FEATURE
10ways to give back
There are a lot of ways to make a difference in your community . Don ’ t know where own lives .
them to imagine new possibilities for their
to begin ? Consider working with one of the For more information about the Meridian following established organizations and programs which address the needs of the comanfreedomproject . org or call 601-207-5121 .
Freedom Project , visit the website themeridimunity . Due to the pandemic , some of these • Meridian First Ladies Civitan Club organizations have changed their format . — Founded locally in 1980 , Meridian First For more information , contact the telephone Ladies Civitan Club is an organization of number , email address of social media page : Civitan dedicated to helping people in their own communities , wherever the need arises — from organizing the pantry at LOVE ’ s
• Meridian Freedom Project — The Meridian Freedom Project is growing a corps of academically competitive , mentally disciplined , and socially conscious young leaders prepared to work for the betterment of themselves , their community , and the world . Recognizing that freedom means the power to make choices , MFP staff work to partner with children , their families , and the community for a future where students are free to access whatever educational , creative , and professional opportunities they want to pursue , and are committed to promoting justice wherever they go .
Beginning in the summer after their fifthgrade year , students , called Freedom Fellows , participate in a seven-year fellowship in which they take on leadership roles by practicing the LEAD principles : Love , Education , Action , and Discipline . Through the practice of these principles , Fellows work with staff and volunteers to build a socially just and loving community within our four walls that fosters academic excellence , social and emotional growth , and leadership development .
MFP Fellows are encouraged to seek learning opportunities inside and outside classrooms , strive to be proactive and engaged citizens , and work to be disciplined in their minds and bodies . They engage with these principles during their summers as rising 10th , 11th , and 12th graders through the program ’ s Freedom Summer Collegiate courses .
Each summer , Freedom Summer Collegiate instructors join the MFP team to become integral parts of their work with Freedom Fellows . Grad student instructors inspire Fellows to explore new fields of study , chase down their curiosities , and get a taste for the world that awaits after high school graduation . Through these courses , Fellows develop the critical thinking skills that will help them to be successful in college , while the instructors ’ personal experiences help
Kitchen soup kitchen , making bibs for local nursing homes , supporting Stuff the Bus school supply drive , Lauderdale County Habitat for Humanity , Care Lodge , Wesley House and other organizations Civitan also places special emphasis on assisting people with an intellectual and / or developmental disability . Meetings are held virtually via Zoom and usually includes a guest speaker .
For more information , email barbaraholyfield @ gmail . com or text her at 601-527-3948 , visit the club ’ s Facebook page or call 601-483- 4234 .
• Downtown Optimist Club of Meridian — Founded locally in 1941 , Downtown Optimist Club of Meridian is one of the oldest service club organizations in Meridian . “ Friend of Youth ” is Optimist Club ’ s motto and locally the club is involved in various youth-centered projects , including Cans for Kids , Salvation Army , Stage II and Meridian Little Theatre ’ s CenterStage youth theater companies , EMBDC Youth Leadership Program , Boys and Girls Club of East Mississippi and Care Lodge . The local affiliate also sponsors the Crestwood T-Ball Program and a junior golf program .
For more information , visit the website www . dtoc . org or their Facebook page .
• Hope Village — Hope Village was founded in June 2000 by award-winning actress and Meridian native Sela Ward with a vision to “ lead each child to a place where hope is born .” Each child who comes to the facility has been removed from his or her primary caregiver ’ s custody by the Mississippi Department of Human Services due to abuse , neglect , or abandonment . The Hope Village campus consists of an emergency shelter for children ages birth to 18 , three cottages licensed as long-term therapeutic residential
26 • TIMELESS MERIDIAN