Grant Recipients

Since its inception the Farmington/Farmington Hills Foundation for Youth and Families has awarded over $400,000 in grants to organizations in Farmington and Farmington Hills that enhance the lives of all our residents:

In addition, 42 groups received “mini grants” for their participation in the Rubber Duck Race. These included elementary school PTA’s, high school clubs, civic groups and church youth groups. A wide range of projects were funded ­ landscaping, media equipment, Senior Citizen transportation and cooking lunch for a soup kitchen.

Recent Grant Recipients

A profile of recent grant recipients

A wide range of organizations have benefited from the Foundation's grant program and the Foundation is pleased to support these groups that enhance the lives of the residents of our community.

FARMINGTON MUSICALE

A grant to the Farmington Musicale will assist them in providing free concerts to the community. Celebrating its 43rd anniversary, their outreach includes senior groups and a women’s chorus and affords opportunities for musicians of all ages to share their talents.The Musicale is a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs.

FARMINGTON YOUTH ASSISTANCE (FYA)

FYA is a wonderful success story.Their summer camp, held at William Grace Elementary School, will be expanded to 100 campers. The focus is on learning -- math, language arts, environmental science, computers, life skills, physical education and art. Participants are referred by teachers and parents and have fun while improving test scores. At the beginning of the summer 2008 camp, students tested at an overall average of 54%; at the end of the session the scores averaged 81%!

FRIENDS OF THE ROUGE

Founded in 1986, the Friends of the Rouge promotes restoration and stewardship of the Rouge River ecosystem through education and resident involvement. Work sites in Farmington and Farmington Hills include Founders Park, OCC and Shiawassee Park. A grant will continue this program as well as the “Frog and Toad Survey Training Workshop” visiting wetland sites and collecting data to monitor the health of the Rouge River.

NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE

In these uncertain economic times, Neighborhood House is an invaluable resource to our residents. Not only is emergency assistance provided, but Neighborhood House works closely the community and religious institutions to avoid duplication of services. Counseling services are provided through Oakland Family Services and the Samaritan Counseling Center.

WARNER MIDDLE SCHOOL “FOOD FOR THE SOUL” PROGRAM

“Food for the Soul” was part of Black History Month observances at Warner. The event focused on maintaining positive traditions, culture and legacies of African Americans. The program was open to the community and featured local poet Jessica Care Moore, as well as choir and dance groups and the opportunity to sample ethnic foods.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

The After School Program of Farmington Hills Youth and Family Services has served more than 6,500 middle school students since its inception in 1996. Currently about 49% of middle school students participate in the program. Students are picked up at their schools and can choose from six locations -- the Costick Center, Ice Arena, Warner Middle School, the YMCA, the Jon Grant Community Center and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. This program benefits the students, their families, schools, and, indeed, the entire community. While the recreational activities are a highlight of the program, there are also numerous educational and volunteer opportunities available for the participants. Special programs include professional tutoring, cooking and dance classes, exercise programs, fire prevention and first aid classes, and life skills training. In the fall of 2008 a mentoring program was introduced. The Foundation has supported the After School Program since the Program began and maintains a Donor Designated Fund for the Program.

BOYS & GIRLS REPUBLIC (BGR)

BGR is a residential facility and community resource center that has been part of the Farmington Hills area since 1907, providing treatment to young people who have been delinquent, been victims of abuse or neglect, or have suffered serious emotional problems. It also serves the community with outpatient counseling to children, youth, families and individuals, and an Adventure Challenge Program for school, community and corporate groups. The F/FH Foundation is pleased to provide a grant for this summer’s “Mirror Image” program providing intensified social skills training for the residents.

THE FARMINGTON FAMILY YMCA

The YMCA received a grant in support of its teen programs, one of the sites for the After School Program. Middle school students will also have an opportunity to participate in intramural basketball and volleyball, a program that had to be cancelled by the public schools dues to budget constraints. In addition, the grant will also provide funding for the teen summer camp and Counselor-in-Training program.

POWER MIDDLE SCHOOL

Students at Power Middle School will be working on a “Stop & Read” area at their school. All work will be done by volunteers -- students, staff, and families. They will create an area where students can read while waiting to be picked up. It will include benches, plantings and a wheelchair-accessible walkway.

SAMARITAN COUNSELING CENTER

Founded in 1986, the Samaritan Counseling Center is located at Nardin Park United Methodist Church with a satellite counseling office at North Congregational Church. The Center provides counseling for individuals, couples, families for wide range of personal and relationship problems, including marital, loss of employment, and provides educational and preventive programs. About 50% of the clients are residents of Farmington and Farmington Hills and the grant is earmarked to assist those residents.

WARNER MIDDLE SCHOOL CRUSADERS

The Warner Crusaders was created seven years ago to encourage students to use their creative talents on projects that give back to the community. About 30 students are involved in projects that include Halloween packages for children in the Head Start program at Farmington Community School, baking for Meals on Wheels, making stuffed animals for children at Providence and Children’s Hospitals, and a talent show at the Farmington Extended Care facility. The group recently started a knitting club with scarves donated to families in the community. A donation to Neighborhood House was made with the proceeds from some of their fundraising projects.

WILLIAM GRACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

A grant to William Grace Elementary School enabled the 270 students in the school to benefit from the “Authors in Autumn” program. National and local published authors participate in programs at each of the elementary schools. The PTAs at each school have funded the program for 20 years; however, due to the economy the Wm. Grace PTA is unable to fund the program. The F/FH Foundation is delighted to assist in this very worthwhile program.

COMMUNITY LIVING CENTERS

Established in 1968, Community Living Centers provides quality residential care to adults with developmental disabilities. There are ten Living Center locations ­ six located in Farmington/Farmington Hills. The homes are staffed with trained personnel providing 24-hour care and supervision. The grant to Community Living Centers is for the “SMILE” program to help defray costs of preventive dental care.

HILLSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Hillside is our largest elementary school and their playground needed some serious updating. Knowing the correlation between use of free time (recess) and classroom behavior, the PTA undertook the project. The Foundation is pleased to be able to help purchase new equipment.

MAYOR’S YOUTH COUNCIL

This group of high school students certainly gives us much hope for the future. In addition to community activities, members of the Council will attend the summer Youth Dialogue Program on Race and Ethnicity at the University of Michigan. The very valuable lessons they learn will benefit all of our students.

TURN AROUND ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS COMMITTEE

We all love a success story and this is a great one. This awards program was established eight years ago to recognize middle and high school students who have demonstrated a significant positive turn around in their school and personal lives. Recipients are honored at a luncheon ceremony.