[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 139 (Tuesday, August 27, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1077-E1078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE IMPACT OF SOWING SEEDS OF HOPE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 27, 2019

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight the 
important work of Sowing Seeds of Hope, a faith-based non-profit 
501(c)(3) organization based in Perry County, Alabama. The organization 
was founded in 1999 by a group of mission-driven people, drawn together 
by a worthwhile vision for improving their community. Twenty years 
later, Sowing Seeds of Hope has grown by leaps and bounds, and now 
boasts a committed Executive Director, Mrs. Frances Ford, a hard-
working staff, a board of directors and a task force of members 
committed to improving the quality of life for residents of this rural 
county in the Black Belt.
  One focus of Sowing Seeds of Hope has been providing low-income 
residents in the area with access to affordable prescription drugs. 
Rising prescription drug prices can often be prohibitively expensive 
for the un- and under-insured, but Sowing Seeds of Hope has worked to 
fill in those gaps by providing assistance to those in need.
  Sowing Seeds of Hope has a longstanding partnership with Samford 
University's McWhorter School of Pharmacy which provides outreach 
opportunities within the Perry County community to emerging pharmacy 
students. This includes access to diabetes support groups, 
cardiovascular risk reduction research, hypertension clinics and 
opportunities to assist qualifying constituents to sign up for 
Medicare.
  Sowing Seeds of Hope has worked diligently and successfully to 
advocate for the establishment of a DaVita Dialysis Center in Marion, 
Alabama. Since its establishment, the DaVita Dialysis Center has 
provided crucial care to the community. Thanks to the center, citizens 
no longer have to drive thirty minutes to an hour to receive treatment, 
helping countless individuals to lead healthier, fuller lives.
  On the educational front, Sowing Seeds of Hope hosts ``Seed Camp,'' 
which is a week-long summer camp held on the campus of Judson College. 
During ``Seed Camp,'' school-aged children from across the Black Belt 
are exposed to an array of stimulating subjects including science, 
math, arts, cooking, recreation and character education.
  Additionally, Sowing Seeds of Hope offers social services, including 
parent training seminars, census counting initiatives and job placement 
services, along with many other resourceful programs. Their cornerstone 
offering is the ``Self-Help Housing Program'' which is truly unlike any 
other program in the state of Alabama. The program provides a pathway 
for low-income families to secure their own version of the American 
dream of homeownership. This is made possible through low-interest USDA 
mortgages and the homeowners providing ``sweat equity'' by helping 
build their own home with the assistance of community members. Nearly 
20 families have transitioned from substandard housing to high quality, 
affordable homes thanks to the Self-Help Housing Program.
  The work being done by Sowing Seeds of Hope is integral to building 
stronger communities, economically and morally. In a county that faces 
extreme adversity, this nonprofit serves as a beacon of hope, letting 
the community know that there are people that believe in them and their 
abilities and are willing to invest in a brighter future, not only for 
individuals and families, but for the overall good of the entire 
community.
  Let the extraordinary efforts of this organization continue to 
inspire others to be engaged in compassionate community service, making 
this state and country a better place, one day at a time.

[[Page E1078]]

  

                          ____________________