Community Grants Report

Community Grants Report
December 2019

USD 110, Annual Student-Initiated
Kensington City-Wide Clean-Up

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund,
$3,000, Awarded 05/15/2019

Project Summary: Grant funds will allow students to
“give back” to community members and businesses
for their generous support of the Thunder Ridge
School System for the fourth consecutive year. This
project also honors veterans for the freedoms enjoyed
in the USA.

Use of Funds: A total of $3,621.02 was spent on
supplies for the project. High school students and
community members provided all the labor. In
addition, many more supplies and equipment were
donated by the community.

Impact & Results: Funding was an incredible
advantage for this year’s project. Students learned to
mortar bricks, replace windows, build structures, and
create long-lasting works of art. They were able to take
ownership in their hometown and their community.

This project began a few years ago to replace summer vandalism. We haven’t experienced vandalism since the
project began and have made significant improvements in city beautification! The students can take pride in not
only their efforts but their unique ideas and creations. They also learn a tremendous amount of organizational skills;
developing effective teams, organizing necessary tools and equipment (along with a timeline for the projects),
coordination of snack/lunch distribution, communication, and real-life work skills. Students made phone calls and
secured several donations of concrete, a bucket truck, building supplies, and labor from community members.

This year’s preparation work required additional class time. However, this provided additional learning opportunities
and extra experience in the planning process necessary to achieve a successful project. These are skills that will serve
them well in the future. We look forward to planning projects for next year.

Students, staff, and community members in the Thunder Ridge community wish to express our sincere
thanks for your belief in this project. Without your support, this would have been impossible.

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Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center, Mobile
Child Advocacy Center travel to Smith County

Smith County Action Fund, $4,000, Awarded 12/12/2018
Project Summary: WKCAC Mobile Unit traveled to Smith
County to assist 22 child abuse victims since 1/1/2017. Our grant
request is for fuel and maintenance of $6,600 for the next 22
victims of child abuse that WKCAC provides direct services for in
Smith County.
Use of Funds: The funds were used to support the mobile
services to Smith County fuel, propane, oil changes, tire rotations,
unit washes, mileage for followup & court, repairs and general
maintenance for the three units that travel to Smith County.
Impact & Results: Child Abuse is an epidemic in our Nation.
Child sexual abuse affects one out of four girls and one out of six
boys by their 18th birthday! 80% of WKCAC’s cases are sexual
abuse. With out a proper response from the beginning when
first reported to years later the outcomes for children and families
is not good. The geographical barriers in rural communities
compound the problem and keep the children & families from
the healing process. WKCAC has addressed both problems child
abuse and rural isolation by bringing the needed services to the rural communities with Mobile services. WKCAC is
in it for the long haul too. We know that it is not an over night fix and we have been with some of our children and
families for years. This past year WKCAC saw 8 children, along with their family members. So far this year, July 1, 2019,
WKCAC has seen 10 children and family members.

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