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If you would like to send us your experience with the Office of Special Funding or provide an update on the status of your project please contact us here. We would love to hear about the positive impact your project has made to your community.
Grant Recipient: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
Received Grant: $25,000 Walk to Cure Diabetes & Kid’s Walk to Cure Diabetes Sponsorship. The JDRF Walk hosted 26,000 people and raised $2.4 million for diabetes research and research related-education. Read more... Three hundred families came together in hope that a cure for diabetes will be found. While searching for a cure, JDRF is improving lives as seen through technology advancements, such as the insulin pump and Continuous Glucose Monitor. More than 800 families are connected with JDRF and receive information, education and support for new and veteran families living with diabetes. For more information, go to jdrfdsw.org or contact JDRF at 602.224.1800, desertsouthwest@jdrf.org. Structural Fire Engine
The Mayer Fire District, through Yavapai County, was awarded a Gila River grant in the amount of $50,000 towards the purchase of a structural fire engine. Read more... "This new engine has dramatically improved our response times through our fire district. Its improved speed and capabilities has allowed us to get to all areas of our district quicker and to provide better service after we arrive." Above are several pictures of the engine being used on scene.
Arizona Masonic Foundation For Children thanks the Gila River Indian Community
A three year grant awarded by the Gila River Indian Community to the Arizona Masonic Foundation for Children (AMFC) to provide intervention training to schools in Maricopa County has been credited for saving the life of a school student. Read more...
Mr. Jerry Badinger, Director of the Masonic Student Assistance Program (MSAP) states he has received numerous different testimonials from school educators, trained in the intervention program, about how the training provided them with the skill to identify and intervene with students on the road to all levels of destruction, to include the ultimate destruction - suicide.
Henry Spomer, Foundation President advised that the Foundation has received three other such testimonials from Arizona Schools. Preliminary data from schools operating the intervention program indicates a reduction in repeat disciplinary actions, lower suspension rate, students diverting from destructive to constructive conduct, better attendance, improved grades and eventual graduation.
The first two years of funding has resulted in 280 educators being trained in the intervention program with an additional 210 slated for training this year. Using the normal accepted conservative multiplier of 5 student affected positively by an educator trained in MSAP, that equates to 1400 children already positively affected with another 1050 on the way. During the second year of the grant another entire school district adopting the program and several other districts have schools trained and are starting the transition. The Tribal Council and the Community should be proud of this accomplishment and take the credit for making it happen. Three training sessions have been scheduled in the Phoenix area during the first half of 2009. Any school interested in attending a session should go to www.foundation4children.org, complete and submit a registration form.
Badinger advises that requests for the MSAP training had exceeded funds available and the Foundation is looking at several avenues of additional funding. Spomer states, only through community organizations and government support will they be able to meet the training demands.
During the past ten years Arizona’s overall ranking has improved from the mid to high 40’s to the high 30’s. This year Arizona is ranked 39th out of 50 states in the well being of children. Data shows Arizona ranked as follows: Low Birth Weight – 12; Infant Mortality – 26; Child Death – 34; Teen Death – 40; Teen Birth – 46; High School Dropout – 41; Dropouts not Working – 36. Spomer went on to state that we must all band together and change what is happening in our schools and communities if we are to continue improving the education opportunities for our children. We emphatically report that the Masonic Student Assistance Program contributes positively to student academic success and achievement. MSAP greatly enhances the relationship between youth and behavioral health care providers, which helps to create healthy youth and a healthy future America.
The AMFC is forever grateful to the Gila River Indian Community for their insight and support of the Masonic Student Assistance Program. The school teams that have received this training are overwhelmed by the Gila River Community support and generosity and the children who have been touched through the program will move forward to become better citizens and community members.
Thank You
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