Community Grants Report

(785) 823-1800 · www.gscf.org

P.O. Box 2876 · 119 W. Iron Ave, 8th Floor
Salina, Kansas 67402-2876

Community Grants Report
February 2020

Salina Shares, Laundry Love

YW Legacy Fund, $3,000, Awarded 1/15/2019

Project Summary: Salina Shares is requesting help in funding the
Laundry Love program that we sponsor. We are at each of the 3
laundromats in Salina once a month offering to pay for up to 5 loads of
laundry per family.

Use of Funds: We purchased six $500 boxes of quarters and used it all to
pay for washers and dryers in the laundromats.

Impact & Results: This grant makes a tremendous impact on many levels.
We hear stories each month about how people would not be able to do
laundry if it weren’t for Laundry Love.

As I facilitate Laundry Love, it is a huge load off my shoulders to know
that 3-4 months would be completely paid for. That translates to a calm
demeanor and an absence of a ‘desperate’ mindset that changes my
interactions with both our Laundry Love friends and any potential donors.

It also seems to make our volunteers more confident, knowing that
we have favor and funding with an organization such as GSCF. It is also
valuable in talking with other people in the laundromat who are not
there for Laundry Love and who ask questions about how we are funded.

Most importantly, it has enabled us to welcome new people each month
and not fear the growth. GSCF represents a community who cares and
I try to convey that to all the people I speak with at Laundry Love.

We are currently helping about 80 families a month. Every major helping
agency refers people to us, trusting we will be able to serve them. Those
living in poverty, or on fixed incomes, (elderly, developmentally disabled,
etc.) come to find help with laundry and often find a sense of community
as well. GSCF grant money helps us to be there month after month
to provide this service, as promised. Month after month we have
opportunities to affirm the dignity of those we serve. They deserve
clean clothes and to be treated with kindness. Thank you so much!

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Heartland Early Education, Community Family Connections

Fund for Early Childhood Care, Education, and Development & YW Legacy Fund, $5,000, Awarded 1/15/2019

Project Summary: We are requesting funds to continue offering classes to support parents living in poverty. The
classes will help parents develop self-sufficiency skills and support their role as their child’s first teacher. Childcare
and a meal are provided.

Use of Funds: The majority of grant funding was utilized to provide quality child care and a meal, removing the
potential barriers to attendance for many families. A small portion of the funding was also used to purchase
curriculum and class supplies.

Impact & Results: Thanks to generous donations from the Greater Salina Community Foundation, CAPS of Salina
and other local agencies, five different class options were offered to families in the fall of 2019. Thirty-one individuals
attended classes and child care was provided for 53 children while parents attended classes.

Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid AED/CPR Each participant was certified and received a Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED
certification card. Parent Tiffany House said, “I am more confident in knowing what to do when incidents occur and
need to be treated quickly now that I have taken this class.”

Conscious Discipline for Parents taught parents how to use Conscious Discipline techniques to handle their child’s
behaviors. Parent Dan Shaughnessy said, as a result of the class, he “will work more on breathing techniques with
his kids,” and he “will try harder to remember to pause and take a breath before addressing a tough child situation.”

Financial Peace attendee Kerrie Codling said, “As a result of attending this class, I have started making better
financial decisions and look forward to becoming debt-free.”

Card-Making on a Budget Parents learned how to make low-cost, hand-made greeting cards and had an
opportunity to network with other parents. Parent Jammie Rothchild said, “I will be doing card-making with my
daughter as a bonding experience.” Ana Mendez said, “I will be motivated to make cards now that I understand they
can be made beautifully and economically.”

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Saint Francis Community Services, Clover House
Restorative Residential Therapy Program for Child Victims of Human Trafficking

YW Legacy Fund (Elden Miller Trust), $4,077, Awarded 3/5/2019

Project Summary: Young girls traumatized by child sex trafficking will realize a life of hope, dignity, be empowered
and have a safe home to heal through the generosity of YW Legacy’s grant.

Use of Funds: Your generous grant secured one month of evidence-based, trauma-informed therapeutic
interventions and provided access to healthcare and education programs for one girl (M.) at Clover House.

Impact & Results: M received therapeutic services at Clover House from 2018 to 2019 for the behavioral and
emotional trauma symptoms she was experiencing as a sexual exploitation survivor. Her trauma impaired her
capacity to function on a daily basis and form safe relationships. During her stay, M responded to therapeutic
interventions, allowing her to reach her full potential for a happy, safe, and productive life.

Initially, M’s anger manifested in harmful confrontations with staff and peers. However, Clover House’s support
system allowed M to focus on her treatment. Soon, M’s natural leadership skills surfaced. She began initiating
conversations and group activities. She displayed and shared her passion for reading, sports, make-up, and cooking.
She used this passion to bond with others. M is known for discussing books, teaching volleyball techniques, and
supporting peers in distress.

M struggled with forming relationships. In participating in therapeutic interventions, M learned to manage her
symptoms and use coping skills. As M developed self-care and a positive sense of self, she learned to manage
conflicts, develop healthy relationships, and heal her relationship with her grandmother.
After meeting her goals, M was discharged to a foster home. Many attended the ceremony, where she gave out hugs
and thanked staff. M’s case manager reports that she is doing amazing, has started CNA classes, is working, and is
exploring placement in an Independent Transitional Living Program.

USD 305, Laser Learning

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, $4,300, Awarded 3/6/2019

Project Summary: Students will program laser to cut/engrave wood & acrylics. This is part of STEM (Science,
Technology, and Engineering & Math) curriculum. Students will develop skills in industrial design, engineering,
processing and project completion.

Use of Funds: Assisted in the purchase of a Boss LS1416 CO2 Laser

Impact & Results: Students are producing high quality finished
projects. In addition it has allowed them to incorporate digital
designs in their Tech Ed projects. Our students really enjoy creating
designs that they can laser onto wood projects. During the 2019
Fall semester, our students made wood cutting boards and took
orders for custom designs cutting boards for Christmas from South
Middle School staff.

The grant allowed us to have students work with current business
and industry equipment learning basic design and fabrication
principals. Approximately 85 students directly used the laser on a
Tech Ed project during the Fall 2019 Semester.

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Saline County Health Department/MCH, Becoming a Mom Prenatal Education Group

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund & Kansas Health Foundation Fund, $1,000, Awarded 3/6/2019

Project Summary: We are requesting $5000.00 to purchase Graco Pack n Play cribs and/or infant car seat for our
participants who complete 6 sessions of Becoming a Mom Prenatal Group Education Classes to increase and
promote safe sleep and car seat safety practices.

Use of Funds: To purchase Graco Pack and Plays and Infant Car Seats for BaM participants who met incentive
criteria upon class completion.

Impact & Results: Participant numbers for 2019 as compared to the two previous years have held steady, and we
have increased our number of program attendees from 880 in 2018, to 980 in 2019. In 2019, we had 123 new
mothers. Out of the 123 new mothers, 20 mothers were identified as “high risk” for a perinatal mood disorder and
referred to their health care provider for further evaluation. We are very pleased with the numbers served through
this program.

In the initial phase of the program, BaM/Cb works to educate mothers about ways to improve their own health
and steps to take to improve the health of their baby and to reduce preterm births. While the goal of the program
is to improve health of mothers in general, we welcome all mothers who want to enroll in the program. However,
the program specifically aims to provide education to those mothers that are more likely to be at risk (low
socioeconomic status, racial/ethnic minorities) to reduce disparities among those populations.

Through this grant, we were able to provide 9 Pack and Plays and 8 infant car seats for participants who
finished all six sessions. Out of those 9 pack and plays distributed, 7 mothers indicated they did not have the
financial means to purchase a safe sleep crib on their own.

Participant comments:

• “Wonderful program! This is my third pregnancy and I learned a TON! Instructors were kind, knowledgeable, and
personable. Thanks!”

• “Very great program!”
• “Very thankful this class is available in Salina. We learned a lot!”

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Salina Innovation Foundation,
Wheelchair Lift to Ensure Accessibility
for Our Community

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, $4,929,
Awarded 9/10/2019

Project Summary: Our 1989 wheelchair lift is heavily used
by mobility-challenged visitors including the elderly and
veterans. The lift is unreliable and in need of replacement. The
weight limit of 400 lbs is not able to accommodate newer
motorized wheelchairs.

Use of Funds: Funds were used to complete purchase of a
new wheelchair lift. The old lift was removed, and a new lift
was installed on November 12, 2019.

Impact & Results: The previous wheelchair lift at the Temple
was installed prior to 1980, and had become unreliable.
Visitors to this historic landmark in our community faced
challenges with stairs and an aging lift. Many were hesitant
to attend events or to visit, for fear they would not have easy
access. Raising funds to replace the lift became one of our
top priorities in 2019. With the help of Greater Salina Community Foundation, and with additional funds received
from AMBUCS, and B&K Mobility discount, we were able to completed the funding needed and purchased the new
lift for installation as hoped.

With our new wheelchair lift, we have seen an increase in visitors. Vietnam Veterans of America have a room in our
building, and many have mobility issues. A wonderful example is Nelson, a Vietnam who has difficulty walking, and
was able to come into our building for the first time. He has enjoyed attending morning veteran’s coffee without
needing assistance. He is able to safely and easily walk onto the lift, and run the lift himself.

Several company holiday parties were booked recently that previously would not have without this new wheelchair
lift. We enjoyed having an older couple who had not been in our building because the wife uses a scooter and was
concerned about getting around. They came into the building easily, and she was delighted to attend a party to
celebrate employees of a business they had started together years ago. She has since attended other events in our
space.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina, The Little Study Hall

L.P. “Pat” Mullen Fund for Science, Technology & Invention, $4,200,
Awarded 9/10/2019

Project Summary: Big Brother Big Sisters vision is “all youth achieve their full
potential.” Academic performance is an ongoing challenge we have seen. We are
requesting funding to host a weekly Little’s study hall as well as general expenses
involved with the project.

Use of Funds: $732 for tutors, $810 staff, $160 transportation cost, $500 internet/
wifi, $1,998 MatchForce software for data input, management and reporting 

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Impact & Results: 90% of the kids attending the Littles’ Study
Hall either had missing assignments or grades lower than a C at
the start of the program. By the end of the Littles’ Study Hall the
attendance had doubled from the first few weeks it started. Most
of the youth’s homework is done online but they did not have the
devices to do their homework on outside of school. Due to the
funding of this grant, the youth were able to come to our facility
and utilize laptops and wifi network to get caught up on their
work and prevent late assignments. This drastically helped the
littles bring up their grades. When the littles started coming to the
study hall, we asked them what their challenges were. Some of
the feedback was: “I want better grades,” “I don’t understand fractions,” and “I have trouble reading.” The grades our
staff received from the teachers verified these challenges. At the end of the Littles’ Study Hall, only 35% of the kids
in attendance either had a late assignment or a grade lower than a C, which is a drastic improvement. The more
they worked with the tutors, the youth became more confident about school and about their ability to do the work.
Providing transportation was crucial for attendance. Our staff picked up 80% of the kids who attended. Without the
funding of this grant, these youth would not have had the opportunity to receive the one-on-one help they needed
to improve their academics and attitudes.

Salina Rescue Mission, Enhancing Food Preparation and Food Service

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund & Kansas Health Foundation Fund, $4,726.49, Awarded 9/10/2019

Project Summary: The Salina Rescue Mission needs to replace its salad bar and would also like to purchase and
install air curtains/air doors at each entry to the kitchen.

Use of Funds: Purchased new salad bar and air curtains.

Impact & Results: The salad bar allows us to serve fresh salads, vegetables, and fruit to a population who struggle
financially thus limiting their ability to eat healthy. The healthier we can help a person be, the more they can do
things to help themselves move forward in life. In 2018, we served 43,000 meals. In 2019, we served 54,500 meals.
The vast majority of those coming for meals choose to get items from the salad bar along with their hot meal. This
food not only goes to the homeless men we shelter but to anyone in our community in need of a meal. We often
see women, families, and children whose families are struggling to make ends meet, coming in for meals.
The air curtains is to reduce the amount of flies that come into the building. It is about allowing those who come to
the Mission for food and shelter be able to do so with dignity. In the past, it was common to see people sitting in our
day room with fly swatters in hand. With these new air curtains, we hope to see our guests be able to stay here and
have peaceful meals with dignity.

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Salina Parks and Recreation,
Sound Garden Oakdale Park

L.P. “Pat” Mullen Fund for Arts & Humanities,
$4,000, Awarded 9/10/2019

Project Summary: The Sound Garden was installed
in 2013 and has had a lot of usage. Three instruments
need to be replaced, other instruments need
maintenance and updating for safety.

Use of Funds: To purchase new equipment to update
the Sound Garden

Impact & Results: Since the development of the
project we have decided to keep the bell tower and
fix it and also keep the hanging xylophone. There is
another concrete area directly north of the current
Sound Garden we will install the 4 flower chimes and
the cymbals. Only the spinning xylophones will be taken out and the Harp will replace it. So the Sound Garden
has expanded. We are also working with Salina Arts and Humanities on painting the concrete in both areas to add
some color to the area. The 4 flower chimes will be closer to the Mulberry Creek park entrance and provide a colorful
welcome to park users..

The Domestic Violence Association of
Central Kansas, DVACK Playground

Kansas Health Foundation Fund for GSCF, $5,000,
Awarded 9/10/2019

Project Summary: DVACK is moving to a new facility
that has adequate outdoor space to accommodate a
much needed playground. We are requesting funds to
purchase a playset and outdoor seating so children who
access DVACK services will have space to play outdoors.

Use of Funds: Funds were utilized to purchase
playground equipment, 4 benches and 2 picnic tables.
All items have been purchased and installed.

Impact & Results: With GSCF’s support, DVACK was
able to install a playground, 4 benches and 2 picnic tables at DVACK’s newly renovated facility. As a result, children
residing with their non-abusing parent in DVACK’s safe shelter are able to escape the trauma of past abuse and
return to being children again by engaging in age appropriate, healthy outdoor activities and play. One child in
particular, Anna, had witnessed her mother being abused for years and, during this time, Anna was sexually abused.
Anna and her mother fled their toxic environment and sought safe shelter at DVACK. During Anna’s stay, she
enjoyed playing outside on the playground, especially in the lookout tower and going down the slide. Anna’s mother
was thankful her daughter had a safe place to play while she was able to receive crisis counseling, safety planning
and other supportive services.

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Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas,
Residential Keypad Locksets

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, $1,000, Awarded 11/12/2019

Project Summary: Purchase and install keypad locks for 8 residential
rooms within our shelter and install dual deadbolts on an adjoining
bedroom door. These locks will enhance residents’ security and
autonomy. Also, purchase a rotary cabinet to secure client files.

Use of Funds: Funds were utilized to purchase and install 8 keypad locksets for DVACK’s emergency shelter.

Impact & Results: DVACK recently renovated a new facility that can accommodate 36 victims within 8 residential
bedrooms. In order to enhance residents’ security and privacy, the agency purchased and installed 8 keypad locks
for all residential rooms within our shelter. When at all possible, families are assigned individual rooms and need the
ability to lock their doors to secure their personal belongings. All victims, regardless of gender, are able to be housed
in DVACK’s emergency shelter. As a result, these keypad lock sets have individualized codes for each family that no
one else has access to aside from DVACK personnel. Each time a family leaves, a new personalized code is assigned
to the incoming family to ensure security. As such, the bedrooms are as secure and private as a hotel room. Since
the installation of the keypad locks, residents have felt more safe and secure in their rooms and expressed
relief that they no longer have to worry about their personal belongings when their room is left unattended.

USD 305, Oakdale First LEGO League

L.P. “Pat” Mullen Fund - Science, Technology & Invention,
$800, Awarded 11/12/2019

Project Summary: First LEGO League is a LEGO robotics building
activity/competition for students between fourth grade and eighth
grade. Fourth- and fifth-grade students will be assisted after school by
certified teachers and high school mentors from FRC Team 3172.

Use of Funds: First LEGO League Team registration and challenge set,
$325.00; Central Kansas FLL Competition Fee, $100.00; Team T-Shirts
for Competition, $180.00; Competition/practice table, $94.00; Team
Pizza Party, $43.00

Impact & Results: This season, we began in August and met four
times each week. We worked on the Core Values, which is one of the
main components of the First Lego League. These Core Values help
build teamwork skills that enable the students to work and learn
together. The students demonstrated teamwork as they built the
robot according to instructions and adapted the design to achieve
success for the missions. Since the missions change each year,
this becomes a challenge for the team and the coaches. Another
component of the program that changes each season is the problem
that must be addressed and researched. We met with members
of the community to assist with the research and planning of the project. Since this was the second year for the
Oakdale FLL team, there were some team members who were experienced from the previous year. These students
provided insights and experiences to the new members of the team. Three new team members developed an
interest in programming because of their experience with FLL this year. 

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They demonstrated their pride in the team by wearing their team shirts, talking about the team and encouraging
others. Now, other students are requesting to be part of the team for next year.
This grant provided us with the funds to continue this program. Without the grant, we would not have had
the money to pay for the entry fee for the competition, purchase team t-shirts, or buy the mission models. In
other words, the program would not exist without the funding.

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Altrusa International Foundation of Salina, Ks, Inc.,
Kids On The Move

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, $250,
Awarded 11/12/2019

Project Summary: The requested funds would be used alongside $250
already allocated by Altrusa International of Salina, Inc. to provide 20 special
duffel bags to St. Francis Ministries foster youth.

Use of Funds: To purchase 10 additional Sweet Case duffel bags to
customize and donate to foster youth of Saint Francis Ministries.

Impact & Results: Daily life is easier and less unpredictable for some foster
youth navigating stressful life changes.

Foster youth often transport their possessions in garage bags, so Altrusa
Salina set out to find a better way for kids to keep and carry what they own.

Thanks to the Greater Salina Community Foundation, members of Altrusa
International of Salina, Ks purchased double the ‘Sweet Case’ duffel bags as
planned, in time for Christmas.

With the GSCFoundation grant of $250, Altrusa ordered 20 duffel bags that
came with hygiene and soft-goods items, stencils and pastel crayons. The
foster-kids project was originally funded at $250 within Altrusa’s 2019-2020
Service Plan.

About 20 members decorated the duffels on Dec. 2. On Dec. 18, they gave
the bags to Saint Francis Ministries, meeting staff who work closely with
foster youth and caregivers. Coverage about the GSCFoundation grant and
“Kids On The Move” included numerous posts by Altrusa and Saint Francis
and newsletter articles. Follow-up is planned as privacy permits, to ascertain
the impact and explore future opportunities.

Altrusa Salina celebrated 75 years in 2019. The club’s areas of hands-on
service includes literacy projects, domestic-violence prevention, cancer
outreach and international relations. Altrusa Salina is one of four Ks clubs,
leading in efficacy and innovation across the four-state District Eight region
of Altrusa International, a global organization 103 years strong.

Quote from Jai Hedrick, regional Saint Francis Development Officer and
“Kids On The Move” liaison: “This type of project always touches my heart due
to the huge impact it makes on a vulnerable child’s life. These Sweet Cases
may be given to a child when they have just left everything they have ever
known and may feel like they have no control over the situation. A Sweet
Case gives the child new items and something that belongs just to them
- such a wonderful gift in uncertain times. The personalized bag shows the
child that someone thought enough of them to take the time to decorate
the bag. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

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