The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
For immediate release: Wednesday March 22, 2017
Contact:
Dr. Michelle Foster, President and CEO
304.346.3620
Foundation announces 2017 First Quarter Grants
Charleston, WV – The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (TGKVF) Board of Trustees approved the distribution of eight grants totaling $288, 476 at its March 15, 2017 meeting.
The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department was one of the organizations receiving a grant for the Harm Reduction Program. “Joanie,” a participant for nine months, arrived at the clinic one day and said to the staff, “Do you recognize me? You haven’t seen me in several months because I am now clean, thanks to your help. [The health providers here] always treated me with respect and never made me feel embarrassed for coming to the needle exchange [program].”
Three responsive grants, totaling $115,000, were awarded to Basic Needs and Arts and Culture programs. The Education, Health, and Community Economic Development (CED) priority areas were represented in five grants, totaling $173,476.
WVU Extension-STEM Ambassador Program: $50,000 (Education)
WVU Extension will be entering its third year of funding for the STEM Ambassador Program. This program provides STEM learning opportunities in each of TGKVF’s six counties for youth in kindergarten through 12th grade. College students from the Kanawha Valley (the STEM Ambassadors) plan and implement community STEM programs during 4-H camps, community events, and public programming. This program encourages aspirations for careers in STEM and lifelong learning for participants.
The Education Alliance-Born Learning Academy: $12,876 (Education)
The Born Learning Academy program connects schools with families of young children during the critical early learning period, prior to school enrollment. Families participate in “academy” trainings where they learn to create teachable moments for their children. This grant renews the program for a second year at Edgewood Elementary (Kanawha County), Brookview Elementary (Boone County), and Hamlin PK-8 (Lincoln County).
Kanawha-Charleston Health Department – Harm Reduction Program: $50,000 (Health)
The Harm Reduction Clinic (HRC) combats the heroin/opioid epidemic and the infectious diseases that come from the sharing of needles. HRC is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing the harm to individuals and society associated with drug use. Volunteers include substance abuse treatment personnel, nurses, pharmacist and medical students.
Community Access, Incorporated Horses & Journeys Warrior Wellness: $15,000 (Health)
The Horses & Journeys: Warrior Wellness project combines equine-assisted learning with guided hiking to assist military service members – both active duty and veterans – identify and strengthen their own practices for wellness. The project is entering its second year of funding and operation. It offers and promotes healthy lifestyles and develops or strengthens natural and community-based supports.
WV Community Development Hub- Energizing Entrepreneurial Community Development in Lincoln and Boone Counties: $45,600 (Community Economic Development)
The Hub will assist in the diversified growth of the Madison and Hamlin communities by supporting diverse, locally driven leadership teams. These teams will build economic diversification strategies and energize entrepreneurial community development to support small business growth and sustainability. Funding will cover a portion of the two programs’ evaluation expense, travel expense, two AmeriCorps VISTAs, and mini-grants for the Innovation Acceleration Strategy and Energizing Entrepreneurial Communities leadership and entrepreneurial plans.
Art in Action, Inc. – Classroom and Performance Supplies: $20,000 (Arts and Culture)
Arts in Action provides arts education and performance opportunities to communities in Putnam County and the West Side of Charleston. Classes include dance, music, visual arts, and theater. Students also participate in summertime Artistic Discovery Camps and dance workshops. Funding will ensure all children have access regardless of economic status.
FestivALL Charleston 2017: $25,000 (Arts and Culture)
FestivALL (June 2017) and FestivALL Fall (October 2017) will feature approximately 150 music, visual art, dance, theater, humanities, and family entertainment events with over 400 performances by local, national, and international artists. FestivALL, in cooperation with partner organizations and individuals, will produce, co-produce, and present all events, performances, and exhibitions. This grant award will fund nine specific events.
Regional Family Resource Network- Bottle and Diaper Project: $70,000 (Basic Needs)
In an effort to address diaper and formula needs, a team of organizations from Boone, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Putnam Counties has created a system to place or strengthen baby pantries throughout all six of the Foundation’s counties to provide diapers, formula, education, and other resources to low-income families.
