AND FAMILY SERVICES

STERNER GRANTS

The Ronald Lee Sterner Trust Fund was established by the Sterner family in 1957 in

memory of their son, Ronald Lee Sterner, who was adopted through Covenant Children’s Home and Family Services (CCHFS).   The Board of Directors of CCHFS administers the funds in accordance with the wishes of the Sterner family, as stipulated in the trust.

Applications will be considered for recognized post-high school education, such as vocational school, trade school, junior college, college and university

ELIGIBILITY:

The Ronald Lee Sterner Trust states funds will be available to any worthy student who has demonstrated financial need and who falls within the guidelines established by the policy.  The following categories of persons are eligible for Sterner funds and will be given preference according to the following factors:

a.  Orphaned children as defined in the Ronald Lee Sterner Trust Fund dated

Nov. 29, 1957.

b.  Former residents of CCHFS or of a foster home under CCHFS supervision who are furthering their education beyond high school;

c.  Child of a family who received counseling from CCHFS;

d.  Employees of CCHFS, including those terminated in August, 2001, and their dependent children, if stipulated by a severance agreement;

e.  Student at North Park University or Theological Seminary, Wheaton College, Moody Bible Institute or other schools of Christian emphasis;

f.  Individuals pursuing careers in Christian service or one of the helping professions, e.g., healthcare, social work, education, etc.;

g.  Children from “broken homes”;

h.  Children with evidence of financial need;

i.  A senior at Princeton High School nominated by the PHS Scholarship Committee.  The student should be attending a Christian College with plans to obtain a degree in some aspect of human service or ministry occupation;

j.  A senior at The Children’s Home of Cromwell, Connecticut.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS;

High school graduates should have a 3.00 GPA to qualify for a Sterner grant.  An exception to the 3.00 qualification may apply to applicants from troubled families, single parent homes or students with special needs.

A Sterner recipient is expected to maintain high academic standards.  Any recipient receiving a grade lower than a “C” may make the recipient ineligible to receive funds in the future.

COSTS COVERED:

Grants will be made to help defray the cost of tuition, fees, room and board.  A grant will not be made in an amount which, when considered with other scholarship loans and grants awarded to the applicant, exceeds the total of his/her education costs.  The Sterner fund should not be considered until all other appropriate resources have been pursued.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

-EARLY application deadline is May 15.

-LATE application deadline is June 15.  There is no guarantee that funds will still be available to late applicants.

THE APPLICATION FORM:

Click here for a copy of the application form.

The application form requires the following:

1. A statement of faith from first time applicants.
2. Information about financial resources, both from the student and the parent(s).
3. A short explanation of career plans and goals
4. A copy of the applicant’s most recent high school or college transcript including a GPA.
5. The signature of both the applicant and parent is required for a dependent student.
6. Household financial information and the signature of a parent or guardian will NOT be required for applicants who are no longer considered dependents. (No longer claimed as a dependent on a parent’s federal income tax return.)
7. First time applicants should include two character references from non-related persons.

PAYMENTS TO RECIPIENTS:

The grant is distributed as two payments, one for fall semester and one for spring. Unless otherwise notified, grant disbursements will be mailed by August 1 and January 1 in the form of a check payable jointly to the recipient and the educational institution.  In unusual circumstances, payment may be made directly to the recipient with the consent of the Sterner Fund committee and/or the executive committee.  In the case of a delayed payment, the educational institution will be notified by letter.

A GRADE TRANSCRIPT MUST BE SUBMITTED AT THE CLOSE OF ANY TERM OR SEMESTER FOR WHICH FUNDS ARE RECEIVED.

REPAYMENT OF GRANTS:

All grant recipients and their families are encouraged to support the continuing ministry of CCHFS to troubled children and families.  Grant recipients are encouraged to repay the grant when possible in order that funds may continue to be made available to other worthwhile recipients.

NOTICE OF CHANGES:

Sterner fund recipients must keep CCH informed of any changes of address and changes in status as a student (transfer, withdrawal, graduation, etc.)

• Memorial Sculpture Garden Dedicated
• Longtime member retires after 20 years of service on CCHFS Board

Click here to read the complete newsletter.

• Memorial Sculpture Garden to be Dedicated May 31st
• Showing the Love of Christ Through Health Care

Click here to read the complete newsletter.

• Nelson Chapel Hosts Weekly Toddler Classes
• Sculpture Garden Project is Underway
• Chris Pickett Retires After 11 Years on CCHFS Board
• Petersons Celebrate Anniversary

Click here to read the complete newsletter.

The Covenant Children’s Home and Family Services campus on Elm Place in Princeton, IL., is bustling with ministries in action!

Freedom House continues to provide shelter and other services for women, children and families experiencing domestic abuse. Last year, more than 600 individuals were served.

The Bureau County Health and Wellness Clinic provides free primary health care to more than 1,700 uninsured and underinsured neighbors each year. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and administrative staff volunteer their time to this faith-based clinic. The clinic has begun serving residents of nearby DePue, IL., with a satellite site. Clinic director Heather Tinker, the clinic’s board and volunteers are working on obtaining grants and donations that will enable the clinic to purchase a mobile unit. The unit will essentially be a “clinic on wheels” and will enable the group to serve even more individuals of all ages.

The Rev. John Weborg serves as chaplain to the Covenant Children’s Home and Family Services Board. He meets as requested with Freedom House and Wellness clinic clients. He has held worship services at Christmas and Easter for Freedom House residents and their families who wish to attend. He also counsels groups dealing with anxiety and chronic pain; he also is on hospital call for victims of domestic violence and rape.
Other ministries also utilize the campus to reach out to individuals and families of all ages. Children continue to be specially served here!
During the school year, up to 140 area high school students enjoy fun, fellowship and the good news about Jesus Christ on Wednesday evenings in the Nelson Chapel. A group of area men meets every Wednesday morning in the chapel for a Bible study.

Twice a week, Easter Seals uses the chapel to provide a play group for children with special needs. Currently, seven two- and three-year-olds are being served by this nonprofit health care agency.

One of the newest groups on campus is a group of 66 home-school children, ranging in age from kindergarten through 12th grade, who gather in the chapel three Fridays each month. The children enjoy group study before moving on to the gym for games and socialization. Their exuberance is a joy to behold!

The gymnasium is utilized by a variety of local church youth groups. It also hosts indoor practice for area softball, basketball and soccer teams. The outdoor soccer and baseball fields provide practice areas for area sports teams.

The gym building also is home for one family! In cooperation with the Bureau County Housing Authority, the CCHFS Board provides low-income housing to a single mother and her two children in the apartment above the gym.

The campus also boasts a challenge high ropes course. This course is available for groups wishing to build team spirit. Licensed instructors guide the participants through activities designed to build confidence in each individual and in the team.

The Covenant Children’s Home and Family Services Board and its partnering agencies work every day on campus to fulfill the CCHFS vision to be “the place where a loving God meets people’s needs.”

Since its founding in 1921, Covenant Children’s Home in Princeton offered a haven of hope and caring to children and young people. Plans are underway now for a Memorial Sculpture Garden to commemorate the residential home that stood on the Princeton campus for more than 80 years and the children who occupied that home.

The Covenant Children’s Home and Family Services Board of Directors has approved pursuing the garden project starting with four to six bronze sculptures, ranging in price from $3500 to $6000 each. CCHFS is seeking donations to cover half the cost of the initial project. The sculptures will feature children engaged in a variety of activities and poses. More sculptures can be added and the garden area can be expanded as interest grows.

“St. Anthony’s Church in Rockford, IL., built a children’s sculpture garden as a way of remembering the school that was present there for many years, and it is just beautiful,” Ron Gustafson., CCH and FS board member, said. Ron has spoken with L’Deane Trueblood of St. George, Utah, creator of the beautiful bronze sculptures in the Rockford Ms. Trueblood’s sculptures and paintings are found in public and private collections throughout the United States, as well as internationally. She has received numerous national awards for sculpture and painting. Working mostly with children as subjects, L’Deane Trueblood has created a series of highly sought-after, life-size bronzes. She offers a catalog of stock sculpture designs; she also will undertake special projects by commission. Photographs of her lovely work can be viewed at www.truebloodstudios.com, or by visiting the memorial sculpture garden at St. Anthony’s Church in Rockford, IL.

The CCHFS board is accepting donations now toward the cost of purchasing the sculptures and creation of a memorial garden. Donors also may elect to sponsor the entire cost of an individual sculpture.

The Memorial Sculpture Garden will stand as a lovely tribute to the ministry to children and families that has been, and remains at, the heart of Covenant Children’s Home and Family Services!

Donations may be sent to Covenant Children’s Home & Family Services, P O Box 518, Princeton, IL, 61356. Please specify, “Memorial Sculptures” on your donation.

Pastor Weborg, who is well known and revered throughout the Evangelical Covenant Church, provides spiritual ministry upon request for the women, children and staff of Freedom House. Bible readings and conversations provide comfort and hope to residents who seek his guidance. Several Freedom House clients have requested and received pastoral conversations, usually on a weekly basis. Freedom House residents and children, and former residents and children are invited to Christmas and Easter services conducted by Pastor Weborg. He also is one of a group of volunteer advocates when victims of domestic violence and sexual assault seek assistance.

Pastor Weborg has undergone continuing education that allows him to volunteer one night a month on call at Freedom House. The shelter maintains a telephone help line 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Now, Pastor Weborg is working with Heather Glenn of the Bureau County Health and Wellness Clinic to provide Bible-based support for clients who are suffering from chronic conditions and pain.

Pastor Weborg also is working with Dr. Steve Hamon and staff of the Antioch Group as they present the Intensive Marital Therapy Workshops. He will be working with a local group that has volunteered to serve as intercessory prayer partners for the couples in the workshop and will serve as workshop chaplain, conducting a closing worship service.

At the Health and Wellness Clinic, he serves as pastoral adviser to two peer groups; one dealing with anxiety concerns and the other bi-polar and depression concerns.

• The Soccer Field is used for practice by Princeton H.S. boys’ and girls’ soccer teams.
• A Challenge High Ropes Course is available for groups who wish to build team spirit. Licensed instructors guide the group through activities designed to build confidence in each individual and in the team.
• The Baseball Field will be used for practice this spring by a group of 11 year old boys.
• Vegetable Garden Plots along Dover Road are made available to local residents for their gardening pleasure.