East Chicago, IN (May 1, 2014) – Activities ranging from an astronaut rescue challenge for fourth graders to a Citizens Police Academy are being made possible over the next 12 months thanks to new Program Grant dollars awarded by the Foundations of East Chicago (FEC).

 

The FEC recently announced that 22 organizations serving East Chicago were recipients of this year’s funds for programs meeting the community’s health, learning and cultural interests.

 

“We at the Foundations are proud to continue to support programs that enrich the lives of our residents,” said Russell G. Taylor, executive director of the organization – one of Northwest Indiana’s leading philanthropies.

 

“These program grants are an important part of our commitment to the community, and add to a long list of initiatives we have supported with more than $35,000,000 since 1997,” he added.

 

Among the grantee programs funded are:

  • Calumet Council Boy Scouts of America: Outreach to help youth develop educational and life building skills.

 

  • Catholic Charities: Helping families in crisis improve their chances of healthier lifestyles, financial stability and careers/job advancement.

 

  • Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana: Challenging fourth graders to “rescue” a crew of astronauts using all their academic and critical thinking skills.

 

  • City of East Chicago: Health and fitness programs for kids and the community, including Stars Summer Camp; and Police department community outreach programs, including a Citizens Police Academy.

 

  • Communities In Schools of Lake County: STEM Academy, making science, technology, engineering and math come alive for youth.

 

  • Dunes Learning Center: Mighty Acorns, a conservation education program for third through sixth graders.

 

  •  East Chicago Carnegie Performing Arts Center, Inc.: Golden Palette, offering fine art education and arts experiences to seniors.

 

  • East Chicago Public Library: Weird Science Summer Reading Program.

 

  • Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, Inc.: Educational enrichment for youths, adults and seniors.

 

  • Feed My Sheep: Reaching for Life’s Successes, to enhance girls’ social and self-sufficiency skills.

 

  • Food Bank of Northwest Indiana: Providing 200 low-income students with food-filled backpacks to take home on weekends and vacations.

 

  • Greater First Baptist Church: Cyber Café, a safe venue for enhancing technological skills.

 

  • Mission of Jesus Christ Church: After school program combining educational and recreational activities.

 

  • Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra: Scholarships for low-income elementary and middle school students to attend an educational concert.

 

  • St. Stanislaus School: Educating children to address and stop bullying.

 

  • Top 20, Inc.: Preparing teen girls on making constructive life choices.

 

  • Xel-Ha Escuela de Danza: Funding for costumes.

 

  • Concerned Calumet Citizens Committee, Inc.: A community weekend reunion.

 

  • I Too Sing America Organization of NWI: Annual celebration picnic.

 

  •  Sociedad Civica y Cultural La Reforma: Educating the community on Latino culture.

 

The Foundations of East Chicago is dedicated to lead social change as it seeks to strengthen and improve the quality of life in East Chicago through strategic grant and scholarship programs. Since 1997, it has issued nearly 700 scholarships and assisted more than 250 agencies that serve and support the community.