Hall Co. organizations receive more than $33K in Jackson EMC Foundation grants

HALL COUNTY - Four charitable and community service organizations in Hall County have been awarded a total of $33,200 by the Jackson EMC Foundation to support programs that benefit area residents.

Teen Pregnancy Prevention in Gainesville has been awarded a $15,000 Jackson EMC Foundation grant for the “Smart Girls” program presented in Hall County schools.

Smart Girls focuses on future goal planning, social skills training, decision-making and personal responsibility to provide young women with the skills they need to overcome peer pressure and protect themselves from exploitation. The program’s goal is to provide information, guidance and support that will help the young women who have just begun or are on the brink of early sexual activity avoid the consequences of that activity while building self-esteem and self-confidence.

Grant funds will be used to provide licensed clinical social workers, cover program supplies and administrative costs required to provide the small group sessions in Hall County middle and high schools.

Gateway House, a Gainesville domestic violence center, has been awarded an $8,200 grant by the Jackson EMC Foundation to conduct domestic violence outreach and education programs in Gainesville City and Hall County elementary and middle schools.

“Hands are NOT for Hitting” teaches elementary school children that violence is not acceptable and how to get help if they are experiencing violence at home.

“Open Eyes, Open Arms” teaches middle school students about dating violence and safety, including different forms of abuse, how to identify signs of an abusive relationship and the difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship. In 2007, Gateway House made 272 presentations to nearly 6,400 students.

“Often women who leave abusive homes get information about our shelter and services for domestic violence survivors through their school-age children,” said Jessica Butler, Gateway executive director. “In addition, we’d like to help break the cycle of violence by helping middle school students recognize dangerous relationships, hoping they’ll make good choices.”

A $7,500 grant from the Jackson EMC Foundation will help fund the Junior Achievement – Gainesville District’s “Bridging Businesses and Education Communities."

Using local adult community and business volunteers, Junior Achievement teaches young people about the economics of life. From how to handle finances to finding career opportunities and developing good consumer habits, students get relevant, practical learning experiences and a fundamental understanding of the free enterprise system. Junior Achievement brings the real world to students, opening their minds to their potential.

Foundation grant funds will be used to recruit, train and place volunteers in local schools. “The dynamic interaction between students and classroom volunteers with practical business experience promotes active learning and brings theory to life, while also allowing students to see a real-world model of someone who can demonstrate the value of business on a first-hand basis,” said Junior Achievement director of education Tanya Applebaum.

The Parachute Packers Mentor Program, a group of Flowery Branch High School sophomores who mentor Davis Middle School eighth graders, has been awarded a $2,500 grant by the Jackson EMC Foundation.

Parachute Packers mentors are paired with 20-25 eighth graders who have been identified as “at risk” by the middle school teachers, counselors and graduation coach to help them prepare for the big “jump” to high school and reduce the drop-out rate. The students build relationships through ice-breakers, shadowing opportunities and other activities. Mentors are available to students during the high school transition to help them get plugged in, while counselors and graduation coaches monitor grades, behavior and involvement.

“I feel that a program of this nature may be that one little thing these students need to help them stay in school,” said Flowery Branch High School graduation coach Stephanie Gibbs.

Grant funds will be used for team-building and problem-solving activities at the Lapdog Development Center, supplies and materials for meetings.

Grants are made possible by Jackson EMC members’ contributions to the Operation Round Up program, which rounds up electric bills of participating members to the next dollar amount and uses the spare change to do charitable work. The Foundation has awarded more than $2.7 million to date through 236 grants to organizations and 104 grants to individuals.

Any individual or charitable organization in the ten counties served by Jackson EMC (Clarke, Banks, Barrow, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison and Oglethorpe) may apply for Foundation funding by completing a grant application, available online at
http://www.jacksonemc.com/Guidelines-for-Funding.106.0.html or at local Jackson EMC offices. Applicants need not be a member of Jackson EMC.