Project URGE, Inc., 31 W. Church St., Fairport, NY 14450
www.projecturge.org
585.223.8340

Common Questions Answered

1. What are some of the ways you are able to get urban and suburban churches and organizations to collaborate?
Meetings and collaborative work efforts build relationships across denominational and racial divides. Most of these efforts have been linking Faith Based Organizations and churches; however, we also work with other agencies, not faith-based, whose efforts are compatible with our mission statement. Our desire is to unite Christians, relationally, while at the same time meeting the challenges as we work together. Additionally, we have at least two social events yearly. "They'll know we are Christians by our love" - that is our anthem & theme.

2. What are some benefits of being affiliated with Project URGE, Inc.?
The networking between churches and organizations provide a sharing of ideas and creates a forum for working together. Project URGE creates and distributes a booklet and DVD, illustrating how volunteers can become involved in making a difference in their community. We give presentations to organizations and churches, as well as our yearly presentation and tour of affiliated organizations. We organize service opportunities for churches and schools. Additionally, we provide E-briefs of what's happening in the organizations, as well as distributing a quarterly newsletter. We have teams of people working on various tasks that benefit all the organizations collectively and we are constantly seeking ways to accomplish collaborative efforts across churches and organizations. The majority of our efforts are centered in the City of Rochester, but do reach to rural areas as well. One of our goals is to bring about greater sharing in urban/suburban partnerships and that has been building since day one. We are a community builder.

3. Why is the Project URGE address/headquarters in the suburb of Fairport if most of the ministry is geared toward the city?
A. It is just a small room with a desk and phone, which is donated space. We recently opened a branch with donated space at Grace Community Village at 121 Driving Park Ave. We prefer our funds be spent on materials and programs that promote our mission, rather than on rental space.

B. Monthly meetings are held both in the city and in the suburbs, with most of the gatherings taking place at various churches in and around Rochester. Not only do people from the city attend, but also others come from as far as Rushville, Canandaigua out to Kendall, Chili and sometimes Syracuse and Buffalo, with most living somewhere in between.

4. How is Project URGE supported?
Individuals, churches, foundations and independent fund raising activities fund us.

5. Do you screen volunteers?
No. Our affiliates are responsible for any screening/background checks of volunteers who wish to serve, regardless whether Project URGE referred them. However, we do screen volunteers that are specific to Project URGE.

6. We are a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization.

7. Planning
began for Project URGE in the late summer of 2001 and the first official meeting was held in March of 2002. The majority of the people attending the first meeting continue to be involved today. We have over 20 organizations and ministries participating and involvement from individuals from approximately 40 different churches.