Local nonprofits were awarded $7.4 million in grants from ESL Federal Credit Union in the third quarter. The 105 grants were intended to help those organizations provide critical services and programs to individuals and families.
The funding was directed by ESL’s Community Impact Team. Launched in 2018, the Community Impact Grant program is focused on reinvesting in the community through grants aligned with expanding individual opportunity through quality education and employment, building strong neighborhoods that are affordable and connected, and strengthening organizations.
Including the new awards, ESL has issued about $21.8 million so far this year.
“The programs and services provided by the nonprofit community in Greater Rochester are essential in strengthening our region,” says Maureen Wolfe, ESL executive vice president/director of human resources and community impact. “ESL is proud to partner with these results-driven organizations who help individuals and families succeed in different areas of their lives.”
For example, the Ibero American Action League—a dual-language multiservice organization working to advance social progress and inclusion for Latinos in New York State—received $255,000 to increase the number of people it can serve at its Community Resource Center as part of its workforce development program.
Juan Rivera, the nonprofit’s director of workforce development, says the organization is grateful for the support.
“This grant will empower us to expand opportunities, provide valuable training, and help individuals build the skills needed to succeed in today’s job market,” he says. “Together, we are driving positive change and strengthening our community’s economic future. So far, over 150 individuals have benefited from our program services and our client list continues to grow.”
This round of ESL funding also included grants to the following programs:
■ Wayne County Action Program Inc. received $750,000 for its STEADY Work Youth Build Expansion Project, which serves more than 410 at-risk youth by providing paid internships at local businesses and industries within the Finger Lakes region.
■ The Center for Youth Services’ Monroe County Community Schools Support program got $335,000. In collaboration with Monroe BOCES II, East Irondequoit School District, Gates-Chili Central School District, Greece Central School District, Hilton School District, the Center for Youth will provide funds for student and family engagement opportunities, emergency family needs, and supervision and mentoring of new community schools staff members to support the holistic needs of students and families.
■ Hobart and William Smith Colleges will use $152,000 for Creating Cradle to Career Systems Change in Geneva, supporting Geneva 2030, a collective impact entity committed to enhancing childhood development and education through communitywide improvements.
■ The Sodus Central School District will use its $47,900 grant for a project titled Gathering to Dream & Learn: A Community Engagement through Placemaking (Community Schools initiative). Wayne County Community Schools will expand its current space for learning by creating a campus approach that will provide options to meet the unique needs of families, support families with children ages birth to five, workforce development, and tutoring services.
Justin O’Connor is a Rochester Beacon contributing writer. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. See “Leave a Reply” below to discuss on this post. Comments of a general nature may be submitted to the Letters page by emailing [email protected].
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