44 STARK COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE

GRANT MONEY TOTALING $76,762

Funds benefit youth programs during the summer months

Stark County, OH- Stark Community Foundation's SummerTime Kids provides charitable grants of $500 to $2,000 to imaginative and unique summer programs with an emphasis on character and community service. The 2011 process was guided by volunteers from the current Leadership Stark County Signature Class, who were charged with reviewing applications and awarding grant dollars.

"It was astounding to see the number of grassroots organizations that aim to provide positive growth experiences for children living in Stark County. I was honored to be a part of the decision-making process that provides summer programs striving to foster character development and cultivate a community service experience for at-risk youth," said Leadership Stark County member Jennifer H. McNemar, the director of accounting & financial reporting for Kenan Advantage Group, Inc.

The following organizations received grant funds for use during summer 2011:

Baldwin-Wallace College-four student scholarships for the Conservatory of Music Summer Music Program

Camp Wakonda-creative arts program focusing on music, drama, dance, and writing/journaling

Canton Calvary Mission-garden project

Canton Joint Recreation District-youth summer camp

Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health-Kids & Community-activities will be planned to encourage cooperation, team building, sharing, problem solving, and conflict resolution, Teambuilders-a focus on sports and art, and Teen Connect-to give teens a safe, structured and positive environment in which to build skills that will empower them in the areas of social and emotional growth and in community service learning opportunities

Concerned Citizens of the 4^th Ward-neighborhood gardening and outdoor activities

Dedicated Adults Directing Depending Youth-math & science projects

Eye, I Watch Neighborhood Association-fieldtrips for kids

Fairless High School-activity based program for at-risk students, focusing on asset building activities, character education and leadership

Family Life Center-employment education for youth

First Christian Church-baseball field construction

Girl Scouts of NEO-4 C's program-building girls of courage, confidence, character and community

Hammer & Nails-Kids Helping Neighbors-yard work, planting flowers and painting fences or garages

Hope Whispers Community Organization-exploration field trips

J.R. Coleman Family Services-field trips and outings for both pre-school and school-age children

Life Bridge Project-activities that focus on building character and community responsibility

Living in Full Expectations-camp designed to enhance the overall emotional health of young girls

McGregor Elementary School-literacy project

Multi-County Juvenile Attention Center-mural project with youth at residential treatment center

Multi-Development Center-summer camp

North Canton Playhouse-VSA Arts-dance workshop

Opportunity Unity Respect Neighborhood Association-Friday Fun Days-playground gardening, litter pick-up, games, and a pizza party

Open Neighborhood Club-summer projects for neighborhood kids

Pathway, Caring for Children-garden project

Project REBUILD-garden project

Royal Family Kids' Camp-a birthday party for all participants

Salvation Army-Canton-day camp

Southwest Involved Neighborhood Group-picnic and clean-up in the park

St. Anthony Hispanic Community-Hispanic Summer School: Early Learning

St. Paul's UMC-summer program including arts, music and gym

Team Issachar, Inc.-Character Counts summer basketball camp

Tiqvah Hands of Hope-field trips, services projects, and supplies

Trinity Evangelistic Association-camping experience

YMCA Camp Tippecanoe-leadership development program; Canton-Urban Summer Fun Club; Meyers Lake-day camp; Minerva-The Giving Garden-to provide food for the Salvation Army; Paul & Carol David (Jackson)-Building a Better Community program; and Towpath Trail-The World Around Us-to experience different countries and cultures

YWCA Canton Preschool-monthly activities with the elderly that live at Queen Esther Senior Apartments and Early Childhood Learning Center-A Summer with Seniors

What makes Stark Community Foundation unique?