Desert Ministries

Hi friends! I'm running the Brooklyn Half Marathon again this year, and I wanted to use this opportunity to raise money for an important cause, with the help of my employer, who has generously agreed to TRIPLE MATCH your donations.

One of my oldest and best friends, Matthew Reid, has dedicated his life to creating Desert Ministries, a 501(c)3 community outreach nonprofit, dedicated to serving those in need in Hurricane, Utah and surrounding areas. These communities are among the most impoverished in the USA, comprised of mostly of migrant families who severely struggle to thrive. As a result, the youth of Hurricane are at high risk for homelessness, drug addiction, mental health crises, malnutrition, and navigate the many misfortunes of poverty on a daily basis.

Matthew has started Desert Ministries to help the community through a few different programs. One of these programs is the Zion Giving Garden, which provides locally grown produce directly to families and individuals in need. Another program, Zion Adventure Club, addresses the elevated substance use and suicide statistics in Southern Utah by providing enriching outdoor recreation opportunities for local youth. Staffed by professionals in the outdoor industry, the program meets weekly—taking participants mountain biking, rock climbing, canyoneering and hiking.

In addition to established programs, Desert Ministries organizes annual clothing, food and school supply drives throughout the year. (With Matthew himself driving cross-country with a car full of clothing from us friends in New York sometimes!) Free tutoring and homework help is also available to local students.

Desert Ministries are a small, grassroots, non-religiously affiliated organization founded on the principals of humility and service to the local community. Desert Ministries has no paid employees—every penny raised goes directly into one of several core service programs. They are entirely dependent upon the support and generosity of others. Your donations are greatly appreciated.

https://www.desertministries.us/

See you at the finish line!

Hannah

Desert Ministries is a community outreach 501(c)3 nonprofit. As an organization, we are committed to serving our community through serval programs. One of these programs is the Zion Adventure Club—an after-school program founded as a means of addressing the alarmingly high youth substance abuse and suicide rates in Utah (suicide is the number one cause of death for kids in Utah, ages 10-14*).

Currently in its third year, the Zion Adventure Club provides unique outdoor recreation opportunities for local youth—at no cost to the participants. Building a foundation of responsible stewardship for the environment and self, the club fosters social-emotional health through physical activity and team building.

As the program expands, we have become increasingly aware of our transportation needs. Many of the participants are dependent upon a ride to or from the school, as it can be up to 20 miles away. To date, we have been borrowing vehicles from some of the supporting guiding companies in our area. As we grow, we hope to increase our independence and ability to provide reliable rides. A vehicle will also allow us to expand our reach to surrounding communities. This fundraiser is to help us purchase a van.

The ambitious $20,000 goal will help us buy a relatively new vehicle, as reliability and safety are non-negotiable when transporting kids. Should we surpass the intended goal, additional funds will go directly back into the organization or toward making the van off-road ready. Desert Ministries has no paid employees, and every penny raised helps fund our outreach programs.

We learned early on that we are entirely dependent upon others to continue our work. We are grateful for any support you can provide to help us meet this goal!

*2020, ibis health utah