PARKERSBURG - Three local nonprofits will receive a total of $19,000 for projects ranging from facility improvements to installing a new security system.
Delegates Dan Poling, D-Wood, and John Ellem, R-Wood, presented the certificates for the Governor's Community Participation Grants on Thursday during the Wood County Commission meeting. The commission acts as the pass-through agency for the state discretionary grants.
SW Resources was awarded a $10,000 grant to complete facility upgrades and a second grant for $3,000 for purchase of equipment and materials for the nonprofit agency. SW Resources, a community-based rehabilitation facility which provides employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities, is headquartered on St. Marys Avenue.
Poling explained that he, Ellem and Delegate Tom Azinger, R-Wood, pooled their requests, hoping to take maximum advantage of available funding.
"The funds for SW Resources should help them with much-needed facility upgrades, and the smaller grant is for the purchase of materials and equipment," Ellem said.
Sharon Lynch and Emily Larkins, representing the Family Crisis Intervention Center, accepted $3,000 for the domestic violence shelter.
"The funds will help pay for a new security system, which we have installed," Larkins. The system cost more than $10,000 and covers the shelter and surrounding grounds.
"It will make a much safer facility for the clients and the staff," said Larkins, the center's new executive director.
Volunteer Action Center was awarded $3,000 for office equipment.
"The center provides office space for a number of community nonprofit agencies and they share office equipment to help save expenses," Ellem noted.
The VAC is located in the Dils building.
"Everything has started to go down all at once, so these funds will really help," said Katy Sulfridge, the new VAC director.
