BCF’s 2018 Grant Recipients:
The Bellevue Senior Community Center received $5,000 towards the purchase of chairs for the Senior Center. The Bellevue Senior Center is an exciting place for senior citizens which offers a large variety of games, activities, bus trips, parties, daily lunches, a weekly evening dinner and support groups for our area seniors. They strive to be the area focal point for seniors, while treating them with respect and dignity they deserve. This grant will allow the senior center the opportunity to replace their aging dining rooms chairs with brand new chairs that are stable and safe for our seniors. The Senior Center serves over 1000 meals a month on a contribution only system and No one is ever turned away from a meal due to finances.
The Latino Center of the Midlands has been awarded $5,000 for it’s Pathways to Success Program at Bellevue East and West High Schools. The mission of the Latino Center of the Midlands is to enhance the lives of the Heartland Latino Community by supporting the education and development of our youth and adults; The Pathways to Success Program reengages youth who are chronically absent to school by working to remove barriers to consistent attendance, build positive school engagement and life skills development, and provide wrap around services to the youth and their families.
The City of Bellevue Parks Department has been awarded $5,000 toward tree planting along the trail in the Two Springs neighborhood. The Parks Department is responsible for over 700 acres of parks and green space within the city. This includes Kramer and Haworth Parks, the Dog Park at Jewell Park and the Frisbee Golf course at Aspen/Sun Valley Park. The Parks Department is also responsible for the maintenance of all City trails, the right of way mowing contract, and tree maintenance throughout the city. The purpose of the grant is to purchase trees for the Two Springs Neighborhood Daniell Trail area that was damaged from last years tornado.
The American Heroes Park Volunteers received a $5000 contribution towards the construction of the war on terror memorial in American Heroes Park. AHP Volunteers adopted American Heroes Park in May 2017, and have since organized over 250 volunteer/community service hours caring for the park. In April 2018, AHP Volunteers established the American Heroes Park Fund to support the park’s improvement and sustainment needs; and is now raising funds to build a War on Terror Memorial in the par. These funds will be used to finalize the War on Terror Memorial design, and begin construction in Spring 2019.
The Teammates mentoring program of Bellevue received $5000 toward activities for their 101 mentorships in Bellevue. The Mission of TeamMates is to positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential through mentoring. Established in 1991 by Tom and Nancy Osborne, TeamMates was formed in an effort to provide support and encouragement to school-aged youth. The goal is to see youth graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education. This grant will fund a summer camp for Bellevue Public Schools mentees in grades 8-12 which will expose the mentees to community service, cultural experiences, and post-secondary opportunities.
Habitat for Humanity of Sarpy County received $4,000 towards the beginning of their 45th Home Build. Since 1996, Habitat for Humanity of Sarpy County has sold 42 fully-priced houses to qualified, low-income families. All Habitat Partner Families pay a modest down payment, sign standard loan documents, and make affordable, monthly mortgage payments to repay the 0% interest loan over 30 years. With stable, inexpensive housing families can: provide stability for their children, gain improved health, physical safety and security, an opportunity to be engaged in their community, and increase educational and job prospects.
Greater Omaha Attendance & Learning Services Center received $3200 towards expenses for family advocates that serve students in the Bellevue Public School District. In August of 2011, the superintendents of the eleven public school districts in Douglas and Sarpy Counties released a plan to improve student attendance. This plan created a comprehensive school district/community approach to absenteeism that is cooperative, innovative, and is based on solid research and experience. The GOALS Team concept has the potential of becoming one of the most effective, child-centered collaboratives that the metro area has ever experienced.
PromiseShip received $1,000 to use towards their Foster Parent Appreciation Event. PromiseShip, works with more than 5,000 children and their families who are involved in the child welfare system in Douglas and Sarpy Counties. They go beyond basic provision and address problems and situations that impact struggling families. To eliminate gaps in services, we focus on existing community providers and bring them together to create a network of services for families, leading to more successful outcomes and breaking the cycle of system re-entry altogether. PromiseShip served 1,135 children in foster care in 2017, including approximately 400 children from Sarpy County. This event gives us the opportunity to recognize and thank foster families for opening their homes to children in need while providing them with a fun-filled evening to spend together.