Community Grants Report

Community Grants Report
January 2020

Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas, Russell Mobile Outreach for Health & Wellness

Kansas Health Foundation, Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund $7,000, Awarded 11/14/2018
Project Summary: To reach rural areas, CCNKS travels to other communities (including Russell) to provide clothes,
hygiene kits, food kits, clothing, other essentials, financial assistance and case management services.
Use of Funds: To purchase 244 food boxes, 236 hygiene kits and 250 additional items. In addition, $5,147 was spent
to help 42 Russell County households with rent, utilities and prescriptions.
Impact & Results: Each month when the CCNKS Mobile Outreach (MOR) arrives in Russell with vans packed to
the max capacity there are lines of people waiting for services. Many of them rely on these monthly visits. The MOR
program provides Russell County residents with transportation and other barriers access to social services. From this
mobile unit, individuals can access information and applications to all of the agency’s services.
One client in Russell was homeless and couch surfing from friend to friend when she started meeting mobile
outreach in September 2018. Over the course of this time, this client has established a relationship with CCNKS
case worker and divulged that she was being taken advantage of and abused by some of those with whom she was
staying. The caseworker was able to provide additional services through internal and external referrals. This client
has become more stable and confident. In October, she advised she even had some job interviews and is hoping to
secure employment by the end of the year. None of this would been possible without the funding that sustains
this MOR program.

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USD 407, Future Vision

Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Fund, $7,147, Awarded 04/10/2019

Project Summary: The Future Vision project would provide more accurate, comprehensive and efficient vision
screening for all the students of USD 407, with a special emphasis on the Special Education pop. by funding the
purchase of a Welch Allyn SPOT Vision Scanner.

Use of Funds: The funds from this grant were used for the purchase of a Welsh Allyn Vision Scanner for used with
students K-12 in USD 407 Russell.

Impact & Results: According to nursing staff, the accuracy, speed and convenience of visions testing has improved
by an estimated 75%, more so with special needs and younger students but definitely with the student body as a
whole. Screenings were done in less than 1/2 the time this year (first year using) and vision issues were found that
would not have been with traditional testing methods.

USD 407, New High School Welder for Ag Shop

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund,
Russell Schools Apple Seed Fund,
$2,139, Awarded 11/14/2018

Project Summary: To purchase a new Miller Mig Welder for the High
School Ag Shop. Our current welders are getting old and starting to
have problems. A new welder would make a huge impact on student
success in the Ag Mechanics classes.

Use of Funds: The grant funds were used to purchased a Miller Mig
Welder for the High School Ag Shop.

Impact & Results: We had a recent staff change which means that we
have a new Ag teacher. She is incredibly excited to have this welder
and has expressed how thrilled she is to have this welder as it will be
a better experience for students at Russell High School. Thank you so
much for helping us update our equipment at RHS.

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