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For Immediate Release
Please call Kyle Salmon
(979) 775-5357
ksalmon@saveourstreetsministries.org
S.O.S. Ministries Reaches Goal
Save Our Streets Ministries has announced the completion of the First Phase of its Building Campaign after having raised more than $2 million in 5 months in the largest fund raising effort in the 14-year history of the ministry.
In July of 2007, an anonymous donor challenged Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Ministries to raise $1 Million by the end of 2007 to receive a matching contribution of $1 Million. The initial effort was officially completed in December, although promises of new money have continued in recent weeks and several potential gifts are still being finalized.
“It was truly a grassroots effort for a God-sized task with gifts ranging from $10 to $100,000. We are extremely blessed to have every individual who helped make this campaign a success,” says Kyle Salmon, Director of Operations and Development.
As a result of the campaign, S.O.S. will be able to begin construction on its founding vision of a 24-hour ministry center on the approximately 20 acres on Groesbeck Street in Bryan which Save Our Streets currently owns, debt-free.
“Since the beginning, the vision has not changed,” says J.J. Ramirez, Director and Founder of S.O.S. Ministries. “God has tasked us to create a 24-hour ministry center in the heart of the area we serve. We want to do whatever it takes to make the availability of the gospel constant. The center will provide a variety of high-impact programs designed to meet tangible needs within our community, and communicate the love of Jesus Christ in a language our culture can understand.”
What began as an effort in 1993 by Ramirez to primarily reach gang members has now become a ministry that reaches every member of the family in all areas of Bryan-College Station and surrounding communities. Today, S.O.S. partners with approximately 300 volunteers and over 75 churches. Regularly scheduled activities are held each week as well as various outreaches throughout the year. Buses and vans are currently used to transport approximately 150 young children and teenagers each week to First Baptist Bryan where S.O.S. activities are currently held.
“We currently operate out of employee homes and rental space at Brazos Valley Rehabilitation Center. The center will not only make it more convenient for those we serve but more efficient for general operations as well,” says Salmon.
While this is a tremendous accomplishment, Ramirez indicated the effort is far from over, “We know our numbers will increase dramatically once we move in and people can walk to our facility. Our next immediate goal is to finish Phase 2, which is the completion of our full-court gym. Basketball is a huge draw for the teenagers we serve in that area.”
The initial building project will include 15,000 sq. ft. and an additional 5,000 sq. ft. as a covered pavilion. The center will house programs for children, teenagers, and adults and include a half-court gym and office space. Future phases will include creating a full-court gym and additional classroom space for life skills and vocational education.
Construction is expected to begin late summer or early fall of 2008 and should be completed summer of 2009. If you are interested in the S.O.S. building project or in the programs of S.O.S. Ministries, you can call (979) 775-5357 or email sosministries@iolbv.org. |
