An e-newsletter from the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana

Table of Contents:

• How to Help Hurricane Ian Victims

• Grant Update: Personal Counseling Services Implements Psychological Testing Library to Help Families

• Update on 2021 Quality of Place Recipient & Preview of 2022 Award

Disaster Relief:

How to Help Victims of Hurricane Ian

On Sept. 28, Hurricane Ian slammed into the western coast of Florida, bringing 150+ mph winds, driving rainfall, and torrential flooding. More than 2.6 million homes and businesses were without power following the storms, with the death toll eclipsing more than 120.

Several organizations are on the ground to assist Floridians as they begin the recovery process. Local community members that are eager to help the recovery efforts assisting the victims of Hurricane Ian may be interested in supporting one or more of the nonprofits delivering aid listed here.

The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana provides this list as a starting point for those wishing to learn more about how to assist and has verified that each organization listed here is a U.S. 501c3 public charity.

We will also continue to update this list on our website as we learn more.

In the fourth installment of a 12-part series, CFSI catches-up with local organizations that were awarded grants by the Foundation in its first 30 years and how those grants have benefited the community.

(If you have an idea or suggestion for a future spotlight, let us know!)

Where Are They Now:

Personal Counseling Services Implements Psychological Testing Library to Help Families

The scene was becoming all too common for Doug Drake, the Executive Director at Personal Counseling Services (PCS) in Clarksville.

Each month, concerned parents would flock to the organization, with hopes they could help improve their child’s behavior in school. In many instances, teachers and counselors suggested getting the student tested for placement into special education classes, recommending PCS as a potential resource.

But testing was expensive - so much so that countless families decided to forgo the process all together, leaving children undiagnosed and struggling.

With the help of a $15,000 Catalyst Grant from the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana, PCS has been able to offer free psychological tests for area children since 2014, creating an instrument of change for youth in our region.

Did you miss the first impact stories of our 12-part series? Then check out the links below:

Part 1:

Food Insecurity

(New Roots)

Part 2:

Homelessness

(Hope Southern Indiana)

Part 3:

Teen Mental Health

(BAYA)

Quality of Place, One Year Later:

Jeffersonville Township Public Library Nears Completion on 'Pocket Park' Project

One year ago, the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana announced the first-ever recipients of its new Quality of Place - Pathways to Progress Grants Program: the Jeffersonville Township Public Library and the Floyd County Parks and Recreation.

With the $70,000 awarded to the Floyd County Parks and Recreation, the organization was able to finish their accessible playground project at Kevin Hammersmith Memorial Park in New Albany. The inclusive playground, which opened in May, features a zip line, swing sets, visually/hearing impaired play structures, and more. It also meets the National Demonstration Site criteria for Inclusion, becoming a regional destination for children with special needs.

The Jeffersonville Township Public Library was awarded $80,000, which was used to construct a pocket park, complete with structures for active, imaginative play designed to accommodate all children, including those with intellectual and physical differences.

Now, the project is nearing an end, with Director David Seckman anticipating a public opening in November 2022.

"We are very close and very excited to finishing this project up," Seckman says. "We're looking forward to the community having an opportunity to get out and enjoy it. This is one of the few accessible parks in our area, and even in the state of Indiana, that promotes play for all abilities and all types of children. So we're just excited to welcome our neighbors from all over the region to join us."

Check It Out:

The Jeffersonville Township Public Library is putting the final touches on their Pocket Park, which is located outside of the Jeffersonville branch. It is scheduled to open to the public next month.

About Us

The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana was founded in 1991 as the region's partner, resource, and steward in philanthropy. The Foundation manages $164 million in charitable assets and administers over 280 individual funds - each of which supports the unique charitable intent of the donor who established the fund. Annually, the Foundation awards millions in grants and scholarships to support our community and is a National Standards certified community foundation.

The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana has many tools to help you with your personal philanthropy. If you would like more information about any of our personal philanthropy programs, or if you need information on grants and scholarships, please give us a call or visit our website.

Community Foundation of Southern Indiana

www.CFSouthernIndiana.com | 812-948-4662