The Fund's Girls Advisory Board Awards $20,000 in Grants to Local Nonprofits.
The Fund’s Girls Advisory Board announced $20,000 in grants to six local nonprofits serving women and girls.
Earlier in the year, GAB participants selected three priority areas that informed their grantmaking decisions. These priority areas included: Gender and Reproductive Rights, LGBTQ+ Rights, and Immigrant Rights. The high school participants invited organizations to apply, reviewed grant applications, interviewed the organization applicants, and made funding recommendations that aligned with their priorities.
The following organizations were selected by GAB and will be celebrated at the Chester County History Center in April during The Fund’s Gal(a), honoring the work of our youth programs – GAB and CivicG+.
Alianzas de Phoenixville
Grant Amount: $3,500
Alianzas de Phoenixville received a $3,500 grant to support their Clinical Trauma Counseling (CTC) program. CTC is a multidisciplinary approach to mental health services for women, men, and children suffering from depression and anxiety typically due to the traumas experienced before, during and after forced migration such as violence, acculturation stress, immigration issues and discrimination. Contracted clinicians in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavior partner to offer individual and group therapy sessions at no cost to the client and in their language with the aid of contracted interpreters. Evidence-based Interventions include Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Psychodynamics, Motivational Interviewing, and Prolonged Exposure. The supporting programs that help create greater impact on their therapy are: English Learners Program, Food & Essentials program and The Leadership Academy.
LCH
Grant Amount: $3,500
LCH received a $3,500 grant to support essential health screening services for uninsured patients. GAB funding will provide free breast screening/mammograph services for 130 uninsured patients. Uninsured patients (the 130 identified by our women’s health team) who have low incomes that qualify for LCH’s sliding fee discount would be offered the opportunity. LCH will cover the charges and the patient will have access to this life saving screening.
Maternal and Child Health Consortium (MCHC)
Priority Area: Gender and Reproductive Rights
MCHC received a $3,500 grant to support their Healthy Start program. Healthy Start is a home-visiting program that provides a continuum of care for pregnant and parenting people with infants ages 0-18 months to reduce the prevalence of poor maternal health and birth outcomes. Home visits are weekly or monthly depending on the family’s needs and 1-2 hours in duration. Home-visits are facilitated by a team of Community Health Workers who are trauma-informed and trained in the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model. Community Health Workers conduct health risk assessments and provide support with chronic disease management, socio-emotional support for maternal depression and those with Adverse Childhood Experiences, immunization and home safety checklists, education on family planning and reproductive health, what to expect when you’re expecting, navigating early parenthood and supporting infant development. MCHC help eligible families enroll into health insurance and food benefits programs to offset the high cost of health care access to healthy food.
Mom’s House
Priority Area: Gender and Reproductive Rights
Mom’s House received a $3,000 grant. The Mom’s House program and mission are one in the same and really quite simple. Mom’s House provides free state-licensed childcare to single, low-income parents who are returning to school to complete their education. In addition to free childcare, clients are provided with material donations, gas cards if needed, scholarship opportunities and referrals for other services as needed. Children are provided with excellent care in a small, caring environment. Children are provided a free nutritious breakfast and lunch each day as well as all supplies needed (diapers, wipes, classroom supplies etc).
Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Priority Area: LGBTQ+ Rights
Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania received a grant of $1,500 to support two LGBTQIA+ Youth Spaces in Chester County – Space to be Open and Proud Together (SPOT) in West Chester and Rainbow Phoenix in Phoenixville. These groups provide out-of-school-time resources and support for teens through an array of affirming programming to help young people connect with their peers. SPOT and Rainbow Phoenix are the only two free spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth in Chester County. The two groups see thirty teens each year. Both groups are democratically run and responsive to member needs. Introductions are part of group norms, giving kids the opportunity to share the name and pronouns they feel comfortable with, whether that changes over time or they are trying something new. Meetings involving crafts, self-care activities, resources, and discussions reflect queer experience and expression.
YoungMoms
Priority Area: Gender and Reproductive Rights
YoungMoms received a $5,000 grant to help pregnant and parenting young mothers to stay in school, pursue vocational training, parent more confidently, and make healthy personal decisions. The grant will support case management and goal setting, life skills training including parenting instruction, and community and relationship building to ensure that young mothers can combat isolation through monthly dinners and workshops with peers and positive adult role models.