Thanks to the generosity of Kiwanians and other donors, the Kiwanis Children’s Fund recently made grants to five clubs to help them meet the needs of children in their communities. More than 4,600 kids will benefit from the compassion and caring of Kiwanis International members through the following projects.

Creating a safe space for youth leaving foster care

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Broomfield North Metro in the Rocky Mountain District are providing a better future for adolescents who have emancipated from the foster care system. Without support and safe housing, a high percentage of these young people face homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse and sexual exploitation. The Kiwanis club received a grant to furnish the community room of a new apartment building being constructed to provide a safe haven and resources to more than 500 young people ages 14 to 18 who will be emancipated from foster care in the next four years. The club also will hold holiday parties and social events at Anchor House and provide financial literacy classes and mentorships. With these opportunities, the young people will be more likely to continue their education or transition into the work force.

Offering a secure place to play and learn

The Newburgh Armory Unity Center has an indoor soccer field, basketball court, classrooms, meeting rooms and spaces large enough to hold weddings and concerts. But the New York community center that serves thousands of families each year doesn’t have a playground. Thanks in part to a grant from the Kiwanis Children’s Fund, the Kiwanis Club of Newburgh is building a playground that will give children a safe place to play between classes. The center provides educational and recreational opportunities to underserved families and children in Newburgh and surrounding communities.

Filling homes with books

Raising a child in a home with books does more than promote a love of reading. Reading can have a life-changing impact for a child. Children who have their own books do better in all school subjects, have larger vocabularies and longer attention spans and are more likely to gain employment.

• The Kiwanis Club of Rancho Cordova in California received a grant for its Book Buddies project. The club will provide at least 1,000 age-appropriate books to help families build their own libraries.

• The Dexter Sunrise Kiwanis Club in Maine received a grant to expand its annual book program to pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. Members distribute books four times a year and build up to four Little Libraries in the community. In addition, club members will read to children on a monthly basis.

Providing essentials to babies and children

In South Australia, two organizations are working together to provide children experiencing hardship and trauma with critical items many of us take for granted. The Kiwanis Club of Glenelg is collaborating with the nonprofit Treasure Boxes to make sure families struggling with poverty, domestic violence or homelessness have clothing, bedding, toys and food. The Glenelg club received a grant from the Children’s Fund that will be used to purchase a single-axle trailer that will be used to deliver items to families from Treasure Boxes’ warehouse.

Interested in applying for a club grant? Learn more here.

Go to kiwanischildrensfund.org/give to support Kiwanis International’s mission of serving the children of the world.