When you give your hard-earned money to a ministry, you deserve to know how it is used. TOP strives to make the most effective use of the funds entrusted to us. In the following paragraphs we will cover the major areas of expenses TOP expects to encounter over the next couple of years.
Kelsey Kares
Poor people often need immediate financial help. We provide subway and bus fare to get homeless people to their first week of work, job interviews, doctor's appointments, or home to their families. We purchase specialized job-related clothing so they can start working, and help people pay for medicine. We assist with security deposits for utilities and apartments and help people obtain government approved identification, which they need to get a job.
In the community ministry we assist with bills for utilities, purchase food, help with jobs, medicine, transportation and the other items listed above.
Sometimes we can make the difference with five dollars. Sometimes it takes $500 or more to help poor people take a step to improve their lives. TOP makes every effort to see that the funds are used for their intended purpose and document the use of all Kelsey Kares payments.
Often when youth groups begin their TOP ministries, they lack the funds to meet these special and immediate needs. Our goal, through Kelsey Kares, is to help provide the money they need to do their important work.
Programs
We have been taking youth groups to Washington, D.C. to serve homeless people for over 20 years and are now developing ways for youth to reach out to poor people in their own communities. This has been the heart of TOP's work since its inception. In addition to our work in the nation’s capital, youth groups affiliated with TOP are working in Richmond, Winchester, Fredericksburg, Lynchburg, Charlottesville and Newport News, Virginia. TOP is also the coordinating organization for Impact the Valley, a home repair summer mission project in the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.Educational Materials
Our mission is to raise up an army of youth who are actively involved in the fight against hunger and poverty. To do that, TOP needs the tools to get the word out. Brochures, newsletter, web site, materials and equipment for personal presentations, video and audio productions are all tools we intend to use to inspire and encourage youth to make a difference now.
We also plan to publish books and produce videos teaching youth how to effectively minister to the poor in urban and other environments.
In the near future we will be concentrating on improving our personal presentations and possibly producing some messages for youth on CD and cassette. In 2007 we published "The Street - How to Start an Ourtreach to the Homeless with your Youth Group".
Staff and Overhead Expenses
TOP makes every effort to keep overhead expenses low. Phone, travel expenses, office supplies, printing and mailing costs constitute most of TOP's fund raising and general operating costs. Currently, TOP has one full-time and two part-time permanent staff. One is the Executive Director, a full time position. The others are part-time Field Coordinators for the Street Ministry for each of the areas in which we are working. Currently we have Field Coordinators for Washington, DC and Richmond, VA. Eventually we hope to staff similar positions in Lynchburg/Charlottesvile, Fredericksburg, Northern Virginia and the Tidewater area of Virginia.
Accountability
TOP is governed by a Board of Directors and makes all of its accounting and ministry activity records available to anyone who wishes to inspect them. In order to protect their privacy, we do not release information concerning people we help to the public or other third parties without their permission.
How You Can Help
Currently we can receive donations by check, money order and cash. Simply make your check payable to Teens Opposing Poverty and send it to the address below.
Or try our new Donation button via JustGive.org:
Even if you aren't able to send a financial donation, please let us know that you are praying for our ministry. Your prayers are important for our success.
For more information, contact:
Teens Opposing Poverty, Inc.136 Poston Ln
Bluemont, VA 20135
Phone: 540-955-6260
Toll Free: 866-955-6260
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
