Helping Presbyterian children since 1866 www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org hildrenssociety.org www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
‘You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. ’ www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
HISTORY looking back The Society was founded in 1866 in Belfast during the Victorian era : • Belfast was the centre of Irish Presbyterianism, and grew to 349,000 people in 1901 from 19,000 people in 1801; • Belfast had many social problems including growing numbers of destitute children; • The Church was challenged by the growing social need in the towns and cities. www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
HISTORY looking back During its fi rst year, the Society helped 175 children with total grants amounting to £75 for that year! Case histories from the early years: A family of three children had no parents. Two children were supported until they were apprenticed at 14 years of age. One child died of Typhoid aged 11. A family of four children whose father had died and mother struggled fi nancially were supported until they emigrated to America in 1884. A father was left to care for his two children when their mother died. One of the children became seriously ill and the Society helped to support the family through this diffi cult time. www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
HISTORY looking back “The Society came into existence as a response to the inability of both Church and state to cater properly for the orphan and destitute child.” “…the Society was a more humane alternative to foundling hospitals and the workhouse. ” Dr Paul Gray, Generations of Generosity www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
HISTORY looking back The Society’s founders were: Rev Dr William Johnston Dr Wilberforce Arnold www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
HISTORY looking back Other key fi gures in the Church and civic society gave their support too. Here’s why Presbyterians responded to the need: “And what then are the motives urging us to engage in this work? They are the highest possible! Herein consists a part of that ‘pure and undefi led religion’ which the Bible urges us to revere and teaches us to practice.” The Foundation Document www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
THE BIBLE looking deeper The Society, founded on Biblical principles, has been used as an instrument of compassion. • We have a responsibility to each other (Acts 2:44; Gal. 6:2) • We should give generously to support each other (James 1:27) www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
THE BIBLE looking deeper • We have a duty to support God’s work fi nancially ‘according to our means’ (2 Cor. 8:3,11) • We have a duty to ‘share freely with the poor and with others in need’ (Deut. 15:11) What God asks of us is clear: “My friends, what good is it to say you have faith, when you don’t do anything to show that you really do have faith? Can that kind of faith save you? If you know someone who doesn’t have any clothes or food, you shouldn’t just say, “I hope all goes well for you. I hope you will be warm and have plenty to eat.” What good is it to say this, unless you do something to help? Faith that doesn’t lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead!” (James 2:14-17) www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
SOCIETY looking around www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
SOCIETY looking around Presbyterian families today continue to face pressures. Economic pressures Social pressures www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
SOCIETY looking around Today the Society meets the needs of Presbyterian families and their children through: Regular Grants Exceptional Grants Other Presbyterian childcare related projects www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
[I th SOCIETY looking around a 410 fa N We are helping around 840 children in 430 families from a variety of backgrounds di P with regular and special grants. N Parents separated or divorced – 44% No parents – 5% Parent deceased – 16% Other – 20% Single mother – 15% www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
SOCIETY looking around Exceptional Grants Exceptional grants are a growing part of the Society’s work and are there to meet a specific need. £90,000 £80,000 £79,944 £70,000 £60,000 £50,000 £48,250 £40,000 £30,000 £20,000 £10,000 2000 2005 2010 2015 2018 www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
SOCIETY looking around Execeptional grants have been used to help families with: • Child Care Needs • Educational Expenses • Funeral Costs • General Household Expenses • Children’s Holidays www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
CHILDREN looking forward The Society has helped meet the needs of Over 43,000 children Over 17,500 families Over 153 years. www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
CHILDREN looking forward Money Matters Income (2018) % Congregations & Individual Subscriptions Congregations & Individual Subscriptions 40 40 Investment Income & Other Income 60 Total 100 Expenditure (2018) % Grants to Children and Young People Grants to Children and Young People Grants to Children and Y 75 75 Other services for Children and Young People 1 Administration Administration Administration 17 17 Other Expenditure 7 Total 100 www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
CHILDREN looking forward “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone. ” You can help the Society Prayerfully and Financially www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
5th Floor, Glengall Exchange 3 Glengall Street Belfast BT12 5AB Tel. +44 (0)28 9032 3737 Email. info@presbyterianchildrenssociety.org Web. www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org
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