The Sarasota Scene May 25, 2018

PHILANTHROPY

Neuro Challenge Foundation Receives $5,000 Grant from MCF
NCF received the funds from the Lawrence E. Ruf Charitable Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation.
According to NCF executive director Robyn Faucy-Washington, the $5,000 grant will enable Neuro Challenge to cover the costs of monthly educational and support programs for people with Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers at Manatee Memorial Hospital, Freedom Village, and Goodwill Manasota.
“People can live with Parkinson’s for 30-40 years after diagnosis; this is why educational resources and support programs are so essential to living well with Parkinson’s,” said Faucy-Washington.
Since 1998, Manatee Community Foundation has awarded more than $23 million in scholarships and grants to area non-profit organizations. Its mission is to partner with citizens to strengthen and enhance the community through philanthropy, education and service. MCF targets its support to impact the arts, human services, education, animal welfare, the environment, civic engagement, and health-related causes.
Neuro Challenge Foundation is celebrating their tenth year of improving the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. For more information on programs for people with Parkinson’s in your area, visit www.neurochallenge.org or call (941) 926-6413.

Schoolhouse Link Program Receives Grants
The YMCA received nearly $165,000 from the Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation and $25,000 from the McCune Family Foundation.
The program’s goal is to ensure that students in transition are able to enroll, attend and succeed in school. The program was created in 1998 and serves an average of 800 children and young adults who are homeless each year. For more information, go to sarasotaymca.org/schoolhouselink or call (941) 923-6100.

Goodwill’s Fawley Scholarship Fund Expands
Goodwill has expanded the program to include free certification from Manatee Technical College once a GED has been earned
In 2015, Goodwill Manasota launched the Rick and Coni Fawley Scholarship Fund, to help Goodwill team members who do not have a high school diploma earn their GED. In 2017, the program was expanded to clients of Goodwill’s free career services program, Job Connection. This year, with the help of Mike Bryant – Rick Fawley’s longtime friend and business partner – Goodwill has expanded the program to include free certification from Manatee Technical College once a GED has been earned. The free certification opportunity is available to all who complete their GED through the Fawley Scholarship Fund as well as Goodwill team members who already have their diploma or GED. For more information or to donate to the Fawley Fund, call (941) 355-2721.

Newtown Youths to Experience Enhanced Summer Programming 
The 2018 Summer Program at the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club received an $85,000 grant from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation.

The summer program will kick off on Tuesday, May 29

Over the course of 10 weeks, Club members, ages 6 to 18, will receive extra academic support under the guidance of positive youth development professionals through hands-on learning experiences and a variety of enrichment activities that encourage the growth and maintenance of math, reading and science skills. Examples of enrichment activities the youth will experience throughout the summer months include onsite and offsite trips to local attractions, music lessons and swim instructions.

The award will also fund the second year of the Club at Night (CAN) Program for teens at the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club. CAN is designed to be a safe alternative for middle and high school students to interact with peers and engage in instructive and social activities with positive mentors Thursdays through Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. This program will also provide the teens with healthy, nutritious meals and transportation home each night and host guest speakers to lead trainings and share inspirational stories.