See Our Impact

Aging with Vitality Program

Adults ages 50 and older are the primary recipients of this program. Graceland Center for Purposeful Aging (GCPA) is activating change to enhance the lives of older adults by providing a space that fosters social interaction, mental well-being, and physical health for older adults. Aging with Vitality programs include fitness classes, arts and crafts, educational workshops, and recreational activities, all tailored to the needs of older adults. These activities keep participants physically active and foster cognitive engagement, reducing the risks of isolation and depression. GCPA serves as a supportive hub where individuals build connections, share experiences, and gain emotional support, combating loneliness. Health screenings, financial advice, and social service resources address practical needs. GCPA has demonstrated an incredible difference in the lives of older adults by promoting a higher quality of life, helping older adults to age well in place, remain independent, engaged, and form healthy connections with their community.

Youth Program Remodel

The Youth Program facilitated by NHA provides a safe, nurturing environment to at-risk youth in the Peoria community. As the needs of the community have changed with time, NHA has adapted youth programming to meet the expectations of families and children through responsive and culturally-appropriate academic, social-emotional, behavioral, and life-skills curricula. In keeping pace with this legacy, the current proposal will support NHA in remodeling its learning spaces, acknowledging the changing societal landscape in an effort to prepare at-risk youth for lifetime success.

By investing in the youth through updating the spaces utilized on a daily basis to include a full life-skills kitchen, a multidimensional sensory space, and a more age- and culturally-appropriate classroom setting in which students can engage in academic and enrichment activities, NHA will be able to continue to provide the vitally important youth programming that has positively impacted so many young people in Central Illinois.

New Truck for Food Rescue & Distribution

Midwest Food Bank (MFB) provides food to nonprofits at no cost that in turn, distribute it to the food insecure. MFB’s core Food for Nonprofits Program operates through relationships forged with generous food manufacturers, distributors, grocers and farmers who donate their oversupply of food. Rescuing food with trucks operated by volunteer drivers is a key component of our operational efficiency. As such, it is vital to our sustainability that MFB has trucks that are in good working order, safe for our volunteers to operate and cost-effective to maintain. MFB is seeking a grant to replace an aging, unsafe and unreliable box truck to improve the efficiency and reliability of our food distribution operations, to enhance the safety and retention of our volunteers and to create new opportunities to rescue additional food, especially at a time when food insecurity is rising and the demand for our services increasing.

Art Inc: Children who participate in the arts are more likely to succeed in school and develop positive skills and behaviors. ART Inc will transform an abandoned school building in one of Peoria's most challenged neighborhoods into an economically and environmentally sustainable video production facility. The Production Studio will enable ART Inc to enhance and expand their Arts and STEM programming. It will introduce 150 youth annually to film, studio music, lighting, and sound production through fun and engaging activities. Truly accessible to all, it will be also be a place where local artists come together and create.

Individuals experiencing homelessness or other life-controlling circumstances engage in unique Work-Readiness Training as part of a holistic approach to poverty alleviation. It provides opportunities for Residential Program students to explore and utilize their gifts and abilities as they learn the fundamental values of work within a relational, asset-based approach, addressing their spiritual, emotional, physical and educational/employment needs. Expected outcomes are decreased levels and cost of homelessness and individuals moving from poverty to progress as valued and contributing members within our community.

The Greater Peoria Family YMCA and the Peoria Park District are joining together to serve the needs of Peoria's most underserved communities. This unique effort will provide quality programming in a mobile experience. We intend to engage children and families in outdoor recreation and fitness experiences designed to create a better understanding of health and wellness, while building stronger relationships with each other, and developing a deeper spirit for community. This collaboration will have a consistent presence from spring to fall in six different community parks, three in each community, targeting both the 61603 and 61605 zip codes.

SFFC addresses root causes of neglect and social isolation, by hosting vulnerable children and creating extended support for families. Many families face crisis such as unemployment, domestic violence, homelessness, substance misuse or illness striking child/parent. During crisis', parents struggle providing a safe environment for their children. Parental stress can result in child abuse/neglect. With SFFC, these situations can be averted. SFFC intervenes prior to crisis through a community of volunteers fueled with compassion to keep children safe. Parents voluntarily place their children in a safe environment, while other volunteers support the parent to restore stability to their lives.