Grant Application for
Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan
Mission Statement:
Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) is committed to equality, justice, and the well-being of women. To that end, we will engage and encourage our community to work with us toward these goals.
Fiscal agent if applicant is not tax exempt:
Tax ID Number:
38-2302164
Contact First Name:
Contact Last Name:
Kari
VandenBrink
Address:
423 Porter Street
Email:
Phone Number:
2313470067
Website:
Project Name:
Empowering Bright Futures Capital Project
Project start and end dates:
July 1, 2024
June 30, 2025
Amount Requested:
$
15000
Project Description:
WRCNM is renovating a 14,000+ square foot building in Petoskey that will expand and enhance all agency programs that meet the unique and evolving needs of women and girls from Emmet and Charlevoix counties. The new facility will house several WRCNM programs, including childcare and preschool, licensed therapeutic counseling, critical domestic abuse and sexual assault advocacy services, Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) services, violence prevention education, and all administrative staff. Construction will begin in May 2024 following an extensive, collaborative design process with contracted architects Progressive Architects, commercial builders Burdco, and WRCNM leadership.
To support the funds needed for this $5m project, WRCNM launched the Empowering Bright Futures capital campaign in 2023 that will expand to the general public in June 2024. At the time of this submission, approximately half of the funds needed have been raised by staff and volunteers.
Goal of the Project
How many people will you reach?
500
What percentage are female?
85
If your program serves both males and females, how will Hestia funds specifically target women and girls?
The new facility will include childcare and preschool programs that serve both girls and boys. Research shows that the childcare crisis across the US primarily impact women and their ability to participate in the labor market or other opportunities. Additionally, children’s lives are greatly enhanced through participation in early learning programs that help develop foundational skills for a healthy adult life. WRCNM children’s programs include academic-centered curriculum and social-emotional development, with an emphasis on consent, respect, and school readiness.
The new facility will also include the CAC, that supports child survivors of sexual assault/abuse, physical abuse or neglect, have witnessed domestic/sexual violence, or have experienced any other form of trauma. The CAC model is a nationally recognized, evidence-based approach that includes multidisciplinary partners from law enforcement, prosecution, protective services, and medical providers to respond to the needs of child survivors. These crimes affect both girls and boys and CAC services provide a trauma-informed, collaborative to their unique needs through forensic interviews, therapy, and emotional support for their non-offending caregivers.
How are recipients identified or selected to receive services? Is financial need considered?
WRCNM provides services to any survivor of domestic/intimate partner abuse, sexual assault, stalking, and/or trafficking, regardless of when the experience occurred. Survivors self-identify upon contact with WRCNM or are referred by community partner agencies, including law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys, medical providers, child protective services, and other human services agencies in the community. Survivor services are voluntary, inclusive, accessible, and provided at no cost. Financial needs are considered when identifying community resources available to support individual goals and needs.
Survivors can experience lasting affects to their mental and emotional well-being that can include, but are not limited to, flashbacks, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, substance misuse, inability to focus, and any other response that can impact financial stability and/or employment opportunities.
What do you hope to achieve? What difference will this make in the lives of women and girls?
How will this project meet Hestia's mission statement?
Gender-based violence and gender inequity continues to deeply impact the lives of women and girls across Emmet and Charlevoix counties. WRCNM services provide respect, hope, opportunity, comfort, and safety for families across northern Michigan. Annually, WRCNM serves approximately 500 survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault and in the last fiscal year, 225 survivors were served from Charlevoix and Emmet counties. Current enrollment is approximately 42 children in Children’s Learning Center (CLC) programs, primarily from Emmet County. Charlevoix County families are eligible for CLC services.
The new WRCNM facility will expand CLC program enrollment to approximately 63 children annually, meeting an immediate need for high-quality, affordable childcare in the community. Survivor services will be enhanced with private entrances and waiting areas, multiple services in one location, technology, and improved security throughout the building. The CAC will double its capacity to provide forensic interviews and supportive services. The fully accessible building design includes two rooms specifically for play therapy, a large conference room, and flexible-use offices for community partners or WRCNM staff from other locations.
How will you evaluate or measure your success:
The building renovations are projected for completion in 2025 and WRCNM will have occupancy shortly thereafter. The project will be considered successful when services are being provided and all funds have been raised.
WRCNM collects non-identifying demographic information about program participants and conducts quarterly surveys to gather feedback that helps inform program development and modifications. Survey results are also compiled for reports to state and federal funders to ensure service delivery standards are being met. Bi-annual long-range planning includes a staff survey to help identify gaps in services, personnel needs, facilities needs, and other strategic goals that align with the WRCNM mission, vision, and values.
Grant Project Budget Form
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