The Southminster Presbyterian Church Foundation awarded two grants totaling $4,000 to Washington County community groups. The foundation made grants to the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Beaverton Youth Second Home program and to the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center.

The Foundation granted $3,000 to the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon for its Youth Second Home program, which is a joint effort with the Beaverton School District.

The Youth Second Home program works to connect displaced full-time students ages 16 and older who have housing instability issues with families who can provide housing. The program is intended to help the youth stay in school and earn their diploma or a GED. Home providers and students work with a Beaverton city mediator to develop a housing plan for the student. Rent need not be money; it could be house or yard chores. The plan specifies the obligations to be met by the home provider and by the student. If successful, the plan provides the student with both a more stable living arrangement and a rental history.

The foundation grant will be used to promote awareness of the program and recruit families who can provide housing. The program has been beneficial to its participants, but there are far more students who could benefit than families willing to host them.

The foundation granted $1,000 to the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center for its new dental clinic in Beaverton.

The Virginia Garcia organization provides health care to low-income families. The grant will be used for dental equipment. The organization has a dental clinic in Cornelius that is at capacity and is adding a clinic in Beaverton.

The Southminster Foundation funds grants for community nonprofit organizations, primarily those serving Washington County. Since its beginning in 1979, the foundation has given more than $635,000 in grants to more than 170 community organizations.

For more information or to apply for a grant, call the Southminster Presbyterian Church office at 503-644-2081 or southmin.org.

Catholics recognize Fortnight for Freedom

Catholics in Oregon have joined with people of other faiths to observe a "Fortnight for Freedom." The Fortnight is observed from June 21 until July 4. These two weeks are a time for prayer, study and discussion concerning the religious freedoms protected by the First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution.

In the Archdiocese of Portland, Archbishop John G. Vlazny will lead a Holy Hour at St. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Thursday, June 28, at 7:30 pm. Many parishes will include special prayers at Masses to pray for the preservation of religious freedom in this country, and groups of parishes in the Archdiocese will offer opportunities to join with neighboring churches for ecumenical prayer services.

In a letter to Catholics in western Oregon in January, Archbishop Vlazny wrote, "people of faith cannot be made second-class citizens. We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom."

A schedule of regional ecumenical prayer services is available on the Archdiocese of Portland website, archdpdx.org.

Beaverton Christian offers Bible Day Camp

Beaverton Christian Church, 13600 S.W. Allen Blvd., will host a Bible Day Camp for children entering first through fifth grades on July 9 to 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Children attending will experience an exciting day camp environment setting on the Beaverton Christian campus.

"Adventures on Promise Island is the theme for this year's camp where kids experience God's love through songs, games, crafts, snacks, service projects and exciting Bible stories amid swaying palm tree, exotic wildlife and welcoming sunshine," said Janell Struckmeier, children's ministry director.

The registration fee in June is $25 per child and $35 per child from July 1 to 8. The fee includes crafts, snacks and a family activity. Discounts are available for families with three or more children. Childcare and a preschool program are available for children whose parents are volunteering at the camp.

Registration forms can be obtained by contacting the church office at 503-646-2151 or by visiting bcc.org.

The church is also offering a free crawl, walk and run play time for children from birth to age 6 and their families on June 28, July 26 and Aug. 23 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. A craft, snack and fun will be available for all participants. Parent or guardian participation is required.