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Mission Statement

EVO's mission is to build social, racial and economic bridges to connect communities, organizations and people for the enhancement and transformation of all in the East End of Pittsburgh, PA to include Bloomfield, Garfield, Friendship, East Liberty and Lawrenceville.

Description

Earthen Vessels Outreach is a 501©3 created by Seeds of Hope Church in June, 2004 to better accomplish its mission to serve and care for the people and families of the surrounding communities. Seeds of Hope is an Episcopal Church plant in the heart of Pittsburgh founded in June 2002. The primary neighborhoods served include Bloomfield, Garfield, Friendship, Lawrenceville and East Liberty. In the fall of 2001, a door-to-door survey was taken and from this assessment the primary need identified was helping the community to care for its’ children. In December of 2001, a partnership began with Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation - Cross-Trainers Program for Seeds of Hope to sponsor a children’s summer camp program during the summer of 2002. Just as we had canvassed the streets to assess the neighborhood, we now canvassed the streets to recruit children for the summer camp. During the first year, there were over 40 children who attended the camp for 5 days a week, 8:30-3:30 for 6 weeks. At the close of the camp, children’s programs were continued in the fall and throughout the next year. This camp has now been in existence for four consecutive years serving over 225 children. The development of Earthen Vessels Outreach came from the realization that financial resources within Seeds of Hope, although sufficient for the church’s ministry, were insufficient to meet the great challenges of today’s urban youth. A vision emerged to form a faith-based non-profit from which to build strategic networks and partnerships not always available to local churches. Describe the need: Earthen Vessels Outreach targets children pre-K through high school. The after-school program is geared toward kindergarten through fifth grade. The summer camp registers children pre-K through grade 8. The girls and guys middle school groups are set up around children in the 6th through 8th grades. The boys high school basketball team reaches out to youth aged 9th grade through 12th grade. The ELM Program recruits high school youth who are employed, supported and held accountable in learning and education and are mentored in their life choices. The Performing Arts Initiative targets 4th grade – high school aged youth. The majority of these children are not involved in any other type of structured program. Most are African American and come from single parent homes. The parent(s) need to work and often have limited resources to provide quality child-care when school is not in session. The children and youth in the area need a safe place to call their own, learn and have fun. The current and future programs of Earthen Vessels Outreach provide this for the youth and children. According to the UPMC 2000 census, there are over 2500 children in the targeted areas living below the poverty level. Programs offered include: Seeds of Hope – Earthen Vessels Outreach have offered programs for youth and children of our community (850 plus) while reaching out to their families for over 7 years. We have offered the following programs for “at-risk youth”: • A Summer Day Camp – (80+ children) academic in the morning; recreational in the afternoon for 6 weeks, 8 hours daily • An After-School Program – academically served more than 40 children throughout the ‘07-’08 year • High School Tutoring – approved provider for the SES No Child Left Behind Initiative. • Weekly Kidz Camp (K-5th grade 25-30 children) meets every Friday afternoon while teaching Biblical values and conflict resolution skills. The evening ends with a nutritious meal. • A high school boys’ basketball team (12 youth) that teaches youth development, teamwork and basketball skills. The young urban men develop social skills and the ability to work for a common goal. • A Middle School East-End Basketball League (75 youth per year) has been organized through EVO during the months of Feb. – April. There will be a minimum of 6 teams participating. • The ELM Program (serves 5-10 youth per year) Employment is offered to the youth, Learning is a requirement and Mentoring follows. • The Visual and Performing Arts Initiative (serves 30-40 per year) is a new program that was begun in January 2008. The program teaches 4th – high school youth (10-12 total) dance step while reinforcing character building and positive decision making. Bi-monthly performances are scheduled throughout the Pittsburgh area. • Friendship House –(5 per year) our home is located within the community. It offers housing, emotional support, food, recreation and, most importantly, a safe environment where neighborhood youth can experience positive adult role models that challenge and direct them into healthy adult maturity.

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