Walker Area Community Foundation Awards Spring Grants

The Walker Area Community Foundation recently gave $ 119,953 to local nonprofit organizations during its spring grant cycle which will result in almost $ 500,000 in community improvements and new initiatives for our area.  The following nonprofits received grants for their projects:

Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform Foundation, To conduct a grassroots education pilot project in Walker County to engage citizens around the issues of the 1901 Constitution to help them see the effects that document has on their daily lives.  The project will educate people about the state of a Constitution that is inefficient, detrimental to economic development, a barrier to improving education, and harms poor Alabamians.

Alabama Grief Support , To secure funding for the grief support group which meets in Sumiton twice a month at the Sumiton Senior Citizens Center for those who have recently experienced the death of their spouse.  The group will provide education, guidance and support to those who are grieving and give them the tools necessary to rebuild their lives after a devastating loss.

Arthritis Foundation , To support the educational components of the Jasper Arthritis Walk, a community-based fundraising and awareness event for the Arthritis Foundation which brings the community together to walk in honor of those who have a form of arthritis or rheumatic disease.

Equines Assisting Special Individuals (EASI), EASI provides safe and effective therapeutic horseback riding activities for individuals with disabilities and special needs in Walker County and surrounding areas.  This grant will provide program, office and facility supplies that will allow the program to grow as the number of participants increases.

Friends of APEX , To finish the construction of the handicapped accessible playground at Memorial Park.  Walker County has one of the highest rates of disabilities in the state at around 26% of its population. APEX will allow children with and without disabilities to be able to enjoy the playground facilities together.

Houston Historical Society, To assist with the Houston Historic Jail Preservation Project.  The Old Houston Jail (circa 1868) is Winston County 's oldest civic building and among one of the oldest structures of its type in Alabama .  In 1975, the Old Houston Jail was placed on the National Register of Historic Places; however it has suffered damage from the natural elements over the years.  Through this grant and other funding, the Old Houston Jail will be preserved.

Jasper Police Explorers, This program trains youth in the general duties of police work, giving them hands-on experience in the area of law enforcement.  Youth learn about traffic accident investigation, drug prevention and intervention, corrections dispatching, interviewing and interrogations, evidence recovery / preservation and clerical duties.

Mission of Hope , The Mission of Hope ministers to hundreds of families in the East Walker County area by distributing food, clothing, furniture and household items.  This grant will aid in the purchase of supplies and materials that will help families hear speakers, volunteers to display donations for giveaway, seat people for meals, and to offer fun experiences for families to share together.

VSA arts of Alabama , VSA arts of Alabama provides opportunities in the arts for people with disabilities.  They serve all ages and diagnoses throughout the state of Alabama through educational institutions, community organizations and healthcare facilities.  Their partnership with the Arc of Walker County and the Community Foundation will provide a 10-week Artist in Residence program and an 8-week drumming workshop this summer for clients of the Arc.

Walker County Arts Alliance , The Arts Alliance is focused on bringing the arts and arts awareness to the adults and children of Walker County .  Among their many projects, this grant is given to fund music classes for the 2nd graders of Walker County for 5 months in the fall of 2007 and Spring of 2008 creating awareness and interest in the art of music.