Women United in Philanthropy (WUP) Grants Committee selected five organizations as the finalists for the 2019 Human Services Grant Awards. WUP members, guests, and the general public are invited to attend the 2019 Grant Finalists Presentation on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at The Paramount Theater in the Balcony Lounge. Our social begins at 5:30 pm and presentations will run from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. RSVP to WomenUnited@UnitedWayTJA.org or 434.972.1701. The WUP membership will vote on the awardees beginning on May 22nd. Only current members may vote, so please be sure you have joined or renewed.
The 2019 Grant Finalists are:
- PACEM: Since 2004, PACEM has provided more than 96,000 total nights of shelter for homeless individuals in our community. PACEM is requesting funds to enable them to better serve homeless women. They will use the funds to hire a dedicated case worker to serve the homeless women in our community who engage with PACEM, as women’s needs are often more complex and are under-served by current resources.
- Piedmont Family YMCA Early Learning Center: The Piedmont Family YMCA Early Learning Center offers quality full-day early learning for infants through preschoolers, enabling parents and family members to go to work knowing their children are in safe, stimulating environments. The Early Learning Center is requesting funds to expand their services and the number of families they serve. Specifically, the funds would be used to offer childcare scholarships for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years to low-income single mothers seeking education and career opportunities.
- The Fralin Museum of Art K-12 Education Program: The Fralin is committed to providing all members, from infants to seniors and university students, with direct experience of works of art. In service of this mission, the Fralin designs educational programming to reach the broadest possible audience. The Fralin is requesting funds for two programs serving under-privileged youth including a program serving at-risk teens to enable them to participate in a free 9 week summer enrichment program in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Virginia; and, to continue and expand the piloted Greenbrier Global Artists program, which serves 2nd-4th grade children of immigrant and asylum-seeking families.
- The Front Porch – Roots and Wings Project: Inspired by the rich musical heritage of Central Virginia, The Front Porch seeks to create a strong, vibrant musical community comprised of music lovers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Its mission is to make music inclusive, affordable, and accessible to all. The Front Porch is requesting funds to double their piloted program that provides free music education to at-risk and low-income children with the goal of improving music skills, building self-esteem, and helping vulnerable populations find healing and empowerment through music.
- Wildrock: Wildrock is dedicated to creating a special place in nature for family bonding, creative play, and quiet reflection. Wildrock creates joyful experiences that counteracts the stresses of daily life and inspire a healing relationship with the natural world. Wildrock is requesting funds to construct and install six Nature Play Lab Sheds in greenspaces at public city elementary and upper elementary schools in order to promote imaginative play in nature, promoting learning, collaboration, and resilience.