Junior League of Lexington Inc

A Caring Place: $1,500 in funding was awarded to A Caring Place because the agency addresses the adverse effects that loneliness can have on physical and mental health by building friendships with socially isolated, elderly, and disabled residents in the Bluegrass. Their Feeding Body & Soul program provides daily lunches throughout the week to participants that fall below the poverty line and have no other food resources. Junior League funding will support food costs for 1 of the program's 20 participants for an entire year. 


A Sense of Place: $2,500 was granted to A Sense of Place to support the campaign bringing together many partners in the community to remember and celebrate the history of Fayette County’s rural Black hamlets. Funds will be used to repair and restore the only remaining Rosenwald School in Fayette County and to create a permanent location within the building to display related artifacts, stories and oral histories. 


Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning: $5,000 in funding was received by the Carnegie Center because the organization empowers people to explore and express their voices through imaginative learning and the literary arts. Their outreach program, Family Fun and Learning Nights brings together diverse families to form a community, participate in family learning activities, and share a delicious meal. Community partners help provide programming related to the event theme and set up information booths of interest to the attending families. All children receive a book to take home. Junior League funding will provide general support for the event. 


Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass: $2,500 was award to Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass because the organization provides comprehensive economic and financial literacy experiences to K-12 students that align with Common Core educational standards. Their Miss Business program is a day-long leadership development program offered at no cost to Fayette County high school girls identified by their schools as having leadership potential. The educational sessions cover topics such as personal brand, interview skills, financial literacy and goal setting. Junior League funding will provide support for the event.  

 
Kentucky Cancer Link: $1,750 in grant funding will support the agency's mission to be a link of hope for Kentucky residents by eliminating barriers to screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Their Fuel Hope program provides prepaid gas cards to patients to help lessen the financial burden of transportation costs. Junior League funding will provide 35 patients with 2 $25 gift cards during the year (the current max per organization guidelines). 


Lexington Leadership Foundation: $5,000 from the Junior League's grants will support the Lexington Leadership Foundation as the organization connects, unifies, and mobilizes leaders to tackle the toughest issues in the Lexignton community. Their initiative, Amachi Lexington is a one-to-one mentoring program working with children ages 6-18 who have been impacted by incarceration (a close family member is incarcerated or they reside in a high-incarceration area). Junior League funding will provide match support, including background checks for mentors, home visits with mentees, recruitment of mentors, case management of matches and for activities planned throughout the year.


Repairers Lexington E7 Kid’s Cafe: $5,000 was awarded to Repairers Lexington because the organization is dedicated to the operation and advancement of E7 Kids Café (E7), which provides a free and reliable safe space where children can eat, play and learn. The after-school and summer program provides homework help, literacy tutoring, art projects, science activities, and community exploration to increase academic interest. E7 also provides a nutritious snack and a daily hot meal to ensure that hunger is not an obstacle for students’ success. The program currently focuses on students that live in Westminster Village and Prall Place and attend Picadome Elementary. Junior League funding will support transportation, program materials, community field trips, and other program participant needs.


Sleeping Lambs: $4,250 was granted for the Sleeping Lambs project which provides beds and accessories to children ages 5-10 who are currently sleeping on the floor, on a couch, or are otherwise without a bed, mattress and bedding. The program works with public elementary schools to identify students and coordinate with families. Sleeping Lambs organizes a party at the school where students are surprised with a bed (frame, mattress, encasement, and bedding), sleepwear, basic clothing items, toiletries, books and backpack. Volunteers transport items to the student’s home and assemble the bed. Junior League funding will provide beds and accessories to about 12 children. 


The Kentucky Center for Grieving Children & Families: $2,500 was granted to the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families (KCGCF) because the agency supports children, youth and families as they grieve and grow by providing safe and caring spaces where they can connect and discover their own path toward healing. To engage with new and diverse communities and with families who may not seek out or have access to help, KCGCF is partnering with community groups to provide fun, alternative therapeutic events. These events will not only engage families at the time, but can serve as an entry to grief support services. Junior League funding will help support these activities such as cardio drumming and trips to a rage room.