Success Stories

Council Bluffs Community School District was recently awarded a $119,428 grant from the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to provide an enhanced security system to mitigate potential threats. Council Bluffs Community School District will utilize grant funding to support implementation of an integrated electronic security system to provide twenty-four hour a day and seven days a week door access and video surveillance at the district or individual building level. The district will have the ability to perform a district wide emergency lock down of all buildings, or each individually from a central location, or from select mobile devices.

KidsTLC recently received a grant for $5,000 from the CPS Foundation to support the purchase of supplies and equipment for a new sensory wall to benefit youth participating in KidsTLC’s Autism Services program. The funds from the CPS Foundation will support the installation of two sensory walls that will provide education and promote self-reliance for children with ASD who have issues with sensory processing.

Washington University recently received a grant for $2,460,949 from the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Special Emphasis Panel to research the dissemination and implementation of an evidence-based pediatric weight management program for use by low-income families. The grant will provide funding to package and test an evidence-based pediatric weight management intervention (PWMI) program titled “Family-based Behavioral Treatment (FBT)” in rural and urban settings to increase access to this effective treatment among low-income families with children 5 to 12 years of age.

KidsTLC recently received a grant for $20,000 from the First National Bank of Omaha to support the stable housing, navigation, and crisis support services provided by the Thriving Families program (formerly Street Outreach Services), which assists families and their children who are experiencing homelessness or are at-risk for becoming homeless in obtaining/maintaining permanent housing.

The YMCA of Greater Kansas City was recently awarded a $14,000 grant from the USA Swimming FoundationMake a Splash to help provide scholarships for children to receive full session of swim lessons and for the Safety Around Water Drowning Prevention curriculum.  This program will provide potentially life-saving swimming lessons and drowning prevention education to school-age children most at risk for accidental drowning.

Genesis Promise Academy recently received a grant for $50,829 from the Jackson County Community Children’s Services Fund to expand behavioral health programs and staff training, resulting in more students receiving high-quality counseling services. The Counseling Program’s services are family focused, person centered, culturally responsive, and trauma informed. The goal is for students to be able to succeed academically and have healthy, productive, happy lives.  Additional funds for counseling services will improve and expand existing services so that more students are able to get the help they need to heal from trauma and succeed academically and socially.

The YMCA of Greater Kansas City recently received a grant for $150,000 from the Hearst Foundation to support the construction of the Downtown Y/Kirk Family Community Center, providing 8,000 individuals in downtown Kansas City with health and wellness programs and services, including community-integrated health care provided by a major medical partner. The YMCA of Greater Kansas City will construct the Downtown Y/Kirk Family Community Center (“Downtown Y”). It will offer state-of-the-art wellness facilities, a natatorium, a teaching kitchen, a lobby/community commons and intergenerational spaces, and space dedicated for a major medical partner.

Powell Gardens was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the Louetta M. Cowden Foundation for construction of a new Entrance Garden and turnout lane along U.S. Highway 50. In addition to construction of a gateway and garden, the entrance will be moved toward the top of a hill for greater visibility and safety. Powell Gardens seeks to create a first impression of the gardens that more accurately depicts the stunning gardens within the gates. As a result, the Entrance Garden will improve the experience of its current audience and attract new visitors due to greater highway visibility.

Metro Lutheran Ministry was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the Kansas City Missouri Emergency Services Grant to support participants maintaining housing for a period of 1 or more years without incident of homelessness. MLM’s Homelessness Prevention portion of the Family Empowerment Continuum program will include: 1) security deposits, monthly rent and utility payments; 2) homelessness prevention services (housing search and placement, assessment of housing barriers and needs and preferences, development of a housing action plan, owner negotiation, assistance with rental applications and understanding leases, assessment of housing for ESGP compliance, assistance with utilities, moving arrangements, tenant counseling); and 3) housing stability case management.

KidsTLC’s Autism Services Program was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the John & Effie Speas Foundation to to support the installation of a new sensory friendly inclusive playground. The children we serve are those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other related developmental disabilities. Through John and Effie Speas grant funding, KidsTLC will purchase and install a high-quality sensory playground directly outside of the Kelly Wellness Center that will include fine motor, gross motor, tactile, and visual inputs. Sensory playgrounds encourage exploration and discovery and provide a positive experience for those seeking sensory stimulation. This equipment helps children develop problem solving skills, express emotion, promotes empathy, instills lasting confidence, and fosters confidence through interactive play.  The American Academy of Pediatrics states recess is a crucial and necessary component of a child’s development, offering cognitive, social, emotional, and physical benefits.