask. You should also be aware that the “senior discount,” if available, may not always be the best deal. For example, hotels, resorts, airlines and cruise lines offer advanced bookings along with special deals and promotions from time to time that may be at a lower rate than the senior discount. Before you book, always ask about the lowest possible rate and the best deal available. Another way you can save is by being flexible when you travel. Last minute travel deals can
offer huge savings, as does traveling during off-season or off-peak times and avoiding holidays. Club memberships can also offer some travel bargains, on things such as hotels, rental cars, cruises, vacation packages and more. Types of Discounts Here are of some of the best senior travel discounts available in 2022: Airline: Check for club membership discounts, as well as senior discounts. Typically, passengers must be age 65 to take advantage of the benefits. Not all airlines offer senior discounts, but some may offer veterans discounts. Train: Travelers ages 65 and older may ask for a senior discount on domestic travel, up to a 10% discount. For crossborder services passengers typically must be age 60 to obtain the senior discount. Rental Car: Certain club members may receive up to 30% off for senior discounts, and some as early as age 50. Hotels: Certain hotel chains offer discounted rates for
seniors usually ranging between 10% and 15% off but may vary by location. There may be additional discounts for club memberships as well. Restaurants: Many restaurant chains offer senior discounts such as free drinks, discounted senior menus and discounts off your total order. Senior discounts may only be available on certain days of the week or at certain locations. Cruises: Cruise lines may offer discount rates to cruisers age 55 and older on select cruises. It is best to call before booking to inquire. Entertainment and Attractions: Most museums, zoos, aquariums, movie theaters, public golf courses and even ski slopes provide reduced admission to seniors over age 60 or 65. And for those 62 or older, one of the best deals available is the America the Beautiful Senior Pass ($20 for an annual senior pass, or $80 for a lifetime pass) which provides admittance to more than 2,000 national parks and recreation sites. “Savvy Living” is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of The Savvy Living book.
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“Where Faith and Money Come Together”
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Foundation Names New Board Chair and Members Black is senior pastor of St. Luke-Simpson UMC in Lake Charles. He holds a BBA from Northwestern State University, a Masters in Business Education from Louisiana Tech University, and a M.Div. and D.Min. from Asbury Theological Seminary. He has held numerous leadership positions, with the Board of Ordained Ministry, ULM Wesley Board and as Chair of the Louisiana Asbury Seminary Alumni. Rev. Michi Head Chair, Board of Trustees
The United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana Board of Trustees elected a new Chair of the Board and two new board members at its Annual Meeting in April. Current Board Chair Omer Davis installed Rev. Michi Head as the new Board Chair, and Dr. John Robert Black and Rev. Jo Ann Cooper were elected to the Board of Trustees. They began their terms June 1. Head has served more than 32 years of appointive ministry in the La. Annual Conference, and currently serves in semi-retirement as the pastor of New Life Community UMC in Luling. Prior to his retirement, Head served as senior pastor of Jefferson UMC in Baton Rouge for eight years. He has served as a member of the Foundation Board since 2012.
Cooper is senior pastor of Gretna UMC and has served various churches in the Louisiana Conference since 2001. She has completed the Ministerial Courses of Study housed at Millsaps College, and is certified in Spiritual Direction through the Louisiana Annual Conference, Garrett Theological Seminary and the General Board of Higher Education. “We value these leaders who so generously give of their time and talent to our board,” said Foundation president Chris Spencer. “Their broad range of skills and experiences will expand our board’s impact as Dr. John Robert Rev. Jo Ann we strive to carry Black Cooper out our mission.”