HopeAwardv2Several members of the WORLD staff have made their way to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for a reader dinner tonight co-sponsored by the American Bible Society. To whet the appetite of attendees, there will be three pre-dinner breakout sessions this afternoon on culturally urgent topics. Topping the bill this evening will be the awarding of the Hope Award for Effective Compassion, which will go to a small nonprofit organization that works in big ways to help those in need. Actually, all nine finalists are deserving, and if you haven’t already, I encourage you read profiles of these organizations, which were published in the past three issues of WORLD:

Christ for People with Developmental Disabilities | Anoka, Minn.
Church of the disabled: Minnesota’s Christ for People leaves no one behind | by Alisa Harris

CrossOver Ministry | Richmond, Va.
CrossOver appeal: A Christian health clinic becomes a safety net for the uninsured | by Emily Belz

Forgiven Ministry | Taylorsville, N.C.
Forgiven, not forgotten: North Carolina ministry seeks to build ties between prisoners and their children | by Jamie Dean

I Am a Treasure | Los Angeles
Jesus & strippers: I Am a Treasure lavishes the love of Christ on women in the sex industry | by Emily Belz

Northern Youth Program | Dryden, Ontario, Canada
Northern light: In an Inuit area overwhelmed by sexual abuse and suicide, Clair and Clara Schnupp help young men see God’s mercy | by Jill Lacey

Campus Clubs | Macon, Ga.
Macon disciples: Campus Clubs teaches poor children about the value of work, and their own value in Christ: ‘Just because you’re in the ‘hood doesn’t mean the ‘hood is in you’ | by Jamie Dean

Snappin’ | Oconomowoc, Wisc.
Keeping parents sane: Snappin’ comes to help when the families of disabled children are about to snap | by Alisa Harris

Roving Volunteers in Christ’s Service | Smithville, Texas
Roving retirees: Seniors trade golf clubs for hammers to help Christian nonprofits | by Emily Belz

Galilean Children’s Home | Liberty, Ky.
Welcome home: Children with severe disabilities, many of them abandoned, find more than just a place to live at Galilean Children’s Home | by Jamie Dean

Three of the nine organizations will receive $5,000, and one grand prize winner will receive an additional $5,000. We look forward to reporting the names of the winning organizations as well as the names of the readers who nominated them.