A year-long science-based agriculture program at the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson was selected as the Partnership of Women’s (POW!) top grant recipient on Thursday at the non-profit organization’s annual dinner.
The organization’s “Harvesting Dreams” project was awarded $15,000 to construct a 12-by-16-foot greenhouse at the North Elm Street center (formerly the Henderson Armory) and purchase the curriculum of the Farming the Future School Garden Kit, which includes gardening containers, seeds and other educational materials.
Two other finalists, Henderson Leadership Initiative and Infinite Hope, each received $5,000 grants for their projects.
The POW! membership voted on their selections for the $15,000 top award and two $5,000 grants following final project presentations at the dinner that took place at Farmer & Frenchman Winery.
Representing the Boys & Girls Club, Ryan Bibb said the project’s goal is to educate students about agriculture, healthy food and entrepreneurship.
He said club members will learn about the science of agriculture, the work required to produce a crop and how that activity can also promote a healthier lifestyle by incorporating fruits and vegetable into regular diets.
Bibb said the club members, through partnerships with local producers, will participate in farm visits, hear guest speakers, do hands-on activities and sell a portion of their various harvests to the community.
“The program helps address the need for healthy food alternatives for those facing poverty or food scarcity as well addressing talent/workforce development in agriculture for future generations,” he said.
All Henderson County Boys & Girls Club members, ages 6-18, will be able to participate in the program. The same program has been offered for the last several years at Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club in Owensboro, an affiliate organization.
The Henderson Leadership Initiative award is for a current class project that will install two information kiosks, at Salvation Army and at Henderson County Public Library, to provide instant access to a directory of free community services through myKy.info.
Dr. Kate Baker, presenting for the HLI group, said the portal can be tailored to the individual user’s needs. It is multi-lingual and web-based so it also can be accessed through a mobile device.
“It’s more than a kiosk, more than a database,” she said. “It’s a life-changing connection to community services.”
Infinite Hope’s project, described by organization founder Cindy Weaver, proposes to train six local therapists in the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS).
She said availability to therapists trained in suicide counseling is limited and the CAMS program helps fill the gap. Weaver said that in 2023 there were 16 suicides in Henderson County. The organization also serves Union and Webster Counties.
In a grant separate from the annual awards program, POW! members approved $15,000 for the planned expansion of the Women’s Honor Court in downtown Henderson that recognizes the accomplishments of local women.
POW received 19 grant applications for this year’s program. The field was narrowed to six semi-finalists and then to the three finalists.