Three Roanoke nonprofits have been awarded grants totaling $30,000 from Cox Charities to support youth education initiatives: $125,000 in grants awarded statewide through the 2015-2016 Cox Charities Grant Program.
The 2015-2016 Cox Charities grant recipients in Roanoke are:
Apple Ridge Farm – $10,000 for the continuation of a startup project, Teaching Kids to Program (TKP), which will feature daily instruction in computer programming during June, and July 2016 to approximately 350 low-income students, ages 5-17, most of who reside in public housing in the City of Roanoke; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Virginia – $10,000 for a STEM Lab project to inspire 43 children 6-12 years old from underserved communities to achieve in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math who have little access to STEM enrichment programs. Along with their mentors, students will explore enrichment activities in a lab setting at Oliver Hill Mentoring Program; also Family Service of Roanoke Valley- $10,000 for Positive Action and TOP programs that promote healthy decision-making so youth are equipped to succeed in school, graduate and lead healthier lives. This grant will support an expansion to housing development community centers in the Roanoke Valley to reach youth who face multiple obstacles to achieve a healthy and productive adulthood. Programs focus on career exploration, self-image, impulse control and healthy relationships.
Since 2009, Cox Charities has awarded $815,000 in grants to Virginia nonprofits. Programs supported will serve thousands of children through reading, literacy and STEM programs. Cox Charities is funded through community and employee fundraising events and programs.
