Exciting News about The Irene Center for Hope

Since the pandemic, the Service Committee has struggled to operate. The needs are much greater than in the past, people are desperate, and committee members have been dealing with personal health issues. We have largely been using funds from grants. There are also grants that would include some payment for administrative costs – including a portion of audit costs. Additional grants are available if we have an audited financial statement. The cost of a full audit for First Presbyterian Church would be $50,000 approximately. We would not be able to pay that full amount from any grant funds. A separate non-profit would have a much smaller budget – and a much less expensive audit. 

The session approved the establishment of a separate non-profit (501(c)3) to oversee service and mission programs. The new organization is the Irene Center for Hope. “Irene” is the Greek term for peace. Jane Olson drafted by-laws and a charter, and we have been a business registered with the state of Tennessee since October 2022. In May, we received the IRS designation of a 501(c)3. Our officers are David Kanervo, president; Gary Norris, vice-president; Maggie McGrady, treasurer; and Ann Waddle, secretary. Board members will be elected in the next few months.

According to our articles of incorporation, the specific purposes of the Corporation “The Irene Center for Hope” are to share God’s love in the world through housing, healthcare, food, transportation, and education. The Irene Center will provide emergency housing, prescription medicines, food baskets, gas and bus passes, as the Service Committee has done in the past. Additionally, the Irene Center will also support the education programs of the church – preschool, K-12, and Seasons, as well as other educational opportunities provided through the church. Also, we will be able to support foreign missions in Haiti, Sudan, Rwanda, and other places.

In recent years, our church has made annual donations to local organizations such as Urban Ministries, Insight Counseling, and Loaves & Fishes. Similarly, the church will make donations to the Irene Center. 

Primarily funded by grants, the Irene Center for Hope will still rely on volunteers to disburse funds to people in need. Volunteers will be needed to answer the phone; pack food boxes; travel to Haiti, Rwanda, and Sudan. [A trip to Rwanda is already in the planning stages!] And volunteer board members will be needed, along with grant writers!

Please keep the Service & Missions Committee in prayer during this transition, as well as the Irene Center for Hope as we begin to share God’s love in the world!