SitemapThe William Swanston Charitable Fund announced on Wednesday $321,000 in 2015 grants for 10 initiatives focused on health and wellness of at-risk children.
The Swanston Children’s Fund, which is dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk children, also announced continuing support for ongoing health and fitness programs in Mahoning and Trumbull counties.
“We are impressed by the initiatives local leaders are crafting to create more opportunities for local children to lead healthier, safer and more fulfilling lives,” Paul M. Dutton, chairman of the Swanston Children’s Fund, said in a news release. “The Swanston Children’s Fund is very pleased to leverage resources behind creative and dedicated professionals who care about our Valley’s children.”
Highlights of this year’s grants include $37,000 to expand two programs rooted in adaptive sports and recreation activities for children with disabilities.
Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio plans to expand its wheelchair basketball, softball, hockey and track programs for children and teenagers into Trumbull County. The organization plans to use its $25,000 Swanston Children’s Fund grant to buy more equipment and boost outreach activities.
“Adaptive sports programs are excellent for building physical health and self-esteem, but they are very expensive and many families cannot afford the cost for equipment,” Dutton said. “We are fortunate to have this program in the Mahoning Valley and excited about expanding it to children in Trumbull County.”
ASP Ohio, based in Wooster, started adaptive sports programs in Mahoning County last year and recently opened a satellite office in Youngstown.
Meanwhile, the Children’s Rehabilitation Center in Howland is expanding its year-old “Investing in Fitness for the Physically Challenged” initiative. Programming for the center’s $12,000 grant includes more exercise opportunities at the center and off-site, and sharing each child’s specific care plan with school officials and doctors to encourage routine participation in healthy lifestyle activities. The expanded effort also includes work with physical therapy, exercise science and nutrition students from nearby universities.
The Swanston Children’s Fund also approved $32,000 for the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation’s “Better Block” program, which will stage day-long festivals in two neighborhoods this year and two in 2016 to showcase their potential for healthier and safer conditions.
Better Block, a success in Cleveland, Nashville, Indianapolis, Portland and other large U.S. cities, “temporarily transforms city streets into safer and more inviting pedestrian areas,” the YNDC said in its application for the grant. The program promotes walking, biking, community pride and collaborative solutions that reduce crime and boost safety.
The events will feature temporary changes to traffic flows, bicycle lanes, outdoor eating and socializing areas, bicycle drawings, helmet giveaways, health fair activities, kids’ games, cooking demonstrations and local food and entertainment. The activities will be organized by teams of neighborhood residents and experienced organizers.
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