Elijah House Academy—Summer Preparatory Academy

We funded this organization $7,000 in order to establish a Summer Preparatory program for previous and prospective students at the Elijah House Academy.  A minimum of 10 upperclassmen from the school will work to plan, implement and organize the program as well as work as teachers to help previously failing students of the Richmond City School System to achieve better grades, increase their national percentile ranking and develop good habits and strong character.

Strategies to Elevate People—Summer Enrichment Program

This project was funded $1,000 to serve 50 youth in an endeavor to change their perspective on important factors of their future careers.  Students will implement the age-old program and develop a new aspect of it more specifically aimed at developing skills that will be useful in the workplace through workshops.

The Collegiate School—Open Gym Project

$2,400 was funded to support the previously funded Open Gym Project, designed to teach autistic students fine motor skills by playing basketball or running around the track.  It also pairs them with a student volunteer.  This collaboration is between 40 Upper School Collegiate students and 25 students from Faison School for Autism.

Richmond Friends of the Homeless—Breakfast and a Book

This project was funded $3,000.  10 previous teenage recipients of the services from Richmond Friends of the Homeless desire to distribute books and breakfasts to current children who are homeless and in need.  Mrs. Shawnee, the coordinator of Richmond Friends of the Homeless, distributes these packages while the students are in school.  Otherwise, the students help out on days they are on break or on summer vacation.

Friends Association – Boys Are Talking To Girls Conference

$2,000 was funded in order to support a two day workshop for girls and boys ages 11-18 to get informed about topics, focusing mainly on domestic violence. There will be adult speakers, workshops and informational sessions. 5 teenage girls will be involved in planning and evaluating the conference. It is expected to affect over 120 youth in the Richmond area.

Friends Association – Art Camp at Gilpin Court 

This project was funded $1,150 for an art camp for young children in Gilpin Court to participate in over the summer. 7 upperclassmen from Collegiate School will be conducting the camp, which has been run for several years. They plan to add a field trip to a pottery place and have 2 visiting artists.

 Providence UMC Preschool and Youth Council – Summer Respite and Volunteer Program  

$750 was awarded to Providence UMC.  12 youth volunteers aim to assist teachers or serve as companions for specific students under 5 in preschools over the summer. Each youth volunteer would train in June and then be expected to spend at least 10 hours over the course of the July volunteering with the school. If received well by the parents, the program would continue for years to come. The funds from YPP will allow 5 children from low-income families to participate on full scholarship.

Charity Family Life – Pay It Forward  

$500 to fund a seven-week project that will serve about 70 people in low-income areas of Richmond. Youth from the area will distribute gifts and spend time with residents, with the idea that the project will end having developed successful leaders within the community. A board of youth will direct the project.

Deon Intervention – Essex Village Project Hope  

$1,500 was given to fund a program that will bring children ages 13-17 out of the influence Essex Village, a place known for crime and poverty by implementing Project Hope. The program will solicit community volunteers to address various issues in a number of ways. An advisory board of teenagers will assist in managing a summer program with similar objectives.

Podium Foundation – Richmond City Public Schools Literary Journal   

$2,500 was given to support the development of an online literary magazine that would showcase the art of Richmond City Public School students. Podium Student Board Members from 4 participating high schools select submitted art, edit it and work with professionals to develop the website as well as distribute the paper form to schools in the area. of a web master, the executive director, printing and publishing the magazine, teachers stipends and other supplies.