St. George's Center, Inc.

St. George's Center Mission Statement

The large Community Center to the right of the chapel typically feeds from 120 to over 200 people on weeknights. A vehicle parked near the entrance is bringing much needed food and supplies from volunteers

The Board has established this mission statement:

The Mission of St. George Center is to improve the quality of life for people in need by providing human services and opportunities to grow in dignity and self-sufficiency; and, to become aware of God's love in action.

The goals include:
• Increase financial support to enhance current programming; support for overall operations,
• Insurance, utilities and maintenance; and provide for adequate staff support
• Increase community awareness, understanding, and support.

Current Programs

St. George's Center emerged from a need to feed and clothe indigent and homeless persons and their families in the City of Riviera Beach, Florida. A feeding and clothing program begin with donations distributed in the parish hall of St. George's Church. However, approximately eleven years ago, the St. George's Center program expanded to include social, health, legal, educational and other human services. The St. George's Center incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in February of 1998 with Articles of Incorporation written, officers elected, and appointed Board of Directors.

Prior to incorporation, St. George's Center utilized volunteers to provide lunch and dinner, clothing, legal, and limited social human services Monday through Friday. Since incorporation, it became necessary to hire staff which includes a director, kitchen coordinator, cook, and a cleaning company.

The operating budget has grown over the years from $33,000 to $512,000 in 2009. This does not include donated food, clothing, services and educational materials, furnishing and equipment. Existing programs are daily meals for the poor and/or homeless, Out of School/After School Center partially funded by a Children's Services Council Grant, Job Assistance Program, and Clothing Assistance for the poor and those seeking jobs.

Programs in Development

• St. George's Center Adult Literacy Program in cooperation with the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County is currently seeking donations, prayers, and volunteers more
• Felony Club will be a support ministry for those with a past felony conviction by Pastor Bryant tentatively scheduled for the second and fourth Friday of each month at 7 PM in the Parish Hall.

Feeding Program

Our feeding program consist of two hot meals, lunch prepared and served by staff and dinner by a large group of over 250 volunteers from 18 Churches, 2 Synagogues and 13 Kiwanis Clubs. With our numbers-increasing daily we serve approximately 1900 meals weekly. Services since incorporation include:
• Hot Lunch Monday through Friday
• Hot Dinner Monday through Friday & Holidays
• Bag lunches on Saturdays
• Continental breakfast on Sunday
In addition to the feeding program St. George's provides:
• Clothing distribution Monday through Friday
• Space for various social services to assist individuals and families during the mealtimes:
• Social Security .Florida Rural Legal Services• Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies • Veterans
Administration • Mental Health Department. Minority Development & Empowerment Inc. - HIV referrals •
• Annual Flu Shots PBC Health Department & The Area Agency on Aging

After School Program and Out of School Program

The St. George Center Out-of-School/After School Program has four components. All components include tutoring the students to enhance their academic skills during the school year, homework assistance, character development (each session starts with prayer), self-esteem lessons, and team building assignments.
Hours: After Care provided 2:00 PM - 6:00PM
Out-of-School
a. Early release days 11:30 AM - 6:PM
b. Extended school holidays 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
c. Teacher workdays 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
d. Summer Program 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
The students receive dinner from the St. George's feeding program during After Care and Early release times. For the Extended school holidays, Teachers Work Days, and Summer Program, breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided.The Program submits monthly capacity reports to Children's Services Council. More

Job Assistance Program

We have started a Job Assistance Program in cooperation with Palm Beach County Workforce Alliance. Every business Monday from 12:30 to 5:30 P.M. we provide one to one counseling for those seeking employment which may include a custom online internet job search and registration with the State of Florida's official employment datatbase, www.employflorida.com, and advisement of further programs available to the applicant throught Workforce Alliance. For those who qualify clothing and transportation support may be rendered. More

Clothing Assistance Program

St. George's Center provides clothing assistance for job interviews and employment, to the poor and needy, and also cooperates with Saints Alive Thrift jointly with St. Mark's Episcopal Church of Palm Beach Gardens to provide low cost used clothing for purchase. More