God is always on time...

Daring Faith
"Have faith in God..." – Mark 11:22-24

Dear Friends,

I want to take this opportunity to give you an update on my letter of last October regarding the funding of Transformation Works.  The Board and staff spent time on our knees praying about the direction that God would lead us. We estimated we would have the resources to keep this program through January 31st.  Day by day, week by week and month by month we waited as we continued to work with our youth, families and development efforts. 
 
City Impact committed to and would act upon on Daring Faith. Throughout October, November and December we sat with donors, wrote grants and met with difference agencies in our County.  We were daring to be bold, brave, audacious and adventurous with our development efforts.  Resources began to trickle in from loving donors by the end of the year and the donations totaled over $11,000.  I truly believe that was just enough encouragement to keep us praying, trusting and working.
 
Then, on December 5th – the Thomas Fire hit.  We knew that this crisis was bigger than we had ever experienced in Ventura County.  Homes were lost, neighbors were displaced and the smoke was stagnate in the air for months.  We all knew this crisis would surely impact giving opportunities to City Impact.  But God had a different plan – a week before Christmas I met with a Chief of one of the Ventura County agencies. He believed there were some unused funding to support high-risk youth in our community.  He told me that he would research it and get back with me.

December 26th, I received an email from this gentlemen asking for the latest Evaluator’s report of Transformation Works Program, as well as a budget for the cost of this program until June 30th.  On January 10th I made a presentation to the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Counsel and they unanimously voted to fund this project.  But the project needed to be approved by the Board of State and Community Corrections. Lord, how long will that take?  The clock was ticking; January 31st just around the corner.  On December 19th I was informed that everything is fine with the State and now it was on the desk of County Counsel.  How long will that take?  City Impact’s Board of Director’s meeting was the next morning for which I needed to inform them what we were going to do. I gently reminded them of their decision to keep this program until January 31st.

Last month, I mentioned that I’ve come to realize faith opens the door to miracles.  In the Bible and history, you find that every time God moves on earth and does a miracle it’s because somebody believed.  January 31st, I was told the contract is being processed for bridge funding until June 30th.  God is never late and is always on time.  Recently, I was telling a dear friend this story and he asked what are you going to do July 1st?  I told him boldly - pray audacious and dauntless prayers and work like a dog seeking out the funds for next fiscal year.

Will you join me?  I do know another miracle is on its way through prayer, faith and our continued work.
 
Unwavering yours,
Betty Alvarez Ham
President     

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