Wood River Women’s Foundation Grants Cover Nearly An Entire Lifespan

April 5, 2019 – Eye on Sun Valley- Story and photo by Karen Bossick

Peggy Grove, the president of the Wood River Women’s Foundation, said the announcement of new grant recipients is always the highlight of the philanthropic organization’s mission each year and follows several months of hard work by volunteer members who vet the projects under consideration.

The Wood River Women’s Foundation has awarded $267,918 in grants to 11 local nonprofits. Those who will be the recipients of the 2019 grants include organizations supporting youth and families and those providing safe housing for men and women. “The requests are so compelling, and every nonprofit is deserving, whether they make it thorough to the end or not,” said Gina Wolcott, who chairs the organization’s grants committee. “The nonprofit work that happens in this valley is highly impactful and our community is truly fortunate for all they do. The members of the WRWF greatly appreciate the opportunity to support their work.” The 2019 grantees will be honored at the Wood River Women’s Foundation Grants Celebration and Annual Meeting Luncheon Aug. 7 at Trail Creek Cabin. The next round of applications for funding will begin in fall 2019. The 2019 recipients are: BLAINE COUNTY EDUCATION FOUNDATION–$35,000 to increase awareness of local college scholarship opportunities by developing a scholarship database available to all Blaine County students and hosting a scholarship fair. The grant will also provide for teacher grants, high-needs support to at-risk students, and funding for a capacity building project to broaden community financial support. BLAINE COUNTY HUNGER COALITION–$35,000 for the Bloom Youth Project to provide paid internships for 10 food-insecure teens. Through their work at the Bloom Community Farm, the interns will learn about growing, cooking and sharing good food, gaining life skills and work experience that can help them break the cycle of poverty. BLAINE COUNTY RECREATION DISTRICT–$35,000 to support the restoration of the public Aquatic Center in Hailey. The funding will help update and expand the facility which currently receives more than 20,000 visitors per year. The facility offers swimming instruction, swim team competition, aqua aerobics, lap swimming and leisure swimming. ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE CENTER–$2,575 to provide updated scientific materials for the ERC’s youth programs, including in-school and after-school programs, and overnight summer camps for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students throughout the Wood River Valley. Through hands-on outdoor learning, the ERC empowers students to become the next generation of environmental stewards. HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE OF THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY–$35,000 This to allow the Hospice to complete repairs and improvements to their building, built in the early 1900s. The building is used to meet with families and support groups, train volunteers, provide office space, and store equipment. IDAHO ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN–$11,895 for the “Ready! For Kindergarten” program, which conducts workshops for parents of 3- and 4-year-olds to teach them to engage their children in purposeful play that prepares them to enter kindergarten with grade school readiness skills. The program will reach 30 families. IDAHO BASE CAMP—$20,000 to fund a comprehensive afterschool program for Bellevue and Alturas 3rd through 5th grade students by offering scholarships to students and compensation for a lead educator. The program includes transportation from school. MEN’S SECOND CHANCE LIVING–$20,000 for house start-up funds and renovations for safe house for men recovering from alcohol and/or drug addictions. This grant includes money for the operating budget to enable men to rebuild their lives and transition to independent, productive, substance-free living. NAMI WOOD RIVER VALLEY–$23,448 for two part-time staff members to assist in the oversight of the Adult Family Education/Support Group and Bluebird Youth Support Group. NAMI’s goal is to double the number of students and families they assist with advocacy, education, help with diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing support. ST. LUKE’S WOOD RIVER FOUNDATION–$15,000 for Dr. Keith Sivertson Compassionate Care Program created to address the financial hardships created by health crises and hospitalizations facing patients and their families, especially those who are uninsured or under-insured. The program resources include assistance with food, lodging, transportation, medications and medical supplies. THE ADVOCATES–$35,000 for the Safe Housing First project, which provides transitional safe housing for survivors of domestic violence, their children and their pets. The grant helps provide furnishings and fixtures for their transitional housing service center and 12 new apartments. Link to article