Mission Statement:

            Fields of Grace Outreach is an inclusive, faith-based charitable organization founded in Christian principles and traditions, dedicated to instilling values of compassion, honesty, respect, responsibility and providing for the lifelong personal growth and development of a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

1) The Grace Youth Leadership Program:        

          The Fields of Grace, through its Grace Youth Leadership Program (GYLP), is working with the SchoharieCounty youth Bureau to combat juvenile delinquency, advance education, and lessen the burden of local government in the county.  The program endeavors to continuously design, plan, and implement leadership training, development and community building activities to promote the social welfare of local children and youth under the age of eighteen.  Further, it will encourage positive self-images, strengthen individual character and conflict resolution skills, enhance personal confidence, promote good citizenship, build constructive interaction between struggling youth and adult role models, advance healthy habits, and nurture a lifelong love of learning in the county’s young people.  This program’s specific annual activities will likely include a combination of the following: youth leadership workshops and discussion groups, after school academic tutoring, mentoring, directed service learning projects, vocational training, supervised retreats and forums, and college preparation, as well as relevant community field trips and/or structured job-shadowing activities.

            The Fields of Grace, through its Grace Youth Recreation Program (GYRP), is working to design, plan, and implement amateur sporting activities to promote the social welfare of local children and youth under the age of eighteen.  GRYP seeks to provide a recreational outlet for young people in the area, encourage self-esteem, health development, teamwork, and group participation in a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.  As the program brings diverse youth together, it helps promote understanding and respect for differences and cultivates community camaraderie and good sportsmanship.  During the fall, spring, and summer months, GRYP plans to host outdoor sporting activities such as instructional baseball, kickball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, and/or basketball games and tournaments.  In the winter and throughout the year, it may also sponsor indoor ping-pong competitions, as well as other exercise workshops.  By providing a safe, supportive, comfortable, fun, drug-free environment, GYRP promotes healthy youth interaction and community character building, while combating juvenile delinquency.

          The Fields of Grace, through its Grace Discussion Program (GDP), has arranged to work with local colleges, churches, other tax-exempt religious organizations, community groups, and charities, to host supervised monthly coffeehouses, forums, workshops, and discussion groups for young adults on a wide range of social issues, religious topics, and current event.  These activities have been designed to primarily promote the intellectual, religious, and moral development of individuals of college age.  At times, the Fields of Grace may also provide additional entertainment and/or refreshments to attract young adults to its facilities. 

4)  The Grace Assistance Program: “Bridging the GAP”

            The Grace Assistance Program will collaborate with local churches, not-for-profit charities, and other local community groups, such as the Schoharie County Community Action Program (SCCAP), Catholic Charities of Schoharie County, Samaritan’s Purse, the NYS Venison Donation Project, and the Boys Scouts of America, which are already federally recognized as tax-exempt organizations, to provide emergency food and clothing to individuals and families in need of urgent assistance.  The program will maintain an on-site community food bank of donated non-perishable food items, which will be available for anyone who is hungry or in need.  Within the next year, the program also plans to begin to host a monthly “Cup of Grace Soup Kitchen” for the local communities, through which volunteers will cook and deliver warm meals to needy families.  Through these services, the program seeks to nurture and support the dignity of all those who are in troubling times, bringing humanitarian relief to those who are often overlooked.  Also, the program plans to work with the local American Red Cross to provide a community site where it may offer their Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR), First Aid, Automatic External Defibrillator(AED), and “Get Ready – Be Safe” disaster response training courses.  These emergency and humanitarian services are greatly needed in this area, as many of the residents live in a flood plain and are often ill-prepared.

            The Grace Life Skills Program addresses the needs of young adults, singles, couples, and new families.  Through meetings, conferences, and informational workshops, individuals gain the knowledge necessary to better prepare themselves for their vocation or career and plan for their future.  The program presents a yearly introductory seminar and workshop series on adult issues called “Fields of Life: Real Work Survival Skills,” personal hygiene, health, and nutrition, applying for jobs, workplace etiquette and presentation, literacy and higher education, understanding personal finances, applying for financial aid, and supporting and managing a family.   The program invites various professionals and speakers to come and present on their given areas of expertise.  In the upcoming year, this may include doctors, lawyers, teachers, pastors, counselors, accountants, managers, etc.  The Grace Life Skills Program seeks to teach those who are poor, distressed, or underprivileged the skills they will need to survive and reach their full potential tomorrow.