A Mason, Ohio-based faith organization has landed up to $100,000 in federal grant money to build a volunteer corps across Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati, and it wants Boone County churches, schools, and nonprofits to help put that money to work.
Lifepath Apostolic AGAPE House of Prayer announced Aug. 1 that AmeriCorps approved the organization for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service grant to launch what it calls the AGAPE Community Volunteer Corps. The program aims to recruit, train, and deploy roughly 200 volunteers for service projects tackling food insecurity, youth engagement, neighborhood revitalization, workforce development, and nonprofit capacity building.
"Our vision extends far beyond a single day of service," Pastor Dawn Sanders, the organization's executive director, said in the announcement. "We are building a lasting volunteer infrastructure that brings people and organizations together across the Greater Cincinnati region, including Northern Kentucky."
What Boone County groups can do
Lifepath is inviting nonprofits, churches, civic groups, businesses, and school leaders in Florence, Union, Burlington, and Hebron to discuss partnership opportunities. Participating organizations could serve as service-project hosts, volunteer recruitment partners, referral sources, sponsors, or providers of in-kind support.
The organization is also looking for individual volunteers willing to lead projects or help coordinate community-based efforts.
Year-round, not one day
Though the grant is tied to the national MLK Day of Service, Sanders said the corps will operate year-round. Lifepath plans to build volunteer leadership structures, training resources, and partnerships that outlast the initial grant period.
Sanders founded the Mason-based organization in November 2021.
What's still to come
Specific details about volunteer registration, project locations, and 2027 MLK Day of Service activities have not been announced. Lifepath said those details will be released as planning progresses.
Organizations and individuals interested in partnering or volunteering can contact Sanders at [email protected], call 513-497-4480, or visit laahop.org.
Upcoming community events
- National Night Out in Florence — Tuesday, Aug. 4, 5–7 p.m. at Florence Government Center, 8100 Ewing Blvd. Free grill-out dinner, city department booths, public safety displays, and a Liberty Tree dedication at 6:15 p.m.
