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The response in 2001 was overwhelming. Although the Community Foundation announced in July that $40,000 would be available during a competitive grants cycle, 37 organizations submitted 42 grant applications for a total request of $316,847. Members of our board of directors worked diligently to review each of the 30 applications that met our criteria, paying particular attention to those that expanded an existing program, or demonstrated an innovative and efficient approach to serving a community need. Consideration was also given to those proposals that showed collaboration with other agencies and potential for funding beyond the initial grant. On November 28, 2001, 22 organizations received a CFSEA grant ranging from $500 - $5,000. However, because we were unable to fund all recommended requests, we invite the community to review the following Programs of Merit for possible personal funding consideration. Those interested in supporting any of the following programs and projects may do so by calling the Community Foundation of Southeast Alabama (334) 671-1059 or by mailing a check to the Community Foundation: P.O. Box 1422, Dothan, AL 36302. When sending a check, please indicate the Program of Merit you wish to support.
Alabama-Florida Council/Boy Scouts of America seeks $8,000 in additional funding for the replacement of the sewage treatment system at Camp Alaflo in New Brockton. Scouts and leaders, as well as outside organizations from around the region, use the camp throughout the year. Alabama Karate Institute, located in Enterprise, is a not-for-profit organization helps school-age children, including those at-risk, to develop self-esteem through the discipline principals taught by karate. The program provides after school tutoring and requires parental involvement. The program is currently seeking $7,000. Alfred Saliba Family Services Center seeks $7,500 in additional funding for the free Family Health Clinic's medication supply closet. Clinic services of primary healthcare, prevention and screening are provided to community residents who are 150 percent below the Federal poverty level, between the ages of 19 and 64 who do not have health insurance or who are underinsured. While clinic medications are obtained through samples, indigent drug programs offered by pharmaceutical companies and direct purchase, the number of patients requiring this service is too large for the limited supply of medications currently available. Alzheimer's Resource Center seeks funding for its Respite Reimbursement Program that provides those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease with up to $500 per family to offset the cost of hiring a sitter. The $500 in respite reimbursement can be used all at one time or can be applied for in increments throughout the year. Christian Mission Center seeks an additional $8,500 for its Hot Meals Program for the elderly and homebound in Enterprise and surrounding communities. Funding will allow two meals to be delivered each week to almost 400 individuals. Coffee County Family Services Center seeks an additional $5,600 for its Building Blocks program to serve pregnant teens and new teen parents in Coffee County. Building Blocks helps prevent child abuse and neglect by teaching young parents about child growth and development, and parenting and coping skills. Participants are assisted in achieving education and self-sufficiency goals. Columbia Historical Society seeks $9,500 in additional funding to restore the Columbia Log Cabin, the Old Columbia Jail and establish a local history museum. This project supports tourism and regionalism within rural Southeast Alabama while preserving the heritage and historic significance of one of Alabama's oldest towns. Dothan Area Botanical Gardens seeks an additional $8,000 for the construction of the Educational and Activities Pavilion. The planned 40 by 80-foot tin roof structure would blend with existing architecture on the grounds and provide a covered gathering location for future programs. The Downtown Group seeks funding for its current mural project: Women of the Wiregrass. The mural, which will be the 11th mural in downtown Dothan, will honor women by depicting their contribution to the Wiregrass region. The total project cost is $10,000. George Washington Carver Interpretive Museum seeks an additional $3,800 to complete two murals: An entry hall panel portraying Dr. Carver offering the peanut and agribusiness prosperity as economic gifts, and a corridor wall of maps depicting primitive and later diasporic patterns of Africans to other continents. Girls Incorporated of Dothan seeks $5,000 in additional funding for its Teens Loving Children Program that is offered in collaboration with two local churches, the Dothan Housing Authority and the Houston county Health Department. TLC is an after school program that provides education and support to pregnant and parenting teens in the Dothan area at three locations. The goal of the program is to further reduce repeat pregnancies in teenage girls by incorporating strong adult support, academic support, career information, goal setting, and healthcare initiatives. Houston-Love Memorial Library is seeking a Community Trust Grant for $10,000 to implement the Baby Talk (Teaching Activities for Learning and Knowledge) program that promotes "language, literature, and love for infants." In collaboration with several service agencies, each newborn in Flowers Hospital and the Southeast Alabama Medical Center will be given a board book and brochure underscoring the importance of reading. The library will follow up with lapsits and other activities to encourage reading aloud to children, reaffirming the belief that reading aloud, more than any other single activity, will enhance the parent/child relationship as it encourages the child's mental, social and language development. Music South is seeking $7,500 in additional funding to continue the Multicultural Heritage Project designed for 5th grade children to stimulate interest in the arts and humanities using musical elements of Discipline Based Arts Education concepts. A portion of the funds will be used to help Houston County teachers attend workshops held by the Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts. Southeast Alabama Child Advocacy Center seeks an additional $4,000 in funding for its program that targets high-risk parents in an effort to help them before they resort to abusing their children. The Parent Enrichment Project has two components: Four series of parenting classes and a monthly Parent Enrichment Group are included in the program. SpectraCare seeks an additional $8,500 for its Baby Think It Over program, an innovative and realistic approach to teaching teens the rigors of teen pregnancy and teen parenting. The intensive, five-day program incorporates lecture, discussion, role-play and most importantly a 48-hour parenting simulation with a computerized doll that demonstrates the physical, emotional, social, and financial consequences of teen pregnancy. This teen pregnancy prevention program is implemented in public and private schools system in Southeast Alabama. Wiregrass Area
Food Bank seeks an additional $6,000 for the
organization's Brown Bag Program, a project that
helps provide food to the elderly, homebound Wiregrass Children's Home is an emergency shelter for abused and neglected children ranging in age from 2 to 18 years. The organization seeks an additional $1,500 to defray transportation expenses related to school activities, sports practice and events, piano lessons, counseling sessions, medical appointments and visitation with family members. Wiregrass Habitat for Humanity seeks an additional $5,000 in funding for its Youth Build Project. Sixty-nine area students between the ages of 14 and 17 representing nine schools have joined together to build a house for family in Abbeville. The project not only captures the imagination, energy and hope of young people, it encourages volunteerism. Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center seeks an additional $4,300 in program funding to allow WRC to expand employment and independent living services for individuals with vocational disabilities into the Enterprise and surrounding communities
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