Agapao

Schedule O:

“Other Expenses: $50 administrative fees to set up Easy Tithe which is an online contribution facilitator. Primary Exempt Purpose: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the surrounding region has become known as a welcoming city for foreign immigrants and international refugees. Many of these new arrivals come directly to the region through government approved resettlement agencies while others come of their own volition seeking to improve their quality of life or reconnect with family and the growing cultural communities within the Pittsburgh region. Agapao will support individuals in the refugee and international community in their Christian faith and relationship with Christ through the creation and leadership of Bible studies, prayer groups, church services, discipleship and evangelistic outreach. These activities will be carried out by individuals of the Christian faith, lay and ordained members of the Church, and Agapao staff and volunteers. Agapaos land and future building in the community will be utilized to provide a space for these church groups to have worship services and activities. 50 percent of the time and finances of Agapao are dedicated to support for Christian faith programs in the refugee community. Newly arriving individuals and families face an uphill battle to acclimate to a new way of life in Pittsburgh. Agapao seeks to ease this transitional adjustment period through practical support and facilitation of personal growth. Other organizations and qualified individuals will be invited to utilize Agapaos meeting space in the Whitehall refugee community to provide support such as cooking classes, driving lessons, English language classes, economic planning and advising, counseling, and legal services. Agapao partners with other charitable organizations and churches to provide food, groceries, household supplies, and new and used goods such as furniture, clothing, toys, and household goods to refugees. Collection, transportation, storage, and distribution of donated goods is carried out by church and community volunteers and Agapao staff. As refugees experience the peace and safety of their new lives in the United States, many start their families and begin having children. Agapao celebrates these new births alongside their parents by gifting them a basket of essentials for their new baby and hosting celebrations for their newborn children and their mothers. Additional support for new arrivals will be provided through the management of transitional housing to be used for internationally displaced peoples. Practical support ministries comprise 20 percent of the budget and activity of Agapao. In an effort to develop and support the community, Agapao plans activities, gatherings and celebrations for the diverse refugee population. We share in celebrating national holidays and traditional US festivities such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Elderly members of the international community frequently experience isolation and depression. At the community outreach center, Agapao will plan and facilitate daytime programs and activities focused on the elderly population. Evening programs are aimed to enrich the youth in the community with sports, games, and social events. Additionally, public spaces for the community to enjoy, such as a peace garden and playground, will be created at the Agapao outreach center. These community development and outreach programs are to be carried out by church volunteers, members of the community, and Agapao staff. This portion of our activities amounts to 20 percent of Agapaos budget and activity. The remaining 10 percent of Agapao funding supports office and administrative expenses which supply and support the operation of the nonprofit entity. All of our activities are funded by charitable donations and grants from individuals, churches, and organizations. Spiritual growth and discipleship, practical support, and community development are components of a holistic effort to welcome, provi”