Every year two or three Elders are assigned to review the Benevolence budget.  They solicit annual reports from the recipient programs, investigate new programs, look at the overall balance of our giving, and recommend changes in dollar amounts.  This sub-committee reports their findings to the Board of Elders which then writes up the new proposed budget and submits it to the Trustees to be sent to the congregation.
 

Description of Programs

Almond Good Samaritan House:  (1994)  The Almond Union of Churches administers this
          house which provides temporary housing to people in need.  The maximum stay allowed is
         30 days.

Cameron Community Ministries:  (1995)  This ministry began as a soup kitchen in one of Rochester's
          poorest districts and has expanded to offer medical services, counseling services, teenage
     pregnancy prevention programs, youth services, and many other innovative programs.

Cephas Attica: (1985) This program has helped return to society individuals who no longer view
          crime, drugs, or alcohol as a desired way of life.  It provides counseling, housing,
     emergency services, job/skills/work/ethic training.  Their success rate betters the statewide
     rehabilitation record by 140%.

Christian Sojourners:  (1987) A local mission to impoverished Haiti supports volunteer doctors,
          special medical needs, and adult trade schools. Run by the First Congregational Church of Wellsville

Children’s Defense Fund: (1997)   A national non-profit organization targeting the needs of
          children, particularly those living in poverty.  Children’s Defense Fund has many programs
     designed for use in churches, synagogues, and religious groups to raise awareness of and
     minister to the needs of children in the U.S.

Colgate Rochester Divinity School:  Many of our pastors, including the Rev. DeMott, have
     received their training in theological studies from this seminary.

Discretionary Fund:  Reserved for emergency help with any sudden private, community,
          or global disaster.  If not needed during the year, it is generally redirected by the board to
     other missions.

Faith in Action: (1998) Coordinates a large network of volunteers who visit the
     homebound in the wider Hornell area (including Alfred).  Volunteers may also help out
     with odd jobs, and provide other small services to their assigned person.  Several members
     of the congregation volunteer with the Interfaith Caregivers.

Family Violence Task Force of Allegany County: (1985)  A private organization furnishing an
          emergency hot-line, support groups, legal and financial advice and advocates, safe homes,
     and a shelter house for battered women and children.

Foundation for the Children of Haiti:  (1992)  This mission's largest priority is maintaining and
          enlarging a children's hospital dedicated the summer of 1993.  Has developed a carefully
     arranged human chain to get contributions past the repressive military government which
     is hampering work for the education and health of Haitian children and their families.

Friends of the Night People:  (1995)  Situated in Buffalo, Friends of the Night People is
          a shelter and soup kitchen providing services to the poor and homeless.

Gil's Hills:  (1984)  A lodge and farm buildings on a 50 acre tract near Wellsville donated by Gil
          Parker.  Staff works with troubled pre-delinquent youth.  Shelter, activities, social, and
     spiritual guidance are provided for young people.  During one recent year they reported
     helping 300 children in various ways. (Described on the Youth Services web site)

Habitat for Humanity Genesee Valley Chapter:  (1993) Habitat for Humanity provides
          low cost housing by working with a family to build their own home.  The Genesee Valley
     Chapter covers Allegany County and beyond.

Hospital Indigent Funds: (1985)  Some patients discharged from St. James or Jones Hospitals
     need temporary financial assistance, usually to purchase medicines, in the form of a short-
     term loan.  Fund is administered at the hospitals by the County Dept. of Social Services.

International Rescue Committee: (1998) Does refugee relief work and is rated highly for
     financial stewardship

Oxfam America: (1987) International mission which supports, through cottage industries,
          training, and needed infrastructures, the development of independence and growth of
     individuals and families, often whole villages.

Pastor's Fund:  Emergency funds for the pastor to use for individuals in need.

Red Cloud Indian School:  (1997) A member of the congregation developed a connection with
     this school when she had a "sister school" relationship between her Day Care and Red
     Cloud.

Rochester Medical Center, Maternal/Pediatric HIV program:  (1995) Concerned for
     children’s health, the Elders selected this as a local benevolence that helps families who
     have children with AIDS.

SCAP: (1999) This group, Steuben Church People Against Poverty, primarily serves the mentally
     ill in Allegany and Steuben County.  Provides rental stipends and provides respite housing
     for homeless. 

Western New York Nature Conservancy:  (2002)   As people of faith, we believe that we have a
responsibility to care for the earth as well as its inhabitants.  The Western New York chapter of the
Nature Conservancy buys and preserves important habitats for wildlife and flora in our region of New
York State.

In addition, the Board sponsors a community UNICEFdrive in the fall, supports distribution
of Christmas baskets to families in need, collects a special offering for Church World Service
Blanket Fund on the Sunday around Valentine's Day, collects food for the Alfred area food
pantry, and supports work on local Habitat for Humanity projects.