WEST BAY COMMUNITY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

WE GIVE AND MAKE GRANTS TO A LIMITED NUMBER OF 501(C) 3 ORGANIZATIONS IN LEE AND COLLIER COUNTIES AS NOTED IN OUR MISSION STATEMENTBELOW ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF THOSE RECEIVING GRANTS THIS PAST YEAR: (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK $25,000MAKING A LASTING DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, ONE WEEKEND AT A TIME. ONE IN FIVE KIDS RELIES ON THEIR SCHOOL'S FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEAL PROGRAMTO PROVIDE THE NOURISHMENT THEY NEED TO LEARN AND GROW. BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHENTHEY LEAVE SCHOOL ON FRIDAY? EVERY FRIDAY AFTERNOON, THIS IMPORTANT PROGRAMGIVES CHILDREN BACKPACKS FILLED WITH KID-FRIENDLY,READY-TO-EAT ITEMS.CAFE OF LIFE $25,000FOR MANY, FOOD ISN'T A DECISION ABOUT WHAT RESTAURANT TO VISIT. IT CAN BE A CHOICE BETWEEN A DINNER OR MEDICINE, CLOTHING, OR SHELTER. CAFE OF LIFE FOCUSES ON ALLEVIATING NUTRITIONAL INSECURITY FOR WORKING-POOR FAMILIES AND LOW INCOME SENIORS IN A RESPECTFUL ENVIRONMENT THAT PRESERVES THEIR DIGNITY AND EMPOWERS THEM TO BE THEIR BEST.LACES OF LOVE $25,000SERVES OVER 20,000 KIDS IN NEED EACH YEAR, SOMETIMES PROVIDING THE FIRST PAIR OF SHOES A CHILD HAS WORN THAT'S NOT HELD TOGETHER WITH DUCT TAPE OR WITH THE TOES CUT OUT, SO THEY FIT. SNEAKERS ARE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT, SO THE KIDS CAN TAKE PHYSICAL EDUCATION AT SCHOOL AND RUN AND PLAY AT RECESS.OUR MOTHERS HOME $25,000IMAGINE BEING A YOUNG PERSON GROWING UP IN FOSTER CARE OR HAVING BEEN A VICTIM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. NOT SURPRISINGLY, THESE EARLY LIFE EXPERIENCES CAN AFFECT KIDS LATER IN LIFE AND THEIR ABILITY TO TRUST OTHERS AND FORM STRONG RELATIONSHIPS. OUR MOTHER'S HOME IS ON A MISSION TO CHANGE THE LIVES OF THESE COURAGEOUS YOUNG WOMEN BY PROVIDING A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN RECEIVE THE SUPPORT, GUIDANCE, AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY AND NEGLECT FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR BABIES.PACE CENTER FOR GIRLS $25,000GIRLS ARE AT HIGHER RISK THAN BOYS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WHICH MAY EXPLAIN THE STRONG LINK BETWEEN ABUSE AND GIRLS' DELINQUENCY, SUCH AS CHRONIC TRUANCY AND SUBSTANCE ISSUES. PACE COLLIER CURRENTLY PROVIDES SERVICES TO MORE THAN 140 GIRLS ANNUALLY IN THE IMMOKALEE COMMUNITY WHO ATTEND PACE FIVE DAYS A WEEK AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO PUBLIC EDUCATION. COUNSELING AND THERAPY PLAY A BIG PART IN THEIR GROWTH AND POSITIVE CHANGE.VALERIES HOUSE $20,000THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE USUALLY CAUSES SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY FOR MONTHS AFTERWARD. BUT NO CHILD SHOULD GRIEVE ALONE. BY HELPING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WORK THROUGH THE LOSS TOGETHER, THEY CAN GO ON TO LIVE FULFILLING LIVES. VALERIE'S HOUSE IS A SPECIAL PLACE WHERE CHILDREN CONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER AND LEARNTHE TOOLS TO HEAL AFTER HAVING EXPERIENCED THE DEATH OF SOMEONE THEY LOVE. SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDE GROUP SESSIONS WHERE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES CONNECT WITH OTHERS WITH SIMILAR LOSS, PLUS COUNSELING SERVICES WITH LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHEN ADDITIONAL SERVICES ARE NEEDED.