HOUSTON – The COPES program was the 2009 recipient of a $1,500 grant from the PACE foundation.

The COPES program comes under the umbrella of the Exchange Club’s goal of child abuse prevention and assists at-risk children in Chickasaw County. Donna Schomburg currently oversees the program, which accepts referrals from organizations like schools and DHS, and also from the general public. Children and youth or their parents may fill out an enrollment form to qualify for services.

Schomburg acts as a liaison to link at-risk children and youth to programs that may be beneficial to them and has helped children enter GED programs, Head Start, Boys and Girls club, Excel afterschool and the National Guard Challenge program.

The COPES program is currently seeking sponsors to assist with the costs of enrolling local children and youth into educational programs. Each student accepted into Challenge or Job Corps must bring supplies costing about $300 and each student enrolled in GED classes must pay $40 for their testing. COPES is also looking for mentors to guide children and youth toward their future.

“We have 30 kids on a waiting list (for Challenge),” Schomburg said via e-mail. “The kids get a drivers license, GED or high school diploma, job training and, after graduation, help with getting into college, technical schools, apprenticeships or the military. They are taught leadership, community service, life coping skills, responsible citizenship, health, sex education, nutrition and physical fitness.”

Schomburg said that sponsors are needed to help the youth cover the cost of being admitted to the program. A $300 tax deductible donation would cover their testing fees and supply them with necessary items like t-shirts, underwear, socks, sneakers, Jobbing attire and personal bath items.

Those interested in assisting may contact Schomburg at 542-4337.

The PACE Foundation (Partners Achieving Community Excellence) is an endowment that provides grants and assistance to non-profit organizations that promote local education programs, community development, beautification or other projects designed to improve the quality of life of the people of Chickasaw County. Their focus has been on providing grants to newer projects to give them a boost and get them off the ground. The PACE board is made of Chair Bobby Moooneyham, Frank Alford, Alford Bell, Bob Scott, Hassell Franklin, Gary Staten, Rayburn Parks, Harry Robinson and Tom Byrne. Hope Stantz serves as Director of the PACE foundation.

Anyone interested in applying for a grant or seeking more information about PACE may contact Stantz at 447-0157.