Baskett Community Fire Department, WARM Center and YMCA are up for this year’s $15,000 grant
The Father Bradley Shelter for Women and Children was the $15,000 grant winner at last year’s Partnership of Women grant awards.
With that funding—and money from other local grant awards—the shelter was able to do a complete overhaul of its kitchen, which included buying two new oven ranges, two new refrigerators, and new tables, said Executive Director Kendall Dean.
Because of water damage, the shelter officials also put in new countertops and new flooring, Dean said.
She called it a “brand new kitchen.”
“Like any other household, the kitchen is the heart of the home,” Dean said.
Not only are the shelter’s residents able to dine in a more comfortable environment, but they are also able to meet there for the many classes, workshops and presentations the shelter provides to its residents, Dean said.
Those include life skills classes, such as cooking, cleaning and organizing, she said. It also includes different classes that are presented by community partners, such as the Volunteer Information Center’s Bank On program, mental health with River Valley Behavioral Health and Audubon Kids Zone’s Checkin’ in with Charles Haygan.
Residents get help from case managers who help them with budgeting and saving money, Dean said.
And all of that occurs in the kitchen area, she said.
With the POW! grant and others, the shelter has been transformed, Dean said. She said that the shelter will hold an open house in the future so that supporters can see all the new changes.
Residents’ responses have also been positive, including one resident who stayed at the shelter a few years previous.
Dean said her response was, “It feels like home. It feels warm and safe and comfortable.”
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This year’s POW! Annual dinner will be 6 p.m. Thursday at the Farmer and Frenchman. Three organizations are vying for the top $15,000 grant: Baskett Community Fire Department, the Women’s Addiction Recovery Manor and the Henderson County YMCA.
According to Brook Vorbeck, the grants chair for POW!, the organization received 16 initial grant applications when the grant cycle opened in the spring.
After that POW!’s grant committee narrowed down the field to six organizations and the committee made site visits to each, Vorbeck said. During the visits, the committee made videos of the organizations’ plans. Those six also had to complete a full grant application, she said.
Vorbeck said the top six finalists were Chemo Buddies, New Genesis Jail Ministry, Riverview School, Baskett Community Fire Department, Henderson County YMCA and the WARM Center.
After reviewing the full grant application and videos, the committee narrowed it down to the three finalists, Vorbeck said.
At Thursday’s POW! annual dinner, the three finalists will make a final seven-minute presentation before POW! members vote on the winner. Kemper CPA Group LLP will count the votes, and the winner will be announced at the dinner, Vorbeck said.
Here’s a bit more from Vorbeck about the three finalists and their projects:
- Baskett Community Fire Department-Extrication Tool Project. The Baskett Community Fire Department is proposing the purchase of an Amkus Battery Powered Heavy Rescue Combi Tool. The primary duty of this device is for vehicle extrication—removing patients from damaged vehicles or obstructions.
- The Women’s Addiction Recovery Manor-Women’s Transition House Project. The WARM Center is requesting funding to purchase essential appliances for a new women’s transitional housing facility. This home will serve women who have recently completed inpatient substance use treatment and need a safe, stable and supportive environment as they continue their recovery journey.
- YMCA Henderson- Inclusive Adaptive Wellness and Aquatic Accessibility Project. The Henderson County Family YMCA is requesting funding to expand access to rehabilitation-focused and adaptive wellness opportunities through the purchase of specialized equipment and accessibility improvements.
The two runners-up will each get a $5,000 grant.
