| FreshMinistries | |
| Type: | Non-profit |
| Founded Date: | 1994 |
| Founder: | Robert V. Lee |
| Location: | Jacksonville, Florida |
| Origins: | Episcopal Outreach |
| Key People: | Rev. Dr. Robert V. Lee III, Chairman & CEO |
| Area Served: | Global |
| Method: | Outreach |
FreshMinistries is a non-profit organization based in Jacksonville, Florida. The organization focuses on economic development, job training and health initiatives in Jacksonville. FreshMinistries also engages in international projects.
The organization was founded in 1994 by the Rev. Dr. Robert V. Lee, III, an Episcopal priest who was rector at Church of Our Saviour (Jacksonville, Florida) for more than a decade. In its early years, the organization focused on programs to promote financial literacy, youth mentoring, housing development and crime prevention, particularly in East Jacksonville.
FreshMinistries works to achieve the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to eliminate poverty through a number of initiatives. Current projects include:
In response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake, FreshMinistries and its international arm, Be The Change International (BTCI) were asked by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate a major aid and relief operation there. The organizations' relief effort transported many supplies, including three ambulances (one of which was delivered to the Haitian government), emergency aid, food, water, water purification systems, clothing, school supplies, large generators, and 147 large tents to serve as temporary schools and shelter for the Haitian people.
Tom and Betty Petway made a $1 million gift donation in December 2003. The couple had worked with FreshMinistries since the late 1990s. Petway was CEO of Zurich Insurance Services and said at the time: "We're impressed with the work FreshMinistries has done in Jacksonville in creating opportunities for people of all races and faith traditions to participate economically and socially in our community. The organization needs the financial backing to continue the work it has started in the community, including assisting with other service organizations and ministries in the city." FreshMinistries used the money for several existing programs, including the Beaver Street Enterprise Center business incubator, youth programs, college internships and financial literacy initiatives.[1]
The organization has also received support from Jacksonville philanthropists Delores and Wayne Weaver. The organization's east Jacksonville community center, the Weaver Center for Community Outreach, is named in honor of the couple.
FreshMinistries receives ongoing state support through the Florida Department of Children and Families, as well as private contributions.
FreshMinistries received $10 million of $100 million in abstinence-focused grants awarded by the United States Agency for International Development, part of the President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The grant funded Siyafundisa, an initiative to provide ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention programs in Africa. The grant is the largest the ministry has received.[2]