FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Margaret Brown
margaret@mlbpr.com
703-898-9443
Leesburg, Va. (May 14, 2021) – 100WomenStrong has announced a second round of 2021 COVID-19 emergency funding of $64,918 to four Loudoun County nonprofit organizations, bringing its total COVID-relief aid to $687,873. This round of grants focuses on helping area residents become self-sufficient and includes funding for childhood literacy, rental assistance, housing for the homeless and mental health programming for at-risk teenagers.
“Even as the country and our county see COVID-19 restrictions ease, there will be a transition period for those who may still need financial and mental health support,” said Stephanie Place, 100WomenStrong grants chairperson. “Many local nonprofits are now able to hold fundraising events, and we are thrilled they are able to re-engage with their supporters and the community. However, there are others who still need assistance, and we are honored to be able to help them meet their missions.”
Details of this round of funding are as follows:
Good Shepherd Alliance – $10,000
- Funding for building repairs at facilities, including, emergency shelter and two transitional homes. GSA creates a path to dignity and self-sufficiency for homeless in Loudoun County.
INMED Partnerships for Children – $31,418
- Funding for programming for at-risk youth, developed in partnership with the Loudoun County Juvenile Court Service Unit and Child Protective Services, to respond to COVID-19 mental health/wellness and socialization concerns. Program focuses on teens and includes center-based therapeutic activities through “The Hangout” at INMED’s Family & Youth Opportunity Center and online peer-to-peer conversations guided by trauma-informed personnel through “Teen Talk.”
Loudoun Literacy Council – $3,500
- Funding for books/materials for children in Head Start and STEP programs, as well as Zoom classroom instruction and Family Literacy Nights.
St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church – $20,000
- Funding for emergency rental assistance for area residents
“The collective trauma created by COVID-19 has put great strain on the mental health of our young people. They’ve had to navigate this past year without the normal coping mechanisms of school, sports, activities and socialization with their peers,” said Tracy Stickley, 100WomenStrong member. “Some teens have had the additional heavy burdens of babysitting siblings while parents are working, working part-time jobs to supplement family income, worrying about food scarcity and much more.
“INMED’s new initiative is designed to support these at-risk students, particularly in mental health and wellness. 100WomenStrong is honored to be able to help INMED support these youth,” she concluded.
100WomenStrong has disbursed 59 COVID-19 emergency response grants to nonprofit organizations that serve Loudoun County. They also purchased and distributed PPE for first responders early in the pandemic. The group’s “Pay it Forward” Direct Assistance loan program in partnership with Northern Virginia Family Service helps area residents cover basic expenses. For more information about eligibility requirements and an application for the Pay it Forward Loan Program, visit the Northern Virginia Family Service website here.
About 100WomenStrong
Formed in 2008, 100WomenStrong is a group of concerned philanthropists seeking to strategically invest in organizations and programs that enrich the lives of Loudoun County residents. They are committed to improving the quality of life for residents of Loudoun County, Virginia, through strategic grants to non-profits working in the areas of shelter, health, hunger and education. Members of 100WomenStrong connect and collaborate to leverage their philanthropic resources as a component fund of the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties.
For more information about 100WomenStrong, visit www.OneHundredWomenStrong.org or contact Pam Ray at Pam@OneHundredWomenStrong.org
