Our Story
In 2007, the members of Georgia Plain Baptist Church had a vision to construct a community space, renovating and adding onto a disused one-room schoolhouse on its property. The result would be a facility designed especially to serve the youth of the Georgia community, with seniors as a secondary focus.
This project brought together hundreds of community members who donated money, materials and labor to make this dream a reality. The building was dedicated in 2009 and a 501c3 nonprofit was established to direct our work.
Our Name
The Jimmy Messier Memorial Youth Center (JMMY) was named in memory of James (Jimmy) Messier, a boy who loved attending Georgia Plain Baptist Church with his grandmother. Jimmy passed away suddenly in 2006 after complications from heart surgery.
Our Mission is to make a positive spiritual difference in the lives of youth, leading them to become competent, caring individuals, and to give them a safe environment to enjoy their free time.
Our Work
The JMMY Center serves the community in many ways. Here are some examples:
- Running after-school clubs for 3rd-5th grade students and 6th-8th grade students with crafts, projects, games, and field trips.
- Hosting a monthly “Teen Night” for a phone-free evening of games, snacks, hanging out, and an optional Bible discussion.
- Providing Sunday School classroom space for the Georgia Plain Baptist Church.
- Sponsoring the Scouting America programs in Georgia.
- Operating a community skating rink.
- Hosting and providing scholarships for the Exordium summer day camp.
- Offering the facility for birthday parties, baby showers, soccer banquets, and other private events.
- Hosting a monthly AgeWell Senior lunch.
FAQs:
What is the relationship between Georgia Plain Baptist Church and the JMMY Center?
We work closely together. The JMMY Center provides office space for the church, and the majority of JMMY board members are affiliated with the church. The church owns and maintains the building and helps with fundraising for the JMMY Center operating costs. However, as a separate nonprofit, the JMMY Center has its own mission, bylaws, and finances.
Are your activities religious?
The JMMY Center is an inter-denominational Christian organization. Most of our volunteers are Christians and are open about their faith. However, this doesn’t mean that all our activities are explicitly faith-based. We aim to be transparent; if a program contains instruction about Christianity, we disclose that up front.
What are you doing to keep children safe?
At any event where youth are dropped off, we require at least two adult volunteers who have been background-checked and have completed an online child safety training course.
How can I book the space for a private event?
Call Alexis Bell at 802-524-5348 to inquire. Read and agree to the facility use form.
How can I donate to the center?
Please make out a check to The JMMY Center and mail it to:
The JMMY Center
1486 Stonebridge Rd
Georgia, VT 05468