$50,000 payable over 2 years to Hope Rescue Mission for its child development program for children living at Hope’s Family Life Center which opened November 2005. In this center, infants, toddlers, and pre-school age children will participate in full-day development programs using the High Scope educational approach.

$30,000 to St. Joseph County Parks Department to purchase 100 acres of land adjacent to St. Patrick’s Park. The park has a special opportunity to purchase this land from a generous seller committed to parks and conservation. The land includes wooded and seasonal wetland areas and a small amount of farmland. This acquisition will increase the total park property to nearly 400 acres.

$20,000 to Robinson Community Learning Center to expand their Youth Justice Program, an alternative to court prosecution for first time offenders. Working closely with the Juvenile Justice Center and the Prosecutor’ Office, the goal is to more than double the number of cases handled in this upcoming year.

$12,000 to Children’s Campus for structural improvements to four group homes for emotionally disturbed children.

$12,000 to AIDS Ministries/AIDS Assist to purchase a new van for transporting individuals living with HIV/AIDS to doctors appointments, linking individuals with needed social services, and making deliveries from the food pantry to homebound clients.

$10,000 to Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics at the University of Notre Dame for a week-long, hands-on science camp for middle school students called “Sensing Our World.” Students are exposed to physics, chemistry, and biology through a proven curriculum that engages youth in scientific discovery. Efforts will be made through local schools to recruit students who show promise, but who might otherwise not have access to this type of program.

$5,550 over 2 years to African American Arts Association for an after school arts program to add drama, fiber arts, music and painting classes two days per week to the after school program at the Charles Martin Youth Center. Members of the African American Arts Association serve as teachers and mentors to participating students.