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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1077-E1078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE IMPACT OF SOWING SEEDS OF HOPE
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HON. TERRI A. SEWELL
of alabama
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight the
important work of Sowing Seeds of Hope, a faith-based non-profit
501(c)(3) organization based in Perry County, Alabama. The organization
was founded in 1999 by a group of mission-driven people, drawn together
by a worthwhile vision for improving their community. Twenty years
later, Sowing Seeds of Hope has grown by leaps and bounds, and now
boasts a committed Executive Director, Mrs. Frances Ford, a hard-
working staff, a board of directors and a task force of members
committed to improving the quality of life for residents of this rural
county in the Black Belt.
One focus of Sowing Seeds of Hope has been providing low-income
residents in the area with access to affordable prescription drugs.
Rising prescription drug prices can often be prohibitively expensive
for the un- and under-insured, but Sowing Seeds of Hope has worked to
fill in those gaps by providing assistance to those in need.
Sowing Seeds of Hope has a longstanding partnership with Samford
University's McWhorter School of Pharmacy which provides outreach
opportunities within the Perry County community to emerging pharmacy
students. This includes access to diabetes support groups,
cardiovascular risk reduction research, hypertension clinics and
opportunities to assist qualifying constituents to sign up for
Medicare.
Sowing Seeds of Hope has worked diligently and successfully to
advocate for the establishment of a DaVita Dialysis Center in Marion,
Alabama. Since its establishment, the DaVita Dialysis Center has
provided crucial care to the community. Thanks to the center, citizens
no longer have to drive thirty minutes to an hour to receive treatment,
helping countless individuals to lead healthier, fuller lives.
On the educational front, Sowing Seeds of Hope hosts ``Seed Camp,''
which is a week-long summer camp held on the campus of Judson College.
During ``Seed Camp,'' school-aged children from across the Black Belt
are exposed to an array of stimulating subjects including science,
math, arts, cooking, recreation and character education.
Additionally, Sowing Seeds of Hope offers social services, including
parent training seminars, census counting initiatives and job placement
services, along with many other resourceful programs. Their cornerstone
offering is the ``Self-Help Housing Program'' which is truly unlike any
other program in the state of Alabama. The program provides a pathway
for low-income families to secure their own version of the American
dream of homeownership. This is made possible through low-interest USDA
mortgages and the homeowners providing ``sweat equity'' by helping
build their own home with the assistance of community members. Nearly
20 families have transitioned from substandard housing to high quality,
affordable homes thanks to the Self-Help Housing Program.
The work being done by Sowing Seeds of Hope is integral to building
stronger communities, economically and morally. In a county that faces
extreme adversity, this nonprofit serves as a beacon of hope, letting
the community know that there are people that believe in them and their
abilities and are willing to invest in a brighter future, not only for
individuals and families, but for the overall good of the entire
community.
Let the extraordinary efforts of this organization continue to
inspire others to be engaged in compassionate community service, making
this state and country a better place, one day at a time.
[[Page E1078]]
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