The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
For immediate release: Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Contact:
Dr. Michelle Foster, President and CEO
304.346.3620
Foundation announces 2017 Third Quarter Discretionary Grants
Charleston, WV- The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (TGKVF) Board of Trustees approved the distribution of 16 grants totaling $560,067.
These grants include a collaboration between The Bridge, a Mission WV program and Clay County Schools, that provides academic support for foster youth. The number of children in foster care in West Virginia is growing at an alarming rate and many children without stable homes find themselves without education advocates. Jim (alias) is an example of a program participant. Jim was living out-of-state with a family member and was experiencing multiple barriers, as he did not have a permanent address. As a result of his truancy, Jim was not expected to graduate from high school and certainly not expected to attend college. In fact, only 58 percent of foster youth graduate from high school by the age of 19 and only 10 percent even attempt to enroll in a post-secondary institution. Fewer than 3 percent of youth in foster care earn a college degree. Although Jim is bright and motivated, he lacked the support to make his ambitions a reality and the odds were stacked against him. After relocating to Clay County and with the support of The Bridge program, Jim recently graduated from high school and now attends West Virginia University on scholarship. Still, the path wasn’t easy; he recalls that “if it wasn’t for the counselors at Clay County High School and The Bridge staff, I don’t know if I would have graduated.” Through his participation with The Bridge of Mission WV, he received one-on-one tutoring and advocacy from a specialist well-versed in academic attainment and career pathways. With her help, he has been able to overcome his adversity and tell his incredible story to admissions counselors and scholarship committees.
TGKVF awarded four responsive grants totaling $303,067 to Basic Needs and Arts & Culture programs and eight grants totaling $257,000 in the Foundation’s proactive priority areas of Education, Health and Community Economic Development (CED).
Kanawha Valley Coding Club (KVCC)-Expanding the Digital Toolbox: $27,865 (Education)
The intent of the KVCC is to build a hub of digitally trained residents through the recruitment and engagement of middle and high school students from Kanawha, Boone, and Putnam counties. Students receive training using Treehouse Technology curricula and local talent. They have access to coding, web design, application building, and other skills. Funding will support staffing and student scholarships.
Mission WV-The Bridge: $36,035 (Education)
The Bridge and Clay County Schools are devoted to serving children of Clay County, WV by academically supporting and mentoring those who are in out-of-home care. This service includes educational advocacy, academic support, mentoring, and connections to resources. Funding will support staffing, supplies, and training.
Team for WV Children-Fostering Futures to help Youth Thrive: $23,408 (Education)
This is a collaborative project between Western Regional CASA and the Mentoring and Oversight for Developing Independence with Foster Youth (MODIFY) program. The program serves youth ages 14-23 to improve post-secondary education readiness and to foster better life outcomes. Funding will support staffing, supplies, and training.
Marshall’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Cabin Creek Health Systems-Sustainable Care Coordination for High Risk Diabetes Patients: $34,192 (Health)
This project will establish care coordination teams for high-risk diabetes patients in order to improve outcomes, reduce health care cost, and establish sustained employment for community health workers. This initiative, which includes Cabin Creek Health Systems as the clinical partner, is part of a tri-state network of clinics conducting care coordination. Funding will support the community health workers.
Children’s Therapy Clinic, Inc.-Comprehensive Therapeutic Services: $35,500 (Health)
Children’s Therapy Clinic (CTC) will provide comprehensive therapy services for children with special needs who have insufficient insurance coverage and/or income. CTC will complement therapy services with yoga classes once a week. Funding will support the compressive therapy services.
Goodwill Industries of Kanawha Valley Inc. – Good HOST: $60,000 (CED)
This project is a three-phase collaborative partnership that prepares unemployed individuals with the skills needed to succeed in the hospitality industry. Funding will support the first programmatic phase of recruitment and hospitality training that will be a catalyst for allowing graduates the opportunity to change their lives through work.
25045 A New Clendenin, Inc. – The Clendenin Flood Recovery-Coding Initiative: $40,000 (CED)
This initiative offers a unique opportunity aimed at diversifying the economy in northern Kanawha County and provides much needed economic activity in downtown Clendenin. The project will create a software development/coding hub at the former Clendenin Middle School in order to provide training and employment opportunities for community residents. Funding will provide stipends for low-income students who attend coding training.
Charleston Civic Chorus-Charleston Civic Chorus 2017 Spring Festival, Winter, and Goodnight Concerts: $1,000 (Arts & Culture)
The Charleston Civic Chorus provides free choral concerts to the community. Funding will support the 2018 lineup, which includes: Spring Concert on April 30, 2018, FestivALL Concerts, Winter Concert on December 3, 2018, and two concerts for Charleston Goodnight festivities on December 31, 2018.
West Virginia Music Hall of Fame-West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, Inc.: $8,380 (Arts & Culture)
The West Virginia Music Hall of Fame’s (WVMHoF) Music Career Counseling program introduces 8th graders to the many different career options, performing and non-performing, in the music business. This program will visit eight schools in three counties and reach approximately 800 eighth grade students through video and live presentations by four visiting music industry professionals. Funding will support program materials, supplies and stipends for the guest artists.
West Virginia Youth Symphony-Outreach through Performing Arts, Dance, Voice, and Orchestral Music!: $15,250 (Arts & Culture)
The collaborative performance of the ballet production at the Clay Center in February 2018, which will highlight over 150 young dancers, singers, and musicians, will include Appalachian Children’s Chorus, River City Youth Ballet (RCYB), and the West Virginia Youth Symphony Orchestra (WVYSO). The WVYSO and RCYB will lead the Clendenin outreach classes in ballet and violin instruction for approximately 40 economically disadvantaged children residing in Kanawha and Clay counties. It is estimated that over 900 students and over 600 general audience members will see each show. In addition to the staged ballet at the Clay Center, WVYSO and RCYB will take performances to regional schools. The funding will assist with the expenses associated with the ballet and the Clendenin and regional school outreach program.
YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program-YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program: $14,942 (Basic Needs)
Through this program, the Victim and Shelter Services Coordinator and team assist victims of abuse with their goals, while providing the basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing in a safe, confidential location. The coordinator refers clients to helpful community resources and on-site classes, which empower survivors to build more secure futures. Funding will support staffing and supplies.
Daymark, Inc.-Patchwork: $15,000 (Basic Needs)
This project provides food, clothing, counseling, transportation, and other support for youth who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless. Any young person may call or go to the Patchwork facility at any time – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Funding will support staff salaries, food, and utilities.
Covenant House, Inc.-Improving Health and Quality of Life for homeless and low-income persons: $60,000 (Basic Needs)
This project is a collaboration among Covenant House, Manna Meal Inc., and Roark-Sullivan Lifeway Center to fight hunger, homelessness, and poverty in Kanawha County. These three organizations serve over 90 percent of the homeless population in the County. Funding will support food and clothing for homeless persons and other marginalized community residents.
Kanawha Valley Collective, Inc.-Centralized Point of Entry Housing and Stabilization: $55,500 (Basic Needs)
The Kanawha Valley Collective (KVC) is the local continuum of care. KVC is a collaborative network of partners serving Kanawha, Putnam, Clay, and Boone Counties. This project will reduce and prevent homelessness by providing emergency shelter, permanent housing, and employment skills training to our community’s most vulnerable citizens. This funding will support a multi-agency approach to case management for the homeless population in order to assist with the necessary wrap around services needed to provide permanent housing placements.
West Virginia University-Children’s Vision Rehabilitation Program: $132,995 (Basic Needs)
This project will provide funding to The Children’s Vision Rehabilitation Program of the WVU Eye Institute and WV SenseAbilities for the following: development of two low vision children’s clinics in TGKVF’s geographical area; a summer institute for visually impaired youth on expanded core curriculum skills; a continuation of the teacher/parent mentor program for providing education, training, and support; two clinics; and a technology integration institute for visually impaired middle and high school students.
