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Here is a look at the three projects that are sending our delegation to Tampa to tell The Statesville Story.
MI FAMILIA INSTITUTE
In North Carolina, our Hispanic population is growing at the highest rate in the nation. Many agencies are targeting
the variety of issues facing this community, but many needs are still unmet. In 2002, Eunice Rossback talked to Landmark Church of God about the lack of resources for the Hispanic community. She preached "first build trust" and with the support of
the Church began focusing her efforts on removing existing language and education barriers.  In 2002, the Church conducted a survey of Hispanics living in Statesville. It pointed out the alarming number of educational
deficiencies: 75% of those surveyed had not completed high school. After earning a degree, learning more about the community
and gaining valuable personal experience, Rossback established the non-profit organization, Mi
Familia Institute in 2007. Eunice is currently the executive director of the Institute which operates on a minimal
budget as an extension mission of the Church. Its purpose is to help Statesville's Hispanic community navigate the difficult
journey of assimilation by "building family strength through education, promotion of respect, and advocacy for social
justice." The Church provides space for the Institute at no cost and funds much of it's operational expenses. Mi Familia has a wide range of programs, ranging from domestic violence prevention to financial
planning. They rely heavily on volunteers—currently there are three full-time and 27 part time volunteers. Mi Familia offers preparatory classes for the GED test that are scheduled at times more convenient
to the working Hispanic community than those provided by other community resources. It provides free childcare and teaches
these classes in Spanish. However, students must also take a Basic English comprehension course at the same time. Currently,
35 students are enrolled in the class and three other students have passed their GED exam. A 2007
survey showed that nearly 75% of our community's Hispanics were unable to speak English. So Mi Familia began offering English as a Second Language classes to supplement those offered by Mitchell Community College. Again, these classes are offered at times that are more convenient and with childcare. Additional challenges being tackled
by the Institute include citizenship and financial literacy classes and a medical program for the 73% of Hispanics in our
community without medical insurance. Thanks to funding received from a local community foundation, a new domestic violence
prevention program will begin in 2009. Participation in Mi Familia's
programs has grown. Statistics kept by the Institute indicate more than 1,900 persons have been served by one or more of its
programs in less than two years. For more information or to volunteer, contact:
Eunice
Rossback - Executive Director 220 East Broad Street Statesville, NC 28625 704-873-9701 (ext. 19)
FIFTH STREET MINISTRIES
For more than 25 years, Iredell County's homeless have found refuge in Statesville. In 1990, the faith-based organization
Diakonos, Inc. took over shelter operations with Gary and Patti West as co-directors.
Under the name Fifth Street Ministries, they (and dozens of volunteers) began running
emergency winter and battered women's shelters. A soup kitchen was added later. By the winter of 1991, they
were faced with inadequate space and a deteriorating facility. Fifth Street Ministries
moved to a dilapidated and abandoned school deep in the heart of South Statesville—the geographic center of our poorest
and neediest citizens. This move allowed the soup kitchen to move into a functioning cafeteria and the expansion of the winter
shelter program into a year-round night shelter.  Over the years, they added a free health and medical center (Open Door Clinic), a new battered women's shelter (My Sister's
House), the Molly McKay Children's Program, a thrift store and hope—lots of hope. Today the shelter serves more
than 500 each year with a place to sleep and store one's belongings, three meals a day/seven days a week, transportation
assistance, income assistance, permanent housing assistance, life skills and training including how to interview, fill out
an application, basic computer skills, budgeting, parenting, health and wellness. With a small staff and limited funding,
the work of restoring hope is done each day at Fifth Street Ministries.
 After years of offering more than a dozen services to Iredell County's neediest, it became apparent that to continue making
a difference in this community, new facilities were needed. A new battered women's shelter was built in 2002. Finally,
in December 2008, the shelter was moved from the old school building into a new $4.5 million facility which allows it to remain
in the heart of South Statesville near Bentley Gym, Statesville Housing Authority, South Statesville Skills Center and the soon-to-be completed Boys & Girls Club.
Thanks to the caring and committed community of Statesville, the 2008 statistics for Fifth
Street Ministries speak volumes: 58,247 meals provided; 11,005 shelter nights in the overnight shelter; 13,335
shelter nights in the emergency shelter; and 7,852 shelter nights in the battered women's shelter. Making this possible
were over 350 volunteers who donated well over 5,000 volunteer hours.
For more information or to volunteer,
contact: Gary West - Executive Director Patti West - Program Director 1400 Fifth Street Statesville, NC 28677 BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE
PIEDMONT
Seven teenagers were dead—seven! The worst single-event loss of life in
Iredell County history became even more horrific when the ages of the victims became known—all teenagers and none old
enough to drive. It happened hours away from the New Year of 2004. The New Year dawned with Statesville struggling to comprehend
the reasons and issues leading to their deaths. Boredom, lack of opportunity, little hope for a bright future and poverty
were all factors.  Community leaders vowed to provide a place for youth to gather. Dozens of citizens of all races, ages and backgrounds quickly
joined the effort. An anonymous donor issued a challenge. His foundation would provide $400,000 if our community raised $900,000
to build a Boys & Girls Club. With a working Board and donated
land, plans started on a $5 million, 28,000 square foot facility to house two gymnasiums, game room, exercise/weight room,
learning/technology center, kitchen, two classrooms, teen center and five activity rooms to accommodate programs in photography,
drama, music, dance and art. The center also includes outside ball fields, basketball courts, playground and picnic area.
The facility is located in the midst of the population it serves in South Statesville along with the nearby Fifth Street Shelter, South Statesville Skills Center, South Statesville Police Station, Bentley Gym, Statesville Housing Authority and other
agencies. The new facility is slated to open Spring 2009, but thanks to afterschool and summer
programs, the Boys & Girls Club already serves approximately 300 members in four
different locations. Volunteers are essential to this success and nearly 150 of them provided over 4,500 volunteer hours.
Fundraising efforts are remarkable. Of the $5 million budget, 80% has already been raised without any public funds. A variety
of businesses, individuals, churches, civic clubs and foundations provided the money. Less than 20% of the Club's annual
operating budget of $390,000 comes from public funds. For more information or to volunteer,
contact: Crystal Pratt - Chief Professional Officer PO Box 6694 Statesville, NC 28687 704-978-2460
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