The Junior League of Lafayette is pleased to present the 2009-2010 Fall Community Grant Fund Recipients.

Lafayette Education Foundation
Grant Award: $5,000
Grant funds will be used to provide an entire elementary school with leveled texts. The "Matching Struggling Readers with Books that Fit" program provides research-based, leveled texts for reading instruction, tutoring, and reading practice at home for “at risk” students reading below grade level giving students the resources they need to increase their confidence and reading performance.

Junior Achievement of Acadiana
Grant Award: $5,000
Grant funds will be used to provide 100 teen-aged young ladies the teaching materials for the "Geaux Girl, A Bright Future is Yours" program. The "Geaux Girl, A Bright Future is Yours" program is a joint effort with Boys and Girls Club educating students on the basic concepts of business and economics. In addition, the program illustrates how education is relevant to the work place while focusing on achieving excellence and career building.

UL-Lafayette College of Nursing and Allied Health
Grant Award: $3,750
Grant funds will be used to provide funding for "The Resource Center for Young Parents To-Be" program. The Resource Center provides childbirth, parenting and health education to pregnant teenagers conducted by senior nursing students. Teens receiving these services range from 11-19 years old and are enrolled in the Genesis program. The goal of "The Resource Center for Young Parents To-Be" program is to motivate the enrolled teen-aged young ladies to become nurturing and caring parents and continue their own education to provide a better life for their children.

Bridge Ministry of Acadiana, Inc.
Grant Award: $3,300
Grant funds will be used to provide a specific selection of books for grades K-12 called Scholastic Leveled Books which offer educational topics appropriate to students’ reading level.

Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic
Grant Award: $1,500
Grant funds will be used to fund one clinic night, whereby the working uninsured in Lafayette are able to visit the clinic and receive free medical care, dental care and/or prescriptions. These services are  provided by the many doctors, nurses, health care professionals, dentists, and medical students who donate their time and expertise to make health care accessible to everyone in our area.

Sunshine Foundation, Inc.
Grant Award: $1,500
Grant funds will be used to provide kindergarten children in 11 Lafayette Parish public elementary schools a copy of You Are Sunshine. The goal of this effort is to promote self esteem and educational opportunities for children, their caregivers, and teachers through The Sunshine Project. Members of the Louisiana National Guard distribute and read You are Sunshine to children and serve as positive role models.

Evangeline Area Council, Boy Scouts of America
Grant Award: $1,000
Grant funds will be used to support the general fund of the Evangeline Area Council, Boy Scouts of Acadiana in order to support their mission to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
Grant Award: $1,000
Grant funds will be used to train and recruit CASA volunteers in order to help the children of the 15th Judicial District and to give children who are victims of child abuse and neglect a voice.

Faith House, Inc.
Grant Award: $1,000
Grant funds will be used to fund field trips for children of the Faith House shelter. The "At Risk Youth Enrichment" program enables children living in Faith House shelter to safely explore their interests and community through visits to relevant educational venues in the area to broaden their academic and career path.

PASA (Performing Arts Society of Acadiana)
Grant Award: $1,000
Grant funds will be used to expose 200 students grades 6-12 to the performing arts by permitting their attendance at day-time shows by exemplary artists. This years performances include Evidence Dance Company, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Porgy and Bess.

Shining Light Foundation
Grant Award: $1,000
Grant funds will be used to provide musical instruments to selected students in the Lafayette Parish public schools, in grades K-6, who otherwise would not be able to participate in band because their families cannot afford the expense of the instruments.