Charleston, WV-The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (TGKVF) Board of Trustees approved the distribution of grant funding totaling $979,882. The funding supports people in our community like Diane*. Diane is a grandparent who gained custody of her grandson Tommy* after he spent two years in out-of-state foster care. Tommy had witnessed a violent crime and both he and Diane were in a state of trauma. Working with a social worker they began counseling and Diane began attending discussion groups through the West Virginia State University Healthy Grandfamilies Program. Through this program, Diane and Tommy were given support from fellow class participants and the WVSU Extension educator. After much hard work, Diane has successfully adopted Tommy and their family is now healthier and more stable.
TGKVF awarded nine responsive grants totaling $115,100 to Basic Needs, Arts & Culture, and Field-of- Interest programs, and also awarded thirteen grants totaling $558,007 in the Foundation’s proactive areas of Education, Health, and Community Economic Development (CED). Continued generous support from an anonymous donor provided funding for eight Emergency Aid and one Dental Health grants totaling $306,775.
Capital Area Development Corporation Foundation-2020 Downtown Charleston Economic and Community Development Program: $25,000 (CED)
The 2020 Downtown Charleston program is the culmination of the city’s Imagine Charleston Plan implementation and the Charleston Area Alliance’s new strategic plan. Funding will support planned activities including a focus on downtown housing, activating spaces with proven events, marketing, and beautification.
Goodwill Industries of Kanawha Valley, Inc.-GoodHOST Phase 3: $42,553 (CED)
In its third year of funding support from TGKVF, the GoodHOST program is increasing hospitality credentialing to include facility maintenance certifications. Adding this certification to the existing credentials will further the job placement availability and living-wage earning potential among GoodHOST graduates. This will offer individuals with barriers to work an additional opportunity for educational outcomes that lead to sustained employment in the hospitality industry.
West Virginia Women Work!-Step Up for Women Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program: $47,254 (CED)
This tuition-free twelve-week training program of West Virginia Women Work is in its third year of funding from TGKVF. The course helps adult students overcome barriers to employment and places participants into living-wage nontraditional careers in the construction industry. The course is offered twice each year, enrolls approximately fifteen students into each cohort, and boasts graduation rate above 80 percent.
Coda Mountain Academy of Music-Coda’s Organizational Growth and Program Support: $42,650 (Education)
This third year of support from TGKVF enables Coda to continue its innovative tutoring program – Coda Excel – which reinforces foundational concepts of the core curriculum through arts integration in Fayette County. Funding will be leveraged with AmeriCorps volunteers and programming targets at-risk youth. This year’s focus will be capacity-building to prepare for significant future growth.
Step by Step, Inc.-AmeriCorps Mentors Alliance: $63,550 (Education)
In its fifth year of funding from TGKVF, the AmeriCorps Mentors Alliance will continue to provide dropout prevention and mentor-based interventions that address student attendance, behavior, and course performance. During the 2019-20 school year, the program will be offered in Kanawha County through a partnership among Step by Step, Inc., the Bob Burdette Center, PRO –Kids Inc., Kanawha County Schools, and the Education Alliance. Funding will support the AmeriCorps mentors who serve several Kanawha County schools and partnering afterschool programs. Mentors will provide 180 mentor sessions and serve 350 students.
The Appalachian Reading Center, Inc.-Dyslexia Services Coalition for Marginalized Youth in Foster and Kinship Care: $68,250 (Education)
In its fifth year of support from TGKVF, Appalachian Reading Center, Inc. will continue to support tutoring services for dyslexic and reading-deficient youth in highly distressed areas, with an emphasis on Clay County. Funding will aid in partial scholarships to students and allow an Accommodation Specialist to assist the Director in preparing alternate spelling lists for teachers who are working with dyslexic students in their classrooms. This partnership allows students who are studying the Wilson Reading System to progress more quickly and helps their classroom teachers better understand how dyslexic students learn.
West Virginia Home Visitation Program-Parents as Teachers Home Visiting Program: $75,000 (Education)
Funding will support a percentage of the cost for five new home visitors to meet referrals from community partners and to impact families in all six counties of the TGKVF footprint. This project will support up to 100 new families annually, with potential to improve education-related outcomes for 300 children. In addition, the project will promote reading to children by providing a book to every family during each home visit.
Charleston Area Medical Center Health Education & Research Institute, Inc.-Growing Healthy Kids through Farm 2 Child Care: $35,600 (Health)
In its fifth year of funding, KEYS 4 HealthyKids will offer Farm 2 Child Care opportunities for child care centers, allowing them to continue garden-based learning while adding pop-up farmers markets for the children and families they serve. This project will address childhood obesity, food insecurity, and economic development through local farmers in Fayette, Kanawha, and Putnam counties.
Fairness West Virginia Institute-West Virginia Transgender Health Initiative: $27,150 (Health)
In its second year of funding, this program will address the significant healthcare disparities of transgender people in West Virginia by organizing a series of training session with health care professionals. Working within TGKVF’s six counties, Fairness West Virginia will then compile those trained professionals into an online and printed transgender-inclusive health care guide.
Keep Your Faith Corporation, Inc. (KYFC)-West Side Grown Extension Project: $28,000 (Health)
This project is a collaboration between KYFC, local farmers, Mary C. Snow West Side Elementary, Piedmont Elementary, Kanawha County Youth Report, and WVSU Extension that works to bring fresh, healthy, local foods to elementary school students and their families. West Side Grown also promotes entrepreneurial skills and agricultural literacy. KYFC has secured a green space to host a West Side Farmers Market where funding will assist with development, agricultural and nutritional literacy workshops, and community based pop-up farmers markets.
Lewis County Family Resource Network, Inc.-Try This West Virginia: $54,000 (Health)
In its fifth year of funding, this project will work to initiate grassroots engagement that will lead to cultural change from within the community. Over the last four years, the project has provided funding to over 300 community projects, a conference attended by over 500 annually, a grant training workshop, and a return of $11 for every $1 invested.
Mountaineer Food Bank, Inc.(MFB)-Fresh Initiative Kids Markets: $24,000 (Health)
In the second year of funding, this project will support hosting Fresh Initiative Kids Market with Mountaineer Food Bank produce inventory and will partner with local producers and WVU Extension Agents to provide fresh produce to select elementary schools in Boone, Clay, and Fayette Counties. Funding will also aid in improved access to nutrient dense foods that make up a healthy eating pattern, and provide education, food samplings, and increase food insecurity awareness.
Think Kids, Inc.-Addressing the Needs of Children of the Drug Crisis: $25,000 (Health)
This project will identify, align, and assess how West Virginia is responding to the health care needs of children affected by the drug epidemic through a strategic communications plan that will engage stakeholders and organizations from the state to community level. Funding will support the communities in the Foundation’s six county service area.
Appalachian Children’s Chorus (ACC)-Appalachian Festival of Young Voices 2020: $2,000 (Arts & Culture)
Funding will support the collaboration of ACC and West Virginia artists to provide an engaging experience at the Appalachian Festival of Young Voices 2020, a four day event for national children’s choirs held in Charleston, West Virginia. Children will be immersed in Appalachian music and cultural activities such as square dancing. They will also work with world-renowned conductor, Dr. Rollo Dilworth, to showcase what they have learned in a free performance.
Central Appalachian Network-CAN Mini-Grants for WV Creative Placemaking: $10,000 (Arts & Culture)
Utilizing the existing framework of Central Appalachian Network’s small grants program, mini-grants will target communities where there is existing traction and capacity around creative placemaking. Grantees will function as a learning cohort, and will be included in the CAN Creative Placemaking Working Group and peer learning convenings.
Charleston Civic Chorus-The Charleston Civic Chorus 2019-2020 Concert Season: $1,000 (Arts & Culture)
Funding will support the five concerts presented by the Charleston Civic Chorus during fiscal year 2019-2020. Concerts will range from songs of praise, love, and adoration, to a program of choral music from various cultures that include folk arrangements, to the seasonal favorites of the Charleston Good Night concerts.
womanSong-womanSong 2019/2020 Season: $4,000 (Arts & Culture)
Funding will support the 2019/2020 Season including Winter 2019 and Spring 2020 concerts. womanSong will also perform during the December 2019 GoodNIght celebrations. Concerts will feature collaborations with local musicians and reach a total of 800 people.
Mountain Mission, Inc.-Emergency Assistance Program: $20,000 (Basic Needs)
The Emergency Assistance Program provides low-income individuals and families with financial assistance to meet catastrophic housing, medical, and nutritional needs. Funding will support serving 175 families in Kanawha County, with emphasis on Charleston’s West Side community.
Housing Innovations Corporation-Meeting the Needs of Older Adults in Our Community: $32,100 (Field-of-Interest)
Funding will support seniors with limited financial means meet transportation costs, increased utility expenses, and unexpected medical expenses. Funding will also aid in providing pantry items, rental deposit assistance, and vouchers to buy produce at a farmers market. This program works to prevent homelessness and to increase the ability of seniors to remain independent and active in the community.
National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia (NFBWV)-National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia BELL Academy: $8,000 (Field-of-Interest)
The BELL Academy (Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning) is a summer program that prepares blind and low-vision children to grow into confident and independent adults. Funding will support training for 10 blind and visually impaired students, ages eight to fifteen, residing in Boone, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Putman Counties. Activities include reading and writing Braille, crafts, games, and other engaging projects. Through the program, children learn vital independent living skills and interact with blind adult mentors.
Rebuilding Together Charleston-Safe at Home: $15,000 (Field-of-Interest)
The Safe at Home program addresses the health and safety needs of low-income seniors, veterans, the disabled, and families with children through the provision of home repairs provided by volunteers. The program aims to provide a dry, clean, ventilated, pest-fee, safe, contaminant-free, and maintained home for each participant. Funding will support work with seniors in Kanawha County.
West Virginia State University (WVSU) Research & Development Corporation-West Virginia State University Healthy Grandfamilies Program: $23,000 (Field-of-Interest)
This program addresses the needs of grandparents raising grandchildren. Designed for low-income people and those without a strong social support system, the project provides a healthy living
curriculum and social support to these families. Funding will support the development of a Kanawha County Healthy Grandfamilies Coalition and offer Grandfamilies a six-month intervention that includes eight discussion groups based on ten topics, along with social support.
New River Health Association-New River Health Association’s Oral Health Project: $70,000 (Dental Health)
This project will provide preventive and restorative dental services to the underserved population of Clay, Fayette, and a portion of Kanawha County. The Oral Health Project will also provide additional treatment options such as fillings, root canals, crowns, partials, and dentures to preserve salvageable teeth and replace missing teeth. Funding will assist in the purchase of dental equipment at a new dental location and to provide funding for direct services in three other locations.
Camp Appalachia-Cabin Rehabilitation: $32,600 (Emergency Aid)
The project serves campers from Kanawha, Lincoln, and Putman counties who are in foster care, children who have a parent incarcerated, and children whose lives are directly affected by the opioid crisis. Campers are taught how to make positive and healthy choices. Funding will support cabin construction and rehabilitation, HVAC installation, and safety upgrades.
Community Care of West Virginia-Addressing Social Determinants of Health: $15,000 (Emergency Aid)
Funding will be utilized to address social determinants of health via utility bill and medication cost assistance. Qualifying patients in Clay, Fayette, and Kanawha Counties will be eligible for assistance.
Cornerstone Family Interventions, Inc.-Cornerstone Emergency Assistance Project: $4,000 (Emergency Aid)
This project will provide emergency assistance to families in Boone and Lincoln Counties. One-time or short-term assistance may include rent, utilities, food, household supplies, clothing, transportation, and medical prescriptions and services. It may also include direct assistance to homeless individuals that demonstrate a willingness to move into permanent or traditional housing. Staff will advise families of local resources that may help promote self-sufficiency including adult basic learning, Workforce WV, and local employment opportunities.
Kanawha Institute for Social Research & Action (KISRA), Inc.-KISRA Emergency Aid Program: $43,000 (Emergency Aid)
This project will provide direct assistance to low-income and working poor residents who present needs of emergency and crisis situations related to utility assistance, rental payment, food insecurity, or prescription medication needs. This program is also aimed at leveraging current resources to provide a more comprehensive method of addressing emergency and crisis situations of individuals and families in our area.
Mountaineer Food Bank, Inc.-Food Access in Clay County WV: $40,975 (Emergency Aid)
Funding will support increased access to food for low-income residents in Clay County while developing sustainable solutions that approach health and food access.
PRO-Kids, Inc.-PRO-Kids Afterschool Program: $16,200 (Emergency Aid)
PRO-Kids Afterschool Program serves diverse students who attend Piedmont Elementary School on Charleston’s East End. Many of the children referred to Pro-Kids have been homeless, live in unstable environments, or face challenges that hinder their academic growth and development.
TEAM for West Virginia Children, Inc.-Fostering Positive Outcomes for Children in Foster Care in West Virginia: $45,000 (Emergency Aid)
Funding will support Western Regional CASA’s Fostering Futures by training and supervising volunteers as they advocate for fifteen adolescents moving to adulthood to increase the likelihood of a positive future. Additionally, to eliminate the use of trash bags and restore dignity to this vulnerable population, more than 1,000 Comfort Cases and Comfort XLs – durable luggage filled with clothing, hygiene supplies, and age-appropriate toys and activities – will be purchased for foster youth in Boone, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Putnam Counties.
West Virginia Health Right, Inc.-HOPE (Healing Opportunities for Parents Everywhere): $40,000 (Emergency Aid)
Knowing that expectant and new parents need targeted services, The HOPE program is designed to specifically improve sobriety among addicted expectant and new parents, decrease NAS births, and increase maintenance of the family unit. Outreach will occur in all of TGKVF’s six-county footprint; however, the majority of the interventions will take place at WV Health Right’s Charleston clinic. Funding will support staffing and supply costs. The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation is grateful to our community of generous donors who make these and other grants possible. The programs and work approved for fourth quarter 2019 distributions are supported by the following funds: Anonymous Dental, Anonymous-West Virginia Emergency Aid, Mary Frances Bannerot, Lloyd Jr. and Margaret B. Erhard [E] Trust, General Huntington Bank, General JP Morgan, General United National Bank, Mr. and Mrs. William L. Goldsmith Memorial, Nan Nash Grosscup, Fred Haddad General, John Roy Harris, Vernon B “Bucky” Harris, Bessie E. Henson Memorial, Grace S. Herscher Memorial, Georgia Singleton Herscher Memorial, Robert Crawford Hierynomous , Charles Hopkins, John Hopkins, J. W. Jr and Gabrielle P. Hubbard, Bernard H. and Blanche E. Jacobson, Blanche E. Jacobson, Raleigh and Rita Jimison (#2), George W. Jones Jr. Memorial, Walter and Jillian Judy, Nancy Chilton Nelson Knapp Memorial, Dr. Charles and Margaret White Kniseley Memorial, F. B. Lamb, Della R.P. Lewis General, Loewenstein #1, Loewenstein #3, Lillian M. Mairs, Pelzel Family, John W. Jr. and Ruth E. Powell, George and Josephine Rogers, Ann Bond and Thomas R. Stephens Charitable, L. Newton and Katharine S. Thomas General, and Women Working.
