|
|
June 2020 Newsletter
in this issue...
Message From The Chair
Changes to Our Grant Making
Members' Father's Day Stories
Father's Day Celebration
20/21 Grant Applications
|
|
Dear members and friends of The Women's Fund,
We are used to thinking of June as the month of "dads and grads," of weddings and barbecues. While some of these things are still going on in a modified way due to the ongoing public health concern of COVID-19, this June clearly calls for anything but business as usual.
The Women's Fund is currently focused on successfully transitioning to a new fiscal year, which begins on July 1. This includes preparing the next Cabinet and officers to build on the impact TWF has made over the last decade. It has been my privilege to serve as Cabinet chair of TWF for the last two years, and I am looking forward to our continued growth and progress under the leadership of Cathi Lathrop-Cummings, the FY20/21 Cabinet chair.
Our organization has been here for the Redding community through recessions past and present, the Carr Fire, Camp Fire, and now a Coronavirus pandemic accompanied by national civil unrest in support of Black Americans. Through it all, thanks to our members, TWF has remained a steadfast supporter of local organizations that are on the front lines, responding to the needs of women and their families in our community. These organizations take action not only in response to the crisis of a given moment, but in response to the everyday crises of poverty, inequity, trauma, and institutional shortcomings we see in our community.
Over the past few months we have developed a plan to implement a new grant-making process that invites greater participation from both members and potential grantees. One change you'll see in this upcoming grant cycle is especially timely; rather than calling for proposals that meet a predefined, narrow focus area, we will be asking applicants to submit projects that reflect the needs they see as most pressing in our community. We expect that this change will ensure we meet this moment with more inclusive, relevant, and responsive grant-making.
During this time of sweeping change, it is comforting to know that we have a generous, caring community of people working to bring the best possible version of Redding through to whatever "normal" looks like on the other side of all of this uncertainty. Together with our members, The Women's Fund is truly a vector of hope; starting with ourselves, and carrying the message forward through every solution funded, and every life changed.
In solidarity,
Lori McNeill, Cabinet Chair
The Women's Fund of the Shasta Regional Community Foundation
|
|
Changes at The Women’s Fund: Promises Made, Promises Kept
Back in February we announced that The Women’s Fund would be making some big changes. Then the world tilted and came to a halt. Because of that we thought it was vital that we quickly get grant money out to Redding area nonprofits trying to help our fellow residents who suddenly found themselves in dire circumstances.
We felt it was equally vital that we honor our promise to you, our members, that you would vote on the grants your money makes possible.
Our plan for having a full membership vote came faster than we had expected, marking the beginning of a new tradition, a new way of doing things.
We hope that many of you will respond to our recent email and apply to serve on our Grants Review Panel which vets all of our grant proposals.
Another big part of our changes includes our focus area. For years The Women’s Fund has focused in a particular and specific way on whom and where your grant money was spent.
After careful consideration we have decided to open up our focus to a broader, more encompassing theme…
Programs That
C
reate A Better Future For Women And Their Families In The Redding Area.
Now in our tenth year, The Women’s Fund is honored to serve you and our community, especially at a time of what may prove to be incredible change.
You are everything to us. You bring your time and expertise to the community via our many committees, and your money softens the blow of hard times. Your vote is essential as we move forward into what is sure to be a challenging future.
Sincerely,
The Women's Fund of the Shasta Regional Community Foundation
|
|
|
|
Randy Yergenson
Being a dad, I imagine, is a blessing to most and to me it is a truly treasured gift. A gift equal to the gift of one partner for life, my bride! Having children is the single greatest event of our marriage and the cherry on top of the sundae.
If I have any advice for new dads, take the time to be there. Slow down and be present in the moment. Believe in your children and know your love is never wasted. That love will come back to you over and over. One of my greatest hopes is that my children have felt the love and deeply know how special and loved they are. Being a dad is the greatest gift.
|
|
Kevin Garvey
My dad is the most brilliant person I’ve ever known. He taught me the importance of an education, and I don’t necessarily mean just school, but he just never stopped learning. He taught himself everything that he knows, and he never slowed down.
He also taught me the value of a strong work ethic. As an entrepreneur, as far back as I can remember he worked 10 to 12 hours a day, usually seven days a week, and he never complained. But he always made time for his family.
That’s the most important thing he taught me: the importance of family. Now as a father
myself, I recognize what an invaluable role model my father has been.
in honor of Steve Garvey
|
|
|
June 21, 2020, is designated as the day we honor the “fathers” in our lives. The focus of The Women’s Fund is women and their families. This includes the men and boys, the husbands, grandfathers, dads, nephews, brothers, and the friends those women love and care for. The Women’s Fund would like to invite the you to honor or memorialize your father or other important men (husbands, sons, brothers, uncles, etc.) in your life through our Father’s Day Campaign. Please use this opportunity to join or renew your TWF Membership.
As we all know, COVID-19 has impacted the community through the cancellation of events. We were scheduled to have our annual Men’s Membership Event on April 27, 2020, which was to have been graciously hosted by Woody's.
The Women’s Fund Cabinet and Committees have continued to move forward. Striving to be creative, we have engaged with Zoom Meetings. Cabinet Members mobilized and the Grant Committee worked incredibly hard. This resulted in The Women’s Fund granting $50,000 in COVID-19 Emergency Funds to local non-profits.
The Women’s Fund thanks you for your support. We need you in order to continue our mission of improving the lives of women and their families by granting money to deserving non-profits in Shasta County.
Noella L. Pearson
Father’s Day Campaign Coordinator
|
|
The Women's Fund of the Shasta Regional Community Foundation 2020 grant application cycle will launch SOON! Nonprofit organizations/public charities with tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are invited to apply. To learn more about TWF grant application process, click
HERE
.
Please contact Amanda Hutchings at (530) 244-1219 or amanda@shastarcf.org if you have any questions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
