Winnetka Northfield Rotary Charitable Foundation Presents Grants
Posted by Richard (Rich) Lalley
on Mar 17, 2011
The Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield continues its 87 year tradition of supporting the good works of organizations locally and throughout the world with its annual presentation of charitable grants. Patti Van Cleave, President of the Winnetka-Northfield Rotary Charitable Foundation, and Kristen Jasinski, Club President-Elect, presided over the presentations at the club’s weekly lunch meeting at the Winnetka Community House.
“Rotary is all about “Service Above Self”, said Ms. Van Cleave. “With these grants we are helping to provide physical and spiritual wellness , shelter and educational assistance to those in need, on the North Shore, in Chicago and in faraway places like Angola.”
“These annual grants, made possible through the various fund raising activities by our club, are but one way in which the Rotarians in our club serve.”, said Ms. Jasinski. “This past year, our club provided nearly 700 new winter coats to children from low-income families in Chicago and the North Shore, continued our work with a Montessori school in Uganda, and donated to ShelterBox for earthquake disaster relief in Chili. Our club also made donations to Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign working to complete the job of eradicating polio from the world. The club is currently preparing to partner with Kids Against Hunger and the Volunteer Center to pack 100,000 highly nutritious meals for hungry children in Nicaragua. Interested volunteers may join us on April 16th at the Winnetka Community House.”
Grants were made today to the following organizations:
The Cradle (www.cradle.org) An Evanston based adoption agency that serves children by providing education, guidance and lifelong support to create, sustain and preserve nurturing families. The grant will support the Birthparent Services Program providing counseling to pregnant clients.
Erika's Lighthouse (www.erikaslighthouse.org) A Winnetka based organization focused on preventing teen suicide and providing a beacon of hope for adolescent depression. The grant will support creation of a study guide to accompany the video: "Real Teenagers Talking About Depression."
Futures for Children (www.futuresforchildren.org) A New Mexico based organization providing mentoring and training programs to encourage educational success for native American children. The grant provides a college scholarship.
Hadley School for the Blind (www.hadley.edu) A Winnetka based nonprofit international distance education school offering ninety tuition-free courses for blind adults and family members of blind children and adults. The grant supports creation of new on-line seminars.
Haven Youth and Family Services (www.havenforyouth.org) A Wilmette based organization providing 24-hour crisis intervention, emergency assistance and youth counseling. The grant supports Haven’s emergency housing project.
Holy Family Ministries (www.holyfamilyministries.org) A Chicago based organization providing safe havens where children and adults learn, grow spiritually, find hope, and broaden life skills. The grant supports an after school martial arts program.
Lawrence Hall Youth Services (www.lawrencehall.org) A Chicago based child welfare agency assisting at-risk youth and their families through services designed to develop the self-worth, knowledge, and skills needed to lead independent and productive lives. The grant supports a Therapeutic Recreation program for wards of the state.
Leelanau Outdoor Center (www.locprograms.org) A Michigan organization promoting the discovery and development of positive character values through experiential learning in our natural environment. The grant supports general operating expenses.
Midwest Palliative & Hospice Care Center (www.midwestpalliativeandhospicecarecenter.org) A Glenview based nonprofit organization providing end of life care and family grief counseling. The grant will support a child and teen grief counseling program.
New Foundation Center (formerly Wilpower) (www.newfoundationcenter.org)A Northfield based organization helping people who have a mental illness in their recovery and pursuit of lives with meaning and purpose. The grant supports a social activities program for members who are developmentally disabled.
Rebuilding Together (www.rebuildingtogether.org) A national organization providing free of charge home rehabilitation for low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities. The grant supports work on rehabbing homes in the Chicago metro area.
Rise International (www.riseinternational.org) A Northfield based organization partnering with Angolan churches, community leaders and government officials to build primary schools in rural Angola.
Samaritan Counseling Center (www.northshoresamaritan.org) A Winnetka based organization offering hope, healing & growth to the Chicago and North Shore communities through education and counseling. The grant will subsidize counseling fees for low income clients.
Winnetka Community House (www.winnetkacommunityhouse.org) A non-profit facility providing diverse educational, cultural, social and recreational opportunities for residents of Chicago's North Shore. The grant will provide scholarship funds for those unable to pay full tuition for programs.
Winnetka Historical Society (www.winnetkahistory.org) A non-profit museum focused on educating people on the stories of Winnetka’s past, in an effort to enrich our present and inspire our future. The grant will help create a booklet tied to a permanent exhibit on Winnetka history.
The Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield meets Thursdays from 12:15 to 1:30 at the Winnetka Community House for lunch and a speaker. Membership is open to service oriented residents and workers of the area. Guests are welcome to attend. To learn more about the club, its schedule of lunch programs and its charitable and service programs, visit www.wnrotary.org. Tax deductible donations to the club’s charitable foundation may also be made through the website.