CityView Magazine

50 | July/August 2016 North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, Fort Fisher Aquarium and Myrtle Beach. Locally, they go ice skating, roller skating, rock climbing and to Putt-Putt. Additionally, the program awards small scholarships toward college tuition. Johnny said that it used to be easy to decide which most-achieved student would receive funding. "Now, we have to sit down and have a review panel because we have 15 or 20 kids applying to colleges and universities. It's a whole different ballgame," he said proudly. Emergency Services e Emergency Services program, which Johnny describes as the "high octane area of the building," is housed on the le side of FUM. It serves individuals and families in the height of need: those who have lost employment and await assistance from Social Services, those who are homeless and families in crisis. ey can shop for food and clothing to "fill the gap." Individuals and families who utilize this service come from every walk of life. Johnny stated, "We have started to see active military whose family size has outgrown their rank. ey come in crying, but I tell them not to feel that way. I tell them that it is an honor to serve them because they have been serving and protecting us." Adult Literacy Johnny reports that 24% of adults in Fayetteville and Cum- berland County read at a 5th grade reading level or below. "Our adult literacy program has been our best kept secret for years. It does magical things," he said. In addition to English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and GED preparation classes, FUM hosts a job coaching initia- tive which teaches individuals how to procure employment. "You know the saying, 'If you teach a man to fish...' Well, that's what we're doing here," he said. Nehemiah Project FUM's Nehemiah Project began in 1994. For the low- income home owner on a fixed income, costs of repairs for roofing, HVAC work or even installing handicapped-accessi- ble ramps could be the difference between having a home and homelessness. With grant funding from the City of Fayette- ville, FUM addresses these costly repairs for homeowners within city limits. Each year, the program assists 170 to 200 homeowners. Are you in need? ere are no barriers to qualify for services at FUM, and they are always looking for volunteers. If you are in need, Johnny said, "All you have to do is raise your hand. You don't pay anything." He continued, "So many of our folks that we help have turned out to be supporters or donors. We give them a toolkit. ey've come back to be volunteers." Fayetteville Urban Ministry is located at 701 Whitfield Street. ey can be reached at 910-483-5944 or online at www.fayurbmin.org. CV The Emergency Services program, which Johnny describes as the "high octane area of the building," is housed on the left side of FUM. In addition to English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and GED preparation classes, FUM hosts a job coaching initiative which teaches individuals how to procure employment.

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