2008 Glazer Family Foundation Grant Program Proposal

a. Mission Statement/ Purpose

The mission of Mount Zion Human Services (MZHS) is to strengthen individuals and families by providing social and economic services that emphasize a self-sufficient, drug-free, productive, and nurturing family environment.

Mt. Zion Children’s Center operates under the auspices of MZHS and its mission is to provide a high quality children’s center where children will be given an opportunity to succeed socially and academically in a nurturing, Christian environment.

The purpose of the Youth Anchor’s for Christ Broadcast Journalism Ministry (YAFC) is to equip young people, ages 10-18, with the basic knowledge and working skills of print and broadcast journalism. The students are taught to investigate, interview, capture, record and present news stories in a truthful, ethical and Godly manner.

b. Goals and Objectives

Our goal is to help children achieve superior outcomes in the areas of education and academic preparedness within a supportive and positive environment that fosters children’s social, physical, and spiritual growth. Our approach is holistic in that we strive to grow the whole child – mind, body, and spirit.

The objectives of the (YAFC) Broadcast Journalism Ministry are to:

·       teach young people to investigate, gather and present information for church news stories and community events

·       develop, apply and polish student’s public speaking skills in an environment designed to showcase their creative talents and abilities

·       provide a Christian classroom environment with a specific broadcast Journalism curriculum which includes CNN Student News

·       teach legal and ethical aspects of TV/radio news broadcasting.

c. Summary of Agency and Services

Mt. Zion Human Services, Inc., (MZHS) was established in 1983 by Mt Zion Missionary Progressive Baptist Church (MZMPBC) to act as the social arm of the church. MZHS’s focus is to provide a continuum of services to children, youth, families, and adults in need and to serve and strengthen the local community. Current services include a preschool, boys and girls scouting programs, a youth drum line, literacy enhancement, tutoring, and affordable housing programs. 

The Mount Zion Teen Community Center is located one block from the church and is scheduled to open in early 2009. The center will provide a safe, positive, learning environment for community youth and will be equipped with affirmative games and computers so students can socialize and learn at the same time.

The new teen center will house a Community Literacy program, developed in partnership with the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, which will serve to give South St. Petersburg youth instruction in computer technology.  This project embraces the use of “green computing” by using Linux technology in a thin client environment and will rely on a system of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) use to offset technology operating costs.

d. Description of Need

YAFC is in need of a high definition, mini-dv video camera and accessories. Currently there is only one camera for the entire church, and with over 50 ministries and 22 youth ministries, the demand for that one camera is heavy. In order to fully implement and expand the program, we need to consistently provide access to video equipment dedicated to the students. In addition, we need to purchase news anchors T-shirts so our students can appear unified on camera and which serve to give the students a sense of pride in being affiliated with a program they enjoy and helped create.

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e. Description of Proposed Program/Project and its Benefits-

 

Youth Anchor’s for Christ-Broadcast Journalism Ministry has been in existence for a year and a half. In January 2009, the new students will begin classes

What is the Program? Youth Anchor’s for Christ Broadcast Ministry is a program geared towards students ages 10-17 who desire to write, develop and research story ideas for primarily for church broadcast. Proper grammar, enunciation, ethics and legal aspects of communication are also taught. The video broadcasts of pre-recorded church announcements are shown in church twice each month. The students act as the news anchors on camera. In 2008, these students visited CBS radio station, WEDU and Bay News 9. This is a hands-on classroom experience. We are grooming talented young people who may want to pursue a career in broadcast journalism or production.  

i.               What is the Target Market? The target market is primarily African American children and youth ages 10-18 who are either members of the church or the St. Petersburg community. Most of the children come from within a 3 mile radius of the church. 

ii.               How many will be served by the project/program? Currently 15 children and youth are being served, with another 15 on a waiting list. In January, the new students will begin class. Some of the former student will then become student teachers.

iii.               How will you measure performance? Within a three months of attending this Ministry, all students will have researched, written and recorded a video broadcast of the church’s weekly announcements. Students are required to miss no more than 3 consecutive classes. They must appear on camera at once per quarter, read cue cards properly and have eye contact with the camera.

iv.               Any additional information deemed necessary- Brian Young, member of Mount Zion and the crew Director started this program with one camera and about five students. In a year and a half Ministry leader, Rinita Anderson(with over 20 years in the media) developed a cirriculmn specifically for these children.

f. Itemized Program Cost (per item requested)

·       High Definition MiniDV (HDV) Handycam® Camcorder. Series highlights: Film-like progressive scan, CinemaTone Gamma™ and CinemaTone Color™, three ClearVid™ CMOS Sensors, 29.5mm wide-angle to 590mm telephoto G-Lens, 20X optical zoom, superior low-light shooting. $3,199

 

·       LCD Hood (Light Reflector) $59.95.

 

·       Three year service plan for the camcorder $159.95.

·       Free ground shipping.

Camera $3,199   LCD Hood $59.95

·       Mount Zion T-shirts for the new class beginning in January of 2009. Twenty (20) new students and five (5) teachers will need new embroidered shirts. Cost at $30 each x 25= $750

Video camera and accessory $ 3,418.90 and Mount Zion Polo Shirts $750=$4,168.90. The entire cost of the camera, accessories, 3-year warranty and Polo Shirts for news anchors is covered by the GFF grant. 

g. Evaluation Plan to measure the effectiveness of the proposed program/project.-The classes are taught twice a month and the video taping is done in the same building, in a nearby classroom environment. All students are expected to: (a) actively participate in class (b) miss no more than 6 classes during the course of the year (c) participate in current affairs reading and writing assignments (d) be able to read from cue cards (e) articulate as a news anchor (f) research data to build a storyline and (g) participate in field trips.

i.                           Brief Description of the Last Three (3) Programs Implemented by Your Organization Drumline Ministry- Deon Bryant, and the church’s Senior Pastor, Rev. Louis M. Murphy recognized the need for a diverse marching band program which included not only Mount Zion members but also children and youth within the community. Youth Anchor’s for Christ Ministry- which teaches children and youth to reach their full potential in the public speaking arena and video production arena. Also, 

the Boys and Girls Ministry led by Ashley Ford. The cirriculmn includes relationship building, self-esteem and self-awareness classes for teens.  

7. List of Board of Directors and their Affiliations-