Grinnell, Iowa - February 21, 2024 - The Grinnell Mutual Group (GMG) Foundation has announced a significant three-year, $60,000 grant to support AmeriCorps members in five vital youth summer enrichment programs under the Grinnell Education Partnership (GEP) Summer Collaborative. Grinnell College and the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation together provide the collaborative infrastructure behind the partnership - bringing together human and financial resources to make the collaboration possible. Together, these five youth programs, LINK Grinnell, SLICK (Summer Learning is Cool for Kids), Grinnell Area Summer Camp (GASC), Grinnell College Museum of Art (GCMoA), and Drake Community Library (DCL), offer essential enrichment opportunities and food access for Grinnell-area children.
Melissa Strovers, Director of Collective Impact at Grinnell College, praised the support, highlighting its role in nurturing children's curiosity and providing essential lifelong skills. Tilly Woodward, host site supervisor for the GCMoA, emphasized the grant's impact in ensuring high-quality arts and literacy programs during the summer, preventing learning loss, and keeping children on track with grade-level norms.
Recruitment for 10 AmeriCorps summer positions is ongoing, focusing on literacy, play, art, and other enrichment activities. Interested individuals can find more information and access the application at www.grinnelleducationpartnership.org or by emailing
info@grinnelleducationpartnership.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through March 18.
The GMG Foundation aims to sustain non-profit organizations committed to education, healthcare, agriculture, community development, and employee civic involvement, reflecting their values of hope, encouragement, and compassion. The Grinnell Education Partnership is a collaborative of over 20 community organizations dedicated to supporting local education programs, focusing on early literacy, family engagement, workforce development, and financial empowerment to break the cycle of poverty.