Special Needs Community Grants
In keeping with our mission of community service, the Nazareth Association established a grant-funding program entitled the “Special Needs Community Grant.” The program is in recognition of over a
century of dedication and work so generously given to communities throughout Michigan, and the world, by the Sisters of St. Joseph (now, the Congregation of St. Joseph).
Grants totaling $10,000, or more, are awarded to qualified applicants once a year. They are designed to provide financial assistance for special needs of various ministries and facilities sponsored
or endorsed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth, Michigan. Grants will be awarded on a “needs” basis for partial or full coverage of projects not fully funded by other sources in the following
areas:
Grants totaling $139,697 have been awarded since 1994 through 2020. Some examples of the assistance our grants have provided are: sewing machines, after-school programs, pre and post-natal
care, reading materials, spiritual outreach, computers, assistance to families struggling with AIDS and substance abuse, hospice care, massage therapy equipment, audio books, training in
non-violence, prison ministry, human trafficking and programs for children with special needs.
Special Needs Community Grant Committee for 2021:
ATTENTION
Please note, our address has changed. The address on the Grant Application is no longer valid.
Kindly use the one below
Nazareth Association
3901 Emerald Dr Ste N
Kalamazoo MI 49001-7923
2020 Grant Awards went to:
Gianna House, East Point, MI, Helen Susalla, CSJ ~ $1500
This is an Outreach Program providing support for all pregnant women on the East side of Michigan through classes and support groups. The funds will help with the overwhelming urgency to meet the needs for basic supplies, baby and mother toiletries and diapers.
Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, Galesburg, MI,
Virginia Jones, CSJ ~ $750
Given in support of a major project to provide barrier-free access to Bow-In-The-Cloud, a hidden gem connecting with nature located at the far north end of the Nazareth Campus.
Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance, Detroit,
Mary Catherine DeSantis, CSJ ~ $1500
FORC (Friends of Returning Citizens ) is a new program designed to meet the needs of folks recently released from prison. The Funds are for a computer to be used, with guidance, to find housing and work. The Directors are resource people to support their re-entry to the "outside".
The Workshop Way, Chase City, VA, Mary Anne Dalton, CSJ ~ $400
The request is to fund a Zoom account with The Workshop Way, plus to urchase two totally redesigned virtual Workshop training programs: Kindergarten Thinkers and Grade 1 Thinkers.
La Casa Guadalupana, Detroit, Marie Banzing, CSJ ~ $2000
Awarded to purchase 10 Chromebooks to support internet learning. They will be loaned during "stay at home" times. It continues the on-going literacy program for children and parents.
Kalamazoo, MI YWCA, KORU House, Rita Ann Teichman, CSJ ~ $900
A computer was requested for use at a Women's Shelter to safely look for housing, childcare and employment. It would provide access to search options and assist with resume building.
Strangers No Longer, Detroit, Nina Rodriquez, CSJ ~ $2000
This grant is in support of the programs designed to assist immigrants in their adjustment to a new community, a new way of life and help with food, medical needs, transportation, etc.
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2019 Grant Awards went to:
The Workshop Way, Based in Virginia, Mary Anne Dalton, CSJ ~ $800
Sr. Mary Anne is a dedicated educator and continues her mission as a consultant working with classroom teachers. She will be working with a Kalamazoo Public School K-3 Early Childhood Program as well as a similar program in rural Virginia. Funds will provide needed resource materials as well as travel assistance.
Centro de San Jose', Marie Benzing, CSJ ~ $2000
The focus is on family literacy supporting literacy for adults and children in the Hispanic community of southwest Detroit. This monetary gift will help support a 2 week summer program for grades
2 to 8 with a focus on furthering their reading and math skills. It will include two field trips and breakfast.
San Juan Diego Resource Center, Warsaw, IN
Joan Hastreiter, CSJ ~ $1500
The need for resource material to enhance faith formation, world view, inclusiveness and support for life expericnces is on-going. The intent is to provide quality religious and inspirational books, including several bi-lingual offerings, for folks in Warsaw and the surrounding area.
Benton Harbor Girls Academy, Benton Harbor, MI
Teresa Blundell, Nazareth Associate ~ $1000
November 2006, Dr. Patricia Ann Quattrin decided to establish a school for young girls in Benton Harbor, MI. Since the beginning the enrollment has fluctuated from year to year. Last year there were 10 girls total in grades 4th to 8th. Twelve students are anticipated to enroll this fall. This year's grant is awarded towards the purchase of new computers for the classroom.
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2018 Grant Awards went to:
The Workshop Way, based in Virginia, Mary Anne Dalton, CSJ ~ $770
Educating and supporting teachers in proven ways to effectively communicate with their students is very important. Funds will provide needed resource materials for phonics and reading as well as travel assistance.
Heart Sisters, Kalamazoo, Goretti Germain, CSJ ~ $1000
Informing vlunerable girls who are working in jobs that could be human trafficking and sexual prostitution there is another life by building relationships, restoring hope, supporting change.
Gianna House Residence, Detroit, Helen Susalla, CSJ ~ $1500
Choose Life for teenage girls to have their baby and teach them mothering skills. They can stay up to one year, complete their GED and learn life skills, providing a posibive start for their future.
Barrios Unidos en Cristo, Detroit, Nina Rodriguez, CSJ ~ $1000
A program for all who want to change from addiction using a retreat format that provides prayer, reading, discussion and reflection. Funds are used to purchase manuals and other material for our retreats.
Centro de San Jose', Marie Benzing, CSJ ~ $2000
Educaation of students and their parents in a casual atmosphere to enhance the learning experience for both. The focus is on developing and enhancing math skills for families by using math-based games which they design and can take home.
San Juan Diego Resource Center, Joan Hastreiter, CSJ ~ $1500
Warsaw, IN
Refugees need to have published bi-lingual documents to share their positive or other constructive experiences with others. It acknowledges their value and presence in the community.
Benton Harbor Girls Academy, Benton Harbor, MI,
Teresa Blundell, Nazareth Associate ~ $2000
Introducing students, using a Late Day program setting, to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Students can benefit from the opportunity to do something creative using a combination of new skills and direction.
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2017 Grant Awards went to:
Barrios Unidos en Cristo - Nina Rodriguez, CSJ - $1,000 to be used to purchase material for retreats, workshops, and other activities in the outreach programs for families in an Hispanic community located in one of the oldest parishes in Detroit. Members of these families are dealing with an ongoing battle with addiction.
Creative Community Pathways Healthy Living Corporation - Phyllis Davis Williams and Mary Anne Dalton, CSJ - $1,500 to pay some of the expenses of Mary Anne Dalton, CSJ and WorkshopWay team in presenting a weeklong demonstration-educational workshop with 20 participants (made up of the Pathways' group of professional and community members in the Detroit area).
Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance - Cathey DeSantis, CSJ - $975 to help buy materials and supplies, plus pay gas mileage and lunch for the two retired engineers who are the instructors for two workshops for The Tuskegee Spirit Project. This project teaches 16 children (ages 9 to 14) math and science skills while also giving them experience with small machines and tools. There are two workshops in which the students make the parts and assemble all sorts of wonderful things, e.g., tables, bookends, lamps.
The Holley Institute - Jacqueline A. Wetherholt, CSJ - $1,000 will provide some of the money for a program called ACORN (Artistry, Communication, Opportunity, Resourcefulness, Nurture). The participants develop pride, self-esteem and independence while learning theater craft in a beautiful outdoor setting near Brooklyn, Michigan. The Holley Institute provides support services for our population of deaf and hard of hearing middle and high school students.
New Life Literacy Center - Judy Blake, CSJ - $1,000 will be used to fund Project Transportation. The learners who come to the Literacy Center are there to have tutoring they need to take and pass the GED test. This grant makes transportation by bus possible for GED participants.
San Juan Diego Resource Center - Joan Hastreiter, CSJ - $1,500 - will be used to serve a diverse population of bi-lingual and multi-cultural local residents by providing a bookstore making religious reading matrials and other religious items available for those who are continuing on a faith journey. They need a technology upgrade to efficiently serve their community. They also need a web site, business cards, and a permanent ad in the parish bulletin.
Grants from previous years were awarded to: