2023 CORR Action Fund Grantees

Funded by the Minority Group Self-Determination Fund

All United Methodist Church pastors and laity in the United States were invited to apply for funding to create cohorts/small groups focusing on mental health awareness and wellness that are trauma-informed and culturally appropriate so that we can continue to be justice-oriented in praxis. We are excited about the ministry the below grantees will be doing from September 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024.  


2023 CORR Action Fund Grantees

Adelante Conjuntos Mental Health Intiaitve
Rio Texas Conference
Awarded $10,000

The adelante conjuntos initiative compliments the existing work with the fall development of the Mental and Spiritual Wellness retreat, with the expectation for a winter/early spring retreat. Young adults, including our staff, will work with UCM pastors and Pilgrims on a Journey to develop the retreat format, practices, learning sessions, and follow-on activities. Our young adult staff will work with the Office of the Dean of Students to develop a list of mental health resources and start planning a mental health event. As a result of the retreat, event, and fall mental health ministry events, UCM Texas State will produce and publish a podcast to increase access to resources, feature young adult voices, and reach peers in a relatable and relevant way that is 'always on' available and serves as a reference in the upcoming semesters.

Building a Beloved Community
Wisconsin Conference
Awarded $10,000

This initiative will provide an opportunity to experience communal care extending through self-care. It will serve as a platform to increase awareness, offer essential assistance, and promote justice-oriented wholeness. Understanding the significant influence of mental health on individuals and communities, our goal is to cultivate a beloved community - a compassionate, secure, and nurturing space where all members actively participate in culturally sensitive and trauma-informed communal care, specially tailored to the Korean community of the Wisconsin Conference.

Capturing Our Voices: A Photovoice Project on Mental Health Experiences of African American Youth
West Ohio Conference
Awarded $7,500

In collaboration with church leaders, youth ministry coordinators, mental health professionals, and community members, this initiative includes trainings on photovoice methodology, cultural sensitivity, and mental health awareness. Group discussions will follow, as well as a presentation to stakeholders to identify actionable steps for addressing mental health awareness.

Drop In Recovery
North Alabama Conference
Awarded $10,000

This initiative will provide recovery support for drug and substance addicts by way of a Recovery Drop In and resource center. Led by recovery coaches, the center will provide a safe, clean, and sober recovery-focused environment for people to come together twice weekly.

Grief Share for Faith Community
Florida Conference
Awarded $595

The Grief Share program will restart in September. It is an opportunity for the church and community-at-large to access a grief assistance program. This program provides a safe and convenient place for them to attend at their local church or at close proximity to their community. The meetings will be conducted weekly.

Impacto Communitario
Rio Texas Conference
Awarded $10,000

Create learning spaces to access resources and tools to overcome times of crisis, to support people experiencing overwhelming stress, anxiety, and depression for the Hispanic community. The program will meet multiple needs through meals and childcare.

Mental Health for Youth in Community
California Pacific Conference
Awarded $10,000

This initiative will offer a 3-Prong ministry plan implemented through monthly and sometimes weekly gatherings to those (youth, people of color, LGBQTI) who have experienced harm in the church or are too nervous to attend church. Mental health practices will be guided by identifying mental health needs that will be sourced to therapists/practitioners for intervention and treatment.

Minority Clergy Mental Health Intensive
South Georgia Conference
Awarded $10,000

Will implement a nine-month plan for small groups comprised of identified minority groups in the SGAUMC which will focus on intentional, diverse engagement. We will invite three different speakers who represent these identified minorities to offer trauma-informed, culturally sensitive resiliency training during this planned initiative. We plan to offer encouragement, resources, and engage a roadmap designed to increase intentional diverse engagement and participation and offer those participants the opportunity to be exposed to customized resiliency practices that foster wellness.

Oasis of Hope: Mind & Heart Wholeness
Greater New Jersey Conference
Awarded $10,000

This initiative will bring mental health awareness to the Hispanic/LatinX community through strategic planning, SMART goals, arts, and community engagement. This program will also advocate how to access mental health services and resources through social media in a bilingual multicultural informed environment.'

Rising from the Ashes: Developing Community Healing in the Midst of Grief
West Ohio Conference
Awarded $10,000

The initiative will have a 7-week cohort for every quarter for 60-75 minute sessions. The program will be two weeks of processing grief, two weeks of self-care and support system building, two weeks of discovery of a new normal and fulfillment, and one week of the process of healing and new meaning.

"Safe Space"
California Pacific Conference
Awarded $10,000

We identified the need for trauma-informed and culturally appropriate services for self-identified women, emphasizing physical wellness, group support, and spirituality. We will begin with fitness and yoga sessions, three per week, for 45 to 60 minutes. Once the group has been together for 2-3 months, the support group will begin. The support group will be closed and designed for those participants who voluntarily want to be on it. After this point, the three components will continue to co-exist.

Sawubona Leadership Summit
National Organization
Awarded $10,000

The Sawubona Leadership Summit (SLS) is an immersive 72-hour experience curated by Scarritt Bennett Centers Racial Justice Ministries. SLC invites young leaders ages 14-24 to align their lives with their hope for a progressively equitable society and become co-creators of justice. SLS will train student leaders to lead by exploring how young people, women, queer folk, and other traditionally marginalized people lead social justice movements. SLS will teach the utilization of storytelling to cultivate compelling narratives, the execution of community organizing initiatives, and nurture self-care and sustainability.

The Well-Being Project
Wisconsin Conference
Awarded $10,000

In partnership with the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and Bishop's Cabinet, The Anti-Racism Task Force will launch a two-day workshop in a retreat setting, the development of culture-specific support groups, quarterly 1-day training and coaching workshops for clusters of church congregations and their clergy and the provision of counselors for psychological and emotional support. This initiative is a 14-step detailed process.

Triumph Over Trauma Circles
Native American International Caucus
Awarded $10,000

In conjunction with Native American Family Camp 2023 (funded by CAF) and its theme "Healing the Generations", this grant opportunity will allow support to emerging Trauma Support groups in local communities with resources for printing, supplies, a stipend for the leader, and professional coaching support.

Voices of Faith in Action (VOFIA): Listening, Learning & Healing
North Carolina Conference
Awarded $9,950

This program will identify student leaders to help facilitate bimonthly online and in-person gatherings for student faith leaders to acquire tools for daily well-being in dealing with trauma, including but not limited to processing, reflecting, and mourning. Over the course of 9 months, student leaders will learn trauma-informed ministry tools, practices, and resources in efforts to improve their mental and spiritual well-being.

Wesley at UCF Counseling Services
Florida Conference
Awarded $10,000

The initiative is in partnership with the UCF School of Social Work, exemplifying the principles of Beloved Community. The program will host weekly group counseling sessions led by Professor Ramos and offer two complimentary individual counseling sessions per week in our ministry space.

Women's Empowerment Group Wellness Program
Texas Conference
Awarded $9,380

Our project will consist of an asset-based and trauma-informed socio-emotional well-being program facilitated by a partner Houston organization: Be the Pece Be the Hope. The program will consist of 18 weekly 2-hour sessions. The project priority is to create an inclusive environment where participants can feel a strong sense of identity, practice empathy, nurture resilience, and foster trust, connection, and collaboration. Sessions will be hosted by one of our partner congregations, St. Luke's Gethsemane.


Additional Resources:

Please Note: Links to other websites are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by GCORR. This is not an exhaustive list of what is available but may assist in your initiative brainstorming and planning work. We will continue to add more resources on this page.

  • Home | Triumph Over Trauma

    Triumph Over Trauma is a facilitator-led group model created by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) in partnership with Harper Hill Global, a non-profit based in Nashville, TN. The program is based on the NASMHPD’s TAMAR (Trauma, Addictions, Mental Health, And Recovery) curriculum, which has been used for two decades, providing mental health support to individuals who otherwise do not have access. As part of the program, the public is invited to text HOPE to 615-933-5387 to receive messages of encouragement and support. The curriculum has accompanying supplements for unique groups (Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and Native American). 

  • The VOICE for Traumatized Children and Families - Attachment and Trauma Network

    At the Attachment & Trauma Network, it is our mission to promote the healing of children impacted by trauma through supporting their families, schools, and communities.

  • Center For Disease Control (CDC) Adverse Childhood Experiences

  • Resources for Mental Health Ministries (ResourceUMC.org)

    This site provides resources on advocacy, congregational resources, education/training, worship, and support resources.

  • BIPOC Mental Health | Mental Health America

    This site provides information about BIPOC Mental Health Month, information, facts, and other resources.  

  • Lifeline (988lifeline.org)

    The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. 

  • Resource Center | SAMHSA

    SAMHSA is committed to improving prevention, treatment, and recovery support services for mental and substance use disorders. The Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center provides communities, clinicians, policy-makers, and others with the information and tools to incorporate evidence-based practices into their communities or clinical settings.

  • Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Fact Sheet | Resources to Recover

    The statistics in this fact sheet point to significant health inequities in the United States. These inequities are reflected in differences in the average length of life, quality of life, rates of disability, severity of illness, and access to treatment. Mental health equity will be achieved when all people have the opportunity to attain their full health potential, and no one is impeded from doing so because of socially determined circumstances.

  • Mental Health First Aid

    Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues.

  • Understanding Psychological First Aid (apa.org)

    This site provides you with some information and links to be informed on psychological first-aid trainng and materials.

Click here to view information about the 2022 CAF Grantees.