Nonprofit representatives and community leaders convened at the Newburgh Free Library on June 14 where the inaugural round of grants from the recently established Fund for Women and Children were announced. In total, $516,791 was awarded to fifteen organizations in Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties, in amounts ranging from $15,000 - $50,000.
A component fund of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, the Rowley Family Foundation Fund for Women and Children will distribute grants to support innovative projects or programs geared towards the empowerment of women and children. The Selection Committee, led by Marianne Murray, reviewed 87 applications this year totaling nearly $3M in requests. “After hours of reading, discussing, and making some heart wrenching decisions, we come together today feeling very full, excited, honored and humbled to be making our first formal announcements of funding” says Marianne.
Representatives of the family foundation each announced 5 recipients, followed by a description of the funded program. Rich Rowley spoke from the heart to the organizations in the room, “While we felt we knew quite a lot about the nonprofit world in our region, these applications opened our eyes to all that we don’t know. You magnified the good for us and we in turn can now help you magnify the good with this additional funding and support.”
2019 Grant Recipients
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County, NY $23,268
The Young Women’s Leadership Project is a new program based on The Indivisible Self: An evidence-based model of wellness. Up to 12 matches of middle school-aged girls and their Big sisters will participate in the 12-month series of events, activities and experiences. There will be a focus on the elements of wellness, which include creativity, coping skills, empowerment, social skills, spirituality, self-care, gender identity, cultural competence and physical well-being.
Children’s Rights Society, Inc. $46,364
This new Special Advocates for a Greater Education (SAGE) program is a collaboration between the Children’s Rights Society and the Dispute Resolution Center. Volunteer mentors will be paired with school-aged children who are placed in foster care through the Department of Social Services, or whose parents or caregivers are current or former respondents in a neglect or abuse proceeding in Orange County Family Court. The mentors will be a point of contact and support for each child, helping maintain and encourage active participation and success in school while keeping relationships with the child’s parent/caregiver(s), teacher(s), school administrators, school social worker and school psychologist. Approximately 50 children and families will benefit from this education mentoring program.
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley- $50,000
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley will add a new component to its Solutions to End Homelessness Program (STEHP) programs in order to meet the observed and well-documented need to advocate for and provide legal services to tenants living in substandard housing conditions. Project activities and services include advocacy, advice & council, community legal education programs, pro se assistance, a pro bono program, legal representation in illegal lockout, eviction, mortgage foreclosure, and public benefits cases. This program is in Orange County, with some focus on the City of Newburgh.
Newburgh Free Library- $25,000
Newburgh Girls Code Club (NGCC) is a new program that addresses the issue of gender inequality in the technology field by providing inner city girls and young women, ages 10-18, with the access, education and exposure to engineering skills in a casual club environment. The project will include 2 cohorts of interactive coding workshops, a summer immersion coding bootcamp, monthly family code club, collaborations with local technology corporations, mentoring opportunities with professional women in the field, and “Enterprising Women” panel discussions and celebrations. A total of 45 girls will participate in the first year.
Regional Economic Community Action Program (R.E.C.A.P)- $40,610
RECAP’s new Growing Into Responsible Healthy Leaders Successfully (GIRhLS) will address many of the pressing issues young women face today and is specifically designed to embrace and integrate prevention strategies with 5th - 8th grade girls. Programming to engage this population before at-risk behaviors begin leads to a healthier, well-adjusted adult who is more likely to finish school, find a livable wage job and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The program will have 50 girls participate in the first year.
Center for Creative Education- $50,000
Sisters Persevere In Conscious Evolution (S.P.I.C.E) is a year round project for low income women and their children with a special focus on women of color. With the increase of single parent households and the need for many to have multiple jobs, CCE has recognized that women and children lack accessible, affordable and meaningful programs that enrich, educate and bring together community. As programs for youth are on the rise, communities lack enriching parallel programs for women. CCE has identified these needs and will provide weekly, monthly and quarterly programs, free of charge, to women and children.
Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc.- $30,000
Lights for Learning provides emergency funding in the form of grants and interest free loans to the most vulnerable students at SUNY Ulster, allowing them to stay in class when they would otherwise be on the verge of dropping out due to the financial hardship. Over 90% of these students are women.
St. Luke’s Cornwall Health System Foundation, Inc.- $50,000
This program will make an impact on mothers struggling with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) by providing the education and resources necessary to break the cycle of addiction and empower them to provide a safe environment for their child(ren). It will create a positive relationship between hospital caregivers, mothers, and program candidates in order to facilitate treatment and overcome perceptions that act as a barrier to seeking treatment. This program will enroll 12-24 mothers.
Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster- $44,236
The CCOSU Mom’s University is a new initiative that will support the safety and well-being of the family through psychoeducational interventions. This will be accomplished by engaging mothers and families in preventive dialogues that support and address their needs. These dialogues include topics that address issues of abuse, household challenges and neglect. This program will have 100 participants.
Hudson Valley Manufacturing Workforce Center, Inc. -$16,000
The Hudson Valley Manufacturing Workforce Center, Inc. will create videos targeting the young women of the tri-county region, that can be used on GoMakeIt.org, in classroom presentations and on social media. These videos will spotlight women in manufacturing at all levels from apprentices to engineers and showcase the many opportunities for success available throughout the region. They will encourage young women to visualize themselves in rewarding careers allowing them to earn a living wage, raise their families and thrive in the Hudson Valley. Videos and programs like www.gomakeit.org help connect women with local jobs, encourage them to enroll in apprenticeships and assist them in taking the first step towards a fulfilling career.