Wells Fargo donates to Housing First
Wells Fargo recently donated $200,000 to Alaska nonprofits as a part of a philanthropic investment.
Twenty-thousand dollars of that went to the Glory Hall to support phase two of the Juneau Housing First project to provide permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness. Wells Fargo representatives presented Glory Hall Executive Director Mariya Lovishchuk a check on Nov. 26.
Other grant receipients are Catholic Social Services for its Path to Independence program ($100,000), Bethel Winter House ($20,000), Kodiak Brother Francis Shelter ($20,000) and Nome Community Center/N.E.S.T. ($20,000).
The grant was funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation as part of its $3.4 million Alaska NeighborhoodLIFT philanthropic investment announced in August. A collaboration with NeighborWorks America and NeighborWorks Alaska HomeOwnership Center, the NeighborhoodLIFT program will create about 250 homeowners across the state by offering homebuyer education and $10,000 down payment assistance grants. The NeighborhoodLIFT program’s arrival in Alaska follows Wells Fargo’s announcement in June to invest $1 billion over the next six years to address the U.S. housing affordability crisis.
Rasmuson Foundation board approves millions in grants
Southeast organizations are set to benefit from more than $250,000 in grants approved by the Rasmuson Foundation board.
At its November meeting, the board approved more than $6 million in grants to Alaska nonprofits, tribal organizations and local governments and $4.6 million to support investments in arts and other initiatives.
In Juneau, Great Alaska Council-Boy Scouts of America will receive $75,000 to replace a condemned log storage structure with a new multi-use building at Eagle River Scout Camp, according to Rasmuson Foundation.
Construction is planned for April 2020, and the new 1,440-square-foot multi-use building will be completed by June. It will house two classrooms, storage space with a car-size roller door and two office spaces.
Other Southeast organizations will benefit, too. The Baranof Island Housing Authority is set to receive $80,000 to help purchase a heat pump system in Monastery Street Elder Housing that serves a low-income population in Sitka, according to the foundation.
The Petersburg Medical Center will receive $100,000 to renovate the hospital pharmacy, according to the foundation.
The board also agreed to continue three established programs and begin a new initiative.
The Individual Artist Awards was approved for another three years as was Strengthening Organizations, in which nonprofits receive small grants for strategic planning, leadership development and skill building.
A partnership with the Alaska Humanities Forum for the Magnetic North film series of documentaries about influential Alaskans will continue on with six more films.
School breakfast programs continue
From left, Brian Holst of the Juneau Economic Development Council and School Board president; Adrianne Schwartz, Food Services Supervisor and Energy Manager for Juneau School District; Dr. Bridget Weiss, Juneau School District Superintendent; Amy Skilbred, Executive Director of Juneau Community Foundation; Warren Russell, United Way of Southeast Alaska Chair Board of Directors; and Millie Ryan, Secretary to the Board of United Way, pose for a picture after the Universal Breakfast Check presentation. (Courtesy photo)
The Juneau School District is continuing to offer free breakfast for all students this year at elementary and middle schools, some sit-down and other grab-and-go foods. Also, all high school reduced-price breakfast and lunch recipients are welcome to a free breakfast and lunch for the second year.
The Juneau Community Foundation and United Way of Southeast Alaska teamed up with the Juneau School District and other donors to provide the funding needed for these food programs for students. Over $35,000 is needed annually to bridge the funding gap between federally provided funds for free and reduced breakfast participants and making the breakfast open to all students. Additional donations to keep this program going are being accepted.
The school district will be monitoring the universal free breakfast program for elementary and middle school students for the 2019-20 school year to determine whether having all students take part de-stigmatizes the free and reduced cost school meals and ensures all students get a healthy start to their day.
