Muskegon, MI - June 4 , 2004 << Return to Press Release Page For more information, call: Arnold (Arn) Boezaart, Vice President - Grant Programs Community Foundation for Muskegon County Tel: (231) 722-4538 FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES GRANT AWARDS On April 26, 2004, the Board of Trustees of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County met and approved grant awards totaling over $260,000 to a variety of organizations in support of projects throughout the Muskegon region. Highlights of the grant awards developed through the work of a number of volunteer committees of the Foundation are detailed below: Distribution Committee: Grants from the Distribution Committee are made from the Foundation’s unrestricted pool of funds and can support a broad range of community needs including: Arts, Community/Urban Redevelopment and Improvement, Education, Environment and Health & Human Services. Hospice of Muskegon-Oceana – $30,000 to support construction of the Lyla and Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence Senior Resources - $30,000 to support the development of the new Muskegon “2-1-1” Human Services Call Center Hackley Hospital– $25,000 to support construction of the new Emergency Center Hackley Public Library - $20,000 to support repair of the historic stained/leaded glass windows Bethany Housing Ministries, Inc. - $10,000 to support expansion of the Bethany Housing Ministries Transitional Housing program Grand Valley State University - $10,000 to support conversion of the GVSU public broadcasting system to a digital format consistent with new Federal mandates. Julia Hackley Fund: Grants from the Julia E. Hackley Memorial Fund support programs and projects of non-profit agencies and organizations who work to meet the needs of poor and underpriveledged citizens living in the City of Muskegon City of Muskegon - $8,000 to support summer student interns who reside in the City. Muskegon Family Care - $6,200 to support Smile T.V., a high-tech dental education program Muskegon Community Health Project - $5,000 – to support the Miles of Smiles program for City of Muskegon residents American Red Cross - $3,500 to support Emergency Transportation needs for low income seniors in the City of Muskegon. Muskegon Area Intermediate School District - $3,000 to support the Hispanic Cultural Awareness initiative that will provide a free concert later this year featuring Jose-Luis Orozco. Youth Advisory Council: Grants awarded by the fourteen member Youth Advisory Council representing local High Schools, are selected to meet youth needs. In late 2003, the Council conducted a student needs assessment and identified Adolescent Health, with an emphasis on Teenage Pregnancy, Substance Abuse and Self-Esteem as target areas for grantmaking. Muskegon County Schools - $10,000 – To support the 2004-2005 Teacher Mini Grant Program, which makes available grants to classroom teachers for up to $250 to support special projects and programs that enhance classroom learning. Catholic Social Services - $5,000 – To support the Rally Against Peer Pressure program at Muskegon Technical Academy STATS (Straight Talk About Tough Stuff) - $4,925 - To support the STATS Legal Rights video. Volunteer Muskegon - $4,500 – To support the Teen Straight Talk program that will provide radio spots, PSAs, and a television show addressing teenage pregnancy Girl Scouts of the Michigan Pine and Dunes Council - $3,000 – To support a new outreach program designed to promote and expand Girl Scout participation in the communities of Muskegon and Muskegon Heights Muskegon Area Intermediate School District - $1,300 – To support the 2004 Muskegon Aerospace (rocketry) Challenge Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Economic Development Fund: Grants from the MSHDA Fund support commercial and economic development in neighborhoods with MSHDA housing projects. Muskegon Family Care - $50,000 – to support the construction of a new health care facility in the City of Muskegon Heights that will serve low-income individuals. Bethany Housing Ministries - $10,000 – to support the expansion of the Bethany Housing Ministries Transitional Housing program. Neighborhood Investment Corporation –$10,000 – to support the Third and Western Main Street Program. Neighborhood Investment Corporation – $2,565 – to support planters on Third St. in conjunction with the Streetscape planter project. White Lake Community Fund: Grants from the White Lake Community Fund focus on meeting the needs of residents of the White Lake area including the Cities of Whitehall and Montague. White Lake Sportfishing Association - $3,300 to support safer lighting on the Rail Road Trestle Bridge. Muskegon Community Health Project – $2,000 to support the Miles of Smiles program in the White Lake Area. Arts Council of White Lake/Nuveen Community Center - $2,800 to support equipment as well as consultant and professional fees for printmaking. Montague Area Public Schools/Oehrli - $1,380 to support the purchase of an AED unit for Oehrli Elementary School. White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce - $500 to provide flowers for Covell Park. White Lake Fire Authority - $1,500 to support the purchase of free smoke detectors for White Lake residents. Faith Lutheran Church - $500 to support the November 2004 Community Caregiver event. The Community Foundation for Muskegon County was created in 1961 to improve the quality of life for Muskegon County residents. As a publicly-supported community endowment, the Foundation receives and manages contributions from community citizens and organizations who are committed to the future of Muskegon County. << Return to Press Release Page