TITLE
Title
CAMP HOPE AMERICA GRANT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Catherine Johnson
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BACKGROUND
Background
The Guilford County Family Justice Center (FJC) has been awarded a grant for $20,000 from the Alliance for HOPE International for our local Camp HOPE program.
Camp HOPE America, a program of Alliance for HOPE International (Alliance), is the first and largest evidence-based camping and mentoring program in the United States focused solely on children impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Camp HOPE America began in California and has 52 established partners nationwide. Thanks to a generous grant to the national organization from WellCare of NC, Family Justice Centers and Camp HOPE programs in North Carolina were invited to apply for funding.
Guilford County’s Camp HOPE program was the first in North Carolina. Since our inception in 2017, we provided pathways to hope and healing for 422 youth and 321 families impacted by domestic violence and child abuse. With over 40% of youth participating for at least 3 years, youth are experiencing an ongoing community of support as they heal from trauma and discover pathways to their future goals. Over 17,000 hours of mentoring and wrap-around support has been provided by 90 young adult volunteers, and 76 professional support staff. In addition to a transformational week of overnight summer camp where children experience intentional, supportive community and build confidence through challenge-by-choice activities, participants experience ongoing relationships with their peers and volunteer mentors through year-round group activities. Families consistently report that their child has grown significantly in confidence, self-esteem, social skills, empathy for others, goal-setting, and emotional regulation as a result of their participation in Camp HOPE. Children and families also frequently share that Camp HOPE is a reliable source of comfort, peace, and joy for them. Our dedicated team of volunteers and experienced professionals makes our Camp HOPE community a safe, loving environment for youth and their families. In 2024, Guilford County hosted the largest overnight camp with nearly 80 campers, and two (2) former campers serving in leadership for the first time as camp counselors. As our program continues to grow, we are committed to supporting the unique needs of youth and families who are healing from family violence, providing a safe place for them to heal, connect, and grow. 100% of Guilford County’s Funding for program fees is funded by community donations and grants.
The funding is not restricted to current year expenses, so these funds can be utilized to support Camp Hope in Fiscal Year 2026.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
Grant Projects Fund
FY25 Camp Hope America Grant
$20,000 increase in appropriation to grant project
$20,000 increase in Other Revenue
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Approve receipt of the Camp Hope America Grant and adopt a grant project ordinance for Camp Hope America Grant in the amount of $20,000, with $20,000 in other revenue.
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