The Martin M. Sacks Memorial Fund of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities is pleased to announce the 2015 grant awards. The annual competitive grantmaking program is for nonprofit organizations providing youth and family-oriented programs in Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties.
The Martin M. Sacks Memorial Fund was established in 1984 in memory of Martin M. Sacks, a well-known accountant and handball devotee. Mr. Sacks was committed to supporting nonprofit organizations that provide programs and services for the disadvantaged and underserved, particularly youth.
For more information on about the Martin M. Sacks Memorial Fund or how to create a fund with The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, please contact The Foundation for Enhancing Communities at 717-236-5040 or visit www.tfec.org.
The following is a list of grant recipients, the amount of funding and a brief description of the projects.
• Bridge of Hope Harrisburg Area – $1,000 for rental assistance that would provide in part, the security deposit and first month’s rent needed to house a homeless single mom and her children.
• Center for Champions of Pa, Inc. – $1,000 for the Achievers Club year-round youth program for students of the Harrisburg School District between 1st and 8th grade to tutor students and provide healthy snacks, games, and discussion on positive life choices.
• Gamut Theatre Group, Inc. – $600 for the Theatre Alive! Program which uses theatre to teach positive non-violent problem-solving techniques to at-risk children.
• Harrisburg Area YMCA – $1,000 for the East Shore Branch YMCA to offer free swimming lessons for inner city youth ages 3 -12.
• Harrisburg Police Athletic League – $1,000 for the 4th Annual Shop with a Cop Event designed to serve boys and girls ages 8 – 18 and offers an one-on-one mentoring experience between law enforcement and youth where each child/family is provided $100 to purchase holiday gifts for their immediate family.
• Healthy Steps Diaper Bank – $500 to purchase diapers to provide to women’s shelters and family service agencies throughout Central Pennsylvania to provide for mothers and babies in need.
• Home for the Friendless (DBA Homeland Center) – $1,000 for the Music and Memory an innovative support program for individuals with Alzheimer’s and Dementia that trains nursing home staff, elder care professionals, and family caregivers how to create and provide personalized playlists to enable those struggling with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other cognitive and physical challenges to reconnect through music-triggered memories.
• Jewish Family Service of Greater Harrisburg, Inc. – $1,000 for Subsidized Children’s Counseling which provides financial support so that children can begin and continue in treatment regardless of their insurance status or the ability of their caregivers to cover the cost of co-pays.
• The JT Dorsey Foundation – $1,000 to increase coaching staff to expand the Harrisburg programs that focuses on teaching children ages 3 -18 nutrition and life skills through soccer from approximately 145 to between 250 and 300 participants .
