The members of the Legacy Youth Alliance are excited to announce the recipients of their spring grant cycle. 16 representatives from Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, Cardinal, Ottumwa and Pekin high schools determined which grant requests would receive funds. Loraine Dodson, a graduating senior from Pekin High School and facilitator of this cycle’s grant allocation discussion, feels that “as a group, especially one so new, we want to make a larger impact on things we find important to improve in all of our communities.” The following nonprofit programs were awarded:
- Buster the Bus is owned and operated by the YMCA of Ottumwa. The retired school bus requires a makeover to be legal for over-the-road transportation. Buster transports an estimated 8,000-10,000 youth, senior and disabled riders per year to the YMCA for programs and activities.
- Corinthians House, a youth shelter operated by American Home Finding Association, will be able to purchase new furniture for their living room area. The youth that are currently staying at Corinthians House asked Judy Davidson, Program Director, to submit the request because new furniture would make the shelter feel more like a home.
- Eldon Public Library Summer Reading Program encourages and incentivizes young readers to keep reading over the summer months, thus minimizing the “summer slump”. One of the funding priority areas chosen by the members of the Legacy Youth Alliance is childhood education. This program will help with the Cardinal Elementary 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency Level.
- Victory Sports Camps, coordinated by Michelle Albert, Director of Children’s Ministry, at Living Hope Bible Church in Eldon, will be held in July for children K-5th grade. The camps will utilize high school students to help plan, organize and coach/teach each day. The camps provide leadership opportunities while providing structured physical activity to the camp participants.
The Legacy Youth Alliance will offer their next grant funding cycles in the November, 2018. Any 501(c) 3 Not-for-Profit that is youth-serving or supports a youth-led project may seek funding up to $2,500. If you would like more information or application assistance for the Legacy Youth Alliance, please contact Amy Nossaman, Grants Program Manager anossaman@orlf.org or 641.455.5260.
