Benton Harbor, MI: United Way of Southwest Michigan awarded $25,580 to communities across Berrien County for programs defined as important by their individual community. Community Investment Grants were awarded in Harbor Country, Berrien Springs/Eau Claire, Coloma/Watervliet, Bridgman, and Buchanan/Galien areas.
Each community had $5,000 available for programming. While there were nearly $45,000 in requests for the funding, a committee of community representatives helped to select the grants to benefit the individual communities. The emphasis of most grants fell under the United Way focus area of Helping Children and Youth Succeed.
“Many agencies are looking at prevention,” said United Way Community Impact Manager Joann Schma. “They want to provide for children’s needs now, so that they are better equipped to become healthy, productive adults in the future. Many of the funded programs work to build assets in young people.”
Community Investment Grants are one-time mini-grants awarded to non-profit organizations outside of the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area. The Community Investment Grant initiative started seven years ago to address new and emerging needs in the outlying communities in Berrien County.
Community-based, non-profit organizations were eligible to apply if their program supports one of the United Way of Southwest Michigan focus areas: Helping Children & Youth Succeed, Promoting Self-Sufficiency or Supporting Vulnerable Populations.
This year seven programs were selected and will be funded to run in multiple communities. Following are the programs supported by this year’s United Way Community Investment Grants
Berrien County Intermediate School District (Total Award, $4,000): The Berrien County ISD will conduct the "Arts for All" program to provide and art experience day for 300 special needs students with cognitive impairment plus limited mobility. This collaboration with the Krasl and Buchanan Art Centers will allow the ISD to attain adapted art tools, train teachers for the art experience day. Demonstrations of this art is targeted for the Blossomland graduation, Buchanan Art Center and Krasl Art Fair Kids Zone Tent. Communities funded: Berrien Springs/Eau Claire, Bridgman/Baroda, Buchanan/Galien, Coloma/Watervliet
Berrien County Intermediate School District (Total Award, $3,680): A second program by the Berrien County ISD is the "Ready Set Read Book Bag Project." This program is for four-year old children at risk for school failure, and for their parents. This grant will serve 272 preschool children and their families. The program uses a team approach, educating teachers and parents to help pre-schoolers gain the language, print awareness and phonemic awareness necessary for success in learning to read. Children also receive books to keep and the parents learn tips for helping their child learn to read. Communities funded: Berrien Springs/Eau Claire, Buchanan/Galien, Coloma/Watervliet, Three Oaks/Sawyer/New Buffalo
Public Safety Education (Award, $2,000): The "Little Squirt" program is a tool that works with with children and parents to teach fire and personal safety. Funding will focus on pre-schoolers ages 2 – 5 and their families. The goal is to relay a safety message that will be retained for a long period of time, and to have fire safety become a value for the family, not simply a one-time lesson. "Little Squirt" has proven to be an effective teaching tool in schools and other venues. Communities funded: Berrien Springs/Eau Claire, Bridgman/Baroda, Buchanan/Galien, Coloma/Watervliet
Junior Achievement of Michiana (Award, $7,100): Junior Achievement seeks to offer economic education and financial literacy programs to 1,863 students. Programs are proven to help schools meet state requirements for curriculum standards, and promote career awareness, knowledge of economics of everyday life and the value of education. Communities funded: Buchanan/Galien, Coloma/Watervliet, Three Oaks/Sawyer/New Buffalo
Salvation Army (Award,$4,800 ): This grant will serve recently-released ex-offenders in Berrien County. Working in collaboration with the Michigan Prisoner Re-entry Initiative (MPRI), the Salvation Army will offer life-skills classes, anger management and family reunification to individuals re-entering society within this geographic area. The grant will also enable Salvation Army to do a family and individual assessment to determine specific needs. Communities funded: Bridgman/Baroda, Buchanan/Galien
Girl Scouts of Singing Sands Council (Award, $2,000): This grant will serve the daughters of Hispanic migrant worker of Eau Claire and Berrien Springs during the summer. The girls, ages 6-12, will participate in a variety of Girl Scout programs such as Zink the Zebra (diversity awareness), Penny Project or Cents-A-Bility (financial literacy) or uNiquely Me (self-esteem building). Communities funded: Berrien Springs/Eau Claire
American Red Cross of Berrien County (Award, $2,000): This grant will bring two programs, "Health and Safety Training" and "Scrubby Bear Personal Hygiene" to New Buffalo child care centers, foster care homes, and public schools. The Health and Safety training increase the self-sufficiency of entry-level employees and students by giving them lifesaving skills in CPR and First Aid. This is especially important in this region as many persons live in areas located a significant distance from hospital level care. "Scrubby Bear Personal Hygiene" is taught to children in kindergarten through third grade to teach good washing habits as a method of preventing the spread of diseases. Communities funded: Three Oaks/Sawyer/New Buffalo
For more information on United Way of Southwest Michigan and the impact it is making your community, call 269-925-7772. United Way of Southwest Michigan. Doing what matters to change lives.
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