For Immediate Release

Peoria, IL- August 10, 2009- The Community Foundation of Central Illinois is currently accepting grant proposals from non-profit organizations within a 50-mile radius of Peoria.

The Community Foundation’s purpose is to assist projects in the fields of education, arts, health, human services, community service or community development and advance
ONE OR MORE of the following objectives:

1. Address and help resolve important existing or emerging community issues.
2. Support new and creative projects and organizations offering the greatest opportunity for positive and significant change.
3. Promote cooperation and collaboration among organizations.
4. Identify, enhance, and develop leadership in the community through creative and innovative activities which empower individuals.
5. Improve the quality or scope of charitable work in the community.

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois does not provide grant funding for annual campaigns, individuals, endowments, or make grants for sectarian religious purposes.

Grant guidelines may be downloaded from our website at www.communityfoundationci.org and are available at the Foundation office, 331 Fulton Street, Suite 310, Peoria, Illinois 61602.

Proposals must be postmarked by Tuesday, September 15, 2009. Proposals postmarked after this date will not be accepted.

For questions regarding the Community Foundation of Central Illinois’ Fall 2009 Grant Cycle please call (309) 674-8730.

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WOMEN’S FUND GRANTS RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED: THE CENTER FOR PREVENTION OF ABUSE AND EAST PEORIA HIGH SCHOOL

Peoria, Illinois — Aug 4, 2009 — The Women’s Fund of Central Illinois’ announced today that the recipients for the “Continue the Success” Grant to Benefit Adolescent Girls, ages 10 to 18 are The Center for Prevention of Abuse and East Peoria High School. Each organization will receive funds totaling $5,000 to support existing programs and services that impact adolescent girls ages 10 to 18.

The Center for Prevention of Abuse will use their grant to continue the HARTS (Helping All Relationships To be Safe) a program that empowers adolescent pre-teen and teen girls to live violent-free lifestyles. HARTS concentrates on developing healthy relationships with other girls, boys, families and friends. It starts with self respect and building respect for yourself and how you should treat others with respect. The girls in HARTS help each other and mentor other girls in their school. In the schools where HARTS is taught, the following changes take place:
 Number of referrals for disciplinary reasons are reduced by 74%
 Number of in-school suspensions are reduced 88%
 Number of out-of-school suspensions are reduced 94%

East Peoria Community High School will use their grant to continue the Work for Women in the Trades and Sciences Program. This program helps develop awareness and provides hands-on opportunities for high school girls to explore careers in higher-paying, non-traditional fields. Activities include trade school experiences in welding and HVAC, mentoring with a female worker, job shadowing, field trips, development of a video documenting their experiences and development of industry contacts.

Mark Roberts, CEO of the Community Foundation of Illinois, stated, “The Women’s Fund endowment is an important and well-managed part of the Community Foundation. These grants are examples of its mission to support programs targeting the needs and goals of women and girls in our communities. Through these grants the Fund expands the reach and effectiveness of the Community Foundation. We are very excited to see the grants support these at-risk programs hosted by excellent organizations like The Center for Prevention of Abuse and East Peoria Community High School .”

Research by the Women’s Fund granting committee showed that adolescent girls are a critical target and that by focusing on girls 10 to 18 The Women’s Fund will be able in the long run to affect many of society’s problems. Between the ages of 8 and 11, girls view themselves as strong and confident and are not afraid to say what they think. Self-esteem decreases for both sexes after elementary school, but the drop is more dramatic and lasts longer for girls. Increased levels of anxiety, stress, depression, eating disorders, teen pregnancy, diminished academic performance, and even suicide all reflect a profound lack of self-efficacy and optimism evident in many young girls. Programs that intervene and provide support to girls during this critical time will pay off in the future when, as a mother, she shapes the decisions that determine the health and education of her family. Given our current societal trends, The Woman’s Fund believes that targeting young women is the key to ending generations of poverty.

The Women’s Fund is an example of the growing stewardship of women around the world. Its goal is to build a million dollar endowment with 1,000 women each giving $1000. For information contact the Community Foundation of Central Illinois at 309-674-8730. www.communityfoundationci.org

The Center for Prevention of Abuse provides more than 35,000 student contacts each school year to help children be safe and learn body safety and how to stop bullying behaviors. For information, contact Norma Rossi, Director of Communications, at 309-691-0551. www.centerforpreventionofabuse.com

East Peoria Community High School is located at 1401 E. Washington Street in East Peoria, 309-694-8300. www.epchs.k12.il.us

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