Cindy McCarley, director of the Good Shepherd Community Center, said she wants the public to know that good things are happening, but more needs to be done.
The Good Shepherd Community Center has received additional opportunities and funds to help improve the community center. As McCarley stated, Good Shepherd, for the first time in history, was able to publicize itself, revise its mission statement, and create a website. They were also able to install a new roof, thanks to generous donors, and set up new programs.
Even in the midst of the pandemic, Good Shepherd was able to receive additional funding from the Federal Child Care Stabilization Grants, as part of the US Bailout, to help update their preschool and provide support. money to staff.
“One thing the pandemic did for preschools and daycares was to provide American Rescue money,” McCarley said. “Some of the money we received allowed us to do some things we’ve wanted to do for a long time, like painting the inside of the building, upgrading the floors and helping with staff retention,”
The building is slowly transforming into an updated facility that can meet all of Vicksburg’s needs, she added.
“It’s important to me that people know how good God was and that God prepared a way for us to do these amazing things so we could love more people,” she said.
However, as the saying goes, “it takes a village”. McCarley said Good Shepherd always needs the support and help of those who believe in the organization’s mission statement, “to educate, empower and inspire individuals, children and families to live their best life”.
“We receive funding from United Way, the Mississippi Department of Education, the Mississippi Department of Social Services, and The United Methodist Church, but we want our individual donors who love the Good Shepherd Mission to understand that their donations are always so necessary and so important. appreciated,” McCarley said.
Another way to help Good Shepherd is to join their volunteer program, The Ripple Effect. Currently, Good Shepherd is looking for volunteers to mentor students 12 and under in their after-school program.
“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to help tutor,” McCarley said.
They are also looking for preschool teachers and class floats to hire.
For more information on how to help Good Shepherd, call 601-636-7687 or visit their website at www.goodshepherdvicksburg.org.