Purpose of God Annex Outreach Center continues to seek financial and volunteer support for its multifaceted ministry. The nonprofit split its fundraising initiative into two different events for the 2015-2016 fiscal year in an effort to get better results.

The nonprofit receives regular funding from sources such as Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, United Way, Jonathan Havens Charitable Trust and area churches including First Presbyterian Church, First Church of Christ, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and Alligood Church of Christ, among others, according to Bishop Samuel Jones, Purpose of God’s founder. But it needs more regular funding from area churches and organizations, as well as willing volunteers, who can help assist with its programs, Jones said.

“We keep saying it’s serious,” Jones said. “We don’t think the community understands that because, for so long, we have done so well with so little that it’s expected of us to continue to do it that way. The reality is we are at a breaking point, and if we do not receive the funding we need, we will have to cut these services from this community, and we believe it will be a terrible loss to this community.”

In November, Purpose of God held a dinner, inviting area officials and leaders to come together to discuss ways to help with policies, programming and partnerships, as well as locating grant money and other funding streams to keep its programs going, according to Jones.

“The event was meant to give the local community a better interpretation of what Purpose of God is offering to the families and community members and make them aware of our financial needs so they may have the opportunity to participate and help out,” Jones said.

Representatives of Beaufort County District Attorney’s Office, sheriff’s office, fire department, Beaufort County Schools, Habitat for Humanity and the Washington (noon) Rotary, as well as local faith leaders and members of area churches attended.

On March 17, the nonprofit will host its 14^th annual fundraiser, in which community members and organizational leaders are invited for a dinner. The event is the primary source of funding for Purpose of God, Jones said.

Jones said the dinner includes testimony about struggles and successes from at-risk youth and their parents, as well as members of its Project New Hope program, one that aids in rehabilitating those with criminal records.

“We bring that (testimony) to the forefront to show that Purpose of God has the antidote to solve some of these problems in the community,” Jones said. “With the right funding, we can increase our ability to expand and reach more kids and families. We also want people to know the success and status of Project New Hope and how beneficial it is to our county, especially with crime on the rise.”

Jones said Project New Hope provides programming to help convicted criminals occupy their time with work and positive instruction, giving them the tools necessary to succeed in society. And, in turn, it provides security to local families, businesses and residents by showing that those with a criminal background are being guided in a positive manner, Jones said.

Among the programs the Purpose of God operates are an afterschool program for children, ages 6-15, held Mondays through Thursdays from 3-5 p.m.; a homebound program that runs Mondays through Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for ages 6-15; an out-of-school suspension program that runs four days per week that, for a small fee, allows parents to send their suspended children to the center for help with classwork and homework assignments; a summer program for ages 6-15 that includes curriculum instruction in math, reading, spelling and other subjects, as well as Bible study, recreation, home economics and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activities; and Project New Hope.

“Dealing with at-risk youth, you deal with a lot of behavioral problems,” Jones said. “(At-risk youth) are referred here by different sources so we can help modify their behavior, something no other program does in the county. Our youth programs are preventative programs. The adult program is for intervention.”

To volunteer for Purpose of God Annex and its programs, contact the center at 252-974-1484.