Women United in Philanthropy (WUP) Grants Committee selected five organizations as the finalists for the 2020 Grant Awards. WUP members are invited to attend the virtual 2020 Grant Finalists Presentation on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. WUP membership will vote on the awardees between July 24 and August 6. Only current members may vote, so please be sure you have joined or renewed.
The 2020 Grant Finalists are:
- AHIP (Albemarle Housing Improvement Program) – Safe at Home
AHIP is the only home repair nonprofit working year-round in Charlottesville and Albemarle to ensure that families have access to critical fixes for their safety, security, health, and well-being. AHIP believes in preserving homes and protecting homeownership, and that families, working people, and senior citizens should be able to stay in their homes, stay in their communities, and hold onto their assets. AHIP is requesting funds for their Children Safe at Home program. Their objective is to complete at least 30 critical home repairs for low-income families, ensuring safe, high quality housing for local families. Data confirms that kids do better when their homes are safe, stable, and secure. Housing quality matters for children’s emotional and behavioral well-being today and for their long-term economic success and stability tomorrow.
- All Blessings Flow – Pickup and Delivery Program
All Blessings Flow is a local faith-based organization that collects, refurbishes, and redistributes medical equipment free of charge to those in need in Charlottesville, Albemarle, and surrounding counties. Clients are permanently or temporarily disabled and primarily low-income individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. They are requesting funds to purchase a used cargo van with a loading ramp. This van will allow the pick up and delivery of multiple pieces of equipment, such as hospital beds and power wheelchairs, in the same trip. With the purchase of the cargo van, they will no longer be dependent on borrowing trucks or vans, which has caused them to miss out on donations or to make clients wait to receive equipment they desperately need.
- The Front Porch – Roots and Wings Music Education
The Front Porch is a community music school in Charlottesville, whose mission is to make music inclusive, affordable, and accessible to all. They are requesting funds to expand The Roots and Wings Project, a free music education program that pairs at-risk and low-income youth with teaching artists with the goal of improving music skills through weekly music education programming; building self-esteem and healthy relationships through mentorships; and promoting personal empowerment through performance opportunities. Teaching artists provide music instruction directly in neighborhood community centers, detention centers, public schools, and after-school clubs. The Roots and Wings program includes Music Clubs for Kids, Music Mentors, and Hometown Choirs.
- Nearby Baby – Postpartum Doula Support
Nearby Baby provides culturally sensitive postpartum support to families for six weeks after a baby is born or adopted, regardless of their ability to pay. Their work focuses on providing low wealth, marginalized families in Charlottesville and surrounding counties with the physical, emotional, and instructional support they need to thrive in the early weeks after childbirth. By targeting the vulnerable population of women of color, they plan on making an out-of-reach service accessible and hope to mitigate some of the disparities to their population, which is most at risk. Nearby Baby’s program will provide approximately 50 hours of doula support per family to help promote a healthy start for the baby and a smooth transition for the family. They also empower and educate women with the skills needed to perform this supportive service and receive an income as well. Nearby Baby is requesting funds to train women from all cultures in culturally-sensitive postpartum doula care and to cover the cost of direct services to 18 families of color in Charlottesville with low or no income.
- Piedmont CASA – Bridges to Success for Older Youth in Foster Care
Piedmont CASA provides trained volunteers and professional staff to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children and youth, promoting and supporting safe, permanent, and nurturing homes for these victims in the child welfare system, the community, and before the courts of the 16th Judicial District of Virginia. CASA is requesting funds for travel expenses for coaches in their Bridges to Success for Older Youth in Foster Care program. The program is designed to help older youth in our community heal and develop the skills, connections, and tools they need to lead safe and productive adult lives. Older youth in foster care need the most support and need to learn the skills of ordinary day-to-day living before they age out of the system so they can be successful and not just survive. The Bridges Coaches provide the mentoring and guidance the youth need to move into independent lives that are safe, healthy, and productive. The Coaches transport their clients to all areas involved in their life and are like interim family, helping them navigate the world. The travel funds requested would provide support for the coaches of 15 young women whose ages range from 13 to 21.