The Quaker Market Committee’s discernment led us to the following choices for disbursement of Quaker Spring Market 2019 funds:
The first $250 will be awarded to AFM’s Young Friends for their discernment. Of the remainder, the external 75% will be split evenly among three causes: Changing Perceptions; Educational Resources for Antigua, Guatemala; and Interfaith Action for Human Rights (IAHR). The internal 25% will be awarded to the Light House for their special fund, The Carol Brantley Light & Love Fund.
Changing Perceptions (https://changingdcperceptions.org/) works in Washington, DC, to help return offenders get jobs, housing, etc. Committee members felt this was a new kind of cause for us to support through Quaker Markets, one that aligns well with other activities/interests within Annapolis Friends Meeting (e.g., MAJR, New Jim Crow book club with St. Philips, and AVP). In addition to raising money for their work, we are also eager to educate Friends and shoppers regarding the difficulties and restrictions on opportunities that make it hard for returning citizens to start a new life once they leave prison.
Educational Resources for Antigua, Guatemala (https://www.educationalresourcesguatemala.org/ ) works with the disabled in Guatemala to facilitate accessible living, university and vocational training, computer lab, employment services and client case management. Their work helps to fill a service gap that is not being filled by the Guatemalan government, bringing hope and skills to those who would otherwise not be integrated into society and would not have educational opportunities. Our donation will go toward the purchase of laptops, surge protectors and a multi-function printer for their computer classes and student use, enabling them to offer more computer training both in use and basic repair. The connection was made through their contact with the computer group that Doug M. and Karl R. are part of. We also know of their work through Peggy E., who has known the founder for a long time, helped to raise money for his work through Crofton Community Missions, and has visited the organization in Guatemala on mission trips. Committee members are happy to be supporting a cause in Latin America for the first time, and to see technology being put to such constructive use.
Interfaith Action for Human Rights (IAHR) (https://www.interfaithactionhr.org/) is a human rights organization focused on ending the abuse of solitary confinement in the Mid-Atlantic region (Maryland, DC and Virginia). Jack L. is the chairman of the board. Our donation will be used to build organizational infrastructure and fund new and existing projects. Committee members liked the interfaith aspect of this organization, felt that it deals with populations and problems we care about, and are happy to honor the hard work that Jack and others are contributing to this cause.
We are happy to include the Carol Brantley Light & Love Fund at the Light House (https://www.annapolislighthouse.org/) as our internal cause for Quaker Spring Market 2019, in honor of Carol’s strong and continued support for Annapolis Friends Meeting’s Quaker Markets over many years. From lending and eventually giving us clothing racks and hangers to always showing up for clean-up, and thinking of Quaker Market as a possible recipient for many of her possessions before she passed away (leading to record-breaking profits for Holiday Market 2018), Carol will always be remembered with fondness by the Quaker Market Committee. With this donation we will build on and expand AFM’s earlier initiating grant to the Carol Brantley Light & Love Fund.
Donations of items to be sold at Quaker Spring Market have started arriving! Click here to see a selection of gently-used treasures!
