The Community Foundation for

Fayette County has announced its recipients of the 2003 Challenge Grant

program.

Fayette County donors contributed

$10,500, which was matched with $10,000 from The Community Foundation

for Greater Atlanta. Applications were received from nonprofit organizations

serving Fayette County and recipients were chosen on the advice of the

local foundation's Board of Trustees.

The 2003 Challenge Grant recipients

include Braelinn Community Services, an organization that offers multiple

programs including financial crisis assistance and counseling, a clothing

closet, a food pantry, an auto exchange and repair, and a furniture and

appliance barn. It recognizes the importance of offering future stability

to its clients and that a "quick fix" isn't always the

answer. Representing that organization were Cathy Berggren and Jonathan

Johnson.

Fayette Family YMCA Leaders

Club is a program that engages and involves teens in activities which

help the participants identify and shape values. The program teaches new

talents, incorporates service-learning, and gives opportunities to lead

and to allow social interaction. Executive director Pam Young and board

member Rod Arion accepted the grant.

The mission of Fayette Field

of Hope is to provide children with developmental and physical disabilities

the opportunity to play baseball in its purest form. This experience will

help them develop lasting friendships among their peers, coaches, and

parents, and show them they can succeed and become a viable person within

their community. Board member Jim Daughtry accepted the grant.

Fayette Senior Services is

a 25-year-old organization that will be using the grant to add to the

funds needed for it to build a new multi-purpose building. A new facility

will make a difference in the number of seniors served, with facilities

for wheelchair users and other frail seniors. Executive director Andy

Carden, along with board members Frances Reeves, Vicki Turner and Joan

Neal, accepted the grant.

Southern Conservation Trust

was founded in 1992 by local business and community leaders to create

a land trust whose mission is to maintain, protect and enhance, for public

use, natural areas entrusted to its care. It provided environmental education

and wildlife habit interpretation through exhibits. Its grant funds will

be used to furnish the nature center as a "discover room" with

appealing hands-on exhibits that reflect the local natural community.

Executive director Abby Jordan and board member Tutt Larsen were on hand

to accept the grant.

Wellspring of Living Waters

provides a place of healing, encouragement and rest for women who desire

a new beginning from the bondage of drug addiction, prostitution and the

adult entertainment industry. It provides a nine-month program that includes

a time of healing, instruction and compassionate mentoring. Six months

are spent in the Wellspring Home and three months in a host home. Executive

director Mary Francis Bowley and board member Karen Loritts accepted the

grant.

The Community Foundation for

Fayette County is at 102 Pebblestump Point in Peachtree City and can be

reached at 770-487-9030 or [email protected].