On Tuesday, October 1, Women United was very excited to announce our 2013 Human Services Grant Award Recipients! This year we awarded two $20,000 grants to local non-profits serving women and children in our area:
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank – The Food Bank has created a Family BackPack Program to alleviate child food insecurity at the household level. Children receiving free and reduced-price lunches through the National School Lunch Program have an increased risk of hunger on weekends or over school holidays. This initiative aims to send a backpack full of healthy foods home with each eligible child every weekend and holiday. Women United’s $20,000 grant will fund the Family BackPack Program for 2 years at Yancey Elementary, where 61.9% of families live between 0-185% of the federal poverty level.
Jefferson Area CHIP – Jefferson Area Children’s Health Improvement Program (CHiP) will use their $20,000 Women United grant to to support the salary of a Family Support Worker/Parent Educator who will conduct at least monthly home visits with 50 children ages 0-7 over the next year. CHIp’s mission is to provide early learning opportunities to children living in poverty in Charlottesville and Albemarle in order to promote kindergarten readiness and to increase the likelihood of continued school success. CHiP family support workers and nurses partner with parents to provide a nurturing, stimulating, and optimal early learning environment for young children.
The keynote speaker at our Luncheon was award-winning journalist Lynn Povich, author of The Good Girls Revolt, her first-hand story of the landmark 1970 sex-discrimination lawsuit against Newsweek, it’s impact on the women involved, and what has and hasn’t changed. Ms. Povich spoke of the power of working together for a cause – something we at Women United are learning more about every day. Learn more about Ms. Povich here: www.LynnPovich.com.
Special thanks to our 2013 Luncheon Sponsors:
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