25:40

THE REES-JONES FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER

2022 Q2
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth,
whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"


-Matthew 25:40





Let the Little Children Come

Let the Little Children Come

By Margaret Rees-Jones, Advisory Board Member

“O Lord, your divine tenderness always outsoars the narrow loves and kindnesses of earth. Grant me today a kind and gentle heart toward all things that live. Help me to take a stand against cruelty to any creatures of yours. Help me to be actively concerned for the welfare of little children, and those who are sick, and of the poor, remembering that what I do for the least of these brothers and sisters of his, I do for Jesus Christ my Lord.”

– John Baillie, Scottish Minister

As school gets out for summer, I see so many children out and about— bicycling down the block, walking the aisles at the grocery store, sitting in the yard, or playing basketball at a park nearby. As a mother of a 22-month-old and currently expecting, I consider how children have impacted my own life. My children are changing me in ways I can’t even begin to count… and much for the better!

My husband and I are watching The Chosen, and we have been struck by the attitude of Jesus towards children in the series. At the beginning of His ministry on earth, they spend an entire episode to show Jesus just spending time with them, building things, playing, laughing, teaching, and loving on them in tangible ways. He isn’t too busy for them. His prioritization and treatment of children is radical, gentle, and even unexpected. Below, we see this same truth echoed in the Scriptures:

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” – Matthew 19:14 NIV

“And said to them, ‘Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.’” – Luke 9:48 ESV

In Psalm 127:3, the Message version even describes children as “God’s best gift” to us—

“Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?”

This is a profound notion not only for their time, but also for ours, even now. In my own journey of motherhood, I recall the first year of parenting. As someone who likes to accomplish a task, motherhood revealed an intense desire in me for productivity, for efficiency, for task completion that I didn’t know I had. I stepped back to find that I had valued those things over relationship in many areas of my life. While our Western world often values productivity and performance over everything, I am slowly realizing that this is not the way of Jesus. His life on earth was not about producing or performing or profiting; it was purely about being with the Father and with us. I am simultaneously shocked and delighted by this discovery! If we look at His Word, we see how even we, adult as we are, are called His children:

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” -1 John 3:1 ESV

“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike ‘What’s next, Papa?’ God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!” – Romans 8:15-17 MSG

In the eyes of God, the weakness and dependency of a child is no longer a burden or something to be ashamed about; it’s a gift! We need His lens on things to show us the truth not only of who He is to us, but of who we are. While dependency doesn’t particularly sound appealing on first mention to me, it’s necessary to understanding His Kingdom. I remind myself that I am called to enter like a child—heart full of humility, need, curiosity, and perhaps, even wonder at who He is.

To take it a step further, we are also called to value and prioritize the same things that God does. The Word of God constantly reveals His heartbeat to us on this particular topic, and it is that children really matter. They are important. They are worthy of our time, our love, and our best efforts. A woman of faith at our church reminded me recently: Jesus was not too important for the little children. He didn’t shoo them away or try to attend to matters supposedly more pressing. He spent time with them, patiently and lovingly pouring into their souls.

What is the implication for us in this—in our homes, our work, and our world?

I love the beginning prayer because John Baillie had heard God’s heart on this, too. He prays, “Help me to take a stand against cruelty to any creatures of yours. Help me to be actively concerned for the welfare of little children…”

What does this concern look like lived out in our world? How do we prioritize not just our own children, but all children who live in the city of Dallas and beyond?

ANNUAL REPORT SEASON IS UPON US

Below are a few friendly tips for our wonderful grantees regarding our name and logo use policy. When in doubt or in need of clarification, please don’t hesitate to ask your Program Officer or email CJ Stevenson at cstevenson@rees-jonesfoundation.org

The Rees-Jones Foundation Communication Policy is available for view on the Foundation’s website by clicking here.

YES

Grant recipients are welcome to include The Rees-Jones Foundation name in their annual reports so long as the Foundation's name is listed among other annual supporters and not highlighted in a manner to bring special attention

YES

Grant recipients are welcome to list The Rees-Jones Foundation name on their websites so long as the Foundation's name is listed among other annual supporters, not highlighted in a manner to bring special attention, and the year of support (as stated in the grant contract) is clearly stated

NO

Please note that use of the Foundation's logo is not permitted - this includes on websites, social media or in print

YES

The proper way to list the Foundation is The Rees-Jones Foundation
The Rees-Jones Foundation Communication Policy
Review the Policy Now

August is Grantee Report season for some...

NOW AVAILABLE:

GRANTEE REPORTING CLARIFIED

We are taking a deeper dive into Grantee Reporting. Keep in mind that these posts are presenting generalities, and are not representative of all grants or circumstances. Should an organization have specific questions related to a grant, it should refer to its Grant Contract or contact its Program Officer.

About Grantee Reports

Each grant made by the Foundation requires a final Grantee Report, although some grants require additional interim reports. The Grant Contract will outline the number of reports and their due dates, the specific goals to be reported upon, and additional questions related to the grant and feedback on our grant making process. Grantee Reports must be submitted via the online portal.

Additional information related to the grant making process, the online portal, and step-by-step instructions for submitting a Request or Grantee Report, can be found on the Grantee Portal Help Guide.

Reporting on Goals

During the due diligence process, grantees will have the opportunity to discuss goals for their grants with their assigned Foundation Program Officer. The resulting final goals determined by the Foundation to be mutually important to learn from will appear in the grant contract.[i]

Instructions for completing the Grantee Reports as well as the goals to be reported on and additional report questions can be found at the end of the Grant Contract on the page titled “Instructions for Online Reporting”.

TIPS FOR REPORTING ON GOALS:

  • Utilize the narrative section to provide context for how the organization was able to surpass or meet its goals, or why it was unable to achieve its goals
    • Grantees should include what the organization did that was effective in reaching or surpassing its goals
    • Grantees should include what the organization would do to adjust programming or course correct operationally if it was unable to achieve its goal, and what the organization did when it became clear during the grant term that goals were unlikely to be met

"How great is the love the Father has
lavished on us, that we should be
called children of God!"


-1 John 3:1

REES-JONES YOUTH INTERNSHIP BEGINS

30 INTERNS KICKED-OFF THEIR SUMMER INTERNSHIP WITH FIVE DALLAS NON-PROFITS

On Friday, June 10, 30 high school and college interns gathered at The Rees-Jones Foundation office to kick-off their summer internship. Five non-profit organizations from across Dallas are hosting six interns each for a summer of paid work experience, Christian mentoring, and character building.

InternGroups

The Rees-Jones Foundation Youth Internship Program was started five years ago in order to supplement existing and help create new internship programs at several faith-based, nonprofit agencies in Dallas. The Foundation was inspired to start RJFYIP after several agencies voiced that they lacked the funding and/or staff to provide their interns with enriching opportunities outside of the traditional intern role. These organizations each had longstanding programs that served youth in their communities, but each lacked a program that helped these youth bridge the gap between adolescence and adulthood.

The Foundation felt that by partnering with these agencies, it could fill the gap by providing leadership opportunities, life and workplace competency soft skills, and new experiences to the interns. The Foundation coupled this with a grant to each agency, which enabled the agency to pay its interns.

During orientation on June 10, the interns heard from T. Hardie, President of The Rees-Jones Foundation, and Jan Rees-Jones, Co-Founder of the Foundation. There were two sessions on finances with Trevor R. Rees-Jones, Vice President of Rees-Jones Holdings, leading the session on investing. After lunch, the interns headed to Group Dynamix for some fun group bonding experiences.

BLOG: THE PROFESSIONALS BEHIND CLUBFOOT TREATMENT

By Adrian Cook, Director of Research & Evaluations

June 3 is World Clubfoot Day. This is a day for raising awareness about the need for clubfoot treatment for children who do not have access to a basic correction of their feet which can save a lifetime of disability.

Last year we wrote about the basics of clubfoot and the plight of children born with the condition. As a Foundation, we have a commitment to serve these children, particularly in Ethiopia where the Foundation partners with Hope Walks in an effort to reach 70 percent of new cases of clubfoot and provide treatment for these children before the age of two.

Serving children with disabilities requires skilled healthcare professionals and social workers, and so this year we call attention to the professionals who deliver the treatment and support services that can change a child’s life.

The primary treatment provider is a physiotherapist who is trained to address orthopedic conditions and work with patients to “help them manage pain, balance, mobility, and motor function.”

"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit
that we are God's children."


-Romans 8:16

BIG WINS FROM OUR GRANTEES

SOUTHERN GATEWAY PUBLIC GREEN FOUNDATION

announces 75 percent of funding secured for phase I of the Southern Gateway Park construction

PARKLAND

begins providing integrated behavioral health services at the new clinic located in Red Bird

THE WARM PLACE

begins renovations to add approximately 4,000 square feet to its facility in order to reach more children and families

PEROT MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE

celebrates 10 years

GENESIS

opens its new thrift store located in southern Dallas

MY POSSIBILITIES

breaks ground on its new Career Services Building, which will provide continuing education for young adults with intellectual disabilities

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."


-Psalm 139:14

Q1 GRANT MAKING RECAP

The Foundation awarded $5.8 million through 53 grants during Q2 (April, May and June).

Grantee Newsletter Grant Stats Graphic

Below is a small representation of the nonprofit organizations that the Foundation supported:

The Center for Integrative Counseling & Psychology

$400,000 | Funding to support the Partnerships for Accessible Counseling and Training (PACT) Program, which provides those in under-resourced communities with mental health counseling services.

Heroes & Horses 

$500,000 | Funding to support the One-Eighty-Out Campaign for the provision of a permanent ranch campus.

King's Academy

$500,000 | Funding for the purchase and installation of a 10-room portable building to create an “Academic Village” so the school can continue to grow.

Lena Pope

$200,000 | Funding to provide mental health counseling to children and youth who have experienced childhood trauma.

Momentous Institute

$770,000 | Multi-year funding to provide children and their families with therapeutic services to strengthen family bonds.

Operation Kindness

$335,000 | Funding to care for homeless cats and dogs in a no-kill environment until each is adopted into responsible homes and to advocate humane values and behavior.

POETIC

$50,000 | Funding to support the Child Protection and Permanency Court Program, which supports high-risk foster youth.

Young Life Dallas

$150,000 | Funding to support Christian discipleship to children and youth through the Urban Young Life, Capernaum, and Young Lives Programs.

Summer Camps

Funding to support camp scholarships for children with disabilities or youth in low-opportunity communities: Bishop Arts Theater Camp $10,000 | Camp Fire First Texas $45,000 | Camp Summit $110,000 | Camp Sweeney $75,000 | Camp Oasis $12,000 | Friends of Sky Ranch $75,000 | Joni and Friends $40,000 | Kids Across America $70,000 | Camp Gilmont $8,500 | Camp of the Hills $20,000

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:


Reflecting on 15 years


THE REES-JONES FOUNDATION


2021 SUMMARY OF GRANTS

The mission of The Rees-Jones Foundation is to serve God
by serving others, sharing His resources in ways that provide
opportunities for the disadvantaged, relief for the suffering,
and encouragement in the growth and well-being of children
and families. In so doing, the Foundation hopes that the
love of Christ is experienced in practical ways by those served.

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION'S NEWSLETTER

25:40 is a quarterly newsletter from The Rees-Jones Foundation. This newsletter is specially designed for you – our wonderful grantees! We hope that you will find the information both useful and interesting. If you would like to be added to our newsletter email list, please contact CJ Stevenson at cstevenson@rees-jonesfoundation.org.

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'”

– Matthew 25:40

ABOUT THE NAME | We decided to name this newsletter 25:40 after the scripture from Matthew 25, which we as a foundation, draw inspiration from in our work. Through our grant making, we seek to deliver hope, resources, and support to those in our community who are in need.

The Rees-Jones Foundation is a private foundation that works with non-profit organizations, primarily in North Texas, that provide programs that defend the welfare of children suffering from abuse or neglect, afford relief to those facing mental health challenges, provide youth with opportunities for enrichment and character development, encourage healthy families and communities, and promote the humane treatment of companion animals.

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If you would like to be added to our newsletter email list,
please contact CJ Stevenson at cstevenson@rees-jonesfoundation.org
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