Recent Grant Awards

The Foundation is committed to improving our community through the grants awarded from the Community Grant Fund. In 2008, more than $60,500 was awarded from the Foundation’s Community Grant Fund. Funding support for this fund is provided by the income generated at the Foundation’s fundraising events. Donors, who participate in these events, make it possible for the Foundation Board of Directors, with assistance from the Foundation’s Grant Committee to make these grant awards.

2010 Grant Awards

Shared Harvest Foodbank

Kits for Kids Campaign

$5,000 was awarded to create school supply kits for low-income students enrolled in the Lakota School District. 1,235 kits were provided to Lakota families, including 1,036 designated for elementary school students and another 259 kits allocated for junior high students.

Boys & Girls Club of Hamilton, Inc.

West Chester Summer Outreach Initiative

$2,500 was awarded to support the partnership that provides an opportunity for disadvantaged youth from West Chester and Liberty Townships to travel to the Boys & Girls Club in Hamilton during the summer months. The Center provides a structured and supervised environment with a variety of youth activities.

Hearing Speech & Deaf Center of Greater Cincinnati

Charitable Services Program

$2,500 was provided to support the Hearing Speech & Deaf Center’s program that provides support to individuals and families who face obstacles to communication regardless of their ability to pay.  The center provides audiology and speech language, as well as, community services, education and training for the hearing impaired.

Citizens Against Domestic Violence

Dating Violence 101

$2,000 was awarded to feature a 60-75 minute presentation within area schools, including Lakota Schools, to raise awareness and prevention of domestic violence among teens. The program provides help to those teen who identify themselves as a victim of domestic violence and works to prevent further cases of domestic violence.

Focus on Youth

Community Education & Awareness

$2,500 was targeted for an “Education and Awareness” Campaign. The goal of the campaign is to increase the number of foster parents who are willing to accept placement of youth 10 years of age and older.

City Gospel Mission (Photo)

Whiz Kids Program

$2,000 was awarded to expand the Lakota after school Whiz Kids program. The program provides literacy based tutoring that works to build educational confidence and competence of young people through their relationships with area professionals who volunteer their time.

Parachute: Butler County CASA (photo)

CASA Volunteer Training

$2,800 was provided to support the recruitment and training costs of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteers for the Fall, 2010 Class. Advocates provide a voice for abused and/or neglected children by investigating circumstances and providing recommendations to officials to ensure the child’s safety.

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in Your Schools Concert

$3,500 was awarded to host a regional concert of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) at Lakota West High School. The Orchestra’s commitment to music education provided an opportunity for Lakota West to host a fundraising concert. The event was a huge success raising more than $10,000 for the Music Department. In addition, Associate Conductor Vince Lee worked with members of the Lakota West Symphonic Winds Brass Choir to prepare an opening piece that was played in collaboration with CSO musicians.

 “This program allowed me to experience a real orchestra for the first time…my favorite part of the concert was when I, and my fellow brass players, got to participate in the opening choir.” Brennan Wood, Junior, Lakota West

One Way Farm

Animal Education Therapy

$2,500 was provided to support the successful Animal Education Therapy Program that helps with the healing process of abused, neglected and troubled children staying at One Way Farm. The animals show the value of safe touch through animal contact.

Lakota Central Office

Common Cause

$1,500 was awarded to Lakota West High School to develop a program to address cultural, social and academic issues that young people face on a daily basis. The goal is to create a positive culture within Lakota West where young people have the opportunity to share ideas, come together and identify issues and form possible solutions.

Big Brothers Big Sisters

At-Risk Mentors Helping At-Risk Children

$3,000 was provided to support the effort to recruit, interview, train and match high school students who have been identified themselves as at-risk of developing negative behaviors. The goals of the program, based on extensive research, is to avoid these behaviors by helping students develop leadership and relationship building skills by offering an opportunity to mentor an elementary school student.

Reach Out Lakota

Special Programs

$6,000 was awarded to support Reach Out Lakota’s food pantry and another $2,000 was provided for the Adopt-A-Child for Christmas Program. Pantry funds support neighbors in need by supplementing food pantry items that are often low in quantities, such as, pancake mix, jelly, flour tortillas, dry beans, chicken and ground beef. Adopt-A-Child funds support the more than 300 families (800 children) who enrolled in the Program.

Hope House Rescue Mission

Center of Hope for Women & Children Learning Lab

$5,000 was granted to support the inclusion of an after-school Learning Lab. The Learning Lab offers tutoring for homeless women and children who are staying at the new Center of Hope for Women & Children. Children have access to one-on-one tutoring and attention in remedial reading, writing and mathematical skills to encourage them to perform at their grade level. Residents are also provided job-skills training and computer literacy.

West Chester Fire Department

Smoke Alarms for Hear Impaired Residents

$228.66 was directed to support the costs of special smoke alarms that are designed for the hearing impaired. These smoke alarms are provided to West Chester residents allowing them the safety necessary to remain in their homes.