Women Inspired Network, a component organization of the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation, hosted its 2024 Celebration of Giving Sunday by awarding $9,100 in grants to local nonprofits that empower women and benefit children and teens.
Awardees included:
- Regional Office of Education 35’s Care Closet, $3,000.
- Braveheart Children’s Advocacy Center of Princeton’s resource library, $3,000.
- Grow Spring Valley’s Sprout program, $2,500. And
- Second Story Teen Center of Princeton’s Skill Building Through Crafts Program, $600.
Educate 35’s Care Closet provides necessities for students in need, so their schooling is not interrupted. This includes hygiene products, clothing, school supplies, food, gas cards, and even pillows.
The closet benefits about 300 low-income and homeless students across LaSalle, Marshall and Putnam counties, said Assistant Regional Superintendent Ryan Myers. It also helps reduce the number of students missing school due to embarrassment about their clothing or hygiene.
Braveheart Children’s Advocacy Center of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam counties strengthens the region’s response to child abuse through prevention, intervention and advocacy.
The grant will allow Braveheart to expand its resource library by 100-150 books. The texts will focus on educational, emotional and developmental topics related to abuse, neglect and trauma.
Grow Spring Valley’s Sprout program encourages residents to conceptualize, plan and advocate for their own community project while receiving mentorship and support from Grow’s membership. ‘Grow’ President Sarah Kinkin said Sprout is focusing on teenagers and young adults aged 14-25 “to inspire and equip young leaders to identify local needs, create solutions, and foster a sense of civic responsibility and pride.”
Sprout’s first project supported a Thanksgiving drive by Hall High School students for the Hall Township Food Pantry served 25 families (154 people) and donated an additional 402 pounds of food to the pantry.
Second Story has been serving youth in Bureau County since 2009 by providing an inclusive and safe environment for companionship, games, studying and more.
Its Skill Building Through Crafts Program provides eight weeks of expert training in a variety of crafts such as scrapbooking, beaded bracelets and necklaces, mug painting, and stained glass.
WIN Grants Chair Debbie Buffington emceed the annual event at Deer Park Golf Club and WIN co-founders Pamela Beckett and Cherie Reynolds were featured speakers. Beckett said WIN has now awarded nearly $108,000 in grants and scholarships.
Women Inspired Network is a charitable giving circle of local philanthropic women who make annual contributions to empower and enhance the quality of life for women and children. For information, contact Starved Rock Country Community Foundation Director of Operations Janice Corrigan at (815) 252-2906, janice@srccf.org or visit srccf.org.
