News from United Way of Whatcom County and Whatcom Community Foundation this week:
SCHOOL READINESS CALENDARS
Peter Theisen, president of United Way of Whatcom County, announced that approximately 4,000 kindergarten readiness calendars are available for children in kindergarten and early-learning programs in the county. This marks the second year the calendars have been produced and distributed, and for the first time the calendars are available in both English and Spanish.
The calendars were made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of The Boeing Company. They were designed to help prepare 4-year-old children for school success through everyday activities they can enjoy with their parents and caregivers. Studies show that a child who comes to school with the social and emotional skills needed for success is more likely to do well in school, graduate, and prosper as an adult. Successful kindergarteners are an investment in our community's future.
The project is part of United Way of Whatcom County's focus on supporting education and boosting early learning.
"Parents are children's first teachers," Theisen said, "and this calendar helps them turn their child's everyday activities into learning activities."
The calendar's tasks include counting, identifying shapes and colors, and physical activities.
"Most importantly," Theisen said, "they involve thinking and improving school-readiness skills."
United Way of Whatcom County is working with teachers in every kindergarten and early-learning-center class to make sure each child in the county receives a calendar.
GRANTS AID LOCAL NONPROFITS
The Medina Foundation announced grant awards of $200,350 to nonprofit organizations in Skagit and Whatcom counties. The grants, called capacity building grants, are intended to further strengthen 11 nonprofits in Skagit and Whatcom counties by helping the organizations undertake such activities such as buying a new database, hiring a grant writer or doing strategic planning.
"By making this additional investment in these outstanding organizations, we hope to ensure that these organizations will continue to effectively serve Skagit and Whatcom residents for many years to come," said Carolyn Wall, who leads Medina's Capacity Building Initiative.
The grants are in addition to other annual grants the foundation has given the organizations.
"We are immensely grateful for the Medina Foundation's support and confidence in the nonprofit organizations in our community," said Mauri Ingram, CEO of Whatcom Community Foundation. "It is rare for foundations to invest in strengthening organizations and, with the downturn in the economy, many nonprofits simply don't have the money or time to invest in things like a new database that helps them evaluate their work, or a marketing plan that helps them reach clients and donors."
Riannon Bardsley, executive director of Northwest Youth Services, said, "We are so appreciative of this opportunity and investment in our organization. After several years of significant changes to our organization, this grant will enable NWYS to move forward in a sustainable and strategic manner."
Whatcom County grant recipients are: Assistance League of Bellingham, $20,000; Bellingham Food Bank, $15,750; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington, $20,000; Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County, $20,000; Brigid Collins Family Support Center, $20,000; Hope House, $16,000; Northwest Youth Services $18,600; Opportunity Council, $20,000; and Whatcom Literacy Council, $10,000.
The Medina Foundation is a family foundation in Seattle that makes grants in 14 Puget Sound counties. Established in 1947 by Norton Clapp, the foundation aspires to improve lives by funding human service organizations that provide direct support to residents. The foundation awards about $3.5 million in grants each year. Learn more at medinafoundation.org.
