Notable News from the Past Year

The board of the Rye Foundation continues to seek to honor the legacy of our founder, J. Warren Steen. Warren would be pleased to know of the gifts that have been provided for children and youth across North Carolina.  The following stories offer insight into the ministries which received grants this year from the Rye Foundation. Your donations allow us to continue Warren's legacy of touching the lives of children and families throughout North Caroline

House of Hope - $25,000

House of Hope of North Carolina, located in Clayton, received a $25,000 Ray Bryan Award from the Rye Foundation to support its ministry with teenage girls and their families. Since 1998, this Christian therapeutic home, school, and counseling center for girls ages 12-17 has served more than 300 families, emphasizing healing through family participation.

House of Hope provides both residential and outpatient care, offering on-site schooling, counseling, and life skills training to help girls build healthy, productive futures. A defining feature of the program is its requirement for family involvement — because when a teenage girl is hurting, the entire family is affected, and the entire family needs healing.

Mt. Sinai-McCreary Community Center - $10,000

Led by Pastor Dr. Donald Gray, Mt. Sinai-McCreary Community Center in Catawba offers year-round mentoring, tutoring, and educational trips for 65-75 children and youth. Over 16 years, more than 150 students have graduated from college. The program begins as early as age four or five to prevent gang involvement and supports parents in helping their children become productive citizens.

SPARK - $5,000

In 2025 SPARK leaders continued designing and managing cause-driven service opportunities! Each of the 10 summer sessions brought new people with their skills, passions and energy as they worked and served together in Forsyth County, NC and Puerto Rico. Leaders are grateful for partners such as the Rye Foundation who provided meals, supplies and life-changing experiences for youth.

Camp Caraway - $2,000

Camp Caraway is a nonprofit ministry located about eight miles west of Asheboro in the Uwharrie Mountains. Groups of 10 to 250 use Caraway Conference Center, Camp Caraway, and Camp Mundo Vista for retreats, conferences, trainings, camps, and year-round programs. “This year, we were able to purchase a new AED — thank you for making that possible. It’s been a wonderful year of ministry, and we're so grateful for your continued prayers and support.”

All-State Baptist Youth Choir Scholarship - $1,000

The All-State Youth Choir of North Carolina unites high school students (grades 9-12) from across the state for a week of worship, musical growth, and fellowship. The 2025 choir, directed for the first time by alum Steven Thomason, embraced the theme “Always” from Matthew 28:10. Concerts were held at Gardner-Webb University, Lincolnton, Marion, Forest City, Albemarle, and concluded at Ardmore Baptist Church in Winston-Salem.  A video of their performance in Marion can be viewed here.  Facebook page here.