24 Feb MLM Receives $50,000 Grant from the H&R Block Foundation

Posted at 17:41h in Grants in Action, Industry News, Success Stories by

Metro Lutheran Ministries (MLM) recently received a grant for $50,000 from the H&R Block Foundation to support the new Northland Service Center.

A new 4,300 square foot Service Center will be created through a renovation of the former sanctuary of St. James Lutheran Church.  Over 3,460 square feet of the former sanctuary will be renovated for the new Service Center and an additional 840 square feet will be added through construction to the existing space.  This Service Center will have locations for food storage, three offices for case management, a reception and waiting room for clients, a bathroom, additional storage space, and room to grow.  A dock and ramp will be added to aid food deliveries.

The lower level of the Northland Service Center will be renovated to house the future Learning to Earning program.  Learning to Earning is a client-focused education, financial literacy and employment services program for those without basic job readiness skills or financial stability.  Annually the program provides highly individualized instruction, GED preparation, employment services and case management support for approximately 300 committed individuals looking to improve their lives.

The new Service Center will include:

  • Accommodations for 16 clients in the waiting room, including better access for elderly and disabled persons;
  • 800 square feet of food storage, as well as a ramp and dock for easier delivery; and
  • Three private office areas for one-on-one case management.

MLM Northland addresses the needs of many families who are struggling to feed their children and who are at-risk of homelessness.  This is a growing problem in the Northland community as the unemployment rate remains an issue in both Clay and Platte Counties.  Poverty can impede children’s ability to learn and can contribute to social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Risks are greatest for children who experience poverty when they are young and/or experience deep and persistent poverty.