The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation is pleased to announce that ten organizations—representing seven states—have recently been awarded grants through the Foundation’s Community Partners program. Community Partners are change agents within human services that are either delivering innovative care or developing new ideas and models for doing so. They are results oriented, leveraging resources and knowledge to positively impact individuals and communities and transform society’s vision of and approach to its most vulnerable members.
 TOP DOG, Inc.Tucson, AZ TOP DOG, Inc. is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities become increasingly self-sufficient and independent through the use of service dogs. The TOP DOG program provides a curriculum to enable individuals to train their own dogs to become certified service dogs. The grant awarded by The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation will make it possible for 10 people with brain or spinal cord injuries to participate in the two year training program. |
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Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester Dorchester, MA Project B.I.N.D Project B.I.N.D. (Boston Inclusion Network for Disabilities) is an initiative at the Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester, Massachusetts designed to encourage the educational and social enrichment and advancement of children with special needs. Together with a network of partners, the Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester provides access to exceptional after-school programs and activities while nurturing the full inclusion of children of all abilities. The grant awarded by The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation will help support services to 110 youth during FY14. |
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 Ability Beyond Disability Bethel,CT Roses for AutismRoses For Autism is a social enterprise that fosters the thoughtful transition of individuals with Autism to meaningful employment and personal success. Through the Discover Learn Work career training service, individuals discover their unique strengths, learn the necessary technical skills and social competence, and gain valued work experience at the dynamic Roses For Autism business so that they can obtain employment and be successful in their chosen careers. The grant awarded by The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation will defray the costs of skills assessments and vocational training for young adults that require financial assistance in order to participate in the program. |
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 Placer Arc Roseville, CA The On The Go! and On The Go! Youth programs at Placer Arc offer meaningful social activities for up to 50 young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities each month. Each event is designed to provide inclusive opportunities for these young people to interact with their peers while learning and practicing social skills. The grant awarded by The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation will help cover staffing and transportation costs for these activities. |
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 Churches United in Ministry Duluth, MN Churches United in Ministry provides an opportunity for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injury to engage in worship in an inclusive environment. CHUM provides opportunities for participants to sing in the choir, serve as readers and ushers during services and access pastoral care when needed. The grant awarded by The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation will fund the CHUM Connect program. |
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 Special Gifts Theatre, Inc. Northbrook, IL Musical Theatre Program The Special Gifts Theatre offers a theatre arts experience for youth age 14-22 with developmental and physical disabilities. In 2014, the musical theatre program will serve a total of 116 students, including 57 children with special needs and 59 peer mentors, who are divided into two groups, or casts. After participating in 22 weeks of classes and a cycle of dress rehearsals, each group of program participants will present two performances of “Aladdin.” The grant awarded by The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation will be used to support salary expenses for staff who conduct theatre activities. |
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 Hamilton Center Inc. Terre Haute, IN Project SEARCH Project SEARCH is a 9 month internship program in collaboration with Union Hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana for students and young adults with developmental and other disabilities. The program provides the opportunity to learn job skills, earn valuable job references and enjoy and learn from the mentors who are employees in the various hospital departments that welcome Project SEARCH participants. The grant awarded by The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation will assist with the cost associated with recruitment, training and recognition of program mentors. |
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 X-Cel Education Jamaica Plain, MA X-Cel Youth GED-to-College Initiative The X-Cel Youth GED-to-College initiative will focus on helping young adults, age 18-30, living in Greater Boston get their GED and/or enter post-secondary education or training. Specifically, X-Cel will seek out and recruit 25 young adults who are exiting the foster care system or who are currently or formerly court-involved or have been in the corrections system. The grant awarded by The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation will support GED and college preparation classes. |
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 Berkshire Theatre Festival Inc. Pittsfield, MA BTF PLAYS! With JRC YouthBTF PLAYS! With JRC Youth serves a population of at-risk youth from the Pittsfield Juvenile Resource Center who have demonstrated disruptive behavior and have been removed from public schools for their own and others’ safety. Participants are matched with theatre mentors, given a formal curriculum, and provided theatre tools to build confidence and communication skills. The grant awarded by The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation will help fulfill a matching grant provided by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. |
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 Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services Los Angeles, CA Miracle Theater Program for Youth with Autism and Other Special NeedsVista Del Mar’s Miracle Theater Program offers musical theatre classes for children and young adults age 6-22 with autism and other special needs, providing them with an opportunity to enhance their personal growth and help develop self-esteem and interaction with others. The grant from The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation will support staffing costs, specifically for music & art therapists, a musical director, and drama specialists experienced in working with children with autism. |
