Racine Community Foundation awards $91,000 in grants

The Board of Directors of the Racine Community Foundation recently announced the fourth quarter grants to area organizations totaling $91,503.

The Racine County Historical Society and Museum, Inc. received a grant for the development and acquisition of educational program materials and exhibit structures in support of the Racine Heritage Museum’s 2010-2011 curriculums, with an emphasis on land, water and sky. The exhibits will include large-scale transportation technologies—autos, tractors and boats.

A partial grant was made to Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC) to assist in a planning project that will be used toward the purchase and implementation of the business retention and expansion software, "Synchronist." The process concentrates on Plan Challenges that impact job creation through, entrepreneurship, business attraction, and the growth of existing businesses.

The Jane Cremer Foundation received a grant to be used toward the 2010 Racine Women’s Cancer Awareness and Education programs. These free programs will include a community-wide event, a program for the Hispanic community which will be conducted entirely in Spanish, and a program for the African American community which will focus on health issues specific to this ethnicity. Since 1998 approximately 6,300 women and over 1,000 healthcare professionals in Racine County have benefitted from 45 programs to date. Their mission is to educate and empower women to be proactive in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Human Capital Development Corp., Inc houses the First Choice Pre-Apprenticeship Training (FCPAT) is a local collaborative effort to recruit, train and prepare individuals with barriers to employment opportunities, in the building and construction skilled trades for the apprenticeship qualifying test (AQT). FCPAT and the Racine County Workforce Development Center will identify persons to be enrolled in programs offering soft skills and technical training. The ultimate training goal is to place individuals (women, minorities and others) in building/construction trade positions at a family sustaining living wage.

The John XXIII Educational Center received a grant to support a new after-school support program for middle and high school students and their families. The over-arching goal of the support programs, in partnership with the parents, is to enable Racine’s economically challenged students to develop personally socially, emotionally and academically so that they can graduate from high school and be prepared for success as life-long learners and leaders in the Racine community.

Family Service of Racine received a grant to be used specifically for the One Thousand Words, veteran’s art therapy program which supports the healthy recovery of veterans in our community. This program allows any veteran in Racine County to attend weekly, three hour art sessions that include instruction at Spectrum Art Gallery, free of charge. A State-certified, master-degreed therapist works directly with the participants during the sessions to address a number of stress issues. Outcomes of the program are coping skills, the ability to acquire and maintain employment, maintain positive relationships, steady income, appropriate housing and benefits for at least 50 per cent of participants.

Over Our Head Players, Inc. received a partial grant to assist with a project of a Dinner Theater at Festival Hall, Racine, for the production of “Leaving Iowa.” The specific objectives of this grant is to raise awareness and increase attendance during this season, to expand the theatrical experience for their patrons, and to provide the community with a new entertainment experience and partner with and utilize other downtown Racine facilities and organizations.

Racine Montessori Society, Inc., also know as the Racine Montessori School, located in the inner city, received financial support to be used toward the purchase and installation of signage that identifies the Nature Center to the public, seating, as well as matching signage for the solar greenhouse. The school students plan to plant, care for, and maintain the Nature Center to enhance the academic, social and community aspect of their curriculum.

At the request of 211 Racine Information & Referral, City and County of Racine parole & probation officers, and RUSD teachers/guidance counselors, to provide intervention, information, counseling services, a partial grant was made to LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin to be used toward educating, supporting and providing a safe environment for those seeking help in their struggle with their sexual orientation.

A grant was approved to Matthew 25, Ltd – Casa Cesar Chavez toward the support of disadvantaged young people by helping them to better fit into society by introducing them to reading, films and photos. The goal is to enhance their ability to see the world from a different perspective from what they are normally accustomed to see in new images so that their thinking calls much of everything into question.

A grant was awarded to The Racine County Youth Coalition (RCYC) to conduct “profiles of student life: attitudes and behavior survey” from the search institute. This survey will be administered to a maximum of 15,000, 7th through 12th graders in Racine County.

Royal Friends’ Club received a grant to support an ongoing mentoring program specifically for children, ages 7-11, in foster care in Racine County. Royal Family Kids’ Camp (a five day camp in existence for eight years) and Royal Friends’ Club, allow the children to have a sense of hope, purpose and knowledge that people love them. The children are eligible to stay in both programs as long as they are in the foster care system. It should also be noted that both programs are provided free of charge to the children, the foster parents and to the foster care system.

The Town of Norway, located in Western Racine County received a grant to be used toward the continuation of the 10-year Master Plan for Meyer Park. The current projects include a Picnic Shelter and completion of our baseball field backstop with additional tree planting for the spring of 2010. The construction of both the shelter and backstop are planned for spring of 2010. The shelter size is going to be approximately 40 feet by 40 feet which would be used by our summer playground staff as a center of activities to monitor the 150-180 children at summer playground ages 6 to 10 year old.

In other business, Marge Kozina, Executive Director, reported that as of November 30, 2009 the assets of the Racine Community Foundation were $28.8 million. The Board of Directors approved contributions, memorials new funds established and additions to existing funds and other additions totaling $222,358.33. In addition they approved advised, designated, field of interest, scholarship, organization endowment and unrestricted grants totaling $268,267.00.

The Racine Community Foundation, Inc. is a publicly supported, tax-exempt charitable organization formed in 1975. “The mission of the Racine Community Foundation is to encourage and provide opportunities for charitable giving, to manage and distribute the funds in a responsible manner and to enhance the quality of life for the people of Racine County.”

Information about the Foundation and the grant application procedure are available by contacting the Foundation at 262-632-8474 or it’s Website at www.racinecf.org.

Wireless Internet along lakefront one of Racine Community Foundation's third quarter grants

The Board of Directors of the Racine Community Foundation recently announced the third quarter grants to area organizations totaling $36,750. They include:

Wisconsin Foundation for Independent Colleges received a grant for the College Readiness 21 (CR21) program. The program prepares low-income, first generation, and minority students for college. Students begin the summer before the eighth grade and spend five years participating in this transformative program. Currently, CR21 serves 86 students, of whom 41 are from Racine County.

A grant was made to Cops ‘N Kids Reading Center, Inc. for after-school reading program and story hour for children. The center provides innovative after school reading programs and story hours with special activities for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. The center also takes the children on numerous field trips to expand their horizons and further spark their imaginations. The services help children succeed with learning to read for pleasure as well as providing them with safe, non-threatening schoolwork assistance. The primary objective is to improve the reading skills of at-risk children, by introducing them to the adventure and creativity that happens when reading for pleasure. The center is intended to assist children in their exploration while guiding them toward reading skills development and applying these acquired skills to other academic and personal pursuits.

A grant was made to the Care Net Family Resource Center to update the organizations technical capabilities. The project is designed to upgrade the systems to network all three centers by establishing their own server.

Education Racine, Inc. received a grant for a project involving installation of wireless (WIFI) equipment along Racine's lakefront, from North Beach to Samuel Meyers Park. Upon completion anyone can connect and spend up to three hours accessing the Internet for free.

The grant was made to The Arc of Racine to support four training workshops for parents of children with disabilities. The organization will provide three two hour programs on various disability issues, held on either a Saturday or a weeknight. They will also provide one full day workshop on autism, held at the Racine Marriott, including lunch and refreshments.

Choral Arts Society received a grant for its 2009 -2010 season, of four concerts to be performed in the City of Racine, Wisconsin.

In other business, Marge Kozina, Executive Director, reported that as of August 31, 2009 the assets of the Racine Community Foundation were $28 million. The Board of Directors approved contributions, memorials new funds established and additions to existing funds and other additions totaling $369,069.59. In addition they approved advised, designated, field of interest, scholarship, organization endowment and unrestricted grants totaling $86,768.00.

The Racine Community Foundation, Inc. is a publicly supported, tax-exempt charitable organization formed in 1975. “The mission of the Racine Community Foundation is to encourage and provide opportunities for charitable giving, to manage and distribute the funds in a responsible manner and to enhance the quality of life for the people of Racine County.”

Information about the Foundation and the grant application procedure are available by contacting the Foundation at 262-632-8474 or it’s Website at www.racinecf.org.

Racine Community Foundation gives out high school scholarships

RACINE - The Racine Community Foundation recently gave out $46,050 in scholarships to local high school students. Below is a list of the scholarships and their winners:

Perkins Family Scholarship

One student from each of seven Racine high schools is chosen yearly. This year's recipients are: J.I. Case High School, Amanda Bartel (UW-Green Bay), William Horlick High School, Mary Kotleski (UW-Parkside), Washington Park High School, Heather Schweissinger (University of Minnesota), Walden III High School, Nicole Zach (UW-Parkside), Racine Lutheran High School, Margaret Stevens (Concordia University of Chicago), St. Catherine High School, Madeline Helwig (UW-Oshkosh) and Prairie High School, Jonathan Baird (University of Minnesota).

Bud and Mary Androff Scholarship

Seven Students from Racine area high schools received scholarships from the Bud and Mary Androff Scholarship Fund within the Racine Community Foundation. The students are: Washington Park High School, Katelyn TeVrucht (UW-Whitewater), St. Catherine High School, Maggie O’Brien (Saint Mary’s College), William Horlick High School, Trisha Smithers (UW-Oshkosh), Union Grove Union High School, Mark Osmundsen (Fordham University) and Scott Hetzel (Ripon College), J.I. Case High School, Alyssa Celeste (UW-Eau Claire) and Jean Molinaro (UW- Whitewater). This fund was established in 1996 to provide college scholarships to students showing interest in the study of general education, physical education or the human relations areas.

Alan B. Grossberg Scholarship

Emily Lumley is the 2009 recipient of the Alan B. Grossberg Scholarship. This scholarship was established by Alan Grossberg in 2007. The fund is to benefit a UW-Parkside student in his or her second or third year with a declared major in the one of the hard, traditional sciences. The hard sciences include; biological science, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and physics.

Karle P. Guth Scholarship

John Maerzke, Waterford Union High School graduating seniors, was named recipient of the Karle P. Guth Scholarship. This fund was established in 1996 to provide scholarships for students attending UW-Madison in pursuit of an undergraduate degree in agri-business, secondary education, history or political science.

Leopold K. Kerschitz Scholarship

Five students from Union Grove Union High School were awarded scholarships from the Leopold K. Kerschitz (Mr. “K”) Scholarship Fund. These students are: Justin Pipol (Milwaukee School of Engineering), Marlyn Fink (UW-Milwaukee), Joseph Raguse (UW-Whitewater), and Kyle Koerber (University of Minnesota), Jordan Lee (UW-Parkside).The Leopold K. Kerschitz (Mr. “K”) Scholarship Fund was established in 1995 to provide college scholarships to those students who show academic potential and to encourage students to obtain further education beyond high school.

Lockwood Scholarships

Eight students received Lockwood Scholarships this year. The Lockwood Scholarship Fund was established in 1983 by Mrs. Florence E. Lockwood and her son, James E. Lockwood Jr. The Lockwood’s were former Racine residents. The Lockwood Fund is designated exclusively to provide scholarships to graduates of Washington Park High School. The 2009 recipients of the Lockwood Scholarships are: Ben Andrews (UW-Madison), Kathrin Walter (UW-Madison), Stephanie Bailey (UW-Parkside), Aaron Gunn (UW-Parkside), Michael Ivey (UW-Parkside), Traci Sorensen (UW-Parkside), Logan Covelli (UW-Whitewater), and Vince Lang (UW-Whitewater).

Shirley Nelson Scholarship

Jean Molinaro was named as the recipient of the Shirley Nelson Scholarship. Jean, a graduating senior from J.I. Case High School, will be attending UW-Whitewater in the fall. This fund was established in 1996 to offer assistance to students who show steady, constant improvement over the course of their high school career.

Onnick Family Scholarship

James Radwill, The REAL School and Daniel Kuzia, William Horlick High School, were named recipients of the Onnink Family Scholarship. James will be attending Milwaukee School Of Engineering and Daniel with be attending UW-Madison. The Onnink Family Scholarship Fund was established within the Foundation in 1994 by Allen and Florence Onnink. This scholarship is awarded to students within the Racine Unified School District having high academic potential. The students are selected by the Racine PTA Scholarship Committee.

Park High Hall of Fame Scholarship

Steven Henning (UW-Madison) and Kimberly Rouze (UW-Madison) have been selected as this year’s recipients of the Park High School Hall of Fame Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 1986 by the former principal of Park High School, James C. Thompson. He initiated this plan to recognize distinguished graduates of Washington Park High School by designating them as members of the Washington Park High School Hall of Fame.

Racine Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Scholarship

Graduating senior Thomas Green from Union Grove Union High School and Elizabeth Phillips from Lutheran High School are the 2009 recipient’s of the Racine Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 1994 by the Racine Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Commission, and is awarded to senior graduates of a Racine County High School who show outstanding academic achievement in history. Thomas will be attending Milwaukee School of Engineering and Elizabeth will be attending UW-Madison in the fall.

Alice Jane Sokol Scholarship

Adam Stachow has been named the recipient of the Alice Jane Sokol Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 2003 and is to benefit a Racine native currently in his or her third or fourth year at UW-Whitewater School of Education. Alice Jane Sokol is a retired Racine Unified Elementary teacher and an alumnus of UW-Whitewater. Through her dedication to education she developed this scholarship fund to benefit other individuals who have the same dedication.

Jeannette F. Sokol Scholarship

Katie Roosa is this years recipient of the Jeannette F. Sokol Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 2003 for Racine natives attending the UW-Milwaukee School of Education. Alice Jane Sokol started this fund to honor her mother, Jeannette F. Sokol, who was a graduate of the Milwaukee School of Education.

John J. Sokol Scholarship

The John J. Sokol scholarship was awarded to Joseph Hordyk, a graduating senior of the Lynde & Harry Bradley Technology and Trade School. This scholarship fund was established in 2003 by Alice Jane Sokol to honor her father, John J. Sokol, who was a member of the very first graduating class of Boys’ Trade and Technical High School now known as the Lynde & Harry Bradley Technology and Trade School in Milwaukee. Hordyk will be attending Milwaukee Area Technical College in the fall.

Martha M. Trautman Memorial Scholarships

The Martha M. Trautman Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Katelyn TeVrucht, a graduating senior from Washington Park High School. This fund was established in 2007 and within the Racine Community Foundation. This fund was developed to provide scholarships for graduating seniors of Racine Unified School District high schools who are pursuing a career in education. The 2009 recipient of this scholarship is Katelyn will be attending U.W. Whitewater in the fall.

The mission of the Racine Community Foundation is to encourage and provide opportunities for charitable giving, to manage and distribute the funds in a responsible manner and to enhance the quality of life for the people of Racine County. The Racine Community Foundation is located at 245 Main Street, Garden Level, Racine, WI 53403