Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Youth Grant Committee announces its 2007 grant awards. The grants, totaling $48,130 will be presented to area nonprofits on May 16. The Youth Grant Committee is comprised of high school students from public, private and home schools throughout Kent County. The group meets throughout the school year, reviews grant proposals and makes site visits.
Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Summer in the City. To provide an eight day urban life skills day camp designed to teach independence and life skills to youth with visual impairment. $2,500
Child and Family Resource Council: Resources Against Violent Encounters (RAVE). For a relationship violence prevention education program for at-risk adolescents. $8,000
Community Circle Theatre: A Seat for Every Child Campaign. For the Seat for Every Child program which sponsors students from schools with limited resources to experience live theater. $2,500
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum: ChAMP’s Camp 2007. For scholarships for 15 students to attend a one week session of camp. $2,025
Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Foundation: Jr. Pacers Wheelchair Basketball Program. To support the Keep Up the Pace annual conference with a set of shock clocks. $1,500
Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities: Summer Arts Day Camp 2007. To sponsor a summer arts camp for youth in the Grandville Avenue Neighborhood, which provides kids with an opportunity to celebrate their culture, enrich their lives, develop skills, build relationships and build community. $5,000
Humanity For Africa: Cross Cultural Afro-Youth Program. To reach out to the African youth immigrant community including students up to the college level, and any young-at-heart community members at risk of cultural crises, school dropout and delinquent behavior. $5,000
Planned Parenthood Centers of West Michigan: Teen Reality Check. For education and medical services to sexually active teens who are not utilizing a method of birth control so that they make healthy decisions and understand the ramification of early parenthood and how it limits life choices. $1,605
Specialized Language Development Center: I Can Read. Targeting 1st through 3rd grade free or reduced lunch students in Grand Rapids Public Schools who are significantly below grade level in reading, writing, but do not qualify for special education services. $7,500
YWCA: Domestic Crisis Center. To provide the necessary materials for the renovation of Pooh’s Playhouse, the children’s playroom. $3,500
YWCA: Girls Inc. Program. To increase the number of girls involved in Girls Inc. programs, reduce girls' vulnerability to violence through education and giving them the skills they need to be secure, safe, and successful. $5,000