University Temple Reaches Out

University Temple reaches out at home and globally to help meet basic human needs of those who are less fortunate.

The ROOTS Young Adult Shelter opened at U. Temple in 1999 as a result of church members, city officials and service providers identifying a significant unmet need for emergency shelter specifically for young people ages 18-25. The Temple also reaches out globally through the Maasai Environmental Resources Coalition (MERC) in Kenya and the support of malaria research in Ghana. Since 1989, the Temple has participated in Teen Feed, a program run by University District churches, to provide hot meals to street-involved teenagers.

In 1970, University Temple UMC established the Human Needs Appeal (HNA) as part of its ongoing stewardship program for the purpose of supporting local grassroots programs and organizations that demonstrate particular effectiveness or potential in meeting the basic human needs of Seattle's more vulnerable citizens. HNA funding is intended, in particular, for programs that lack the capacity to pursue more traditional funding sources. Inquiries regarding the Human Needs Appeal can be made via the church office. In 2009, HNA funds were granted to the following five groups:

• Country Doctor Free Teen Clinic
• ROOTS Young Adult Shelter
• Sanctuary Art Center
• University Churches Emergency Fund
• University District Street Ministry (Teen Feed, Service Links for Youth)

Supporting these programs that help U. District street youth brings a warm glow to our hearts. Click on the underlined text to view the 6-page Summary of Programs Supported by Human Needs Appeal (HNA) Funds provided by University Temple United Methodist Church in 2009. The summary, dated February 2010, also shows expanded funding and support for these ministries from other U. District organizations.