Ministry Recognized for Outreach to Troubled Neighborhood

SACRAMENTO, CA (January 31, 2007) – Kacie Stratton, a member of Sanctuary Covenant Church, recently received the "Programs for Children" award at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Gospel Celebration, a citywide gathering of churches and community leaders as part of the theme "We are Better Together."

Strattons

Stratton is the founder and executive director of The GreenHouse, a Christian community enrichment center that began out of Sanctuary Covenant Church in July 2002. The non-profit organization works with children, teens, and families who live near a notoriously dangerous park in Sacramento County. Its programs include after-school tutoring, summer day camp and an evening youth group.

According to the organization, more than 550 youth live in the immediate vicinity of the park and struggle with a lack of educational necessities. Apartments often are grossly overcrowded.

Stratton began volunteering in the neighborhood after she read a 2001 story in the Sacramento Bee about the park, which was so crime-ridden that children could not safely play there. She and others from Sanctuary Covenant started going to the park to conduct kids clubs that include games, Bible stories, crafts, singing, and snacks.

Within months, Stratton and others believed God was leading them to develop a community center that would work with the physical, social and spiritual needs of area residents. The GreenHouse began its first after-school program in 2003.

Stratton now lives in the neighborhood of The GreenHouse with her husband, Steve, and son, Jonah.

Prior to founding The Greenhouse, Stratton worked with disadvantaged communities in Mexico, San Jose and Sacramento, California, and Romania.

Stratton was one of seven people to receive awards during the gospel celebration held January 15.
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