Grants from 'miser' go to kids, charities

By JONEL ALECCIA

Nearly $76,000 will pay for 13 projects ranging from washers for the homeless and conflict resolution for teens to financial aid for struggling college students, all courtesy of recent grants awarded by the Gordon Elwood Foundation of Medford.

The foundation has announced recipients of its first cycle of awards this year. Of 40 proposals totaling nearly $397,000, the agency granted only about 20 percent of requests, said Executive Director Kathy Byron.

The largest grant - $15,000 - went to Rogue Community College of Medford to establish a pilot project to provide financial aid for students who do not qualify for standard help. Funds will cover tuition, tools, fees and emergency funds for students enrolled in workforce and short-term training.

One of the smallest grants, $2,000, went to the Salvation of Army for Medford to pay for a washer and dryers at the agency's homeless transition shelter.

"It'll be huge," said Capt. John VanCleef of the Salvation Army. "When you're talking about being clean and presentable for job interviews, that's big."

The agency requested $10,000, but directors were satisfied with the reduced allocation, he said.

Nearly $8,000 went to Mediation Works of Medford to expand a school-conflict resolution program to Eagle Point. Director Hilary Best said foundation support will help young people learn to cope with anger and other feelings, leading to less stress and better grades.

"It's the foundation's goal to fill in the gaps in places with greater need," she said. "That's what this does."

The Gordon Elwood Foundation was started last year after the death of a local self-described miser who amassed a $9 million legacy during his frugal life. A list of awards follows.

The agency's next funding deadline is Sept. 1. For information, call Bryon at 282-0643 or by e-mail at gef@internetcds.com.

• Klamath Falls Schools, $1,000. The grant supports print costs for the Youth Yellow Pages in English and Spanish to provide resources for young people during their high school years.

• Wilderness Trails, $3,000. The grant pays for four-day camping trips for boys ages 13 and 14 identified by county youth agencies.

• Rogue Valley Humane Society, Josephine County, $3,000. Provides funding for a spay/neuter program that provides 150 operations.

• SNYP, $3,500. Funds spay/neuter services targeting feral and stray cats in Jackson County.

• Bull Dog Boxing, $4,000. Supports purchase of equipment for 25 to 40 young boxers as a way to build character, discipline and respect for others.

• SOU Latino Youth Program, $5,000. Supports a one-week residential program at Southern Oregon University for 30 to 40 Latino youth in grades six to eight.

• Curry School District Peer Helpers Program, $5,500. Funds a peer helper and education training for 85 students in grades six to 12.

• Phoenix Schools Summer Program, $7,922. Supports a six-week summer school program targeting nearly 50 Spanish-speaking and at-risk students who have not achieved sufficient literacy skills.

• YMCA Klamath, $8,100. Supports scholarships for low-income youth.

• Kids Unlimited Summer Program, $10,000. Funds expansion of summer child care and enrichment program for 350 children living in west Medford.

Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail jaleccia@mailtribune.com 

Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us
Copyright © 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.