by Leslie Ford –

Our members came together on October 24 to learn more about the nine nonprofit agencies that are benefiting this year from our SoS grants. During a panel, consisting of representatives from each agency, members learned exactly how their grant dollars are helping support some of the neediest citizens in the Georgetown community.

Several agencies reported that they are using their grant money for staff who work directly with clients. The Georgetown Project has hired a part-time Case Manager at The Nest Empowerment Center to provide supportive services to Georgetown ISD high school students who are at-risk, homeless or living in transition. The Literacy Council of Williamson County hired a manager for their new Vocational Training Program. This program provides training in occupations with growth potential. To date, 100% of the students in this program have been hired either before completing the program or upon completion. The Williamson County Children’s’ Advocacy Center has been able to hire four contract nurses to provide medical exams to children who are victims of abuse. Hope Alliance is using its grant money for evening and weekend advocates who are available to victims of violence 24/7.

As the evening progressed, we heard how some agencies are using their grant dollars in unique ways. Backpack Buddies provides take-home food to almost 900 children in GISD every Friday, throughout the school year. SoS members learned that their grant money will provide 10,000 food packs to needy children. Habitat for Humanity explained that three single mothers will have new homes in Georgetown. The foundations for these homes are being funded by our SoS grant. R.O.C.K. (Ride on Center for Kids) is providing therapy with a horse to 55 Georgetown children with special needs. GISD students are also benefiting from a grant that supports Girlstart. This program provides weekly afterschool hands-on science activities for girls at Georgetown elementary schools. The activities develop excitement in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), which leads to better academic success, as well as better opportunities in life. Finally, AGE of Central Texas provides a “Memory Connections” program in Georgetown for adults who have been diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia. The program provides a safe setting in which clients focus on their strengths and participate in memory-strengthening activities.

As SoS members, we come together to enrich lives in the Georgetown Community. On October 24 we learned just how much this year’s contributions are benefiting Georgetown.