The Potter’s House, Grand Rapids, MI

The Potter’s House provides a Christ centered education to all children equipping them to serve God and society to their fullest potential.  Their personalized approach to education allows them to address the needs of the whole child--spiritual, academic, physical, social, and emotional. The majority of their over 515 students are from low-income households.  This grant was provided to continue their morning wellness program which operates from 7:00 to 8:15 each morning.  The children participate in a variety of activities designed to keep them active and discover the value of positive life-style choices.  Activities range from double-dutch jump roping, Makato, dance revolution, cup stacking to walking laps or using the exercise bikes.  Over 150 children participate daily in this program.

www.pottershouseschool.org

Boys & Girls of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth

Boys & Girls of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth builds character and promotes the general welfare of youth through recreation, education, and other positive community experiences, in cooperation with the Grand Rapids Police Department. They offer programs and services that promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence through their two existing youth centers, Seidman Center and Steil Center, located in the core city. Three key characteristics of the Boys & Girls Club are 1) dedicated youth centers that are open daily; 2) are staffed by trained professionals; and 3) are made available to all youth who may not be able to afford other community programs. Boys & Girls Clubs of America has a lineup of tested and proven nationally recognized programs that address today's most pressing youth issues, teaching young people the skills they need to succeed in life. National programs are available in the areas of education, the environment, health, the arts, careers, alcohol/drug and pregnancy prevention, gang prevention, leadership development and athletics. The foundation spearheaded the eventual collaboration of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth with the Boys & Girls Club of America and assisted with both start-up costs and costs related to the renovation of the two centers.

http://www.bgcgryc.org/