Success stories were celebrated at the annual fundraising dinner Thursday for the Purpose of God Annex Outreach Center, evidence of the effectiveness of the programs it offers.

Bishop Samuel Jones Jr., founder and chief executive officer of the center, gave a presentation focusing on the effects the center’s youth programs and Project New Hope program have on the community. Several people, having graduated from the programs, were recognized for their determination and cooperation in working with the center to change their lives.

The center’s programs rely on grants from organizations and contributions from the community. Jones said the center’s funding has been strained by budget cuts, causing the programs to struggle for survival.

According to Jones, he received a vision from God to intervene in the lives of at-risk and troubled youth. Jones opened the center in 1999. The center serves as a school-support, faith-based agency.

“I started asking myself what I could do to help,” said Jones. “It was pressed upon me to do some type of intervention to show some of these young people the value of life.”

Jones said the program’s focus is to provide a resources outlet for its participants while instilling values such as respect, manners and responsibility. The program thrives on empowering and expanding opportunities for children, including disadvantaged, at-risk and under-challenged youth, adults and families, he said. It provides affordable programs and services that improve their overall well-being, functioning and quality of life, he said.

“We show these people love and support, but we also hold them accountable for their actions and choices,” Jones said.

By spending time with troubled people, Jones discovered that many of them needed additional guidance regarding academics. This need birthed the center’s after-school and summer programs. Jones believes that by getting to the root of each individual’s problem, the program can change an individual’s life in a positive way. This is accomplished through participation in the programs that promote pre-employment, vocational, personal, vocational, spiritual, athletic and cultural enrichment and development, he said.

“We have placed about 800 to work in about seven years,” Jones said. “We volunteer a lot of hours to make sure we don’t fall short on what these folks need in this county.”

Jones’ assistant, Samantha Walker, believes that by helping others, which otherwise have been written off, a change in the community can be made.

“We (POGA) are here to help the community and get the community involved so we don’t have people giving up on people,” said Walker. “The program gives these people hope that a lot of people have taken away.”