United Way of Lake County’s Women’s Leadership Council Awards Grants Totaling $18,642
Mentor, OH (June 7, 2017) – United Way of Lake County’s Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) awarded grants totaling $18,642 during an awards ceremony the evening of June 5, 2017 hosted at the offices of Marous Brothers Construction in Willoughby.
This is the third funding cycle since the WLC was reestablished in August of 2013. Since this time, the WLC has awarded grants totaling $57,151.
Grant applications for programs that support Lake County women and girls in need were accepted from February through March 31, 2017 from parties whose mission similarly aligns with the WLC.
The mission of the Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) is to positively impact the lives of women and girls through the philanthropic efforts of advocating, educating, giving and volunteering. They work toward this, in part, via the support of 501(c) (3) and nonprofit organizations in Lake County with programs that promote a similar mission.
A total of sixteen grant submissions were received and WLC panel volunteers reviewed each, conducted on-site visits and considered those that would make the greatest impact before making a final decision on which submissions would be awarded funds.
Representatives from the agencies who received awards were on-hand to accept the grants. Project Hope for the Homeless Executive Director Judy Burr brought the room to tears as she described what their services mean to their littlest clients. During a recent exercise designed to help children translate their feelings to specific emotions, Burr said, “One little girl associated the word joy with getting to take a shower.”
Cherie Rossodivita, chair of the WLC Grants Committee awarded the funds. “It’s been an honor and a pleasure to have been involved in this process. With so much need and so many heart wrenching stories, my eyes have really been opened to needs of our community,” said Rossodivita.
Representatives from each of the following nine agencies were on hand to accept grants:
Girl Scouts: $2,857.50
Funding provided for their Journey Program, an after-school program to help girls develop specific behavioral outcomes.
Hope Chest: $3,000.00
Funding provided to purchase school shoes for girls.
Family Planning Association: $1,870.94
Funding provided for the Family Planning Association to purchase a vaccine that works to protect against 9 types of HPV.
Fine Arts Association: $2,000.00
Funding provided to cover the cost of Girl Power Scholarships for approximately 20 girls.
Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities/Deepwood: $800.00
Funding provided for their LEEP program, (Lake Experience Employment Program), which provides curriculum for youth ages 16 to 21.
Lake County Community Network: $2,000.00
Funding provided to assist qualifying women with emergency assistance with rent & utilities.
Lake Geauga Recovery Centers: $2,388.00
Funding provided for the purchase of 12 patio rocking chairs for their three women’s facilities which include Oak House, Nevaeh Ridge and Nowlen Manor.
Painesville Community Theater: $1,350.00
Funding provided for 10 theater camp scholarships for girls.
Project Hope for the Homeless: $2,376.00
Funding provided for 18 nights of shelter for 12 women and girls in the Building Resiliency for Single Moms program.
The Women’s Leadership Council of the United Way of Lake County raises donations throughout the year to support the grant funding program through membership fees, speaker engagements, and their annual Women's Winterfest & Holiday Food Tasting Fundraiser in December.
They will be hosting a Solstice Garden Party, their first-ever summer fundraiser on June 22, 2017. Three private residences in the exclusive Sanctuary and Regency Woods developments of Kirtland will open their garden gates for tours. Music, light refreshments, home and garden-related demonstrations and prize raffles will also be available. Lolly the Trolley will be on hand to transport guests from home to home. Tickets are $25/person, $45/couple, and $160 for groups of 8 ($20/person) and are available at www.uwlc.org or by calling 440.639.1131.
“Our Women’s Leadership Council is made up of a group of women who care deeply about community and giving back,” said Tami Lewis, United Way of Lake County’s Director of Marketing and Communication. “In addition to the grant awards, members volunteer throughout the year for causes that help uplift Lake County women and girls in need.” she said.
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