By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News
news@kcautv.com
Today ten programs that benefit young people in Siouxland were awarded $85,000 in grants from the United Way's Women United.
One such recipient, the Youth Oral Health Outreach and Early Dental Home program, Done through the Siouxland Community Health Center says this money is extremely important to being able to continue their program.
"We're very grateful for this grant program. We have to rely on our available grants within the community to keep our program going to be successful," said Paula Brown with the program.
The award presentation was hosted by Kahills restaurant in the Marina Inn in South Sioux City.
Brighter Futures Grant Recipients receive 85% of the Women United funding for core programming and are eligible to reapply for up to three years. Recipients include:
The Food Bank of Siouxland's Backpack Program ($20,000) will use funds to sustain a weekend food sack program available at five Siouxland elementary schools with the highest rates of free and reduced lunch.
YouthBuild Skills and Grills ($15,569), a program of Goodwill Industries, will be educating current YouthBuild clients about meal budgeting and nutrition. Students will participate in cooking classes and gain access to healthy food.
The Iowa Lions Foundation Iowa KidsSight ($9,800) program will purchase a digital camera to provide free vision screening to Siouxland preschoolers. This volunteer program improves early learning and detects eye problems. Referrals are made to local optometrists.
St. James United Methodist Church Food 4 Kids ($15,000) program provides nutritional food sacks two weeks/month to low-income children at Whittier Elementary School. This program was born from a neighborhood study identifying hunger as a top need.
The Siouxland Community Health Center's Youth Oral Health Outreach and Early Dental Home ($8,930) program supports preventative strategies to underserved children providing them with oral health needs and providing linkage to a dental home.
The STARS Horses Healing Hearts ($6,827) program helps children of former offenders reunite with their parents,
rediscover family roles and conquer the challenges they face as at-risk youth through equine-assisted learning activities.
Program Grant Recipients receive 10% of the Women United funding as one-time grants for specific needs. Recipients include: Crittenton Center – Safety Through Education, $2,500 to provide a proper car seat to parents who participate in a 6-session parenting curriculum; Girls Inc. – iReady, $2,500 to purchase math and reading components of the web-based tool to accelerate academic performance; Mercy Child Advocacy Center – Emergency Backpack Program, $2,000 to provide 100 back packs filled with a fleece blanket and personal care and comfort items to children who are removed from their home for safety; and Sioux City Special Olympics, $1,956 to supply specialized equipment, meals, and transportation to athletes for competition at District and State level events.
The Food Bank of Siouxland's Backpack Program ($20,000) will use funds to sustain a weekend food sack program available at five Siouxland elementary schools with the highest rates of free and reduced lunch.
YouthBuild Skills and Grills ($15,569), a program of Goodwill Industries, will be educating current YouthBuild clients about meal budgeting and nutrition. Students will participate in cooking classes and gain access to healthy food.
The Iowa Lions Foundation Iowa KidsSight ($9,800) program will purchase a digital camera to provide free vision screening to Siouxland preschoolers. This volunteer program improves early learning and detects eye problems. Referrals are made to local optometrists.
St. James United Methodist Church Food 4 Kids ($15,000) program provides nutritional food sacks two weeks/month to low-income children at Whittier Elementary School. This program was born from a neighborhood study identifying hunger as a top need.
The Siouxland Community Health Center's Youth Oral Health Outreach and Early Dental Home ($8,930) program supports preventative strategies to underserved children providing them with oral health needs and providing linkage to a dental home.
The STARS Horses Healing Hearts ($6,827) program helps children of former offenders reunite with their parents, rediscover family roles and conquer the challenges they face as at-risk youth through equine-assisted learning activities.
Program Grant Recipients receive 10% of the Women United funding as one-time grants for specific needs. Recipients include: Crittenton Center – Safety Through Education, $2,500 to provide a proper car seat to parents who participate in a 6-session parenting curriculum; Girls Inc. – iReady, $2,500 to purchase math and reading components of the web-based tool to accelerate academic performance; Mercy Child Advocacy Center – Emergency Backpack Program, $2,000 to provide 100 back packs filled with a fleece blanket and personal care and comfort items to children who are removed from their home for safety; and Sioux City Special Olympics, $1,956 to supply specialized equipment, meals, and transportation to athletes for competition at District and State level events.
