The Vermont Women’s Fund, a component fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, awarded $105,098 through its competitive grant round this spring to 13 organizations working to improve the lives of young women and girls in Vermont. The grants support programs that provide young Vermont women ages 15-25 with positive relationships and role models; development of self-advocacy skills; and opportunities to learn life-skills, job-readiness, and traditional and non-traditional education and vocation.
The programs range from health career exploration programs for high school juniors and seniors to a visual art program aimed at building self-esteem, communication skills, and independence.
The Vermont Women’s Fund was established in 1994 and remains the only philanthropic resource in the state dedicated solely to improving the lives of women. Since its founding, the Women’s Fund has granted $1.7 million to organizations and projects in support of its mission.Visitwww.vermontwomensfund.orgto learn more.
Vermont Women’s Fund 2014 Competitive Grants
The Boys & Girls Club of Brattlebororeceived $6,278 for their Smart Moves program, which supports and educates teenage girls as they experience adolescence with discussions and activities focused on topics including career options, body image, and healthy relationships.
Champlain Valley Area Health Education Center (AHEC)in St. Albans received $10,000 for their summer 2014 MedQuest program, an intense, week-long career exploration for high school juniors and seniors in the Champlain Valley to encourage their interest in pursuing a health career.
The Common Place, Inc. in Craftsbury Common received $4,320 for “It Starts in the Studio,” a visual arts exploration program to empower young women in the Northeast Kingdom to build self-esteem and communication skills and turn their individual interests into successful, independent futures.
The DREAM Program, Inc.in Winooski received $4,500 to support their Young Women’s Interpretation Internship program, which will employ three young women as interns to help bridge the communication gap between New American families and DREAM staff.
Gedakina, Inc.in Norwich received $10,000 for Pathways to Self-Determination for Abenaki Women and Girls, a mentoring program connecting at-risk Abenaki young women with Native and non-Native women mentors to explore opportunities for personal growth and success.
HOPE Worksin Burlington received $10,000 for their “‘Stronger than…’ Campaign: Building Resiliency and Life Skills for Girls.” Through support circles, HOPE will teach skills to help at-risk girls build resilience against sexual exploitation and violence.
Northeastern Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC)in St. Johnsburyreceived $10,000 for their 2014 MedQuest program which will provide mentoring, science enrichment, college information, and workplace experience for girls in Northeastern Vermont interested in a healthcare career.
ReSOURCEin Burlington received $10,000 for ReSOURCE YouthBuild: Building Futures for Vermont Women, a program offering construction trade skills training and alternative high school completion to disadvantaged youth 16 to 24 years old with a focus on recruiting young women.
Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC)in Springfield received $10,000 for their summer 2014 MedQuest program for young women in Southern Vermont to explore careers and opportunities in healthcare, with advanced programming for MedQuest alumni.
United Counseling Servicein Bennington received $5,000 for The Empowerment Project, a program which aims to empower young women to become self-sufficient and raise their awareness of the impact that their physical and mental health have on their lives.
Vermont Horse-Assisted Therapy Inc.in Middlesex received $5,000 to expand and refine their work with young women through their Teens At Risk Equine Program, which teaches leadership skills through mentorship, job opportunities, workshops, and the joy of working with horses.
Vermont Youth Conservation Corpsin Richmond received $10,000 to support their Empowering Young Women Through Conservation project, including a seven-week, all-female trail maintenance crew and an enhanced educational curriculum guided by Vermont Works For Women’s “Enough Said” Report.
Youth Servicesin Brattleboro received $10,000 to provide opportunities for young women in their Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program, a high-tech, career-focused program for youth involved or at risk of becoming involved with the juvenile justice system.
The Vermont Community Foundation is a family of hundreds of funds and foundations established by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals. It provides the advice, investment vehicles, and back-office expertise to make giving easy and effective. The Foundation also provides leadership in giving by responding to community needs, mobilizing and connecting philanthropists to multiply their impact, and by keeping Vermont’s nonprofit sector vital with grants and other investments in the community.