Monroe Puente was granted $25,000 to expand their Bilingual Community Health Worker Program (BCHWP), which addresses healthcare barriers for Monroe County’s immigrant and Spanish-speaking communities. Since its launch in January 2024, the program (led by one Community Health Worker (CHW) and a part-time Registered Nurse) has helped residents navigate Medicaid, housing, and healthcare systems. This grant will help to meet growing demand, adding more CHWs, strengthening culturally competent support for maternal health, chronic disease management, and social services access. This expansion will improve health outcomes and reduce disparities by ensuring equitable, accessible care.

Call for Backup received a $35,000 grant to provide vital mental health training for Monroe County’s emergency services personnel. The initiative trained 50 first responders in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and 250 in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)—programs that strengthened peer support, built resilience, and helped reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in uniformed services. This effort advanced Call for Backup’s mission to promote suicide prevention and improve the overall well-being of first responders across Monroe County.

The Monroe Family YMCA received a $25,000 grant to support a water safety and junior lifeguard training initiative that expanded equitable access to swim lessons and lifeguard certification for 150 at-risk youth in Monroe County. The program provided high-quality swim lessons for up to 100 youth (ages 3–17) and junior lifeguard training for up to 50 youth (ages 12–17) removing financial and logistical barriers by supplying free swim gear and transportation. This initiative strengthened water safety skills, reduced drowning risks, and encouraged lifelong health and safety habits among historically marginalized youth in the community.

The Monroe County Intermediate School District (MCISD) received a $75,016 grant to implement the Care Solace program, providing seamless mental health navigation services for students, staff, and their families. The program addressed the growing mental health crisis by improving follow-through on referrals and ensuring timely access to care. Through Care Solace, approximately 25,000 residents in Monroe County were connected with appropriate mental health providers and supported in scheduling appointments—reducing barriers such as long wait times and insurance challenges while strengthening the capacity of school-based mental health teams.

Airport Community Schools received a $9,950 grant to expand its Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX) program, which supports the health, safety, education, mental well-being, and empowerment of middle school girls. Previously serving 70 girls annually, the program grew to reach approximately 110 participants through the training of additional facilitators and continued support via ROX Leadership and Alumni programs. This expansion provided leadership development, mentoring, and educational resources to help girls navigate challenges such as social media pressure, body image concerns, and mental health struggles—fostering confidence, resilience, and healthy relationships.

The SMCC Touchdown Club received $2,100 from the G.R.O.W Fund to support Monroe Victory Day, a one-day inclusive football event for individuals with disabilities, and to assist the broader football program’s community engagement efforts.

Monroe ISD received a $3,000 grant to create a garden at the ISD Transition Center, designed to educate adult students about nutrition, food production, and community engagement. Through the project, students designed and built accessible planting beds to grow fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers—developing practical skills in gardening, cooking, and entrepreneurship. Produce from the garden was used in cooking and baking courses, with surplus food donated to local initiatives such as Called to More, which supports students and families facing food insecurity. The program provided Transition Center students, ages 18–26, with hands-on experience in employment, community involvement, and daily living skills to help them thrive as engaged, independent adults.

The River Raisin National Battlefield Park Foundation received a $5,000 grant to enhance the Shared Lands exhibit at its Education Center. The project funded historically accurate clothing and accessories for women and children mannequins, filling an important gap in representation within the exhibit’s historical narrative. This enhancement created a more comprehensive and inclusive depiction of the War of 1812 era while supporting educational programming for the 7,500 residents served annually. The initiative further advanced the Foundation’s mission to promote historical education and community enrichment.

South Rockwood United Methodist Church received a $4,000 grant to develop a community garden on vacant land behind its facility, promoting sustainability, food access, and neighborhood engagement in an underserved area of the county. Funding supported raised garden beds, rain barrels, and essential tools. The project was guided by EarthKeeper Program training and bolstered through anticipated in-kind and grant support, ultimately benefiting approximately 500 residents by increasing access to fresh food and opportunities for community connection.

Milan Middle School received a $2,000 grant to sustain its therapy dog program, which has become a vital part of promoting emotional well-being and academic engagement within the school community. Funding covered insurance costs for therapy dogs who volunteer daily at the school but were not insured through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs while on site. Serving 510 students and 36 staff members, the program supported trauma-affected youth, reduced anxiety, and fostered empathy through the dogs’ presence in 8th-grade ELA classrooms and the guidance office. The initiative particularly benefited students with autism, ADHD, and other challenges—enhancing Milan Middle School’s inclusive and nurturing learning environment.

The Milan Garden Club received a $2,000 grant to purchase supplies and tools for the planting and maintenance of three key community gardens: the Veterans Wall of Honor Gardens, Hack House Museum Gardens, and The Bridge: A United Methodist Community Church Gardens. The project revitalized these public spaces to promote civic pride, historical preservation, and community beautification. By enhancing these highly visible sites, the Milan Garden Club fostered a more welcoming and attractive environment—encouraging broader community involvement in local beautification efforts.

ARC Milan received a $1,000 grant to host its third annual Pride Celebration, a free, all-ages community event featuring food, crafts, music, a photo booth, vendor booths, and nonprofit outreach. New elements this year included drag story time and a live musical performance, creating an even more inclusive and engaging experience for attendees. With the closure of the Milan High School GSA, ARC Milan organized the celebration independently to continue providing visible support for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies. The event drew over 300 participants, promoting community acceptance, fostering safe spaces for self-expression, and strengthening solidarity among residents.

Milan Area Schools received a $2,500 grant to implement Mote, an accessibility-focused software platform, at the middle and high school levels. The program provided read-aloud, translation, speech-to-text, and voice feedback tools to support approximately 950 students and 55–60 educators, including 170 students with IEPs or 504 Plans. By enabling students to record, edit, and review their verbal responses before submission, Mote promoted greater independence and engagement in learning. The platform’s natural-sounding audio readers in multiple languages enhanced accessibility and supported a more inclusive, student-centered classroom environment.

The River Raisin Centre for the Arts (RRCA) received a $10,715 grant to upgrade theatre technology, ensuring the sustainability of Monroe County’s only full-time performing arts center and preserving a vital cultural asset. The project expanded RRCA’s capacity to host a wider range of performances—including technically demanding touring productions—while providing youth and community performers access to a professional-grade production environment. These enhancements attracted regional audiences and artists, boosted cultural tourism and downtown economic activity, and created a richer, more immersive experience for all.

One Sheep Ministries received a $12,000 grant to provide emergency rental, utility, and food assistance to low- and moderate-income residents of Monroe County in 2025. The program prevented evictions for seven households, avoided utility shut-offs for eleven households, and distributed 2,000 meals to 500 food-insecure families through Gleaners food boxes—benefiting a total of 2,080 individuals at a cost of under $6 per person. All services were delivered entirely by trained volunteers, with no paid staff or administrative overhead. Volunteers assessed needs, verified eligibility with landlords and utility companies, and connected families with additional long-term resources.

Milan Area Schools Choirs received a $7,500 grant to provide a dedicated, year-round accompanist for the district’s choral program. Previously, accompanist support was limited to pre-performance rehearsals; this funding allowed students from 6th through 12th grade to benefit from consistent, weekly collaboration throughout the school year. The enhanced partnership between students, teacher, and accompanist strengthened musical technique, broadened the repertoire, and deepened ensemble development—resulting in higher-quality performances and a more enriching music education experience.

The Milan Area Historical Society received a $20,000 grant to replace the nearly 50-year-old roof, gutters, and downspouts of the Hack House Museum—an urgent preservation effort. Built in 1888 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Hack House is a rare example of Stick/Eastlake Victorian architecture and a cornerstone of local history. The project protected the building’s structural integrity and safeguarded the museum’s irreplaceable collection of artifacts, documents, and furnishings for future generations.

Milan Middle School received an $8,000 grant to strengthen its Code Red Robotics program and support ongoing STEAM education efforts. The funding advanced hands-on learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics—encouraging creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving among middle school students. This investment helped expand access to experiential learning and inspired future innovators in the Milan community.

Milan Area Schools received a $3,000 grant to establish the “Press Pause” Staff Wellness Room at Symons Elementary, supporting educator mental health in response to increasing stress, burnout, and incidents of aggression. The calming space provided staff with a place for mindfulness and self-care during the school day, enhancing both teacher well-being and student outcomes. Funding supported durable items to improve comfort, atmosphere, and wellness activities within the room, ensuring long-term use. With a structured scheduling system, the space became available for both proactive self-care and high-stress moments—promoting a healthier, more resilient school community.

The Milan Area Schools PTO received a $9,000 grant to continue and expand its Fine Arts Program, which has provided meaningful arts experiences to 2nd–4th grade students through assemblies, performances, and guest artist visits over the past three years. This year’s expansion included author visits, live performances, multidisciplinary assemblies, and a family arts night open to both schools. The initiative ensured consistent, early access to arts education—supporting cognitive, emotional, and academic development, particularly for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Healing Heart Farm received a $10,000 grant to create a dedicated, private space for group-based therapeutic and animal-assisted programming. The project’s first phase involved purchasing a shipping container to relocate essential storage items from the barn, freeing space for program use. The second phase transformed that barn area into a comfortable, weather-controlled meeting space with insulated walls, flooring, and fresh finishes. This renovation enhanced privacy, confidentiality, and the overall environment for participants engaging in healing and therapeutic conversations—supporting the farm’s growing group programming and mental wellness initiatives.

Monroe High School received a $15,000 grant to enhance student learning through two key initiatives: strengthening Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) environments and expanding access to enriching field trip experiences. The SEL improvements included flexible classroom seating, Chromebook carts, and curriculum materials, creating more supportive and engaging learning spaces. An additional investment funded transportation, admission, and meals for educational field trips. Together, these efforts fostered academic success, emotional well-being, and student engagement by providing a nurturing environment and meaningful, real-world learning opportunities.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace received a $4000 grant to purchase and wrap a trailer used for delivering beds to children across Monroe County. The trailer increased the organization’s efficiency, visibility, and capacity to serve more families in need—ensuring that every child in the community has a safe, comfortable place to sleep.