YMCA of Greater Kansas City recently received a grant for $120,000 from the Health Forward Foundation, Healthy Communities to support staffing, research and data collection, convening multi-sector partners, the creation of customized technology platforms, and demonstration pilots. The Y will engage multiple stakeholders to discuss transforming traditional corporate wellness programs/models to appeal to an increasingly diverse business sector, with a special focus on workers most likely to be un- or underinsured. The Y will seek understanding about the impact of social determinants in planning and implementation of such offerings and test effective strategies for integrating technology into these new models.

Te Deum, Inc. was recently awarded a $1,200 grant from the Martha Lee Cain Tranby Music Enrichment Fund to support its spring 2019, fall 2019, and Christmas 2019 Chamber Choir concerts. All performances will give audience members a chance to hear sacred choral music of stunning quality and to form a deep and relevant connection with each concert’s artistic theme.

Wichita Children’s Home (WCH) was recently awarded a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support their Transitional Living Project (TLP). Funding from the grant will provide ten transitional living beds and supportive services to runaway and homeless youth (RHY) ages 16-under 22 in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas.

KidsTLC recently received a grant for $179,699 from the Health Forward Foundation, Mental Health to support the continued development and expansion of KidsTLC’s Lotus Clinic. This funding will help support the overall sustainability of the clinic and the vital services it provides to under-served and under-insured families. This funding will assist over 2,000 youth through over 10,500 encounters.  In addition to underwriting salaries and contract fees for critical positions, funds will be used to help our clinicians receive additional training in specific evidenced-based specialty areas, as well as increase the community’s awareness of the clinic’s services.

Catalyst Academy Charter School recently received a grant for $1,491,957 from the U.S. Department of Education Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program (CSP)-Grants to Charter School Developers for the Opening of New Charter Schools Grant to open a K-8 charter school in East Liberty, beginning with kindergarten and first grade in the 2019-2020 school year. This charter school intends to serve primarily children from underserved, majority African-American neighborhoods in Pittsburgh’s East End. Catalyst Academy Charter School will utilize funding from the Charter School Program Developer Fund to create a world-class K-8 school that prepares all students effectively for college, career, and life. This holistic approach to our scholars’ development will equip them with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to be a catalyst for positive change for themselves, and in their families and communities. Specifically, Catalyst will focus on academic rigor, innovation and personalization, and holistic scholar development, through high expectations, strong relationships, and quality teaching.

KidsTLC was recently awarded a $4,500 grant from Royals Charities to support a portion of the costs to purchase and install two sensory walls. KidsTLC’s Autism Services program opened in 2013 on the second floor of KidsTLC’s Kelly Family Wellness Center. In late 2017, due to the high demand for services, the program expanded into the first floor of the building. Each floor needs to be equipped with a variety of sensory wall panels to accommodate the needs of our young clients. This project will be ongoing, as the sensory walls will be a permanent fixture. These therapeutic tools will allow youth who have issues with sensory processing to experience fine motor, tactile, and visual inputs and will promote self-reliance.