Awards distributed to support and encourage local volunteerism.
HYANNIS, MA - The Cape and Islands United Way (CIUW) has distributed another $15,000 in micro grant awards to five new volunteer programs led by local organizations at Cape Cod Children's Museum, Good Grief Cape Cod, AmeriCorps Cape Cod, Colorful Kidz, Cape Mediation.
The CIUW micro grant program was started as a way to mobilize volunteerism through offering one-time funding opportunities of up to $5,000. With funding secured, organizations are able to focus their energies on engaging residents of all ages in projects that address local concerns, improve the community landscape and bring attention to the value and reward of volunteerism.
Jackie Barber, Community Outreach Manager said “This round of micro grant recipients are outstanding! They have all come up with creative and resourceful ways of engaging volunteers, while providing support to the community. This really is one of my favorite parts of being involved with CIUW and our community”.
Micro grant awardees include:
Cape Cod Children’s Museum
The Cape Cod Children’s Museum is a nonprofit that encourages families and children to 'play together'. Their micro grant will be used for the First annual Cape Cod Children's Museum Holiday Lights Exhibit. This free drive-through holiday light show will host a multimedia presentation of lights, music, and inflatable characters for the whole community to enjoy.
Good Grief Cape Cod
Good Grief Cape Cod helps children and families who are coping with death, tragedy, or loss. Micro grant funding will be use to support the winter expressive art therapy camp; which includes funding the space, lunch for each participant, covering the cost of consultant's services and educational fees (theatre, dance drumming and art therapists) and any supplies needed. The event will held be free of charge to all Cape and Island families coping with death, loss and tragedy.
AmeriCorps Cape Cod
AmeriCorps Cape Cod program engages service-minded adults to fulfill a variety of environmental and disaster preparedness needs across Cape Cod. The current AmeriCorps cohort will use the micro grant to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a “Day On” that brings service opportunities to the Cape Cod community. The "Day On" program will be held on Monday, January 16th, 2023. The theme of the event is “Growing Toward Justice Together”, and with a focus on environmental sustainability, healthy habits, and more.
Colorful Kidz
Colorful Kidz creates room makeovers for children and teenagers in need in Barnstable County who may have a disability, have suffered trauma, have a medical issue, or suffered financial distress. The micro grant will be used to create room makeovers for children who are referred through DCF, Mentor Network, Justice Resource Institute and School Guidance Counselors in the different communities on Cape Cod.
Cape Mediation
Cape Mediation supports the health of the community with accessible, quality, affordable mediation services that educate people about conflict prevention and collaborative problem-solving skills. Micro grant funding will be used to support the Youth Coordinator to provide development and implementation of Cape Mediation's Youth Conflict Resolution Programs. It will also be used to fund educational and outreach materials needed for implementation of these programs.
The CIUW micro grant program is made possible by the Bilezikian Family Foundation, Eversource Charitable Foundation and Granite City Electric who have all provided generous funding to support and encourage volunteerism in the Cape Cod community.
As the year comes to a close, CIUW continues on their mission to change lives. Up next, is the difficult and lengthy work involved with Community Impact Grants and making the decisions of the large distribution of grant funding that will help promote health, improve educational success, create housing stability, and encourage financial stability. To learn more about annual Community Impact Grants, and micro grants (distributed on a rolling basis) please visit The Cape and Islands United Way website: capeandislandsuw.org/grants
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