Boise Bicycle Project: Project Kickstand — $27,500
Project Kickstand, a program which teaches incarcerated men how to fix kids’ bicycles while earning their own bicycles for future needs, will be brought to the Idaho Department of Corrections men’s facilities. This is an expansion of a successful program that was used in a women’s prison which could lead to future job placement and could also significantly increase the amount of bicycles BBP provides to teens.
Cascade Medical Center: Improved Rural Health Outcomes Through Behavioral Health Care Integration — $30,000
The Cascade area has a shortage of mental health professionals and a steadily increasing patient load. Cascade Medical Center proposes to add a (0.5 FTE) behavioral health physician assistant (PA) to the staff, which will greatly improve health outcomes in the community, address the greater demand for CMC services and allow us to meet the behavioral health needs of our patients.
Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children: READY! for Kindergarten — $51,981
READY! for Kindergarten will offer parent education workshops to families with children ages birth through five living in Marsing, Notus, Melba, Mountain Home and Jerome. These workshops will teach parents what Kindergarten Readiness is and why it’s important to their child’s school success.
Idaho Botanical Garden: Water Conservation Stewardship Initiative — $20,335
The grant funds will be used to upgrade the irrigation systems at the Idaho Botanical Garden to better conserve water and serve as an example of best watering practices in the Treasure Valley. A water-efficient irrigation exhibit will compare and contrast different water-conserving irrigation systems, and hold classes for homeowners and landscape professionals about irrigation systems and other water-wise horticultural practices.
LEAP Charities: Homeownership For All – Yes You Can — $25,000
LEAP created the Yes You Can homebuyer program (YYC) to assist vulnerable populations achieve housing stability through overcoming barriers to homeownership (such as low income, credit, first-time buyer, language, etc). Experienced staff provide problem-solving, and create an individualized plan, connecting clients to education, credit counseling, and downpayment assistance. These funds will move this program forward allowing them to become sustainable for the future.
McCall Music Society: High Mountain Strings Rural Youth Orchestra Development – $26,000
Funds will be used for the purchase of instruments and to underwrite strings instruction for youth from Valley and Adams counties. This will also help grow our small McCall Youth Orchestra by expanding our music lesson program to foster young musical talent for a full youth orchestra.
Wassmuth Center for Human Rights: “Be An Upstander” toolkit — $30,000
The “Upstander Toolkit” will provide schools with prompts and visuals to illustrate the following: (A) Ask – When you said that, did you intend to be hurtful? (C) Choose – Make the choice to speak up when others are being picked on or laughed at. (T) Teach – By serving as an example for others. The toolkit will recognize the courage and compassion of students who stand up and step-in when they hear or witness injustice.