Phillips Charitable Foundation is thrilled to announce eight grant awards to nonprofits dedicated to the needs and care of vulnerable children. Whether the challenge is related to foster care, medical issues, economic insecurity, or disabilities, we look for nonprofits that create hope, joy, stability, and care for children.
Best Buddies of Maryland
Maryland
Best Buddies creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Best Buddies Friendship programs build mutually enriching one-to-one friendships between students with and without IDD. Staff and volunteers provide opportunities for social interactions while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded. A $5,000 grant was awarded for the Best Buddies Maryland Friendship program. There are Best Buddies Friendship Program chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges throughout Maryland. People with IDD form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, and share interests, experiences, and activities that many other individuals enjoy.
Believe in Tomorrow Children's Foundation
Maryland
Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation provides exceptional hospital and respite housing services to critically ill children and their families, prioritizing armed forces families who have their own set of unique challenges.
Phillips Charitable Foundation awarded Believe in Tomorrow with a $60,000 grant to help renovate their newest respite home in Ocean City, Maryland. This home will accommodate critically ill children along with their families and nursing staff. It will provide a much needed sanctuary from the stress and fatigue of lengthy medical treatments.
Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands
The Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands was awarded with a $40,000 grant for a new van. Lutheran Social Services has been providing safety, support, and hope for the Territory’s vulnerable children since 1904. Transportation is a critical component of their operations, and they were in great need for a new vehicle. This enables staff to transport children in their care to school, appointments, extracurricular activities, and events. The children they care for are going through extreme stress and family upheaval. Enabling them to maintain as much of their normal routine as possible is essential during these times. We’re thrilled to provide this brand new van.
Here’s a link to a story about one of our prior grants to the Queen Louise Home at Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands.
Little Orchestra Society
New York
The Little Orchestra Society is a community music education organization. A $10,000 grant was awarded for their Musical Connections program. This program offers in-school music composition for young children in New York City public schools who would otherwise not have this opportunity. Students may attend concerts free of charge and take inspiration back into the classroom to compose their own new pieces of music to be performed by professional musicians.
The L.O.S. KIDS concerts are for children ages 3-10 along with their families. Theatre, video, dancing, original scripts, and music education are all part of these engaging live performances.
Lowcountry Orphan Relief
South Carolina
The mission of Lowcountry Orphan Relief is to provide support services and aid to meet the needs of South Carolina children identified as at-risk or suffering from abandonment, abuse, and/or neglect. A $10,000 grant was awarded for Care Kits. These are large duffel bags filled with two weeks of clothing, school supplies, coats, shoes, and personal items. The Care Kits are given to children who are removed from their home by protective custody. They usually have just the clothes on their back. While the Department of Social Services provides money to foster parents, it often takes weeks for that to happen. It is a frightening time for the children. The Care Kits help to fill that gap.
Angela's House
New York
Angela’s House assists families caring for children who are medically fragile. Support services are offered for children living at home with their parents or guardians and a residential program is also offered.
A $48,000 grant was awarded for two initiatives.
- A swing set and play area for their residential program was in desperate need of an upgrade. Phillips Charitable Foundation funded $8,000 of the total cost.
- The remaining $40,000 was for respite care. Parents and guardians are often exhausted by the level of care required to care for their child. The respite care program pays for caregivers to stay with their medically fragile child while they take a much-needed break. Angela’s House also offers a community respite option, hosting one gathering a month for the medically fragile child and family. This provides a safe and accepting atmosphere for families to meet and form important friendships.
Beyond Our Walls
South Carolina
Beyond Our Walls is a neighborhood learning and activity center for school-aged children in Pre-K through 6th grade. It is located in a low-income neighborhood and is open when schools get out in the afternoon. Children from area schools are offered healthy meals, academic programs, and social activities at no cost. This gives parents peace of mind while they are working and their children are out of school. Summer camps are also offered at no cost. A $9,5000 grant was awarded for the purchase of updated laptops, audio and visual equipment, enhanced security, and IT services to support their activities and education.
Jeremiah's Place
Pennsylvania
Jeremiah’s Place provides a safe haven of respite, health, renewal, and support for children when their families are experiencing a critical need for childcare. Jeremiah’s Place is the only crisis nursery in the region. A $5,000 grant was awarded for childcare program needs such as food, clothing, pajamas, and sensory items. Funding will also be used for rocking chairs.
CONGRATULATIONS to each of these nonprofit organizations dedicated to uplifting the lives of children in need. Through their efforts, essential resources, opportunities, and emotional support are available for vulnerable children. The impact is both immediate and life changing. We’re honored to support their work.
