Community Service 2015 Grant Awards
Presented by Steve Goranson on behalf of Julianne Dieterich, chair.
The 2015 Grant Theme was to “Support organizations and programs that help improve the quality of life for Evanston residents most in need.” Priority was given to projects in the areas of education, hunger, homelessness, employment and health.
Thirteen grants were awarded for 2015, ranging from $500 to $3,000. Those organizations who were not represented today will be presenting at other meetings during the coming year. Today's award recipients included the following:
Bundled Blessings. Project: Diaper Pantry -- $500 plus donated diapers
Diapers are distributed monthly to families through six Evanston partner agencies. Goal is to increase distribution to 96,000 diapers/year.
Evanston Scholars – Project: Accepted College Campus Visits -- $1,000
Most students find the resources to visit their accepted colleges, but many cannot due to more severe lack of resources and support network. The grant will enable students to visit colleges to which they have been accepted, helping them to make an informed choice and therefore be more likely to graduate.
Evanston Township High School -- Project: Assistance for Homeless Students -- $1,000
Of the 3,267 students at ETHS, an estimated 155 are homeless. The grant will cover one month of assistance for four homeless students. Expenses include clothing, food, school supplies, and transportation to school.
ETHS Youth Technology Corps – Project: Middle School Outreach Pilot Program -- $1,000
ETHS YTC will donate refurbished computer hardware to agencies serving middle school youth, and YTC teens will provide middle school students educational programming to teach the basics of computer hardware and software structure.
Literature for All of Us – Project: Curt’s Café Collaboration -- $1,000
Young men in Curt’s Café’s workforce development program will engage in literacy and trauma-informed book groups to develop social-emotional skills such as perseverance, conflict resolution, and self-esteem enhancement. The grant pays participant stipends.
Moran Center for Youth Advocacy – Project: Clean Slate Initiative -- $1,000
Educate and inform Evanston youth about the legal and employment consequences of an arrest record, and assist eligible participants in the legal process of clearing such records so that young people in our community have the fullest opportunities for education, housing, and employment.
PEER Services – Project: Nuestra Familias -- $1,500
The project goal is to remove barriers that often limit Latino parents from actively participating in their child’s treatment and recovery. By mobilizing parents using culturally relevant strategies, PEER Services will be better able to help teens enter recovery and develop the tools they need to live healthy, productive, substance-free lives.
Dental Access Days – Project: Evanston Dental Access Days Clinic -- $3,000
Treat 120 needy patients as comprehensively as possible with more than 50 volunteer dental professionals. The Clinic will help those most in need get health-giving support otherwise unavailable
Additional Grants:
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Connections for the Homeless - $500. Client enrichment programming
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Evanston ReBuilding Warehouse - $750. Work Force training program
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Interfaith Action of Evanston - $750. Voicemail accounts for homeless people
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Justin Wynn Leadership Academy - $500. Soup kitchens
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North Shore Senior Center - $500. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren childcare enhancement
