Four Youth Philanthropy Councils at the Northern New York Community Foundation awarded nearly $40,000 in grants to support non-profit organizations in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. The grants were approved by the Community Foundation’s board of directors and advisory committees.
The Youth Philanthropy Council program was offered at Watertown High School, Immaculate Heart Central School, Potsdam Central School and Ogdensburg Free Academy this school year. More than 40 outside grant requests were received and reviewed, and the councils approved 24 total proposals.
“This initiative continues to instill an important culture of leadership, citizenship and giving back among the youth of our region. We know that the youth philanthropy experience is one that is helping inspire the best for the future of our communities,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director.
The program is made possible through the generosity of Watertown Savings Bank, Renzi Foodservice, the Grasseroots Fund, RBC Wealth Management, the Sweetgrass Foundation and annual gifts to the Community Foundation’s Community Betterment Fund.
Watertown High School’s grant awards are:
- Lucy’s House – $5,000 to augment the organization’s visitation program for children and parents.
- Hospice of Jefferson County – $2,000 to purchase supplies for grief toolkits and bereavement training in Jefferson County school districts.
- Neighbors of Watertown – $2,000 for the construction of garden boxes and development of nutritional programming at the Keiff Drive Apartments in Watertown.
- Thousand Islands Performing Arts Fund-Clayton Opera House – $500 to support a storytelling project pairing music and local history.
Immaculate Heart Central School’s grant awards are:
- Salvation Army – $3,075 to purchase personal hygiene and household items for clients in the Cape Vincent service area.
- Children’s Miracle Network of Northern New York – $2,720 to purchase playbooks for pediatric patients at Samaritan Medical Center.
- Watertown Urban Mission – $1,800 to assist with the purchase of a donation shed for the Fort Drum/Carthage area.
- Court Appointed Special Advocates (C.A.S.A.) of Jefferson County – $1,405 for funding that will provide training for new C.A.S.A. volunteers, updated equipment and materials.
- Flower Memorial Library – $1,000 to support costs associated with the organization’s LEGO programming.
Potsdam Central School’s grant awards are:
- Salvation Army – $2,500 to purchase personal hygiene and household items for clients in the Clifton-Fine service area.
- O.R.C. Thrift Store – $2,000 to provide assistance with the agency’s voucher system, helping address critical needs.
- Lawrence Valley Renewal House – $1,500 for the purchase of educational materials to raise awareness for domestic and sexual violence prevention efforts in St. Lawrence County.
- Potsdam Neighborhood Center – $1,500 in funding to support the organization’s “PB&J” summer program for children.
- Potsdam Holiday Fund – $1,000 to help increase the allocation for the agency’s food voucher program for families during the holiday season.
- Canton-Potsdam Hospital – $1,000 provide home first aid and health kits to clients participating in community-based health screening program.
- Gina’s Gift – $500 to purchase books and advance the organization’s mission promoting early childhood literacy.
Ogdensburg Free Academy’s grant awards are:
- Kiwanis Club of Ogdensburg – $2,000 for upgrades to Zonta Field at Montroy Park Sports complex.
- Ogdensburg Neighborhood Center – $1,600 to provide infant supplies and formula to families in need.
- Lawrence NYSARC – $1,550 to help offer employment and career training services for program participants.
- Hospice & Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley – $1,300 in funding to provide grief tool kits in St. Lawrence County schools, three BOCES technical centers and two local catholic schools.
- PJs 4 X-Mas – $1,200 to purchase new pajamas for local children in need.
- Lawrence Valley SPCA – $1,000 to provide 100 $10 vouchers to supplement the organization’s spay and neuter program.
- Save the River – $850 to help with costs associated with film purchases for Wild & Scenic Film Festival at Clarkson University.
- Alliance for the Mentally Ill of St. Lawrence Valley, Inc. – $500 in funding to support two papermaking workshops to be held at mental health facilities in Ogdensburg.
The Northern New York Community Foundation makes grants to support the work of non-profit organizations and provides scholarships to individuals in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties. This work is made possible by donors who have established permanent, charitable funds with the Foundation during their lifetimes or through their wills and have a general, broad and enduring interest in supporting the quality of life in the North Country.
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